Asked to be an EMHC

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yessisan

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I was in Mass yesterday, and after the Eucharist, I went back to my pew, kneeled to pray, and asked God to please bring me closer to Him, that I needed his help to get back in track because I am a bit confused after the JWs messed with me last yr. I have felt as though I don’t have enough faith, or as though I’m too far away from God (even though I do go to Mass, pray several times a day, practice NFP, and spend half of my days on CAF 😃 ).

Anyway, when Mass ended, I was waiting for the Priest to exit, and one of the 2 Deacon’s was in front of me (he didn’t have to be part of Mass this time). He was sitting with his wife, and as I was starting to walk out of the pew, the wife ran up to me, introduced herself and asked if I would like to be an EMHC. What’s interesting to me is that I was wondering right when the Priest was giving the Eucharist to EMHC’s what it was like to be one, or how it was that they became one, and to my surprise, the Deacon’s wife comes and asks if I want to become one.

Then when I went home, DH and I ate lunch, and I was tired from the night before so we took a little nap, and when I woke up, I began thinking, “Well, DUH!!! You were asking God to help you become closer to Him, and right before you left Mass, your prayer was answered!”. I couldn’t believe He had answered my prayers that fast! I had doubted the way I prayed, and thought maybe I was doing it wrong, but I guess not. I know the one thing I pray for all the time is basically asking for a miracle (I ask DH converts to the CC), but with God, everything is possible. I hope that with this new thing, I become even closer to Him. I really needed this.
 
It might be flattering but how exactly does it make you feel closer to God? Do you now feel holier than you did before? Those that aren’t asked are condemned to hell?

Frankly, I find your post to be a little arrogant and somewhat condescending.
 
I think it’s great that you can help out more at your local Parish. 🙂

I’m sure you’ll be a wonderful EMHC.

God answers prayer. Keep praying for your husband.

In Christ,

JD
 
BobP123 said:
It might be flattering but how exactly does it make you feel closer to God? Do you now feel holier than you did before? Those that aren’t asked are condemned to hell?
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I didn’t get a “holier than thou” attitude from this post.
 
To have a service opportunity - how wonderful. God uses those who are willing.
 
BobP123 said:
It might be flattering but how exactly does it make you feel closer to God? Do you now feel holier than you did before? Those that aren’t asked are condemned to hell?

Frankly, I find your post to be a little arrogant and somewhat condescending.
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??? How did you get that from my post? I was praying for something to bring me closer to God, and this invitation surely is just that. Could it be that I needed to serve God in a different way??? Why would you think I’m being arrogant?:mad: :confused:
 
yessisan, keep on praying and thanking God for opening up your mind and strengthen your faith.

Jesus calls you to serve Him in different ways and being an EMHC is one of the ways.

I pray that you will be a better servant to Jesus.
 
Yessian,

This was similiar to how I was asked. The woman in charge came up to me and commented on how nice it was to see how reverent I am at church etc and asked me to consider serving. I still had to go meet with my Priest.

This service has been a huge blessing in that I feel very close to God in a special way when serving. It has also been a cross in that there have been those occaisions where I have not been in a state of grace on my scheduled Sunday and did not get to confession. On those occaisions I had to call for a replacement or let the sacristan know I could not serve that day.Very good lessons in humility but difficult nonetheless.
 
BobP123 said:
It might be flattering but how exactly does it make you feel closer to God? Do you now feel holier than you did before? Those that aren’t asked are condemned to hell?

Frankly, I find your post to be a little arrogant and somewhat condescending.
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BobP,

Your post was pretty rude. How was Yessisan condescending (i.e. to deal with people in a patronizingly superior manner.)? And where did she say “those that aren’t asked are condemned to hell”?

Honestly Bob, you and I both know that you dislike that there is even such a thing as EMHC - and as a result you decided to accuse Yessisan of being “condescending” and “arrogant”. The truth is that she was neither, and that she is trying to open up, and discern if this is something the lord wants her to do.

Ultimately, I feel that your post is way out of line. You could have expressed your true motives much better, simply by saying why you are opposed to EMHC and maybe give a few reasons why she shouldn’t - there is no reason for ad hominem attacks.

Catholig
 
Also, just a note… I was too, not too fond of EMHC’s for a while, but when I saw the true need for them, I began to soften up to the idea.
 
yessisan said:
Thank you Catholig!

Also, just a note… I was too, not too fond of EMHC’s for a while, but when I saw the true need for them, and I began to soften up to the idea.
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Well personally I prefer to receive from the priest, because his hands are consecrated to the lord - so I’m not fond of EMHCs (and I do struggle w/ charity especially in regards to my thoughts :o). I just thought it was wrong how BobP resulted to ad hominem attacks, calling you condescending.

And ultimately if it came down to receiving Jesus from an EMHC or not receiving him at all I’d most certainly choose to receive him. 👍

Catholig
 
Catholig said:
Well personally I prefer to receive from the priest, because his hands are consecrated to the lord - so I’m not fond of EMHCs (and I do struggle w/ charity especially in regards to my thoughts :o). I just thought it was wrong how BobP resulted to ad hominem attacks, calling you condescending.

And ultimately if it came down to receiving Jesus from an EMHC or not receiving him at all I’d most certainly choose to receive him. 👍

Catholig
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You’re not the only one, I rather receive from the priest, but if there’s a need at this Parish, then, why not help out?
 
Well I don’t know - exactly how many EMHCs do you have? How many families - sometimes people see a need where there isn’t a need. If there isn’t a need maybe you can discuss it w/ the priest - if there is a need, however why not you? I mean if you sincerely love Jesus, maybe you can distribute holy communion, AND most importantly protect him (e.g. make sure that no one walks off w/ a consecrated host :().

CAtholig
 
First let me say that I am an EMHC, and am very proud to be one. I strongly feel that I am part of the Mass by being able to distribute the body and blood of our Lord Jesus.

Let’s face it, some day, the way we are losing priests, there may be more and more callings for laypersons to become more active in the Liturgy. If the Pope approves of laypersons distributing communion, then who are we to deny it as being a holy event both for the church and for the EMHC.

Although some may not like to take holy communion from a laypeson, they do have the option to go to the priest, unless there are logistical reasons for not doing so. But the consecrated hosts and wine are the same no matter who distributes them. One is definitely receiving the body and blood of Christ when they partake of Communion during a liturgical service.

I understand that some have strong feelings on this, but it is their feelings and they have a right to have them. But please don’t condemn those who were asked and agreed to distribute Communion in accordance and compliance with this sanction from Rome. This is an awesome event for a EMHC.

YBIC

SeanTom
 
SeanTom said:
First let me say that I am an EMHC, and am very proud to be one. I strongly feel that I am part of the Mass by being able to distribute the body and blood of our Lord Jesus.

Let’s face it, some day, the way we are losing priests, there may be more and more callings for laypersons to become more active in the Liturgy. If the Pope approves of laypersons distributing communion, then who are we to deny it as being a holy event both for the church and for the EMHC.

Although some may not like to take holy communion from a laypeson, they do have the option to go to the priest, unless there are logistical reasons for not doing so. But the consecrated hosts and wine are the same no matter who distributes them. One is definitely receiving the body and blood of Christ when they partake of Communion during a liturgical service.

I understand that some have strong feelings on this, but it is their feelings and they have a right to have them. But please don’t condemn those who were asked and agreed to distribute Communion in accordance and compliance with this sanction from Rome. This is an awesome event for a EMHC.

YBIC

SeanTom
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It is a provisional and supplementary sanction. From reading the OP—it was a deacon’s wife who reguested for the OP to be an EMHC. If the priest did not make this request to the OP—it is not for the deacon’s wife to do it.

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html

[151.] Only out of true necessity is there to be recourse to the assistance of extraordinary ministers in the celebration of the Liturgy. Such recourse is not intended for the sake of a fuller participation of the laity but rather, by its very nature, is supplementary and provisional.[252] Furthermore, when recourse is had out of necessity to the functions of extraordinary ministers, special urgent prayers of intercession should be multiplied that the Lord may soon send a Priest for the service of the community and raise up an abundance of vocations to sacred Orders.[253]
 
Walking_Home said:
It is a provisional and supplementary sanction. From reading the OP—it was a deacon’s wife who reguested for the OP to be an EMHC. If the priest did not make this request to the OP—it is not for the deacon’s wife to do it.

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html

[151.] Only out of true necessity is there to be recourse to the assistance of extraordinary ministers in the celebration of the Liturgy. Such recourse is not intended for the sake of a fuller participation of the laity but rather, by its very nature, is supplementary and provisional.[252] Furthermore, when recourse is had out of necessity to the functions of extraordinary ministers, special urgent prayers of intercession should be multiplied that the Lord may soon send a Priest for the service of the community and raise up an abundance of vocations to sacred Orders.[253]
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She and her husband are in charge of this ministry, that is why she asked me.
 
Yessian,

I will pray for you that you may follow God’s will. I will also pray that people will display charity in their interactions with other people.
 
yessisan said:
She and her husband are in charge of this ministry, that is why she asked me.
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Are there problems/circumstances with the distribution of Holy Communion that requires the addition of another EMHC at your church. For ex.—without your help–would the Mass be prolonged, to where it would cause a problem.
 
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