Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion - How many is too many?

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Jakub:
Seriously,

Will the women who make up 90% of the EMHC’s actually relinquish the role ?

I don’t think so, its the closest thing to the priesthood.

james
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obviously they wont just voluntarily give it up, but if the church says they cant then they had better do it.
 
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Jakub:
Will the women who make up 90% of the EMHC’s actually relinquish the role ?
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90%?

Where does this come from? My church must be atypical. Our split is about 50/50.
 
She is Episcopalian I believe, speaking at a joint/ecumenical meeting in L.A…

I believe if you search the link further it gives the info.

People will be drawn to the idea by her appearence.

james
 
When I go to recieve I get in that long line that leads to the Priest.
 
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HagiaSophia:
I thought it quite interesting today when listening to Raymond Arroyo interview Cardinal Arinze that when asked about Extraordinary Ministers the Cardinal was quite clear and very definitive. What really struck me was that he used that Mahony quote about “we don’t have no abuses in my diocese” almost verbatim and then went on to say how wrong it was and that some dioceses ought to take a much better look at themselves. Being tactful, he mentioned no bishop by name.

His statement on extraordinary ministers was repeated in order to make certain he was being understood; the only people having a “right” to distribute Eucharist are ordained ministers. Extraordinary ministers are ONLY to be used when the numbers approaching reception are so great that the ordinary minister is unable to efficiently meet the need. It is understood by the cardinal that it is NEVER permissible to have the ordinary sit down somewhere and cool their heels while the extraordinary ministers show up as he put it “en masse” all over the altar crowding everyone out and rushing to distribute Eucharist. He called it a need to “seize” power and pretending they are equal to the priesthood or diaconate.

Frankly when he was through discussing liturgy, what the church and papal documents mean, and how they are to be interpreted I wished that every parish and liturgical leader in the country got a copy and had to hear it at least once. Great catechesis and delivered so that every ordinary in-the-pew Catholic would get it.
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At our Church there is typically 12 EMHC’s. Last Sunday because of the extra people there for First Communion enrollment and the Sacrament of The Anointing of the Sick, there was not enough Eucharist to distribute. Although there were two priests and two deacons to help with the Healing Sacrament, they left before Communion. The final result was a recently confirmed teenager was distributing the precious blood, while the priest sat and waited for the end of Communion. Some were not able to receive the Sacrament under either species. Our Priest at the end said that it was O.K.; that God knew what was in your heart. Interestingly enough-- after Mass, I saw our other priest and deacons available for doughnuts.
 
ya know what, if its just some random person giving out communion then why not get rid of it altogether and pass a bowl with a bunch of eucharists in it around the pews? we could make it easy and just have the person sitting next to us say “body of christ” and hand it to you. save all that walking up to the front stuff. right?
 
Br. Rich SFO:
Additional EMHC should be used as necessary so that distribution of Holy communion does not take longer than 15 minutes. There should be two ministers of the Cup for each minister distributing the Body of Christ. It’s not based on the number but on the time.
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I think if time is the issue, the pastor should first do away with communion under both species before bringing in more EMHCs.

And while on the topic of time wth our Lord, why is that, among all of the parishioners, EMHCs are the scarcest at Perpetual Adoration?
 
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PASCENDI:
And while on the topic of time wth our Lord, why is that, among all of the parishioners, EMHCs are the scarcest at Perpetual Adoration?
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What an interesting idea!

Suggestion: Why don’t we all suggest to those that are over training the EMHC that making a holy hour the week before one serves is required? I will mention this when I get a chance. I can not possibly see any objection.
 
if time is the issue then thats really sad. people shouldnt be complaining about an extra 10 minutes in mass…
 
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Mycroft:
if time is the issue then thats really sad. people shouldnt be complaining about an extra 10 minutes in mass…
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Hopefully no one here would care. There are other issues that many do not think about. In my parish an extra 10 minutes between two of the masses would tie up parking so bad that the next mass would no be able to start on time. Keeping to a schedule is a problem that results from being blessed with fast growth.
 
well would it be impossible to change the times of the masses a bit? they really shouldnt eb that close together in the first place since some short event (a long homily, speaker, etc.) could throw off the schedule.

plus i dont think that is the situation in most cases.
 
well would it be impossible to change the times of the masses a bit? they really shouldnt eb that close together in the first place since some short event (a long homily, speaker, etc.) could throw off the schedule.
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plus i dont think that is the situation in most cases.
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In most cases, you’re probably right, but it happens oftener than you might think.

I remember in the late 60s as a kid, that Palm Sunday was a treat in my old parish for those who like liturgical chaos. The long reading of the passion bumped the mass almost to the next mass time even with an abbreviated homily.

And with people coming and going simultaneously, there was no chance of slipping out the side door, as you were expected to pick up the palms from the ushers to bring home to your mother.
 
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Kielbasi:
In most cases, you’re probably right, but it happens oftener than you might think.

I remember in the late 60s as a kid, that Palm Sunday was a treat in my old parish for those who like liturgical chaos. The long reading of the passion bumped the mass almost to the next mass time even with an abbreviated homily.

And with people coming and going simultaneously, there was no chance of slipping out the side door, as you were expected to pick up the palms from the ushers to bring home to your mother.
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mm since i have nothing to argue about ill make a comment on your grammar thats somehow supposed to discredit your opinions.

"it should be “more often” not “oftener”
 
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Mycroft:
mm since i have nothing to argue about ill make a comment on your grammar thats somehow supposed to discredit your opinions.

"it should be “more often” not “oftener”
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As you work on others’ grammar, how about a little attention to your own punctuation–or lack thereof.
 
Forget about grammar for now. Let’s put our heads together and figure out how to curb this abuse that goes by the name : Eucharistic Ministers
 
Let’s put our heads together and figure out how to curb this abuse that goes by the name : Eucharistic Ministers
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I don’t know whether abuse is the right terminology for it, but if you want to get rid of the EMs, there are several options.
  1. increase the number of priests
  2. increase the length of the mass
  3. offer communion only in one species
  4. reduce the number of Catholics who present themselves for communion each week , by instituting fasting or other prerequisites for the sacrament.
You have a preference for any or all of these?
 
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Kielbasi:
I don’t know whether abuse is the right terminology for it, but if you want to get rid of the EMs, there are several options.
  1. increase the number of priests
  2. increase the length of the mass
  3. offer communion only in one species
  4. reduce the number of Catholics who present themselves for communion each week , by instituting fasting or other prerequisites for the sacrament.
You have a preference for any or all of these?
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I chose the word abuse carefully. Now in reply to each of your excellent proposals, I would add getting rid of the EMs first.
  1. Priests are increasing, but we get the ones we want and the ones we deserve. EMs maginalize the priest; makes him just a presider. Heck Eucharistic Minister Magazine often decries the increase in vocations to the priesthood and diaconate and fears that this has the potential of usurping their role. Excuse me, but the priest is the ORDINARY Minister!
  2. That’s okay. But, I wouldn’t be so sure that EMs reduce the length of the mass. Getting them ready each sunday is often a long drawn out affair that could be shortened with professionals doing the job. I’ve seen a single priest at a parish that retained the altar rail distribute faster than 4 EMs.
  3. If the need is felt for EMs, and you’re still offering both species, something is wrong.
  4. I want to see no otherwise worthy soul denied communion for convenience. But the disrespectful way it’s distibuted makes reception by the unworthy less shocking.
 
when their are more extraordinatory ministers than there are people receiving communion (this actually happens at a retreat center near here). by the way, after parent meeting for 1st communion this moring, Parents, your kids need to practice, practice, practice, because they are not learning the proper way to receive communion on the hand and on the tongue.
 
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