The ordinary ministers at the mass are Bishops, Priests and Deacons.
Does this mean someone who is not an acolyte can not carry the cross?
It has to be written this way because it is not imperative that there be a processional cross.
It seems to say that, or if not, it really does not say anything. It might say, the acolyte may carry the cross, or if there is no acolyte someone else might carry it.
That is correct. If there is an acolyte present, he it the one to carry the cross. Just like, if there is a deacon present, he is the one to read the gospel.
This is really poorly written: “whenever necessary” is ambigious. so is “to assist in any other way required”. Does this mean any old lay person can not present the book or assist? Is it necessary to be an acolyte to do this, or not? If it is not, the acolyte is a meaningless title.
If an acolyte is present, noone else should present the book. Have you ever been to a mass?
“whenever necessary” and “to assist in any other way required”. means exactly what it says. Our priest will sometimes leave his glasses at the presiders chair and needs them at the ambo or the altar. Sometime he fails to bring the book of blessings so the Acolyte will go fetch it from the vesting room. Sometimes there are not enough purificators.
“If appropriate”. What does that mean? Who writes this stuff?
It would be an assistence if the Acolyte could fix the sound system, but it would be more appropriate if someone with knowledge of the system were to fix it. It is assumed that knowledgeable people are at the mass.
We have gobs of extraordinary ministers. They are everywhere you look. But what does “if necessary” mean? Does it mean if no other extraordinary ministers show up, the acolyte can step in?
It means that it is not necessary if you have enough bishops, priests and deacons. But failing that, an Acolyte would serve. If noone in minor orders is available, extraordinary ministers could serve.
The function of taking the chalice and giving out Communion is performed by extraordinary ministers if we assume that is what “administering the chalice” means.
That is correct, however, that duty belongs to the deacon, if you have one present. Extraordinary means when ordinary ministers are lacking. And they should never be used when ordinary ministers are available.
Does this mean that when extraordinary ministers performed these functions it violated general instructions?
That is correct. It seems you correctly interpreted most everything there. It must have been written clearly enough.
Does this mean that the acolyte and other minsters should not be processing out the back of the church to meet and greet?
That is the opposite of what it said. It said they should process out in the same order they processed in. Returning to the sacristy to remove their vestments. I know some priests ‘meet and greet’ prior to removing their vestments but that is a personal choice. The rest of the procession would continue to the sacristy.
