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Extraordinary Ministers Expectations
When you serve as an extraordinary minister, be attentive to all your words and actions. Enter the sanctuary at the appointed time. Receive Holy Communion with intention and reverence. Carry the vessels chest high, mindful of what they contain. Announce “The body of Christ” or “The blood of Christ” with meaning and faith. Wait for the response, and then offer Holy Communion. Afterward, carry the vessels carefully to the appointed place. Cups should be taken to the credence table and ciboria to the altar. An extraordinary minister falls into the routine rather quickly, but the pattern should never be thoughtless. Your actions should always be filled with meaning - every step and every word.
Your attire should demonstrate your appreciation of how your role fits within the worship experience. Does your attire express respect and reverence for the sacred mysteries that are being celebrated? Would you consider wearing your church clothes to a job interview? Your ministry as an extraordinary minister is, in actuality, much more important than any interview because it is an encounter with the bread of life come down from heaven. Such an encounter requires a reverent demeanor and appropriate clothing.
It is important to arrive early for the Mass at which you are assigned to assist with Holy Communion. Check in at least 15 minutes before Mass begins with the designated coordinator (EM Captain). When Checking in, be sure to receive an EM cross which will designate the position where you will serve. If you do not check in or receive a cross, you are not serving as an EM at that Mass. The back of the cross has a rendition of the inside the church. The position where you will serve is clearly marked.
At the Sign of Peace during Mass, go to Mary’s Statue in the Northwest part of the Church. You will line up in the proper order there before you proceed to the NW wall. This will eliminate the commotion which distracts the congregation from the Eucharist. After serving as an EM, return the cross to the Captain at Mary’s statue.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
In every celebration of the Eucharist, there should be a sufficient number of ministers of Holy Communion so that it may be distributed in a reverent and orderly manner. Bishops, priests and deacons distribute Holy Communion in virtue of their office as ordinary ministers of the Body and Blood of the Lord.(1) When the size of the congregation or the incapacity of the bishop, priest, or deacon requires it, the celebrant may be assisted by other bishops, priests, or deacons. If such ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are not present, "the priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, i.e., duly instituted acolytes or even other faithful who have been deputed for this purpose. In case of necessity, the priest may also depute suitable faithful for this single occasion (GIRM 162)."
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should receive sufficient spiritual, theological, and practical preparation to fulfill their role with knowledge and reverence. In all matters they should follow the guidance of the diocesan bishop (Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds for the Dioceses of the United States of America, NDRHC, no. 28).
To perform this ministry at St. Jude, the extraordinary minister must be the right kind of person: a baptized and confirmed Catholic in good standing with the Church. The minister will be a person of faith, who believes in God, follows Christ, and trusts in the Holy Spirit. The minister will have a genuine love for the Eucharist, in order to share the joy of Holy Communion with all who partake. The minister will love the body of Christ in all its forms, and seek to serve the people of God in their times of need.
All young people over 16 years of age are welcome to participate in our liturgies as extraordinary ministers at all masses, but especially at the 5:00 pm mass on Sundays.
Monthly Schedules
TrainingTraining for Extraordinary Ministers scheduled throughout the year. Consult the church calendar for additional confirmation of dates and times.