CMP2, I do understand. And I do agree with you. I never asked to be an EM or a sacristan. I was invited into these apostolates. And most of the EM’s that I know were asked as well. They do not all want to “do the priest’s job.” (Although we did have a woman in the parish about 25 years ago that wanted to be a deacon.) We have been well trained in our duties. At one time, over 20 years ago, our parish like most parishes of that time, did suffer a little as the result of the liturgical abuses of Vatican II. Our last three pastors have worked to get us straighten out even before the new directives were put out. The EM’s used to wear yellow (or gold) robes and were present in the sanctuary during Mass. That has all been corrected as well as the purification of the vessels. Also, we have not had girl altar servers for about 18 years, although they are in fact allowed now. How the girls got invited to be altar servers is another story. All that I am saying is that there may be a good reason for some lay persons to be counting the Hosts in the tabernacle before Mass. And sometimes, particularly when we have an elderly priest assisting at Mass, who is still doing things the way they were done 30 years ago, those who serve as EM’s have to assist and follow the directions of the priest who is the presider. You asked “Are they supposed to carry the Ciborium from the Tabernacle to the altar after the Consecration for the Priest. Our Tabernacle is in the center of a high altar behind him. Then put it back after Communion.” Sometimes there is a reason. We don’t always like doing some things that we know the priest or deacon is supposed to do. But when we have been directed by the priest who is presiding, we follow his direction because we don’t want to cause a scene arguing with the priest and the Mass must go on. I might add that we have tried to instruct the priest before Mass how things are done now, but he always says, " I’m sure it will all work out."
