Extraordinary Minister Rules Of Conduct

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The minister of the Eucharist should make eye contact with the communicant but this in no way should have caused her to hesitate. The communion line is never the place to question or correct. If you know her well enough, speak to her about it. By the way…make eye contact with the minister after you bow in reverence…After you hear “The Body of Christ”,say “Amen”… then you are correct to look down at the Host in your hands.
 
I am an EMHC and my view is the that communicant should focus on the host and not me - that is what is truly important - isn’t it? Not entirely sure why any EMHC would expect the communicant to make eye contact at all and I don’t consider it bad manners if they don’t.
 
I’ve been an EMHC, and never worried if someone gave me eye contact when I was assisting with Communion distribution. Not sure why this particular person insisted on it anyways. I do look at the ministers when I receive but that has been my habit for so long anyways.
 
True_Pilgrim said:
I have a question. I am a middle-aged Catholic man with a Catholic family. We are active in the church and attend regularly. I was “taught” that when I receive communion in my hand that I am to hold my left palm upward, right hand beneath " like a throne" to receive Jesus. Further, I am to keep my eyes fixed on the Eucharist as I respond “Amen”. As I was doing this in Mass today, I was surprised that the Extraordinary Minister did not place the host in my hand. When I looked up at her it was as if I she was requiring me to look at HER, instead. When I finally did this she placed the body into my palm.

I don’t think I’m overeacting. It was clear that time lapsed. She was not goinng to give me communion until I looked at HER. Is this correct? Is this a change? It was kind of embarassing.

I follow the Pope and Magisterium and would not post this if I didn’t want to know more. Is there someplace I can go to find out. All I found dealt with non-Catholics receiving communion. Any information is appreciated.
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This is just dumb, so long as what you report is accurate, and she actually was waiting for you to look at her.
 
marcella_1981 said:
I am an EMHC and my view is the that communicant should focus on the host and not me - that is what is truly important - isn’t it? Not entirely sure why any EMHC would expect the communicant to make eye contact at all and I don’t consider it bad manners if they don’t.
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The focus of the Communion minister’s attention is always on the two aspects of the Body and Blood of Christ…
the consecrated bread and wine, and the people of God who stand before them. Think of Communion as a profound moment of sharing…which it definitely is.
 
grampsc said:
EMHC is that a modernized version of the correct title ELEM?
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The Minister of Holy Communion is the person that Communicates the Eucharist ( that is, bring the Community)

This is a distict Ministry from the Minister of the Eucharist, which is the person who confects the Sacrament ( the priest or the bisop who celebrates Mass)

They are two distinct Ministries, the first can be done by a lay person, the second cannot be.

The title for a lay person who assists in the bringing of the Eucharist to the community is an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, or EMHC.

Any other title would be incorrect and contrary to Rome’s instructions.
 
paperwight66 said:
I have never heard the term ELEM. What does it stand for?
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When I heard it, it was “Extraordinary Lay Eucharistic Minister”

The term can really only correctly apply to a Laicized priest, and even then it is redundant.

A laicized priest still retains the sacramental seal of Holy Orders, and thus can confect the Eucharist. The person is no longer in the clerical state, so they are a lay person.

But since a laicized priest can only licitely confect the Eucharist is very rare circumstances, such we someone is in danger of death. Such circumstances, are by definition , extraordinary.

Maybe gramps meant something different?
 
True_Pilgrim said:
I didn’t mean any harsh words about this, really. In the end, if this is a norm or requirement that, after 55 years I am just now exposed to - then I will fall in line without a doubt. I just wanted to know if it was a norm or if others have experienced it. Extraordinary Ministers have my full respect and honor - Mass would be so long and drawn out without them!! (we have 4500 families). I did’nt mean any disunity at all.
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Oh my goodness!! Not a longer Mass! That would be absolutely unacceptable to have to be stuck in the church on a Sunday for an extended period of time and have nothing else to do but pray while everyone receives communion. :rolleyes:

Given that the E in EMHC stands for Extraordinary, meaning not every Sunday. In the past this was done by priests, but because of the priest shortage, it is not possible at the moment. Rather than using EMHC’s every weekend, parishes should refrain from using them. This way people can reflect on the need for priests, and spend the extra time praying for more priests.
 
Brendan said:
The Minister of Holy Communion is the person that Communicates the Eucharist ( that is, bring the Community)

This is a distict Ministry from the Minister of the Eucharist, which is the person who confects the Sacrament ( the priest or the bisop who celebrates Mass)

They are two distinct Ministries, the first can be done by a lay person, the second cannot be.

The title for a lay person who assists in the bringing of the Eucharist to the community is an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, or EMHC.

Any other title would be incorrect and contrary to Rome’s instructions.
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I will not use the word “extraordinary” because there are many of us who believe that word diminishes the role of the laity in the church and enhances clericalism. Call me contrary but I believe the word is not necessary because there is not any confusion about our roles at liturgy. The priest knows his function at mass and the non ordained know theirs.
 
Brendan said:
When I heard it, it was “Extraordinary Lay Eucharistic Minister”

The term can really only correctly apply to a Laicized priest, and even then it is redundant.

A laicized priest still retains the sacramental seal of Holy Orders, and thus can confect the Eucharist. The person is no longer in the clerical state, so they are a lay person.

But since a laicized priest can only licitely confect the Eucharist is very rare circumstances, such we someone is in danger of death. Such circumstances, are by definition , extraordinary.

Maybe gramps meant something different?
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I always appreciate your posts. If I remember you were on your way to the perm diaconate. I am entering the last of 7 long years of formation. It has been rewarding but tiring. I have young children ( although not as young when we first started. ). How are things with you?
 
Anna_Claire said:
I will not use the word “extraordinary” because there are many of us who believe that word diminishes the role of the laity in the church and enhances clericalism. Call me contrary but I believe the word is not necessary because there is not any confusion about our roles at liturgy. The priest knows his function at mass and the non ordained know theirs.
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The Church is not a democracy. It doesn’t matter what you or a bunch of other people believe about the word “extraordinary”,

As a lay person you are not entitled to distribute communion, nor are you a minister. It’s attitudes such as this which make me pray harder that the Holy Father strikes down harder on the abuse of using EMHCs every Sunday.
 
Dicerning said:
I always appreciate your posts. If I remember you were on your way to the perm diaconate. I am entering the last of 7 long years of formation. It has been rewarding but tiring. I have young children ( although not as young when we first started. ). How are things with you?
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Thanks for the kids words :o

I stepped back for a few years. We had kids #5 and 6; so right now my wife needs me in the pews more than Fr needs me at the altar 🙂

I’ll probably start up classes again in the Fall, to get some of the remaining coursework out of the way, and start formation again in 2-3 years. By then, I won’t be needed to watch little ones so much, or at least do it from the sanctuary 😉

Congrats on all the hard work and all my prayers for a fruitful ministry.

God willing, I’ll join you in a few years.
 
Anna_Claire said:
I will not use the word “extraordinary” because there are many of us who believe that word diminishes the role of the laity in the church .
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But offering the Eucharist to the community IS a clerical role, in that it is part of the office of the clerical roles.

It can be delegated, on a limited basis, to the laity, but it is not part of the role of the laity.

As a priest friend of mine tells his EMHC trainees," Every prayer for vocations is a prayer that this minstry will end."

I could see your point if this ministry was, at it’s nature, a lay ministry; but it is not. It is the laity assisting the clerics in a clerical task.
 
Anna_Claire said:
I will not use the word “extraordinary” because there are many of us who believe that word diminishes the role of the laity in the church and enhances clericalism. Call me contrary but I believe the word is not necessary because there is not any confusion about our roles at liturgy. The priest knows his function at mass and the non ordained know theirs.
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Okay…? But Rome said they are to be “strictly” known by the term Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. So you want to go against Rome, go ahead, but do it with full knowledge with who and what you’re going against:

“156. This function is to be understood strictly according to the name by which it is known, that is to say, that of extraordinary minister of Holy Communion”
 
Anna_Claire said:
I will not use the word “extraordinary” because there are many of us who believe that word diminishes the role of the laity in the church and enhances clericalism. Call me contrary but I believe the word is not necessary because there is not any confusion about our roles at liturgy. The priest knows his function at mass and the non ordained know theirs.
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Everyone has an opinion but your post is directly contrary with the holy see. Redemptionis Sacramentum addresses this very issue and instructs us that we should use proper terms for the very reason you choose not to use it. The priesthood has slowly been eroded by anti clericalism. Things are mocing back I the right direction though.

Brendan and I come from the same generation and I am fully aware ofnthe tension between boomers and “the past”. I am also aware of the appeal of us Xers have for tradition and therfore have a great respect for documents like RS. It is quite interesting to see new clerics are much much more traditional than those who are the generation before us.

Many are angry at the recent changes in opinions on traditional views such as clericalism. However many who promote the uniqueness of the clerical state. I thank god for putting me in a thorough and orthodox deacon formation program where some day we will serve the church and promote a love for its magisterial teachings.
With that in mind give you credit for serving the church as a layperson. Howevernifnyou are in a leadership position you are bound to assenting to the magisterial teachings and when Rome puts out documents like R.S. you are obligated to put your opinions aside and teach whatnthenchurch desires.
 
grampsc said:
Extraprdinary Lay Eucharistic Minister
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Translation. Extraordinary- not ordinary
lay - someone who has not been ordained and is not a cleric.
Eucharistic minister - a priest or bishop who can preside and consecrate at the Eucharistic celebration

ELEM- seems like an oxymoron to me.
 
Dicerning said:
Translation. Extraordinary- not ordinary
lay - someone who has not been ordained and is not a cleric.
Eucharistic minister - a priest or bishop who can preside and consecrate at the Eucharistic celebration

ELEM- seems like an oxymoron to me.
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I used it as regards Canon 23063 which mentions Lay Faithful which when deputed can perform certain tasks, as you were unfamiliar with ELEM, I was likewise unfamiliar with EMHC however EMHC is certainly an acceptable and commonly used term. Pope John Paul 2 emphasized the EXTRAORDINARY aspect, which appears widely abused in our North American parishes as evidenced by the numerous questions arrising over the subject. Was not that the original thread?
 
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