communion service

[puzzleannie]

debate on the prudence of using EMHCs is not helpful to OP in this instance, nor is any speculation on what his diocese should be doing. He is the person on the spot, the only one at present available for this ministry, and hopefully will be able to siphon has been helpful on this thread–reference to the rite for administering communion without a priest–and ignore the rest. If you want an EMHC debate, start a new thread. Why yell at OP because his diocese does not have a priest to say Mass at the prison, or because the prison won’t allow it? how is that helping?

I just checked in to check with OP on how it is going with this ministry and to thank him. We have 7 prisons/jails in our town, 8 hospitals, countless nursing homes, and 4 priests, each of whom besides pastoring his own parish (and missions) has multiple diocesan responsibilities. No one, not even the parish priest, can enter the hospital or prison to distribute communion or carry out any pastoral function without permission of the facility. Exception is relative of a hospital patient who brings communion to that person only during established visiting hours. That is one reason so many lay people here are commissioned as EMHC (for the purpose of serving their sick relative only).

 

[THurifer2]

debate on the prudence of using EMHCs is not helpful to OP in this instance, nor is any speculation on what his diocese should be doing. He is the person on the spot, the only one at present available for this ministry, and hopefully will be able to siphon has been helpful on this thread–reference to the rite for administering communion without a priest–and ignore the rest. If you want an EMHC debate, start a new thread. Why yell at OP because his diocese does not have a priest to say Mass at the prison, or because the prison won’t allow it? how is that helping?

I just checked in to check with OP on how it is going with this ministry and to thank him. We have 7 prisons/jails in our town, 8 hospitals, countless nursing homes, and 4 priests, each of whom besides pastoring his own parish (and missions) has multiple diocesan responsibilities. No one, not even the parish priest, can enter the hospital or prison to distribute communion or carry out any pastoral function without permission of the facility. Exception is relative of a hospital patient who brings communion to that person only during established visiting hours. That is one reason so many lay people here are commissioned as EMHC (for the purpose of serving their sick relative only).

Thanks for checking in. My deacon/mentor is training me for two more sessions at the prison and then I am on my own. The inmates do get to have Mass 1-2 times per month by a priest who has to travel miles to get to the prison. I am taking over for the other 2 times per month for communion services.

My wife and I are also beginning permanent diaconate in August.

 

[Andy_Corder]

If the communion service is led by a Deacon (or Priest) then a homily may be given. The book by Catholic Book Publishing already referenced is an excellent tool. I lead communion services and have found it invaluable. It is small in size and easy to carry. It has appropriate readings in the back of the book along with responsorial psalms as well. One would have to bring the general intercessions with them, or compose their own (as allowed). The only thing not found in the book is the opening with the Sign Of The Cross,the opening prayer and the general intercessions.

God Bless you richly for your ministry. It is very much needed and very difficult.

 

[Spiller]

Spiller:

I ran out of time trying to do this edit, but this is very important, because it seems that the Roman Catholic Church in America seems to believe that Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Communion really means Minister of the Holy Communion - They’ve forgotten the EXTRAORDINARY, and I believe this has lad to a certain lack of awareness about WHO it is we’re consuming when we go forward to receive the Lord’s Body and Blood.

The “Work of the Laity” (according to Matthew 25:32-46) is to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, tend to the sick and visit those in prison; not to distribute our Lord’s Body and Blood. That’s supposed to be the work of ORDAINED Ministers - Bishops, Priests and Deacons. I believe people will have more reverence for the Blessed Sacrament when Ordained Ministers, and ONLY Ordained ministers distribute our Lord’s Body and Blood. And, I believe the Laity will take these other duties more seriously when they’re not spending so much time “paying around at being priests and deacons”.

Your Brother in Christ, Michael

First, it’s not the “Roman Catholic Church.” It’s the Catholic Church.

Second, in MANY cases, EMsHC do the work formally undertaken by priests.

 

[jmdsc]

Hello,

I am taking over communion service at a nearby state prison. I am replacing a deacon so I need to know the basic order for communion sevices.

When the deacon does it ( I went with him recently to learn the ins and outs of a Maximum security prison …no pun intended) he uses the sacramentary and omits the Eucharistic prayers.

COuld someone here point me in the direction of the basic order for a communion service…or perhaps even a book that explains it?

My bishop does not require special training for prison communion services…

Oh by the way…the only way theses inmates can recieve our lord is if I volunteer for this …I am the last availible person to do this.

The Dallas diocese has a “Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest” program - which I know is taught to laity.

Maybe this could be of some assistance to you? Couldn’t hurt to give them a call!

 

[Andy_Corder]

The Dallas diocese has a “Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest” program - which I know is taught to laity.

Maybe this could be of some assistance to you? Couldn’t hurt to give them a call!

I don’t believe the Sunday Celebration In The Absence of a Priest would be appropriate in this situation, unless the prision ministry is being done on a Sunday and would have normally been a mass. That is primarily designed for a deacon in a parish or mission situation celebrating a Sunday Liturgy when no Priest is available for whatever reason. The appropriate celebration is found in the Holy Communion Outside of Mass book which has already been discussed here.

 

[Jfran41]

Duly ordained Priests are enabled and authorized to be ministers of the Eucharist, acting in the person of Christ himself.
Deacons may, under certain circumstances, also minister the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
Only in very limited circumstances, may lay people be authorized to act as extraordinary ministers of a Sacrament as important as Holy Communion.