emhc training?

[puzzleannie]

the best part about the discipline of the priest purifying the vessels (before they are taken to the sacristy for cleaning) is that it lengthens the time after communion so we have more than 3 seconds to meditate with Our Lord, even in those parishes where we have been forced to stand and sing for 15 minutes while everyone receives. We attended Mass in at least 12 parishes in several dioceses over the summer (including a TLM Mass and in several vernacular languages btw) and the practice varies widely, and is properly observed in all aspects perhaps in 2 of the parishes we attended. Even the best have some blips in the system. Which is why I said the training must include and be founded on the relevant documents.

 

[melinda_s]

well i checked with one of the emhc’s about the training and he said it takes about 5 minutes i was hoping it would take a bit longer but i can’t help that and then i’m put on the roster makes me a bit nervous has anyone else been? but if i can do a reading well i hope i can be an emhc just as well

 

[Phemie]

well i checked with one of the emhc’s about the training and he said it takes about 5 minutes i was hoping it would take a bit longer but i can’t help that and then i’m put on the roster makes me a bit nervous has anyone else been? but if i can do a reading well i hope i can be an emhc just as well

Gee, and I thought ours was lacking!

Obviously the training is just about showing you how to distribute with no theology or doctrinal teaching – which is about what I got for training when I became an EMHC for the first time some 20 years ago.

 

[Justin1224]

The way its done at our church is that when the EMHCs are done distributing communion they will dump whats left over into the large ciborium on the altar and then place it on the credence table. The EMHCs offering the cup will drink whats left over and then leave it on the same table. When every one has returned to their seats and the communion hymn has been sung, the priest will go down in front of the altar and invite those who are taking the eucharist to shut-ins to come forward and receive the host. Then he will go and return the eucharist to the tablernacle. After mass has ended and everyone is leaving, the priest will greet people as they leave church and at the same time, the EMHCs will clear off the credence table and bring everything into the sacristry. Then one of the EMHC will pour water into one of the cups or ciboria and then transfer the water from one to another until its been in all of them and then dump it into the sink that has the drain that goes into the ground. then they get washed, dried and put away. When the priest comes back to the sacristy, all he has to do, is unvest and grab the money and leave.

 

[benedictgal]

The way its done at our church is that when the EMHCs are done distributing communion they will dump whats left over into the large ciborium on the altar and then place it on the credence table. The EMHCs offering the cup will drink whats left over and then leave it on the same table. When every one has returned to their seats and the communion hymn has been sung, the priest will go down in front of the altar and invite those who are taking the eucharist to shut-ins to come forward and receive the host. Then he will go and return the eucharist to the tablernacle. After mass has ended and everyone is leaving, the priest will greet people as they leave church and at the same time, the EMHCs will clear off the credence table and bring everything into the sacristry. Then one of the EMHC will pour water into one of the cups or ciboria and then transfer the water from one to another until its been in all of them and then dump it into the sink that has the drain that goes into the ground. then they get washed, dried and put away. When the priest comes back to the sacristy, all he has to do, is unvest and grab the money and leave.

What you have described, as far as the purification is concerned, is ilicit. According to Redemptionis Sacramentum:

[119.] The Priest, once he has returned to the altar after the distribution of Communion, standing at the altar or at the credence table, purifies the paten or ciborium over the chalice, then purifies the chalice in accordance with the prescriptions of the Missal and wipes the chalice with the purificator. Where a Deacon is present, he returns with the Priest to the altar and purifies the vessels. It is permissible, however, especially if there are several vessels to be purified, to leave them, covered as may be appropriate, on a corporal on the altar or on the credence table, and for them to be purified by the Priest or Deacon immediately after Mass once the people have been dismissed. Moreover a duly instituted acolyte assists the Priest or Deacon in purifying and arranging the sacred vessels either at the altar or the credence table. In the absence of a Deacon, a duly instituted acolyte carries the sacred vessels to the credence table and there purifies, wipes and arranges them in the usual way.209

Pope Benedict XVI allowed the indult that the late Pope John Paul II granted to the USCCB to expire in 2005. That was one of the first things that the former Cardinal Ratzinger did as Pope. Thus, unless an EMHC is a duly instituted acolyte, he has no business purifying the vessels. In other words, the purification of the vessels is the duty of the clergy (and instituted alcolyte), not the laity.

 

[Phemie]

It’s bad enough that the EMHCs are doing the purification but to make it worse they are not drinking the water with which they have purified the vessels but are dumping it down the sacrarium. That’s a no-no.

The pastor we had when RS came out read it the same day it came out (because I was expecting the document, downloaded it from the Vatican website and gave him a copy) and implemented several things within a week. Doing the purification himself was one of the things he did. Unfortunately, he was replaced by a pastor who categorically refused to do the purification and insisted that it was the EMHC’s job. Our present pastor feels the same way.

 

[melinda_s]

The way its done at our church is that when the EMHCs are done distributing communion they will dump whats left over into the large ciborium on the altar and then place it on the credence table. The EMHCs offering the cup will drink whats left over and then leave it on the same table. When every one has returned to their seats and the communion hymn has been sung, the priest will go down in front of the altar and invite those who are taking the eucharist to shut-ins to come forward and receive the host. Then he will go and return the eucharist to the tablernacle. After mass has ended and everyone is leaving, the priest will greet people as they leave church and at the same time, the EMHCs will clear off the credence table and bring everything into the sacristry. Then one of the EMHC will pour water into one of the cups or ciboria and then transfer the water from one to another until its been in all of them and then dump it into the sink that has the drain that goes into the ground. then they get washed, dried and put away. When the priest comes back to the sacristy, all he has to do, is unvest and grab the money and leave.

it’s the same in our parish except that one of the emhc’s returns the eucharist to the tabernacle

 

[benedictgal]

it’s the same in our parish except that one of the emhc’s returns the eucharist to the tabernacle

That is also not supposed to happen. The priest and the deacon are the only ones who are supposed to do that.

 

[Justin1224]

It used to be in our parish that one of the EMHC would go to the tabernacle to get the ciborium and return there after, but then after the revision of the GIRM, we had a meeting of all the EMHC and it was changed that priest would go get it, which he does at the sign of peace.

 

[benedictgal]

It used to be in our parish that one of the EMHC would go to the tabernacle to get the ciborium and return there after, but then after the revision of the GIRM, we had a meeting of all the EMHC and it was changed that priest would go get it, which he does at the sign of peace.

However, he also has to be the one who places the ciborrium back into the Tabernacle, not an EMHC. Or, if your parish has a deacon, that is his job. Nonetheless, the EMHC should not be doing that.

 

[Lepanto]

The single most important thing an EMHC can do is pray for more priests and deacons, because the very existence of EMHCs belies a shortage of ordained ministers.

The position of the EMHC is a stop-gap, temporary one until we have more ordained ministers.

EMHCs, more than anybody else, should look forward to the day when their services are no longer needed.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

The single most important thing an EMHC can do is pray for more priests and deacons, because the very existence of EMHCs belies a shortage of ordained ministers.

The position of the EMHC is a stop-gap, temporary one until we have more ordained ministers.

EMHCs, more than anybody else, should look forward to the day when their services are no longer needed.

Amen!

 

[EasterJoy]

The way its done at our church is that when the EMHCs are done distributing communion they will dump whats left over into the large ciborium on the altar and then place it on the credence table. The EMHCs offering the cup will drink whats left over and then leave it on the same table. When every one has returned to their seats and the communion hymn has been sung, the priest will go down in front of the altar and invite those who are taking the eucharist to shut-ins to come forward and receive the host. Then he will go and return the eucharist to the tablernacle. After mass has ended and everyone is leaving, the priest will greet people as they leave church and at the same time, the EMHCs will clear off the credence table and bring everything into the sacristry. Then one of the EMHC will pour water into one of the cups or ciboria and then transfer the water from one to another until its been in all of them and then dump it into the sink that has the drain that goes into the ground. then they get washed, dried and put away. When the priest comes back to the sacristy, all he has to do, is unvest and grab the money and leave.

In our parish (and as far as I know, in our diocese) the EMsHC place ciboria that are not empty on the corporal on the altar. They are not allowed to transfer the Blessed Sacrament from one vessel to another; that is for the priest or deacon, when it is necessary. The Precious Blood is never transferred from one vessel to another; distribution of the wine is done before consecration. If there is some of the Precious Blood remaining after communion is done, the EMHC goes up and faces the altar while finishing it. Also, if there are more priests or deacons than originally thought available, the EMHC are always to be replaced with the ordinary ministers, unless the ordinary minister is just not physically capable of it–if the ordinary minister fears he might pass out or something, or his hands simply shake too much to do it, that kind of thing.

The EMHC or the altar servers may take the empty vessels from the altar to the credence table. Not only does the priest or deacon always do the actual purification, and during Mass, but it is made clear that no one is to talk to him while he is doing it, nor does he speak to anyone else. Any questions, no matter how discrete the questioner might be, just have to wait. Once the vessels are ritually empty of the Blessed Sacrament, the EMHC may take care of cleaning them after Mass with soapy water and returning them to their places, but even that is to be done with the reverent attitude proper for sacred vessels, and not as if one is a dishwaster at the back of a restaurant. That is what we were taught, and in no uncertain terms.

 

[mistypoint]

Thank Heaven you get training!!!

In my parish (which shall remain unnamed), there is no training. Your name is added to the “schedule”, and you rush up during the Agnus Dei. There are always seven EMHCs (I guess to make the Mass move faster). Only one person, of whom I am aware, genuflects before mounting the steps to the altar. If you wait until the Priest has received, someone else will rush up in your place… Although the majority of the EMHCs are very devout Catholics, there are a few…(arriving to serve in capris and t-shirts…)… Oh, and if you desire to receive on the tongue, you’d better be ready to catch the Host tightly between your lips! They barely get the Host to your mouth. It’s all a little sad…

You may or may not receive a “certificate of authenticity” signed by the Bishop, but there is no training, there are no requirements at all, other than being a Catholic.

 

[Suslar]

I am in Arch-Chicago. I belong to a large parish. There are typically about 2000 people in attendance at the Mass I attend. We too use many EMHC - 6 + the priest to distribute the Host and 6 on the Precious Blood.

I hope that the priest is purifying them before he gives them to you. He is supposed to be the one purifying, not you. One of the first things that Pope Benedict XVI did was to allow the indult allowing EMHCs to purify to expire. This was four years ago.

Just how many communicants do you have in your parish at this particular Mass. This sounds like an awfully excessive amount of EMHCs (the six handling the ciborria).

But, they don’t call themselves EMCH. I think I’m the only one to use that term. They refer to themselves as “EM’s.” The EMHC’s approach the altar during the Lamb of God and stand pratically shoulder to shoulder with the priest. It always strikes me as odd that they feel it is a “right” to be there! After distribution of Holy Communion, those on the Host approach the Tabernacle and those on the cup go into the Sacristy. Some will consume remaining Precisou Blood. Others do not. I watched in horor as one woman attempted to dispose of the Precious Blood in the Sacrarium . . . and other s(name removed by moderator)ly said she couldn’t finish hers and left the chalice on the counter and went back to her seat. Not only are people not purifying the vessels, but they are leaving Christ just sitting there! Then, an EMCH will come back after Mass and begin to wash the vessels in hot soapy water as if they were washing dishes at home – completely unaware that Jesus is still present!!! While I know we are not supposed to purify vessels, it seems to me that a lay person pouring some water in each cup and consuming the remains is a far better (albeit not perfect) scenario than we currently have.

Our pastor has been approached about this numerous times but does nothing. He says he “doesn’t want to rock the boat.” Talk about need for training! Not only do the EMHC need it, but so does the pastor. Please pray for us. And please ask Christ to pardon the abuses inflicted on His most precious Body & Blood due to our carelessness and lack of reverence.

 

[benedictgal]

I am in Arch-Chicago. I belong to a large parish. There are typically about 2000 people in attendance at the Mass I attend. We too use many EMHC - 6 + the priest to distribute the Host and 6 on the Precious Blood.

But, they don’t call themselves EMCH. I think I’m the only one to use that term. They refer to themselves as “EM’s.” The EMHC’s approach the altar during the Lamb of God and stand pratically shoulder to shoulder with the priest. It always strikes me as odd that they feel it is a “right” to be there! After distribution of Holy Communion, those on the Host approach the Tabernacle and those on the cup go into the Sacristy. Some will consume remaining Precisou Blood. Others do not. I watched in horor as one woman attempted to dispose of the Precious Blood in the Sacrarium . . . and other s(name removed by moderator)ly said she couldn’t finish hers and left the chalice on the counter and went back to her seat. Not only are people not purifying the vessels, but they are leaving Christ just sitting there! Then, an EMCH will come back after Mass and begin to wash the vessels in hot soapy water as if they were washing dishes at home – completely unaware that Jesus is still present!!! While I know we are not supposed to purify vessels, it seems to me that a lay person pouring some water in each cup and consuming the remains is a far better (albeit not perfect) scenario than we currently have.

Our pastor has been approached about this numerous times but does nothing. He says he “doesn’t want to rock the boat.” Talk about need for training! Not only do the EMHC need it, but so does the pastor. Please pray for us. And please ask Christ to pardon the abuses inflicted on His most precious Body & Blood due to our carelessness and lack of reverence.

That sounds like a bad situation. The EMHCs are not supposed to approach the altar until after the celebrant has communicated. Furthermore, Ecclesia de Mysterio notes that:

§ 2. Extraordinary ministers may distribute Holy Communion at eucharistic celebrations only when there are no ordained ministers present or when those ordained ministers present at a liturgical celebration are truly unable to distribute Holy Communion.(99) They may also exercise this function at eucharistic celebrations where there are particularly large numbers of the faithful and which would be excessively prolonged because of an insufficient number of ordained ministers to distribute Holy Communion. (100)

This function is supplementary and extraordinary (101) and must be exercised in accordance with the norm of law. It is thus useful for the diocesan bishop to issue particular norms concerning extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion which, in complete harmony with the universal law of the Church, should regulate the exercise of this function in his diocese. Such norms should provide, amongst other things, for matters such as the instruction in eucharistic doctrine of those chosen to be extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, the meaning of the service they provide, the rubrics to be observed, the reverence to be shown for such an august Sacrament and instruction concerning the discipline on admission to Holy Communion.

To avoid creating confusion, certain practices are to be avoided and eliminated where such have emerged in particular Churches:

— extraordinary ministers receiving Holy Communion apart from the other faithful as though concelebrants;

— association with the renewal of promises made by priests at the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, as well as other categories of faithful who renew religious vows or receive a mandate as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion;

— the habitual use of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion at Mass thus arbitrarily extending the concept of “a great number of the faithful”.

Thus, what you describe is certainly cause for concern. In fact, Ecclesia de Mysterio uses nearly the same language that Redemptionis Sacramentum uses. Ecclesia de Mysterio came out in 1997 and is still in force.

 

[mistypoint]

Thus, what you describe is certainly cause for concern.

Tip of the iceberg, baby…tip of the iceberg.

 

[mistypoint]

Thus, what you describe is certainly cause for concern.

Tip of the iceberg, baby…tip of the iceberg.

 

[Suslar]

Yep, it is a BAD situation . . . . and, sadly, just the tip of the iceberg . . . . don’t even get me started on the pastor knowingly giving the Eucharist to the Lutheran . . . . .

So, the rules exist. You know it and I know it that there are abuses. The pastor doesn’t seem to care. Multiply this times another 50 or parishes in teh archdiocese that also premit such abuses. . . . . ugh. . . . What can we do? PRAY!!!

 

[benedictgal]

Yep, it is a BAD situation . . . . and, sadly, just the tip of the iceberg . . . . don’t even get me started on the pastor knowingly giving the Eucharist to the Lutheran . . . . .

So, the rules exist. You know it and I know it that there are abuses. The pastor doesn’t seem to care. Multiply this times another 50 or parishes in teh archdiocese that also premit such abuses. . . . . ugh. . . . What can we do? PRAY!!!

Have you thought of writing to Cardinal George?