Welcome and thanks for coming and special thanks for your ministry.

We would like to begin with prayer…

General Instruction of the Roman Missal (rev 2000) Published by the USCCB with approval of the Vatican.

And our bishop And the pastor.

 All should observe the norms established by the Bishop for his diocese regarding the office of those who serve the priest at the altar. GIRM 107

The name of this ministry is: Extraordinary Minister of Communion (Not Eucharistic Minister or Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist)

Description of liturgical items Purificator Corporal Ciborium, Ciboria (plural) Cup, main chalice Pyx, pyxes (plural) Lectionary Sanctuary Altar Ambo Altar cloth Roman Missal Book of the Gospels

Requires a great deal of flexibility and adaptability to various situations.

9  The standard for dress and behavior is higher for a person serving in ministry at the altar of the Mass.  We dress in a way that brings honor to the Blessed Sacrament, our Father’s house, and our parish family.  Sanitation – come to Mass clean. Wash your hands before Mass.  We always respect the ministry, serving with reverence and humility.

IIt is always Christ who is serving and being served. TThe EMCs ministry is a service to the Church… ……and a help to the priest who is always acting in persona Christi.

 Our words are important. They express our theology, our true beliefs. We want to be accurate on what terminology we use.  We are not distributing bread. It is no longer bread.  We are not distributing wine. It is no longer wine.  We are distributing the Body and Blood of Christ, soul and divinity.

12  The substance of the bread and wine is changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, under the appearance of bread and wine.  So let’s use terms that accurately express our belief.  We are ministers of the Body, the Precious Body, or the Blessed Sacrament; ministers of the cup, the chalice or the Precious Blood.

 Arrive 15 minutes early.  Check in with Mass captain.  It’s preferable that EMCs do not serve in another ministry at the Mass.  Gather for prayer in the Vestry five minutes before Mass.

The Mass captain is in charge of the location assignments. Sometimes circumstances will require the captain to make a decision on assignments that might not please everyone.

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Sign In Sheet

Ministry Crosses

 Please understand if the captain had to replace you.  If you are early and not scheduled, please check in with the captain to let him/her know of your availability to serve.

20  Besides assigning EMCs, confirm the presence of other ministries:  Sacristan  Lectors  CLOW – Children’s Liturgy of the Word leaders.  Servers  Number of priests/deacons serving at this Mass.  Promptly notify the priest or deacon of any difficulties or minister shortage issues.

 The priest will distribute the Blessed Sacrament to all EMCs at that time.  If a deacon is present, he will follow with the Precious Blood.  If no deacon is present, one of the EMCs will follow, distributing the cup to the other EMCs. The cup will be handed to the EMC by the priest.

 These tasks are reserved to Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist – the priest or deacon. Norms, no. 37

 However, the deacon may distribute the Blessed Sacrament, as well, depending on the situation.

 The priest (or deacon) hands the sacred vessels to the EMCs for distribution.  EMCs do no pick up a ciborium or chalice from the altar.  An exception would be if you have returned to the altar to re-fill your ciborium.

W E WAIT FOR ALL MINISTERS TO RECEIVE THEIR VESSELS. W E THEN PROCEED TOGETHER TO OUR ASSIGNED DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS. Before Mass, as we checked in, we were assigned our distribution location and which of the Sacred Species we would be distributing.

 Communicants should not be denied Holy Communion because they kneel.

 Any Communion posture issues are a matter for the pastor’s attention alone.  It is never the EMC’s job to determine who should or should not receive Holy Communion, or the posture in which they receive.

30  The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant.

Bow of the head is from the shoulders. A profound bow is from the waist.

32 When Holy Communion is received under both kinds, the sign of reverence is also made before receiving the Precious Blood. GIRM 160

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34 ( No other words should be substituted. For example, do not say, " This is the Body of Christ." Recipients likewise should simply reply " Amen " and not create embellished responses. Also, please do not use people ' s names.

35  It is not the job of EMCs to correct or suggest behaviors of recipients.  If you do not hear an “amen,” simply say one quietly to yourself.

36  We are in no hurry. We are not about efficiency.  Try to make eye contact with each person and smile.  Place the Body of Christ gently and lovingly onto the hand or into the mouth.

37 Note: The EMC should assist in assuring that the Blessed Sacrament is consumed and not carried off. Any unusual occurrences should be referred to the pastor or deacon immediately.

Running short on hosts?  Return to the main ciborium to re-supply your needs.  Or obtain more from the EMC next to you.  If the supply becomes short, it is permissible to break hosts in half, or into even smaller pieces.

Intinction  Dipping of the Blessed Sacrament into the Precious Blood by the communicant. This is a form of self communication.  This is not an accepted practice in the US.  When an EMC sees intinction about to happen, to cover the cup with the purificator and ask the communicant to consume the host first. If there are complaints, they are to see Father.

Distributing the Precious Blood After saying “the blood of Christ,” (Sanguis Christi) the communicant says “Amen.” Hand the chalice to the recipient. Do not hold it up to their lips. Generally, it is best to hold the chalice with your dominant hand and hold the purificator in the other.

Distributing the Precious Blood…continued. Wipe the rim of the cup inside and out. Rotate the cup approx 1/8 turn. Rotate the purificator to clean areas 3 or 4 times. If you have completed distribution at your station, determine if another is open.

New: When your cup is empty, reverently place it on the Altar for purification by the deacon or priest. New: At the credence table, rather than consuming from your own cup, minister the remaining Precious Blood to another appropriate minister nearby. When empty, place cup on Altar for purification. In turn, stand by to receive the cup from another cup minister, if needed.

New: When placing your chalice on the Altar, please do not wipe out the cups or put purificator in cup. Return to your seat. Your ministry is complete.

Footnote If your line has finished and you still have Precious Blood, sometimes the musicians or choir would like to receive the cup. Otherwise, once your cup is empty, place it on the Altar and return to your seat. Your ministry is complete.

45 A pyx is a small golden container that is used to take the Blessed Sacrament to the sick. Sometimes, those who present themselves for Holy Communion will present a pyx, as well. Simply place a host into the pyx, then administer Communion normally to the person.

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 The remaining Blessed Sacrament is taken to the altar by each EMC.  Check to see if another station needs assistance.  When finished distributing simply leave your ciborium (dish) on the altar.  Your ministry is completed. You may return to your seat.

48  The Blessed Sacrament is always handled as the precious treasure it is.  The remaining Blessed Sacrament is returned to the Tabernacle after all remaining hosts are collected.  Only a priest or deacon may purify the sacred vessels.

The Roaming Catholic EMC Responsible for:  Following ushers to those who are unable to come forward in procession.  Distribution to the musicians. Check with them before Mass begins.  Responsible for distribution of the low-gluten hosts.

The Roamer – continued… ◦These special hosts are kept isolated from the regular wheat hosts in a separate ciborium. ◦The Roamer distributes these hosts firsts, proceeding directly to the rear of the Baptismal Font to meet up with the communicants. ◦When done here, return to the Altar to pick up the ciborium and continue to the infirm, the cry room, and the musicians.

Other… ◦It’s permissible for an EMC to refill their own ciborium from the main ciborium. ◦It’s fine for and EMC to fill any pyxes needed for distribution to the sick. ◦Roamers may supply their needs for the choir themselves from the main ciborium.

 The Body of Christ is dropped –  Stop. Remain calm and immediately pick it up.  If it is not seriously soiled (e.g., was not in a mouth), it should be immediately consumed by the EMC or the recipient.  If it is seriously soiled, return the host to the Altar, placing it on the corporal or purificator for proper disposal later.

 The Precious Blood is spilled –  Use a purificator or corporal to absorb as much of the Precious Blood as possible.  Leave the spot covered for washing with water as soon as possible after Mass.  The cloths used will be carefully hand washed and the water poured down the sacrarium.

54 Always distribute unless you are specifically directed otherwise by the pastor. (We are not the communion police.)

55  There is no universal law or authoritative Church statement on the matter, therefore we turn to our Bishop for direction.  The Bishop’s office has advised that this is a permissible practice. Our pastor concurs.  So, EMCs at OLC are permitted to bestow a blessing, e.g. “God bless you.”

56  The blessing would be for those who present themselves with arms crossed across their chests.  Do not use Trinitarian blessing words or motions such as the Sign of the Cross. These are reserved for clergy.  Simply extend your hand over the person’s head and say “God bless you.”  Do not touch.  Sanitation issues with touching hair or skin while distributing.

Remember that being an Extraordinary Minister of Communion is not an entitlement, but privilege and a great responsibility.

As an EMC, you will be viewed, and properly so, as a leader in the parish. Your behavior will be watched as a model for others. Make your own singing, praying and responses sincere and enthusiastic.

Questions? Thank you for your ministry! Extraordinary Minister of Communion Training - January 2016

The Blessing of Extraordinary Ministers.