Eucharistic ministry

[benedictgal]

“In his address to participants at the Symposium on “Collaboration of the Lay Faithful with the Priestly Ministry”, the Holy Father emphasised the need to clarify and distinguish the various meanings which have accrued to the term “ministry” in theological and canonical language”

Do you know any lay person who’s actually read this address?

OK, there’s arguments on both sides, but in our parish we use the term…gasp…EMEs (Extrodinary Ministers of the Eucharist). Everybody knows what we do, everybody knows that our function is separate and distinct from the priest…I know that because I train them.

Which leads me to the OP’s question (nice seque, eh? ). I believe that many dioceses have EMHC training programs (maybe refreshers?) like we have in Detroit, but I’m not aware that there are any, at least in Michigan, where there is an “official” program that all of the parishes use.

First of all, the documents are posted on the website for everyone to read. Rome said that we need to be careful about the terminology because words are important. She said it back in 1997 in the document I referenced, and again, seven years later in Redemptionis Sacramentum.

Eucharistic Ministry involves having the faculty to confect the Sacrament. Something that neither the deacons nor the laity have. The ordinary ministers of Holy Communion, on the other hand, include the deacon, by virtue of his reception of the sacrament of Holy Orders. The laity function in their role as “extra-ordinary” Ministers of Holy Communion under precise circumstances that have been laid down by Rome.

The training needs to include the proper terminology. That is why I have serious issues with the book written by Msgr. Champlain because he doesn’t maintain the correct terminology. It’s as though he is writing with both hands. In the appendix, he has the notation from RS, but, he still refers to the laity as EMs, even though that is going against what the documents say.

 

[Newbie2]

First of all, the documents are posted on the website for everyone to read. Rome said that we need to be careful about the terminology because words are important. She said it back in 1997 in the document I referenced, and again, seven years later in Redemptionis Sacramentum.

The training needs to include the proper terminology. That is why I have serious issues with the book written by Msgr. Champlain because he doesn’t maintain the correct terminology. It’s as though he is writing with both hands. In the appendix, he has the notation from RS, but, he still refers to the laity as EMs, even though that is going against what the documents say.

I agree that the correct terminology should be used, but methinks it’s a real stretch to expect or even wish that Joe Common Catholic guy even knows what an encyclical is, let alone have read one. I guess that I’d just be satisfied if everyone knows the different liturgical roles of the laity and clergy, which I’m guessing most (in my parish, anyway) do, know that the EMHCs that I train know the difference in terminology, and I don’t worry about everyone else.

Now, academia (the catagory into which I throw most books), is a different matter. A properly researched paper or book should not make such an oversight. I’m with you on that.

 

[Joannm]

Our diocese has a required 4 hour training program for all EMHCs offered twice a year. If the person is planning on serving the homebound and hospitalized they must attend a second 4 hour program. The first initial program consistis of a teaching on the whole Mass with special focus on the Eucharistic Prayer, a teaching on Eucharistic Spirituality and then a teaching on the practical matters as outlined in our diocesan handbook for EMHCs. Parishes are notified when the person completes the training and are them expected to train the person for the particular practical aspects and requirements for the parish and then to formally commission them at a Mass. The parish is supposed to offer some type of continuing education about 3 times a year.

In my parish I made up my own handbook to supplement the diocean one…I have one general meeting in the fall and a spiritual enrichment session during Lent. I also send out a monthly newletter to all liturgical ministers that keeps them up to date with things and offers a bit of spirituality. This sort of acts like the third meeting which, for me, is difficult to schedule and feedback from the people is that they prefer the newsletter to the meeting. We are also working on having a diocesan wide enrichment evening for all EMHCs.

It is important to keep up with the latest diretives and to pass that on to the people. Every parish should have a coordinator that can do all this otherwise they are all fending for themselves. I think it is a good idea to limit the installation of new ministers to twice a year like we do in our diocese. This way the diocese has some control as to the what is being taught since they are doing the training, plus you don’t have new people coming in every few weeks. Also, potential ministers have to be interviewed and a letter has to be sent to our bishop nominating them. They are only comissioned for 3 years at which time they have to re-commit.