Eucharistic Ministers

[JoeyWarren]

Originally Posted by JoeyWarren forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_cad/viewpost.gif
And what about Parishes that don’t have a Priest or when a subsitute Priest failed to show up? The Senior Laity steps up to the plate and leads the Mass in areas that can be lead and authorized to do so. In this case the EM is very much needed.

lak611 said: I hope you are referring to a Communion service, not a Mass. Without a priest, there can be no Mass, since there is no consecration.

*Everything is identical except for Opening Prayer, Reading the Gospel, Consecration, and Closing Prayer(in a nutshell) *

*Lak611 I am sure you were not that stupid to take my statement out of context? *

*Too much nit-picking Lak611. *

Mass means CELEBRATION.

Is not a “Communion Service” a Celebration?

Not only is it nit-picking but it is also an example of what Jesus condemned, that being Pharisee Legalism.

 

[Paceshock]

My belief is that no one wants to abuse the use of EMs. However, we are now very much involved in a “feel good” Church in the USA. I have a hard time picturing in my mind’s eye my pastor telling the EMs that they will be used ONLY under extraordinary circumstances. He doesn’t want a mutiny on his hands from his participating parishioners. Too bad that Truth isn’t enough anymore for the Faithful to practice their Faith properly. It is sad to say, but I believe it is our weaker clergy who are responsible for this lack of correct behavior.

My closest friend is a Franciscan priest. He tells me that whenever he delivers a Homily that challenges his parishioners he is faced with two reactions - those who love it and those who are offended. I don’t know who to attribute this quote to, but it was once said that “priests are here to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable”.

God bless our courageous clergymen!

 

[Cobbfmly]

…I have a hard time picturing in my mind’s eye my pastor telling the EMs that they will be used ONLY under extraordinary circumstances. He doesn’t want a mutiny on his hands from his participating parishioners…

When our new pastor started there were two things he made clear to the EMHC’s:

1. We are not Eucharistic Ministers. We are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.
2. If there were other priests or deacons present, even if they were not celebrating or concelebrating (i.e. they were vacationing in our area), they would take our place.

If we get out new church built while he is still the pastor, I can see him only having 2 - 3 EMHCs per mass (currently we have 7 except 7am which has only 2 as the deacon is present and there are fewer people attending) as we will not have to pack the masses close together to meet the needs of the parish.

 

[Mordocai]

thank you to everyone for all of your very helpful (name removed by moderator)ut!

however, my original post was asking about extraordinary ministry in a hospital.

here’s the update:
i went for my first day, the lady “trained” me. i definitely felt God’s presence the whole time and was very moved (very moved) by the people in the beds suffering. i felt they just wanted someone to be there and talk to them!
im still not sure if im called to bring the Eucharist to them, however.

talk to me about ministry as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion to the sick in hospitals, because thats really where im at

God’s Blessing
Mordocai

 

[jmcrae]

And what about Parishes that don’t have a Priest or when a subsitute Priest failed to show up? The Senior Laity steps up to the plate and leads the Mass in areas that can be lead and authorized to do so. In this case the EM is very much needed.

Actually in a case where the priest doesn’t show up for a scheduled Mass, the Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion cannot just go ahead and do a communion service. He has to get permission from the Bishop, by telephone. If he can’t reach the Bishop to get permission to do a communion service, then he must cancel the event.

 

[Paceshock]

Mordocai - my belief is that bringing the Eucharist to those who are hospitalized is a selfless act of charity. Personally, I still struggle with lay-people handling the consecrated Host rather than an ordained priest. But, the term Extraordinary does apply, in my opinion, since priests can not be everywhere they are needed.

I would ask my pastor, however, to use me only if and when he is not able to visit the hospitalized or infirmed, housebound, or imprisoned Faithful himself.

I can’t help but still feel that the use of Extraordianry Ministers is in many cases a matter of convenience rather than need.

God bless you for your willingness to serve God’s people.

 

[Sixtus]

“priests are here to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable”.

God bless our courageous clergymen!

Amen, a very difficult job. I like a good homiy where I feel challenged at the end of it. It gives us something to take away and reflect upon

 

[Sixtus]

Joe Warren Posted:

QUOTE

]Originally Posted by Sixtus
I cringe when I see laity touching the Sacred Host, but who am I to judge? I chose not to.

Do you not realize that your cringing is the subconscious if not conscious manifestation of your judging judgement?

.

any hand but consecrated hands touching the Body of Christ including my own hands, when I take the Sacrament to the sick. The best I can do is show the degree of reverance due

Quote:I think that apart from taking the Sacrament to the sick, there is no justification except under very exceptional circumstances.

You failed to mention the homebound and the imprisoned. I hope your church does have a prison ministry. Homebound includes physically disabled, elderly and nursing homes.

THey are all implicit in ‘the sick’. Our parish has a very dynamic ministry to the Prisons. I am appalled that Muslims attend Mass and use Sacred Hosts as Monocles holding them up to their eyes to the entertainment of fellow prisoners.!

I did not pedantically express the homebound, physically disabled and elderly, nursing homes, residential, sheltered housing and hospital, all of whom have taken the Sacrament to. Though these days prefer to leave it to laity more worthy than I.

Quote:But Priests argue that folk leave early now as they cannot be bothered to wait until lengthy Communion is over. I do not have the answer. It needs a lot of prayer

The world is changing. The Priest are doing what they think is in the best interest of the Parish as a whole and still be within the confines of the Church’s teaching. Your opinions and mind count for nought

Neither does yours I will not reciprocate and imply that you have mental health problems. I am Catholic and we do not insult others whose views differ from my own

Abuses never intended by Vatican 2 ARE everyone’s issue. It is not my opinion it is a fact. Pope Benedict is against Communion in the Hand but, he is only the His Holiness feeding Christ’s sheep Jn 21:16!

/B]
. Neither do yours.

Did you know that it takes about 5 times longer to take the Host into the hand then it does the mouth?
Quote:I cringe when I see laity touching the Sacred Host

Why cringe? Do you think the Host is being defiled? If so, then we have a major problem. 95% or better of U.S. Catholics take the Host into the hand instead of the directly into the Mouth. So by your mentality and belief, you should be wretching by the end of the Communion with all those people touching the Blessed Host with their Hands.

Again by what qualification do you allude to my mental health

You seem to have an obsession with mental health particluarly among views which are dissimilar to your own. ‘I am normal and anyone who does not agree with me is has a mental health issue’

My belief is in line with his late Holiness JP 2 and current Holiness Pope Benedict, but there we are, it is only my belief.

We have 400 people at our Mass. We have only one Priest. My wife and I are 2 out of 10 of the 400 that take the Host directly into the mouth.

And what about Parishes that don’t have a Priest or when a subsitute Priest failed to show up? The Senior Laity steps up to the plate and leads the Mass in areas that can be lead and authorized to do so. In this case the EM is very much needed.

The EM has been approved by both the Priest and has been the Blessing of the Bishop of the Diocese. Since you must abide by whatever your Bishop says then your opinion is null and void just as mine would be if I had a Bishop that did not believe in EMs.

Actually laity EM’s do not and cannot lead or take or conduct a ‘Mass’.Only hands consecrated by [the successors of] the Apostles are authorised and empowered.

The Vatican is doing a poor job in the area of Human Resources and Manpower

I am afraid I do not agree that the Vatican is doing a poor job. Soon we will see new ‘consecrated hands’. I will support the Vatican 100% that it is the will of the Holy Spirit.

So all I have learnt is that I have an apparent mental health problem and that 94% of US Catholics take Communion in the hand. If you wish to see the Sacrament as Monocles that is up to you. I do not question what others do.I made that absolutly clear in my post, with the exception that in my humble view, I cringe when I see unconsecrated hands touch the Sacred elements, that includes my own hands, infact I do not do it now.

God bless you Joe

 

[JoeyWarren]

Neither does yours

I will not reciprocate and imply that you have mental health problems. I am Catholic and we do not insult others whose views differ from my own A mis-print, please note the correction.

But Priests argue that folk leave early now as they cannot be bothered to wait until lengthy Communion is over. I do not have the answer. It needs a lot of prayer

The world is changing. The Priest are doing what they think is in the best interest of the Parish as a whole and still be within the confines of the Church’s teaching. Your opinions and -]mind/-] mine count for nought

 

[JoeyWarren]

Again by what qualification do you allude to my mental health

Sigh, another Apologist that has taken word out of context. Next time you question what I write, I suggest you consult dictionary.com, ok?

I wrote: Why cringe? Do you think the Host is being defiled? If so, then we have a major problem. 95% or better of U.S. Catholics take the Host into the hand instead of the directly into the Mouth. So by your mentality and belief, you should be wretching by the end of the Communion with all those people touching the Blessed Host with their Hands.

men·tal·i·ty http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/premium.gif http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pngcache.lexico.com/g/d/speaker.gif/mɛnˈtælhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pngɪhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pngti/Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciationmen-tal-i-tee]Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
*–noun, plural ***-ties. **1.mental capacity or endowment: *a person of average mentality. *
**2.**the set of one’s mind; view; outlook: *a liberal mentality. *

 

[Sixtus]

God bless you Joe

May the peace of Christ reign in your heart now and for always

To Him be the glory now and forever. Amen!

 

[JoeyWarren]

God bless you Joe

May the peace of Christ reign in your heart now and for always

To Him be the glory now and forever. Amen!

Back at ya!

 

[Cobbfmly]

Okay, People. What circumstances do you consider extraordinary?

How many communicants to priest/deacon?
Etc., etc.?

Please be very specific.

Likely in small parishes:
One priest no deacons, need one EMHC for the cup. (both species should be available unless it is a situation where it is not feasible like a large outdoor mass)

My parish’s situation:
One priest and sometimes one deacon. Most masses (2 on Sat and 7 on Sun) are spaced 1 1/2 hrs apart. Average 800 people in attendance at each mass. We use 6 - 7 EMsHC and still run over sometimes. The exception to this is 7am Sun which always has a deacon and is smaller so only 2 EMsHC are used.

On a side note our priests have permission from the Bishop to celebrate more than 2 masses on Sundays. The English speaking priest celebrates 1 mass on Sat and 3 on Sun. The Spanish speaking priest celebrates 1 mass on Sat and 4 on Sun.

 

[Cobbfmly]

Not to worry. In 20 yrs this will all settle out to where everyone is MOOM (as they’ll be called=MyOwnOrdinaryMinister). The little paper cups n basket o bread chips or Matza just get past around like a collection basket. Grab what ya want and no one has to even move. The stuff will be shipped FedEx pre-consecrated from the diocese so ya won’t be needin a priest cause there ain’t any.

:bigyikes: I sure hope this was meant as a joke!

 

[LilyM]

:bigyikes: I sure hope this was meant as a joke!

I see you’ve not encountered dear old TNT’s … ahem … interesting sense of humour.

 

[JoeyWarren]

May be a definition is in order?

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
ex·traor·di·nar·y http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/premium.gif http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pngcache.lexico.com/g/d/speaker.gif /ɪkˈstrɔrhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pngdnˌɛrhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pngi, ˌɛkhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pngstrəˈɔr-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ik-**strawr-dn-er-ee, ek-struh-awr-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –adjective

1.beyond what is usual, ordinary, regular, or established: extraordinary costs.

2.exceptional in character, amount, extent, degree, etc.; noteworthy; remarkable: extraordinary speed; an extraordinary man.

3.(of an official, employee, etc.) outside of or additional to the ordinary staff; having a special, often temporary task or responsibility: minister extraordinary and plenipotentiary.

 

[Sixtus]

Quote (Originally by LeahInancsi)—

On a side note our priests have permission from the Bishop to celebrate more than 2 masses on Sundays.

I thought canon law permitted priests to celebrate upto 3 masses a day

 

[JoeyWarren]

Up until last December we had 4 on Sunday.

 

[lak611]

Up until last December we had 4 on Sunday.

Did the same priest say all 4 Masses?

 

[jmcrae]

Did the same priest say all 4 Masses?

That happens from time to time at our parish, as well. We have three Masses on Sunday mornings and one in the afternoon.

Normally we are supposed to get a visiting priest or associate pastor to say the one in the afternoon, but it has come out sometimes that our pastor has to say all four.