Extraordinary Ministers

[FanChan]

There’s a lot of talk about how the use of extraordinary ministers are used far too often, usually just to speed things up.

I’m curious, though. What are some valid situations in which the ministers would be needed? I attend a church that is otherwise very reverant, and usually has visiting priests concelebrating and acolytes attending, and yet at times those priests and acolytes sit Communion out, while six or seven extraordinary ministers help with distribution (big parish). Granted, those ministers are very reverant, the women are always dressed properly, they’re very modest, and obviously not up there to show off like some ministers I’ve seen at less reverant parishes. But still, one would think the less extraordinary people, the visiting priests (of which are not typically infirm; standing for a while is not the issue, for they’re often young), should be taking at least some of the places.

Oh, and lastly, we have a brother who helps our pastor out with everything at the parish, including the distribution of Communion at High Mass; would he be considered an extraordinary minister, or is his ordination as a brother put him over into the category of ordinary?

 

[Deacon_Ed]

There’s a lot of talk about how the use of extraordinary ministers are used far too often, usually just to speed things up.

I’m curious, though. What are some valid situations in which the ministers would be needed? I attend a church that is otherwise very reverant, and usually has visiting priests concelebrating and acolytes attending, and yet at times those priests and acolytes sit Communion out, while six or seven extraordinary ministers help with distribution (big parish). Granted, those ministers are very reverant, the women are always dressed properly, they’re very modest, and obviously not up there to show off like some ministers I’ve seen at less reverant parishes. But still, one would think the less extraordinary people, the visiting priests (of which are not typically infirm; standing for a while is not the issue, for they’re often young), should be taking at least some of the places.

Oh, and lastly, we have a brother who helps our pastor out with everything at the parish, including the distribution of Communion at High Mass; would he be considered an extraordinary minister, or is his ordination as a brother put him over into the category of ordinary?

First, priests who are vested and serving at the altar should never sit while others distribute communion unless they are physically unable to distribute communion (this would include cases where a priest has, say, the flu and doesn’t want to infect his people). In general, those giving communion should first be the ordained (bishop, priest and deacon). Then, if communion would be “unduly delayed” extraordinary ministers may be used. A “brother” is a layman, he is not ordained. If he has been installed into the order of acolyte he would then have precedence over the laity as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, but he would not be considered “ordinary.”

Deacon Ed

 

[rowermath]

I know of a situation where the presider (and only priest at mass) had to sit communion out and absolutely needed the extraordinary ministers. The priest was going through chemotherapy treatments and his doctors most strongly advised him to not make much contact with large numbers of people. It was painful for him to sit it out, but without him, if there weren’t extraordinary ministers, our parish would have not received the Eucharist for many many weeks (there was only him, the pastor, and no other assistant priests).

 

[PJM]

There’s a lot of talk about how the use of extraordinary ministers are used far too often, usually just to speed things up.

I’m curious, though. What are some valid situations in which the ministers would be needed? … But still, one would think the less extraordinary people, the visiting priests (of which are not typically infirm; standing for a while is not the issue, for they’re often young), should be taking at least some of the places.

Oh, and lastly, we have a brother who helps our pastor out with everything at the parish, including the distribution of Communion at High Mass; would he be considered an extraordinary minister, or is his ordination as a brother put him over into the category of ordinary?

I’ll drop a hint. They most certainly are “ordinary” NOT Extrodinary!

Everyday, every Mass, everywhere (almost) is hardly Extrodinary, which is what Rome time and again has called for and specified.

The TRUE Ordinary Ministers of Jesus are Bishops, Priest and Deacons all who have been Consecrated to perform this most agust task. Anyone else is usurping the authority:thumbsup:

 

[Lainey63]

Are Extraordinary Ministers & Eucharistic Ministers the same? I was never a big fan but when a few members of my family were seriously ill and dying it was they who came to the house to give them Holy Communion and pray with us. I say they, actually it was a woman and she came faithfully at the same time everyday. Her reverence, dedication and devotion really made a impression on me and I am to this day very grateful to her for her service. I know that a priest could have never come everyday. So from my experience and I’m sure many others they perform a much needed service to those who are homebound and ill-they are a Godsend.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Are Extraordinary Ministers & Eucharistic Ministers the same?

No. According to the Church a “Eucharistic Minister” is one who confects the Eucharist. As such, only a bishop or priest can be a “Eucharistic Minister.” Bishops, priests, and deacons are ordinary ministers of Holy Communion. Anyone else who gives communion is an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. Does that help?

Deacon Ed

 

[kleary]

There’s a lot of talk about how the use of extraordinary ministers are used far too often, usually just to speed things up.

I’m curious, though. What are some valid situations in which the ministers would be needed? I attend a church that is otherwise very reverant, and usually has visiting priests concelebrating and acolytes attending, and yet at times those priests and acolytes sit Communion out, while six or seven extraordinary ministers help with distribution (big parish). Granted, those ministers are very reverant, the women are always dressed properly, they’re very modest, and obviously not up there to show off like some ministers I’ve seen at less reverant parishes. But still, one would think the less extraordinary people, the visiting priests (of which are not typically infirm; standing for a while is not the issue, for they’re often young), should be taking at least some of the places.

Oh, and lastly, we have a brother who helps our pastor out with everything at the parish, including the distribution of Communion at High Mass; would he be considered an extraordinary minister, or is his ordination as a brother put him over into the category of ordinary?

In Traditional Catholicism…

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Lay people) DO NOT EXIST.

I do not know how this question got here…

Ken

 

[aggiecatholic05]

What are some valid situations in which the ministers would be needed?

i was under the impression that in general if the lay:celebrant ratio was 1000:1 then they were permitted, in addition to other valid reasons already mentioned. of course that could have just been the local rule of thumb for when ‘unduly delayed’ would kick in.

 

[FanChan]

In Traditional Catholicism…

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Lay people) DO NOT EXIST.

I do not know how this question got here…

Ken

Yeah, in the TLM they don’t exist, but I figured ‘traditional Catholocism’ wasn’t restricted to the TLM. No need to be snippy about it.