Any other parishes have EMHC 'jump in'?

[Mel_Stones]

More and more often at my parish, we have to have EMHC jump in at the literal last second to help serve because those who were scheduled didn’t show up. We have a sign in sheet but no one really looks at it (except to verify that there is a lector) or those scheduled don’t sign if before Mass so looking at it doesn’t accurately show who’s there. EMHC are suppose to go up to the sanctuary during the Sign of Peace. Often only one or two (there should be three) go up and others have to scan around to see if any one is moving and then walk up there alone when no one does to fill the empty spaces. It is trained EMHC who are filling in so it isn’t that they aren’t proper or anything.

It gets me flustered because I have ‘jumped’ several times now and filling in at the last second means I haven’t prepared properly. I recognize the need for EMHC and accept my position to fulfill it as possible but I take if very seriously and want to be prayerfully prepared when I serve.

I just wondered if this was a regular problem or fairly unique.

 

[Joannm]

More and more often at my parish, we have to have EMHC jump in at the literal last second to help serve because those who were scheduled didn’t show up. We have a sign in sheet but no one really looks at it (except to verify that there is a lector) or those scheduled don’t sign if before Mass so looking at it doesn’t accurately show who’s there. EMHC are suppose to go up to the sanctuary during the Sign of Peace. Often only one or two (there should be three) go up and others have to scan around to see if any one is moving and then walk up there alone when no one does to fill the empty spaces. It is trained EMHC who are filling in so it isn’t that they aren’t proper or anything.

It gets me flustered because I have ‘jumped’ several times now and filling in at the last second means I haven’t prepared properly. I recognize the need for EMHC and accept my position to fulfill it as possible but I take if very seriously and want to be prayerfully prepared when I serve.

I just wondered if this was a regular problem or fairly unique.

Unfortunatly it is common in our parish as well. The only thing I could suggest is to prepare for every mass you go to as if you were going to be needed to assist. Actually, it is a very good idea for ALL in the assembly to prayerfully prepare to celebrate the Eucharist.

 

[jpjd]

We used to have this problem, but Father made it clear that everyone should find a substitute if they can’t make it.

A schedule is made that covers 3 months, and is distributed to the EMHC’s. At the end of the schedule is a list of the EMHC’s and their phone numbers. Also listed is a message from Father to find a substitute if you can not attend your assigned Mass.

This procedure seems to work well. On occasion there will be an absent EMHC and someone will jump in, but it doesn’t not seem to be a frequent occurrence.

 

[csg1976]

More and more often at my parish, we have to have EMHC jump in at the literal last second to help serve because those who were scheduled didn’t show up. We have a sign in sheet but no one really looks at it (except to verify that there is a lector) or those scheduled don’t sign if before Mass so looking at it doesn’t accurately show who’s there. EMHC are suppose to go up to the sanctuary during the Sign of Peace. Often only one or two (there should be three) go up and others have to scan around to see if any one is moving and then walk up there alone when no one does to fill the empty spaces. It is trained EMHC who are filling in so it isn’t that they aren’t proper or anything.

It gets me flustered because I have ‘jumped’ several times now and filling in at the last second means I haven’t prepared properly. I recognize the need for EMHC and accept my position to fulfill it as possible but I take if very seriously and want to be prayerfully prepared when I serve.

I just wondered if this was a regular problem or fairly unique.

This happens at my mom’s parish fairly often with altar servers and lectors. One week there will be an overflow of altar servers, next week no altar servers at all. This past week a lector was pulled from the front pew 5 minutes before Mass began. Thankfully there have been people available to fill-in.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

We also have a schedule that goes out each month with emails and phone numbers. Right after it is sent there is a flurry of emails with requests for subs so everyone knows their position is covered ahead of time.

Very occasionally since our pastor was ill did we have a situation where we needed more EMHCs than are usually scheduled, then someone would ‘jump in’ at the last minute.

Praise be to God, our pastor is on the mend and has started celebrating Mass again and is now able to also stand long enough to distribute communion as well. :getholy:

Why don’t you suggest an email/phone list for EMHCs so that schedule swaps can be made in advance. And possibly your pastor will want to remove someone from the roster if it is clear that they are consistently not serving when scheduled.

 

[AHapka]

I see it as no problem at all, and in some cases have had to “jump in” myself. I have also not served when I felt I was conscious of mortal sin and made someone else “jump in.”

The first letter of EMHC stands for “Extraordinary,” which means NOT the ordinary. The priest is allowed to specifically select someone for a specific occassion.

It’s fine as far as I’m concerned. Better to have someone serve who’s soul is in a state of grace (known to the best of their ability) then to have anyone who doubts serve.

 

[Mel_Stones]

A schedule is made that covers 3 months, and is distributed to the EMHC’s. At the end of the schedule is a list of the EMHC’s and their phone numbers. Also listed is a message from Father to find a substitute if you can not attend your assigned Mass.

We have this system but it must be failing somewhere. Maybe the personal bit from the priest is what does the trick.

Why don’t you suggest an email/phone list for EMHCs so that schedule swaps can be made in advance. And possibly your pastor will want to remove someone from the roster if it is clear that they are consistently not serving when scheduled.

How do I suggest to my pastor or the church secretary that they remove those who routinely don’t serve? I know you didn’t exactly suggest that I do so, but I do know my pastor and the secretary quite well and would like to suggest that - but would it be my place to make such a suggestion?

 

[Mel_Stones]

This happens at my mom’s parish fairly often with altar servers and lectors. One week there will be an overflow of altar servers, next week no altar servers at all. This past week a lector was pulled from the front pew 5 minutes before Mass began. Thankfully there have been people available to fill-in.

I’ve had to jump in as lector as well. Once was a couple weeks ago - about five minutes before Mass Father asked ‘could someone volunteer to do the readings please?’. I figured because it was my second Mass that weekend (I’d already gone on Saturday), I knew the readings so I jumped.

The first time I had to jump is a better story though. We had a visiting priest who has a weird habit of adding a sort of short meet and greet at the beginning of Mass. Once after he asked us to turn to one another and greet each other in the name of Christ, I started looking around wondering where the lector was. I finally determined that there wasn’t a lector and walked up to the priest (feeling like a complete idiot - my first thought was ‘everyone is going to think I’m asking for a quick confession’ ). And asked the priest if he had a lector, he looks around and says ‘I guess not’ very nonchalantly. I volunteer to go get ‘the book’ and internally smacking myself for not knowing the proper name, walked to the back of the church, found ‘the book’, and served as lector cold. Don’t want to do that again anytime soon .

 

[Malkin71]

More and more often at my parish, we have to have EMHC jump in at the literal last second to help serve because those who were scheduled didn’t show up. We have a sign in sheet but no one really looks at it (except to verify that there is a lector) or those scheduled don’t sign if before Mass so looking at it doesn’t accurately show who’s there. EMHC are suppose to go up to the sanctuary during the Sign of Peace. Often only one or two (there should be three) go up and others have to scan around to see if any one is moving and then walk up there alone when no one does to fill the empty spaces. It is trained EMHC who are filling in so it isn’t that they aren’t proper or anything.

It gets me flustered because I have ‘jumped’ several times now and filling in at the last second means I haven’t prepared properly. I recognize the need for EMHC and accept my position to fulfill it as possible but I take if very seriously and want to be prayerfully prepared when I serve.

I just wondered if this was a regular problem or fairly unique.

I have seen this happen too at Mass. My pastor told me “Ad Hoc” is allowed. I resfused. This is a reason why Rome should rethink, restrain, and limit the use of EMHC. I do believe that clear ruberics should be in place. Another post VII experiment that has led to abuse.

 

[Mel_Stones]

I see it as no problem at all, and in some cases have had to “jump in” myself. I have also not served when I felt I was conscious of mortal sin and made someone else “jump in.”

The first letter of EMHC stands for “Extraordinary,” which means NOT the ordinary. The priest is allowed to specifically select someone for a specific occassion.

It’s fine as far as I’m concerned. Better to have someone serve who’s soul is in a state of grace (known to the best of their ability) then to have anyone who doubts serve.

I’m not so concerned with the state of my soul when serving - that I should have figured out before any Mass. Its more that I want to have said the prayer of preparation, know the responsibility to serve was mine that Mass, know whether I should be Cup or Host, and not have my heart attacking my rib cage in adrenaline when I walk to the sanctuary because of the quick decision necessary. Trust me I’m not quick to jump, I’ve even had times where there was a couple of minutes gap between when the one or two ministers go up and I finally start walking up because no one else has.

 

[Malkin71]

I’m not so concerned with the state of my soul when serving - that I should have figured out before any Mass. Its more that I want to have said the prayer of preparation, know the responsibility to serve was mine that Mass, know whether I should be Cup or Host, and not have my heart attacking my rib cage in adrenaline when I walk to the sanctuary because of the quick decision necessary. Trust me I’m not quick to jump, I’ve even had times where there was a couple of minutes gap between when the one or two ministers go up and I finally start walking up because no one else has.

I would be concerned about “state of my soul”. EMHC touch the Presence of Our Lord when distrubuting Holy Communion. So respect is a MUST. EMHC is not a must at Mass. Only when called upon. The laity have become so used to them, that a Mass without them is a shock. I rather see a Ordained Minister distribute Holy Communion.

 

[Mel_Stones]

I would be concerned about “state of my soul”. EMHC touch the Presence of Our Lord when distrubuting Holy Communion. So respect is a MUST. EMHC is not a must at Mass. Only when called upon. The laity have become so used to them, that a Mass without them is a shock. I rather see a Ordained Minister distribute Holy Communion.

You misunderstood me, I agree with every thing you say. I am concerned about the state of my soul before EVERY Mass whether I will be EMHC or not. Maybe its because not receiving would provoke a response from my dad so I just try to be in a state of grace regardless.

I wish EMHC wasn’t ever needed but I accept that it often is. I’d don’t even pretend that my parish is so large that EMHC is always necessary - it would probably only take 5-10 extra minutes for Father to alternate between the two lines while distributing (but he’s probably get dizzy ).

 

[EasterJoy]

We have two issues:

1. the EMsHC don’t always show up for their scheduled week.
2. we are lucky enough to have additional priests or deacons available at some Masses, but as they are retired priests or transitional deacons with varying schedules, we need to schedule as if they won’t be there, and improvise when they arrive.

This is the solution in place at present, which works rather well:

1. We have crosses for the EMHC to wear, which hang on numbered pegs in the sacristy in the back of church. Each number has a particular station during Holy Communion. The EMsHC agree to be there 20 minutes before Mass starts. Each one “checks in” by removing his or her cross from the correct peg, so if you trade with somebody, you just take the cross from their assigned peg.
2. With each “number” may also go a job: for instance, #1 sets up the credence table before Mass, #2 sees that everything is put away after Mass, and so on. One of the EMsHC have the job of seeing that the positions are filled exactly by 5 minutes before Mass starts.
3. Likewise, there is an order in which EMsHC are relieved of their duties if priests or deacons in addition to the main celebrant show up: For instance, if #1 is usually at a station to distribute the Body of Christ, that number might automatically step aside if there is an extra priest, while #2, a station at which the Precious Blood is distributed, would step aside if there is an extra deacon, and on down the line until all the EMsHC are replaced if sufficient ordinary ministers are present. (No EMHC is used when an able-bodied priest or deacon is available, which so far has only happened when the Precious Blood was not distributed because of H1N1 concerns.)

That is, if not enough EMHC show up by 10 minutes before Mass starts, the one checking everyone in finds replacements, if possible, (which he might flag down as “possibles” as he sees them walking in earlier) or informing ones who have already checked in that they won’t be needed, or will be taking a different station than they might have thought.
For instance, “Deacon Y is here, so he’ll be taking your place” or “You were #1, but Fr. X is here and the person who was supposed to be #4 isn’t, so you are now #4”…or…“We are short the EMHC for station #2, so your station will be vacant and you will take station #2, instead.”)

 

[EasterJoy]

I’d don’t even pretend that my parish is so large that EMHC is always necessary - it would probably only take 5-10 extra minutes for Father to alternate between the two lines while distributing (but he’s probably get dizzy ).

OTOH, especially if Father is over 60 or is alone in a large parish, the extra time taken for two Masses or three Masses every weekend can make a rather large difference to him. Likewise, a younger priest might consider it a deference to the older ones to accept the same arrangements that his elders use. So if Father says he wants an extra EMHC, I’d give him the benefit of the doubt. There is the alternative, I suppose, but considering he answered the call, which itself is a great sacrifice as well as a blessing, I’d want to err on the side of considering his preferences with all charity. We owe our priests so much, after all.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

How do I suggest to my pastor or the church secretary that they remove those who routinely don’t serve? I know you didn’t exactly suggest that I do so, but I do know my pastor and the secretary quite well and would like to suggest that - but would it be my place to make such a suggestion?

If you know your priest well, I would suggest it with him. More in the sense of a question. “Father, I know folks have been missing their assigned Sundays a lot recently. How can we help people remember better or is there a process for people to be removed from the list if they aren’t able to serve?”

In my parish, there is a couple who are in charge of making up the schedule based on people’s Mass time preference. All the selection of EMHCs and local training (in addition to the diocesean training) is done by our pastor. No one gets to say “this year I think I’ll try out being an EMHC”. So since the pastor selects you, he can also ‘fire’ you.

If your church secretary makes the schedule, perhaps she just doesn’t have the time to organize it according to Mass time preference or coordinate with altar server, usher, etc schedules. People’s Sundays may just be really hectic if they are serving in more than one position. If you have the time, perhaps you can offer to take that over?

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Easter Joy, this is an extremely well thought out plan! Our parish does not distribute the Precious Blood because our pastor is too concerned about spillage and the need to then have more EMHC. Right now we schedule the usual required number, but because we often also have visiting priests, they do get ‘bumped’ by an Ordinary Minister on occasion. We haven’t had a Sunday Mass with just Ordinary Ministers distributing in a while though.

We have two issues:

1. the EMsHC don’t always show up for their scheduled week.
2. we are lucky enough to have additional priests or deacons available at some Masses, but as they are retired priests or transitional deacons with varying schedules, we need to schedule as if they won’t be there, and improvise when they arrive.

This is the solution in place at present, which works rather well:

1. We have crosses for the EMHC to wear, which hang on numbered pegs in the sacristy in the back of church. Each number has a particular station during Holy Communion. The EMsHC agree to be there 20 minutes before Mass starts. Each one “checks in” by removing his or her cross from the correct peg, so if you trade with somebody, you just take the cross from their assigned peg.
2. With each “number” may also go a job: for instance, #1 sets up the credence table before Mass, #2 sees that everything is put away after Mass, and so on. One of the EMsHC have the job of seeing that the positions are filled exactly by 5 minutes before Mass starts.
3. Likewise, there is an order in which EMsHC are relieved of their duties if priests or deacons in addition to the main celebrant show up: For instance, if #1 is usually at a station to distribute the Body of Christ, that number might automatically step aside if there is an extra priest, while #2, a station at which the Precious Blood is distributed, would step aside if there is an extra deacon, and on down the line until all the EMsHC are replaced if sufficient ordinary ministers are present. (No EMHC is used when an able-bodied priest or deacon is available, which so far has only happened when the Precious Blood was not distributed because of H1N1 concerns.)

That is, if not enough EMHC show up by 10 minutes before Mass starts, the one checking everyone in finds replacements, if possible, (which he might flag down as “possibles” as he sees them walking in earlier) or informing ones who have already checked in that they won’t be needed, or will be taking a different station than they might have thought.
For instance, “Deacon Y is here, so he’ll be taking your place” or “You were #1, but Fr. X is here and the person who was supposed to be #4 isn’t, so you are now #4”…or…“We are short the EMHC for station #2, so your station will be vacant and you will take station #2, instead.”)

 

[Newbie2]

We’ve used a different way of avoiding “jump-ins”. We have a schedule, but also have a sign-in board. There is a “captain” for each mass, and it is their responsibility at the beginning of mass to make sure we have enough EMEs available (that’s what we call them, anyway…whether EMHC is more correct is for a different thread ).

All of our EMEs know to check the board when the arrive for mass, and the captain signs in those who volunteered to fill in. If there are still some MIAs, the captain has the music director or deacon make an announcement before mass starts to fill in the missing spots.

It seems to be working pretty well.

 

[EasterJoy]

We’ve used a different way of avoiding “jump-ins”. We have a schedule, but also have a sign-in board. There is a “captain” for each mass, and it is their responsibility at the beginning of mass to make sure we have enough EMEs available (that’s what we call them, anyway…whether EMHC is more correct is for a different thread ).

All of our EMEs know to check the board when the arrive for mass, and the captain signs in those who volunteered to fill in. If there are still some MIAs, the captain has the music director or deacon make an announcement before mass starts to fill in the missing spots.

It seems to be working pretty well.

This is basically the same idea as what we do, with the advantages that you know who has substituted from whom and you don’t have people accidentally going home without returning the sign-in board to its peg!

One other thing: we have all the EMsHC who have signed in sit in a certain section of the church. It not only makes it more orderly when they approach the front of church for Holy Communion; it also makes it easier to find them if the captain needs to give them a message.

 

[Newbie2]

This is basically the same idea as what we do, with the advantages that you know who has substituted from whom and you don’t have people accidentally going home without returning the sign-in board to its peg!

One other thing: we have all the EMsHC who have signed in sit in a certain section of the church. It not only makes it more orderly when they approach the front of church for Holy Communion; it also makes it easier to find them if the captain needs to give them a message.

Not a bad idea…:newidea:

 

[EasterJoy]

Not a bad idea…:newidea:

The idea that I like is that the people who sign up for packed Masses, like Christmas and Easter, have an assigned seat reserved for them and their families. It is no problem getting somebody to volunteer, let me tell you! (OK, I’ll be fair: there isn’t a problem getting people to sign up for the decidedly unpacked mid-week Holy Days, either. It is a good group.)