Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion rookie

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I signed up to be a Eucharistic Minister and am currently waiting to hear back from our priest.

I was wondering what I should expect as far as the training or experience some of you have had. Any information from Eucharistic Ministers would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you and God Bless.
 
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The correct term is “Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion” not “Eucharist Minister,” becuase they’re just that; extraordinary. To be used in extraordinary circumstances.
 
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Not only that, but there is a difference between a “minister of communion” (priest, deacon or lay person who distributes communion) and a “eucharistic minister” (priest who offers the eucharistic sacrifice).
 
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ok, I fixed the title of this post. What should I expect as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion?
 
That depends very much on (a) whether you will be serving at Mass or going out to the sick and the home-bound (or both) and (b) who your bishop and pastor are. Mileage can vary greatly. In some parishes, for instance, you would be expected to occasionally act as the sacristan–either setting up before or taking care of the sacred vessels after Mass–while at others you would never have to do anything like that.

I’d say that if you aren’t given specific training about what to do if there is an accident such as a host or ciborium or chalice being dropped or you aren’t told what to do if a communicant receives in the hand and does not immediately consume the host but just walks away with it, you ought to ask. If you take Holy Communion to the sick or homebound, you ought to be given instructions on what to do if you have too few or too many hosts, particularly what to do if you do not have an empty pyx when you finish your rounds. Misunderstandings in those areas could leave you to innocently commit an abuse against the Eucharist, so head that off at the pass.

If you have any questions, either before, during or after your training, don’t hesitate to ask! There is a lot to know and it is always safer to make sure you are on the right page rather than to let fear of looking ignorant lead you into the mistakes you could make because you are poorly informed. If you feel skeptical about the training you get, don’t hesitate to come here for an explanation. Some of the posters here are very well-informed and will be able to help you out.
 
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“Extraordinary” does not mean what you think it means in Church speak.

The only thing the Church means with this word, in this case, is that the persons giving out Communion are not “ordinary” ministers such as a Bishop, Priest or deacon.

If you use your definition, it should also apply to the “Extraordinary” Form of the Mass, too.
 
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Regardless of what it actually means, they are still only to be used in extraordinary circumstances, as is said in Canon Law.
 
I thought there was a rule here about not posting just to correct spelling errors, especially something as small as a single letter missing.
 
This is what the Code of Canon Law says about EMHC. Please show me where you are finding the term “only in extraordinary” circumstances.
Can. 910 §1. The ordinary minister of holy communion is a bishop, presbyter, or deacon.

§2. The extraordinary minister of holy communion is an acolyte or another member of the Christian faithful designated according to the norm of ⇒ can. 230, §3.

Can. 230 §1. Lay men who possess the age and qualifications established by decree of the conference of bishops can be admitted on a stable basis through the prescribed liturgical rite to the ministries of lector and acolyte.

Nevertheless, the conferral of these ministries does not grant them the right to obtain support or remuneration from the Church.

§2. Lay persons can fulfill the function of lector in liturgical actions by temporary designation. All lay persons can also perform the functions of commentator or cantor, or other functions, according to the norm of law.

§3. When the need of the Church warrants it and ministers are lacking, lay persons, even if they are not lectors or acolytes, can also supply certain of their duties, namely, to exercise the ministry of the word, to preside offer liturgical prayers, to confer baptism, and to distribute Holy Communion, according to the prescripts of the law.
Click to expand...
 
I meant implicitly.

How often is an ordinary minister of communion lacking at mass?
 
Didn’t you get this answered on another post where someone said that it’s determined by the priest if there is a need?

Bokbok
 
Well, considering we only have one priest, no deacon most Masses and about 300 people at Mass on Sunday morning, I and just about every other person I know sees them as “necessary”.
 
I don’t think that’s a legitimate case to warrant the use of EMHCs.

Perhaps if it took a long time, the congregation would enough time to make a proper thanksgiving.
 
As you have been told, that is not for you to decide.
And then what are we supposed to tell the people at the other Church that our Pastor covers, that they have to make their mass an hour later to accomodate the fact that there are no EMHC?

And what of the cup? My parish has used both species since it was allowed in the 1970’s. So, just too bad, so sad for those of us who see a great value in receiving under both species?
 
You’re not receiving “less” if you only receive under one species. We did it for ages. Nobody died or missed out on anything becuase of it.
 
When did I say we received “less”.

The Church, in her wisdom, has allowed Communion under both species as a fuller “sign” value.
I like the option and so do many others. It would not be possible without EMHC.

Obviously, if the Church has no problem with it, and now actually allows it, so…
 
I’m gonna have to confirm @Irishmom2 on this one. I didn’t realize this would cause so much debating. Fact of the matter is at my parish there simply aren’t enough priests/deacons to handle the distribution. So they utilize EMHC to assist.

I actually don’t mind everyone’s opinions and I find it interesting. I was simply asking about what kinds of things should I be aware of? What do I say to a person who is asking for a blessing? What happens if something drops? If a person walks away without consuming? Stuff like this.
 
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