Asked to be a EM?

[grubbles]

Hi everyone!

On Sunday after mass i was approached by the parish council to be a Extraordinary Minister?

My parents in law are EMs and i know it is something they enjoy and is a very special honour to be asked. I get recieved into the church on easter sunday and i said i would be delighted to help out the parish in this small way.

(our parish is a very family focused and welcoming place and i regulary do baking sales, tombola’s and every 4 weeks we cut the grass)

Is anyone else an EM and if so, could you give me a little insight to what lies ahead?

Also i do have another quick question!

As i said - i get brought into the church on Easter Sunday (not the vigil) has anyone else been welcomed on this day?

Many thanks

 

[whatevergirl]

hi grubbles, and welcome to the faith!

I was an EEM back in Pittsburgh for about two years, and it was such a humbling and faith shaping experience for me…I was honored to be asked, you should be too! Will there be a formal class/session for you to better understand what’s expected of the role? I will admit, I was so nervous my first/second time…I was shaking! It was humbling to be holding the Precious Blood, (this was my role) and I wanted to make sure I didn’t ‘mess up.’ But, God calmed me down…and over time, it was the most awesome experience ever!

It really is in serving others in this way, that we serve God best. I think there are so many blessed ways and ministries available to lay people, for them to serve God in holy ways, that God brings forth to them.

I’ll keep you in my prayers…God bless, and good luck!

 

[The_Fool]

Is anyone else an EM and if so, could you give me a little insight to what lies ahead?

Also i do have another quick question!

As i said - i get brought into the church on Easter Sunday (not the vigil) has anyone else been welcomed on this day?

I consider myself an EM, however I’m quite unhappy that the use of EM’s at my parish some something of a regular thing. Anyway, as an EM, you are expected to know how to help out at communion, and treat the Eucharist with the respect it deserves. It also means that you should look out for people who walk away without consuming. It’s horrible the things you might see sometimes. I can’t really think of what else might be involved. Just remember that if someone walks up to you for a blessing, you don’t do it like the priest! Please! it’s not your place to do so, yes you can do a little quick prayer for them, but not making a cross over their head or anything like that. Hopefully someone else will add anything I missed or correct my errors.

As for Easter Sunday, I usually go to the vigil, but I have heard of people being welcomed to the Church on Sunday instead of Saturday.

 

[grubbles]

Hi everyone!

wow - thanks for the quick replies!

I am honored to be have been chosen and we all had a laugh as my brother in law has been an alter server there for 17yrs and my Parents in law have been EMs for 10+yrs.

Nearly a family run parish at this rate!

Our parish is beautiful and slowly growing again - at the moment i think we have about 80 people in the congregation - all wonderful!

The EMs as far as i am aware are being officially “ordained” on Holy Thursday - i doubt mine will take place that quickly as i know there is a course to go through with the priest and then all the paperwork is sent to the archdioceses.

Soooo looking forward to helping out more and being again more activly involved during mass!

 

[603304529]

Unless there is a dire need for EM, the I would not be participating in the free for all handling of the Blessed Sacrament.

Whatever happened to the sacredness of the “hands of a priest”. Do a google for a poem by the same name. Then you might see where traditional Catholics are coming from, when they, as a general rule, condemn Communion in the hand, and lay Eucharistic Ministers.

 

[ibkc]

The subject of EMHCs is touchy among traditional Catholics. I don’t think EMHCs are used at all at Extraordinary Form masses, so for those who attend those masses exclusively, the concept of EMHCs may seem a bit alien and “off”.

My normal parish (for the time being) is an OF parish which over-uses EMHCs. Some Sundays, our pastor sits back and relaxes while a small army of EMHCs does all the distrubution of communion. (The pastor is not old, ill, or afflicted with some physical problem. He’s actually kind of athletic.)

If I were asked to be an EMHC, I personally wouldn’t do it. But that’s just me.

 

[whatevergirl]

Traditional Cathlics have the authority to ***condemn ***something? I agree that they are used in situations that are not ‘necessary,’ but I don’t have the authority to condemn something that the local Bishop permits (given authority over by our Pope).

 

[The_Fool]

lay Eucharistic Ministers.

I think it should be kept “extraordinary” or rare myself. Unfortunately, near everyone, and I do mean that literally, at my parish wants to finish communion as quickly as possible, which means you could see as many as six or seven “extraordinary” ministers at my parish. Anyway, let’s remember they are supposed to be extraordinary, as in not ordinary. I agree with you, I don’t go up until the last minute either, but let’s not make it sound like it’s supposed to be an everyday matter by calling ourselves lay Eucharistic Ministers. It sounds as wrong to me as calling a kid the ordinary breadwinner of the family.

I love that poem, and it inspires me greatly. I’d be inspired to kiss the priests’ hands too, but I think they already consider me a little off.

 

[grubbles]

Oh - my bad!

Eucharistic Ministers - im confusing my topics here - unless Extraordinary Ministers are the same thing?

I fully respect your points there and yes - as far as i am aware its normaly the Priests role to hand out communion.

In our parish we have an elderly monsengior (sp) and although he is a wonderful man and blesses all the children etc he does need a helping hand.

Some priests as im aware as a nurse have come in with some weird and wacky infections caused by passing out communion due to contact with other people body fluids - not that im saying they are just letting some other poor soul get the infections but stigma’s abou oral health and body fluid contact mean some parishs only dish out communion by hand.

medically speaking its not even possible to wear gloves for the communion as they would be needed to be changed before/after every new person - time consumming and costly

(i’ve had this convo with another priest i treated for a bite mark!!)

 

[The_Fool]

My bad. The proper term is Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, which has a somewhat different meaning from Extraordinary Minister and Eucharistic Minister.

But hey, you caught something! Look out for those biters! And as for the issue about fluids, the only bodily fluid I think you would be in contact with is saliva; at least it better be. I think I was told there used to be a cloth that went on the communion rail so people could accept in the hand, and consume without touching Him until that last moment. I think it also made it harder to steal Him without anyone noticing. Gloves would also not be possible in the case that there were still crumbs there.

Who said helping out at a parish wasn’t dangerous or difficult?

 

[ibkc]

My bad. The proper term is Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, which has a somewhat different meaning from Extraordinary Minister and Eucharistic Minister.

I think the correct term is “Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion” or EMHC.

 

[Shin]

I would generally advise anyone against being an extraordinary minister unless there truly is an extraordinary need.

That being said, if you are going to do so, make certain you observe chastity in your state in life, and are at the stage of sanctity where you do not commit habitual grave sins. Never perform the duties of an extraordinary minister with something serious on your conscience, Confession beforehand and true repentance are mandatory.

Prepare well beforehand each time, find an old prayerbook and say the prayers in it. Consider that if you take this upon you, you are called to a new level of holiness, for to be careless in this matter is a great risk to the soul.

‘To abstain from sinful actions is not sufficient for the fulfillment of God’s law. The very desire of what is forbidden is evil.’

St. John Baptist de la Salle

‘We must be pure. I do not speak merely of the purity of the senses. We must observe great purity in our will, in our intentions, in all our actions.’

St. Peter Julian Eymard

‘Know for a certainty that if men understood how terrible is even one solitary sin, they would rather be cast into a heated furnace, and there remain, living both in soul and body, than to support such a sight. And if the sea were all fire they would cast themselves therein and never leave it, if they were certain of meeting the sin on doing so.’

St. Catherine of Genoa

 

[TheDoctor]

I think the correct term is “Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion” or EMHC.

That is the correct term.

To the OP: Even though some of our traditional brothers and sisters don’t like it, EMHC’s are permitted. If you decide to pursue this, follow the guidance of your Bishop/Pastor (there will be guidelines and training) and not those of the internet.

At my parish, they are not only permitted, they are necessary due to the shortage of priests and the number/timing of Mass (pray for the former, we may be building a new parish for the latter). In addition to distributing communion at Mass, our EMHC fulfill another most blessed role by bringing the Eucharist to those who are unable to come to Mass due to disability or illness. Again, given the limited number of priests at my parish if it were not for our EMHC many of our brothers and sisters would be denied the joy of the Eucharist.

Remember, you can always start down the EHMC road and then withdraw if it makes you uncomfortable. May God guide you in your decision.

 

[grubbles]

I would generally advise anyone against being an extraordinary minister unless there truly is an extraordinary need.

That being said, if you are going to do so, make certain you observe chastity in your state in life, and are at the stage of sanctity where you do not commit habitual grave sins. Never perform the duties of an extraordinary minister with something serious on your conscience, Confession beforehand and true repentance are mandatory.

Prepare well beforehand each time, find an old prayerbook and say the prayers in it. Consider that if you take this upon you, you are called to a new level of holiness, for to be careless in this matter is a great risk to the soul.

‘To abstain from sinful actions is not sufficient for the fulfillment of God’s law. The very desire of what is forbidden is evil.’

St. John Baptist de la Salle

‘We must be pure. I do not speak merely of the purity of the senses. We must observe great purity in our will, in our intentions, in all our actions.’

St. Peter Julian Eymard

‘Know for a certainty that if men understood how terrible is even one solitary sin, they would rather be cast into a heated furnace, and there remain, living both in soul and body, than to support such a sight. And if the sea were all fire they would cast themselves therein and never leave it, if they were certain of meeting the sin on doing so.’

St. Catherine of Genoa

To the above poster :

As im new to this, and it maybe a litte daft question - i am married - chastity as in obviously not cheat on husband etc

It just confused me a little there as all our EM’s here are married.

I agree with you Doctor - in Scotland there is a great need for more Priests and thats why our local parishs lean so heavily on the EM’s - due to either illness or helping out with others in the parish who cannot come to get communion.

 

[603304529]

Could it be this type of thread that prompted maurin to ask:
where have all the trads gone? what happened to the traditional Catholic forum?

 

[The_Fool]

Could it be this type of thread that prompted maurin to ask:
where have all the trads gone? what happened to the traditional Catholic forum?

So you think this should be moved to… Liturgy and Sacraments?

We were just buzzing around, and answered. I hope you also noted a number of us believed that the EMHC idea should only be used in emergencies. I thought a traditional Catholic would agree. It’s a shame it’s there, just like how some people think it’s a down right shame there are women in the military(non-support role). We don’t have to like it, but it’s there, and until we get more ordinary ministers, there’s nothing we can really do except pray for more workers of the field.

 

[grubbles]

Could it be this type of thread that prompted maurin to ask:
where have all the trads gone? what happened to the traditional Catholic forum?

Woah!!

OK?

Emmm - i apologise if i put this in the wrong forum but i thought Traditional Catholics was in relation to catholics born into the faith and those who have a deep reverence to their faith??

As for the above quoted poster - i only asked a question and people were kind enough to answer my questions with good intentions and free will - something i treasure and respect.
I mean no ill will to anyone who is holy devouted to their faith and have lots of respect for them - but a question was asked and unuseful answers like the above dont really help people who are new to this faith - and it also shows why there is a big divide between very traditional catholics and others.

 

[603304529]

Woah!!

OK?

Emmm - i apologise if i put this in the wrong forum but i thought Traditional Catholics was in relation to catholics born into the faith and those who have a deep reverence to their faith??

As for the above quoted poster - i only asked a question and people were kind enough to answer my questions with good intentions and free will - something i treasure and respect.
I mean no ill will to anyone who is holy devouted to their faith and have lots of respect for them - but a question was asked and unuseful answers like the above dont really help people who are new to this faith - and it also shows why there is a big divide between very traditional catholics and others.

But do you understand why it is so offensive, to have lay men (and even worse, women), handling the Sacred Host?

Yes, it has been allowed under extreme circumstances.

Where I go to Mass, if you’ve got a crippled old over-the-hill priest who can’t walk up and down the communion rail, then the altar boy gets him a chair, and people file up, and kneel one at a time. Holy Communion might take longer than usual, but hey, whats more important? Getting home in time to watch the footy, or showing Our Lord some respect?

And as to the Masses where there are thousands or several hundred communicants, and only one priest? Well, there lies a deeper problem, innit? Like, why have we got so few priests these days? Could it be to do with laicisation of the holy ministry? People think they can be priests, and mum and dads as well?

The poor little altar boy that would love to be helping the priest out up on the altar, getting closer to God, is pushed out (not literally, but psychologically), by the other little girls, who want to be part of the show. POOF! There goes a potential vocation, and POOF! there appears a potential disgruntled lady of the future, who just can’t understand why we can;t have women priests…

Wake up people. The Church up until the 60’s had the right idea. She understood people, and their nature.

 

[ibkc]

Emmm - i apologise if i put this in the wrong forum but i thought Traditional Catholics was in relation to catholics born into the faith and those who have a deep reverence to their faith??

Not necessarily. The term “traditional Catholic” more specifically refers to those who (loosely) prefer the Catholic Church as it was before the Second Vatican Council of the early to mid 1960’s. The entire topic continues to be fraught with controversy, which is why there is even a separate forum for it. Our current Pope is working hard to resolve conflicts.

As far as your thread goes - the practice of using EMHCs is not a traditional one, and many feel that EMHCs are overused in many places. Therefore the practice of using EMHCs is not liked by many or most traditional Catholics and those in sympathy with their cause. So normally, a thread asking about being an EMHC would more correctly go in the Liturgy and Sacraments forum. Even there, you’ll find people who disapprove of the practice. It’s somewhat controversial even outside of trad circles.

Hope that helps explain some things.

 

[grubbles]

Ah gotcha

I’ll ask to get this moved to the proper forum - even then - as i have said i respect peoples views and opinions - its just such a confusing matter!

Mods can this be moved please??