Calling all Extraordinary Ministers Of Communion

[Sir_Knight]

I was approached about becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Communion in my parish. It seems that now that summer is here one of the Extraordinary Ministers of Communion is having a difficult time reaching all of the sick & home bound parishioners who live outside of the city limits because her children are home from school and she has less free time.

I already live on the outskirts of town so it would be less of a haul for me and since I’m already active in the parish (parish website, Knights of Columbus, etc.), she approached me about taking on this responsibility of brining communion to the sick & home bound parishioners in my area.

I initially said ‘yes’ because I considered it an honor but after hearing some things, I’m beginning to wonder if they are not in violation of any church laws or procedures and since this involves the Body of Christ, it isn’t something that should be taken lightly.

First off, I was under the impression that I had to go through some sort of training process and have my fingertips blessed by a priest or bishop since I would be touching the body of Christ.

Don’t ask me where I got this idea, I just sort of assumed that was the case. The woman chuckled and said that she didn’t have to do any of that kind of stuff and merely had the parish nun say a prayer over her. The parish nun? No bishop? No blessing of the fingers? No priest even in the picture?

Is this correct? If not, can anyone provide me with reference material as to exactly how things should be done so that I can quote from them when I meet with the parish nun. If anyone else can share with me what else is involved, I would appreciate it.

As I said, I consider it an honor but I also don’t want to do something incorrecting because I was unaware of the proper procedure and was informed incorrectly.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Mysty101]

Have you spoken to the Pastor?

I bring Communion to the local hospital, and we do sometimes try to find people to help, but they must go through the Parish for training. Usually there is the same training for an EMHC at Mass, with further instruction on distribution to the sick. Perhaps this lady thinks you are already an EMHC at Mass? This would be the only way a lay person could recruit you .

Call the rectory. and may the Spirit guide you in this decision.

PS All the negative press on EMHC is for overuse at Mass. There certainly is a real need for people willing to bring Holy Communion to the sick.

 

[trailblazer]

I am a Eucharistic Minister…was invited by my pastor…went through brief instruction regarding proper handling of the Eucharist…was installed by my pastor (nothing fancy).

You might check the code of Canon Law to see if there are any specific instructions regarding the Eucharist.

Considering your post here and the numeroust posts of yours that I have read, I hope you do become a Eucharistic Minister because you have much to offer the sick and shut-ins!

May God bless you!
SK Bob

 

[contemplative]

I signed up to be an Extraordinary Minister of Communion barely more than a 1/2 year ago. There was a 1 hour training for the 10 or so people who signed up. Unfortunately the training was pitiful. I was hopeful when the session started out with a prayer and meditation time but then nothing much followed afterwards. When the instructor said that intinction (“illegal dipping”: receiving the host in the hand, going to the minister with the chalice, and dipping the consecrated host into the chalice and receiving communion) was acceptable I knew for sure the whole hour was nothing more than a sham. Maybe some other parishes have better training? I hope so.

 

[Exporter]

May I insert this thought here?

I recieve on the tongue. I see and know the Priest during Lavabo washes his fingers ( before ditributing the Eucharist). I also see that the Extraordinary Ministers of Communion DO NOT wash their fingers. Some of them had just wiped the running nose of a child before they went to that duty. Why dont they wash their fingers?

 

[marty1818]

Exporter:

May I insert this thought here?
I recieve on the tongue. I see and know the Priest during Lavabo washes his fingers ( before ditributing the Eucharist). I also see that the Extraordinary Ministers of Communion DO NOT wash their fingers. Some of them had just wiped the running nose of a child before they went to that duty. Why dont they wash their fingers?

I think this action is more of a symbolic one. As the priest washes his fingertips he says “Wash me of sins, cleanse me of my inequities”.

matthew

 

[Sir_Knight]

Thank you everyone for your replies.
*

Exporter:

May I insert this thought here?

I recieve on the tongue. I see and know the Priest during Lavabo washes his fingers ( before ditributing the Eucharist). I also see that the Extraordinary Ministers of Communion DO NOT wash their fingers. Some of them had just wiped the running nose of a child before they went to that duty. Why dont they wash their fingers?

This is one of the main reasons why I receive on the tongue from the priests and in the hand from extraordinary ministers of communion.

trailblazer:

Considering your post here and the numeroust posts of yours that I have read, I hope you do become a Eucharistic Minister because you have much to offer the sick and shut-ins!

Thank you, that was a very nice reply. I was genuinely touched by your kind words. May God Bless.

Mysty101:

… Perhaps this lady thinks you are already an EMHC at Mass? This would be the only way a lay person could recruit you …

She DEFINITELY knows that I have never done this before. We are relatively new to the area (less than 2 years) and when we signed up with the Parish, her family was assigned as our “guardian angel family” to make us feel welcomed in the church. So there shouldn’t be any question in her mind that I never did this before.

 

[Pug]

Sir Knight,

Please do consider bringing communion to the sick. At my parish this summer we are really strapped for people to do it. I’m sure the summer is tight at your parish as well! This ministry is so important and I think the best use of extraordinary folks!

By the way, wash your hands when you arrive at the hospital to distribute communion. I think it is a good idea, anyway. :twocents:

I’d talk to the parish priest, to be sure everything is okay. The procedure for training and being put on an official list may vary by diocese. The EMHC are on a list around my parts.

 

[Mysty101]

Originally Posted by Exporter
May I insert this thought here?

I recieve on the tongue. I see and know the Priest during Lavabo washes his fingers ( before ditributing the Eucharist). I also see that the Extraordinary Ministers of Communion DO NOT wash their fingers. Some of them had just wiped the running nose of a child before they went to that duty. Why dont they wash their fingers?

This is one of the main reasons why I receive on the tongue

from the priests and in the hand from extraordinary ministers of communion.
As was pointed out this is a symbolic washing referring to sins, since water only would not bother any of those nasty germs. I have seen a Priest pick up garbage in the street on his way to celebrate Mass. I would like to believe that he washes his hands with anti-bacterial soap, but I really doubt it. And how many priests cough, sneeze and blow their nose during Mass?

PS Yes, everyone who distributes Holy Communion (especially to the sick or homebound) should wash their hands, before each communicant if possible.

 

[JC_Nixon]

I think instruction and installation of EMHC varies from Diocese to Diocese. I think it is supposed to be ‘mandated’ by the Diocese as to the proper cathecesis. For instance, in our parish and Diocese, we have a 4 hour Diocese training class, given by various priests. I have been to at least 3 of these classes, one left me infuriated, one left me confused and another was awesome. I guess it depends on the priest given the responsibility of the program. For instance, one parish who ‘hosted’ the training class, had their ‘director of liturgy’ a lay minister, give the class. While I wouldn’t have a problem with this had she given proper training, she did NOT.

In our parish, once you have completed the Diocese mandate class, then you are trained in parish procedure, since each parish has variations. Our Diocese mandates are good for 2 years and then must be renewed, usually with a ‘Morning of Reflection’ where we deepen our faith with scripture, reinforce proper procedure and reverence, etc.

People need to be taught, if they don’t already understand, that they are ministering the Body and Blood of Christ and the utmost care and reverence is to be given at all times.