EMHC Training question

[Jamie_Burns]

In your parish how much time is spent for the training of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion? How many training sessions, and (most important for me) how long are the sessions? Does your parish have follow-up trainings for already commissioned EMHC?

 

[Newbie2]

We have one session that lasts about an hour.

We used to have non-mandatory follow up sessions, but nobody came.

 

[Scoobyshme]

I was an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist for a few years in my old parish and received no training at all. I seemed to do okay, though.

 

[dconklin]

Our’s is two hours and all EMHCs are invited to attend for ‘refreshers’.

 

[uxordepp]

We have a morning session of about 3 hours, once a year. This is for both readers and EMs, who in our small parish are often the same people (not at the same mass!).

All participants are expected to come to the workshop whether or not they’ve been there before. For the one or two who cannot come or who volunteer later in the season, a private briefing is arranged.

 

[thomas_jd]

In your parish how much time is spent for the training of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion? How many training sessions, and (most important for me) how long are the sessions? Does your parish have follow-up trainings for already commissioned EMHC?

We are mandated for three years, new training is required to continue.
The pastor liturgically teaches and the lay co-ordinator trains the new and old in the proper procedures. General time frame of a hour or two. Any problems are handled by a letter to all explaining the problems drafted by the co-ordinator and approved by the pastor.

 

[PattiDay]

Ours is a very small parish. A basic explaination was given. Closely observing experienced EM’s at Sunday mass for a few weeks was advised prior to my name being added to the schedule. I felt deeply inadequate and questioned my worthiness, although my desire to perform this ministry was intense. I found numerous resources through an online search for EMHC training. None individually gave me what I’d hoped for, but taken together I got enough to calm me on some issues that concerned me.

A good deal of information was found here, some of which surprised me, like several posters who said they would not receive the chalice from the hands of a woman under any circumstances, but some very practical advice on things you might not think about, like high heels clicking on the altar, not crossing in front of the priest, and the worst thing in some peoples’ opinion, wearing any kind of scent.

A good course on the proper and reverent performance of this role would be welcome even after my 10 or so times at the altar. I am still awestruck that I am permitted to have this privilege, and that I hope doesn’t ever change.

 

[FirstCalled]

5 minutes. To study the positions chart.

 

[Joannm]

in our dioceses all potential EMHCs must take a four hour diocesan course. If the person wants to be a homebound or hospital minister they must take a second 4 hour course on Pastoral Care of the Sick. Particular traiing is done in the parish, plus parishes are encouraged to have enrichment meetings 2-3 times a year.

 

[Kevin812]

5 minutes. To study the positions chart.

Yup, that’s about right.

We have 4 Sunday Masses (ordinarily) and use 3 bread and 4 wine EM/EMCH. This number is bumped up to 4 and 5 for the Christmas and Easter seasons.

No-shows are handled by the designated Liturgy Committee person for that particular Mass. Although as, Sacristan, I have had to fill in at the VERY last moment or find warm bodies before Mass.

As Sacristan or just being a “busy body,” I have asked (always politely) for the EM to move to the correct spot or remind them off the wheelchair seating area. I always apologies after Mass and have never had anybody upset with me.

(The designated spots are important because of cramped quarters that was never meant for 3-4 bread lines. In fact the wine minister is surrounded by the choir.)

I wish that we could find regulars, and the EMCH changes so much that I’m lucking if I even recognize more than 1 or 2 at any given Mass. I know how this can be solved , but…see the other 5,000 threads on the Woes of the EMHC.

 

[Phemie]

An hour. Don’t attend and your name doesn’t get submitted to the Bishop for commissioning. OTOH, returning EMHCs are supposed to also attend this session as a refresher but some never do. Most of the training is about the mechanics of being an EMHC, little to nothing about the Eucharist itself.

 

[Joannm]

Our 4 hour diocesan training is divided into three sections. 1st is an overview of the Mass itself (yes, there are people who have no idea of the structure of the Mass - and they are recommended by their pastors to be Extraordinary ministers.) The second section is on Eucharistic spirituality and the final section is on the practical things and questions (some of which are really stupid). I have taught all three sections. Personally I like to teach the second section best.

 

[Phemie]

Our 4 hour diocesan training is divided into three sections. 1st is an overview of the Mass itself (yes, there are people who have no idea of the structure of the Mass - and they are recommended by their pastors to be Extraordinary ministers.) The second section is on Eucharistic spirituality and the final section is on the practical things and questions (some of which are really stupid). I have taught all three sections. Personally I like to teach the second section best.

I’ve taught the course in my parish but refused to be an EMHC since in this parish they are overused (at the time I was teaching it there were often 2 priests sitting while EMHCs distributed Communion). Would have liked to do more than give “here’s how you do it” instructions but that was frowned upon and most people figured that if they volunteered they should be able to do it, no questions asked. Only one woman indicated to the priest that she was divorced and queried her suitability, but since she was living in accord with Church teachings her divorce was irrelevant.

 

[Joannm]

I’ve taught the course in my parish but refused to be an EMHC since in this parish they are overused (at the time I was teaching it there were often 2 priests sitting while EMHCs distributed Communion). Would have liked to do more than give “here’s how you do it” instructions but that was frowned upon and most people figured that if they volunteered they should be able to do it, no questions asked. Only one woman indicated to the priest that she was divorced and queried her suitability, but since she was living in accord with Church teachings her divorce was irrelevant.

Do your potential EMs get interviewed? Ours have to write a letter to the pastor requesting to be an EM and why. Then I interview them and find out if they are really practicing (I have had people who say they don’t come to Mass every SUnday) or if there are impediments to their serving (such as marriage issues, living together, etc.). I have had to turn people down. It’s not easy and sometimes people get annoyed but most understand when you tell them why. I find that some don’t really understand the implications of being an EM.

 

[Phemie]

Do your potential EMs get interviewed? Ours have to write a letter to the pastor requesting to be an EM and why. Then I interview them and find out if they are really practicing (I have had people who say they don’t come to Mass every SUnday) or if there are impediments to their serving (such as marriage issues, living together, etc.). I have had to turn people down. It’s not easy and sometimes people get annoyed but most understand when you tell them why. I find that some don’t really understand the implications of being an EM.

Until now, no, they only have to put their name down on ‘sign-up Sunday’ and show up for the session. Then the pastor will forward their name to the bishop to be commissioned. I know that there are a few who don’t come to Mass unless they’re scheduled to be EMHCs, which is very unfortunate.