First foray into the EME (cup, phewsh!)

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Lady Cygnus:
They changed the name again?? Since the change from Eucharistic Ministers (EM’s) I’ve always heard them called EMEu’s (my dad pronounces it like the bird name :rolleyes: ). Since Holy Communion and the Eucharist are the same, does it really matter which is used?
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They have never been called EME’s and for that matter they technically were never called Eucharistic Ministers either other than in popular usage which is why the Vatican made it a point to change popular usage.

The problem with using the term Eucharist in that context is that Eucharist has multiple meanings and the Holy See wants to make sure that people have the correct understanding in mind when they are dealing with the Blessed Sacrament. Also, there is a particular abuse of the term Eucharist which deals with obfuscating the sacraficial nature of the Liturgy.
 
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AltarMan:
I made no such assumption. You seem rather defensive. Why is that?

I certainly hope that’s not the case in your situation…
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Maybe because you didn’t read it before you hit the post button and didn’t see how what a smackdown it was?

I certainly HOPE that your mom taught you that if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.
 
Dr. Bombay:
People do not receive a calling from God to become an EMHC (or whatever abbreviation they’re using this week) or readers, or altar servers or members of the choir or the Altar and Rosary Society. We make our own choices to engage in these things.

This is not meant to diminish people who perform these functions, but let’s keep it in perspective.
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Are you saying that it is impossible to receive such a calling? You comment seems…overboard.
 
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CuriousInIL:
Are you saying that it is impossible to receive such a calling? You comment seems…overboard.
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With God all things are possible.

However…Is it a calling in the same way a priest or religious is called? Negative. Vatican II’s universal call to holiness had little to do with getting lay people involved in the sanctuary. We’d be a much stronger Church if people would realize we are called to live our Faith in the world. That’s the real calling of the layman.
 
Dr. Bombay:
With God all things are possible.

However…Is it a calling in the same way a priest or religious is called? Negative. Vatican II’s universal call to holiness had little to do with getting lay people involved in the sanctuary. We’d be a much stronger Church if people would realize we are called to live our Faith in the world. That’s the real calling of the layman.
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In the first instance, I do not know why we are comparing callings or talking about Vatican II’s call to holiness. That is not on topic IMO. And, for many, being part of a Church ministry such as being an EMHC or reader or altar server or member of the choir etc. is an integral and necessary part of living our Faith in the world. I, for one, definitely believe that such desires, decisions or whatever else one may label them are indeed callings that come from God. I also think we are all called as part of our Faith to share our “time, talent and treasure” in various ministries.
 
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CuriousInIL:
In the first instance, I do not know why we are comparing callings or talking about Vatican II’s call to holiness. That is not on topic IMO. And, for many, being part of a Church ministry such as being an EMHC or reader or altar server or member of the choir etc. is an integral and necessary part of living our Faith in the world. I, for one, definitely believe that such desires, decisions or whatever else one may label them are indeed callings that come from God. I also think we are all called as part of our Faith to share our “time, talent and treasure” in various ministries.
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You’re the one that dredged this thread up after being dead almost a week, not me.

We are called to live our Faith in the world. The only “necessary” ministry inside the sanctuary is that of the priest. Period.
 
Dr. Bombay:
You’re the one that dredged this thread up after being dead almost a week, not me.

We are called to live our Faith in the world. The only “necessary” ministry inside the sanctuary is that of the priest. Period.
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Sorry, I guess I was not aware that certain aspects of debate were waived if a thread was “dead almost a week.”

Okay, accepting as true for purposes of debate that the “only ‘necessary’ ministry inside the sanctuary is that of priest,” how does this at all lead to a conclusion about other callings?
 
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CuriousInIL:
Sorry, I guess I was not aware that certain aspects of debate were waived if a thread was “dead almost a week.”

Okay, accepting as true for purposes of debate that the “only ‘necessary’ ministry inside the sanctuary is that of priest,” how does this at all lead to a conclusion about other callings?
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It doesn’t. Clearly, the Church was in error for all those centuries when she prohibited lay people from distributing Holy Communion and reading scriptures from the pulpit (or ambo if you please). Not to mention the hideous error of prohibiting females from serving at the altar. Think of the thousands, nay millions, of people God was calling to serve Him over the years who were kept down by patriarchy.

Thankfully, our modern world has finally forced the Church to update her thinking and there’s nothing within the sanctuary that a layman (person) can’t do.

Hooray, progress! 👍
 
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leaner:
So the whole issue of touching the host didn’t come up for me b/c I was given the cup this week (for my first time). I didn’t spill, tho I couldn’t empty the cup myself (there was about half left…new years day was low attendance at the 9am mass!) – the taste (with the raging hormones of pregancy) makes me gag just taking a sip, I couldn’t even fathom swallowing an entire cup of it. So I handed it to one of the others to finish. I’m not scheduled for the actual host until March, so I have some time to reflect and pray on that…but I was just happy I didn’t mess anything up on my first day…

my kids were cute – there in the front row, you could see the shining gleam in my 5yo’s eyes – and when I looked over at him and caught his eye, he gave me this HUGE, exaggerated wink (like most kids do, with the jaw wide open as they struggle to close only one eye). I had to just smile.

Next week my DH is sched to read the second reading…my parents will be here, and when he realized that, he got nervous…I laughed and said “but you brief Generals and SES’s all the time without breaking a sweat” – I’m pretty sure he’s thinking: “honey, reading from the bible in church in front of your mother makes briefing a general seem like reading ds a story…” lol
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Congratulations on you first day. I’m sorry some felt the need to be critical of you serving as an EMHC because they feel there is no need for such a ministry. I think many of the comments were very judgmental, I feel bad that your positive experience has been denigrated by those who feel they need to be holier then the pope.

Our parish does not utilize EMHCs except on rare occasion. But I certainly would not change lines just to receive from a priest or deacon. The body of Christ is fully present either way and I am concentrated on our Lord, not on the human being distributing Him. Maybe those that are so quick to judge should contemplate more thoroughly on the fact that receiving Christ at all is an amazing gift, there are those in some countries that rarely if ever get to receive. Instead of complaining about who they are recieving it from.

May God bless you on your ministry.
 
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AMDG1:
Reread your posts objectively and I think you’ll see that whether intended or not, they could be easily interpreted as passing judgment - the first one snide nonetheless.

Personally I don’t take communion under both species because the bread/body alone is sufficient. And personally (no offense to any of you) - I’ve never taken communion from an extraordinary minister - just priests or deacons. Not because I think extraordinaries are illicit…but because I think the whole dang thing has become overused and frankly, I’m protesting that in my own quiet way by “changing lines” to receive from the priest or deacon. People notice to varying reactions which is fine by me - it’s my choice (I genuflect as well and recieve on the tongue too…because that’s how I was taught and I’m set in my ways…which garners some interesting looks but that’s another story). Furthermore, I think we need more deacons which I’m inclined to look into myself once I’m settled in a single geographic location.

Your dissenting view is welcomed but please keep your remarks cordial and in the spirit of constructive debate.
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:amen: You think you get some interesting looks, my sister, who is 9 months pregnant genuflects and receives on her tongue and has her husband right behind her to pick her up! I 😃
 
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MaryAgnes:
Originally Posted by AltarMan:

"It’s been my personal experience that far too many people get involved in “sanctuary-based ministries” (MC, server, reader, EMHC, etc.) because they need attention. Because they need to feel “special” or “important.”

Wow! I wonder where you’ve experienced such self-serving issues? “Because they need to feel special or important”??? Oh, my. My personal experience (my own) is one of being called to serve. Liturgical ministry is very humbling …
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Your retort honestly sounds like my comment hit a bit too close to home.

You also need to re-read and ponder posting #13…
 
Let me preface first by saying it may be your bottom line, but seeing as it is left up to the actual leaders of the church, it is not THE bottom line…tho your other post does seem to keep with your “i am the authority” approach to this board…

After further “reflection” on this post as altarman suggested, I have to say, I didn’t receive a calling from God (that I’m aware of, unless He was acting thru our priest). Our priest asked for help. Several times. We are a military chapel, that means the protestant services come in not 5min behind our recessional…and some other denomination comes in 5min behind them, and the Lutheran service starts 5min after that…etc. etc…our kids cannot go in the playroom after mass b/c it is already full of the protestant “nursery” kids whos parents are standing in the halls waiting to get their pews for their service. Five more minutes makes a world of difference when you share the building with 5 other religious groups every weekend…We have two priests who say mass every day plus the 6 masses on the weekends in two separate locations (one chapel on base, one 7mi away in base housing) as well as having “squadron chaplain” duties to fulfill at a base full of deploying and returning soldiers and airmen. There is a definite need for help. They also get called on to “augment” other military chapels (we had a navy priest helping out for a while from the nearby base b/c our priest was called to the desert for 4mos). My point is, yes, I can see how EMHC are being overused by priests anxious to include the laity in an attempt to bring those who might not get involved as deeply a little closer to the Church. You are not, however, omniscient, and are not aware of each parish’s individual situations, so to make the assumption that anyone who serves as an EMHC is a self-serving attention-grubbing sacristy-chattering heretic just strikes me as you actually being the opposite of who you call yourself, ‘altarman’ – perhaps "holierthanthou’ would give others a heads up before they post and then get speared by you’re scathing accusations of not believing in the true presence of our Lord
 
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AMDG1:
Never fear - I have a solution to too many EMHC’s…simply sit where you think the priest will distribute - and if he gets tricky and goes somewhere else, just change lines. I guesstimate that we have 12 EMHC’s at each weekend Mass in my parish. The priest (and deacon if he’s there) always distribute via the center aisle (which is foolproof since I sit in the middle). I sit on the left since that’s where our priest usually goes…but if the deacon isn’t there and the priest changes sides on me, I simply change lines. It’s entertaining to watch peoples’ expressions when I do this. Give it a try…
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Father tricked me last week and changed sides…then I slipped across the aisle and got it from him anyway! 😃

S
 
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slewi:
Father tricked me last week and changed sides…then I slipped across the aisle and got it from him anyway! 😃

S
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Hmm, im not into the old EMHCs to be honest, but i do think that if you are constantly swapping back and forth to make sure you receive from the priest, your mind isnt going to be focused on Our Lord.

Best thing to do is just receive from whoever, and if its an EMHC, just ‘accidentally’ lick their fingers!!!😃 If enough of us do it, i think we might see less and less EMHCs!!
 
Adam S:
Hmm, im not into the old EMHCs to be honest, but i do think that if you are constantly swapping back and forth to make sure you receive from the priest, your mind isnt going to be focused on Our Lord.

Don’t worry, I am perfectly focused on the Lord.

Best thing to do is just receive from whoever, and if its an EMHC, just ‘accidentally’ lick their fingers!!!😃 If enough of us do it, i think we might see less and less EMHCs!!
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OR bite 'em:hmmm:!
 
Don’t worry, I am perfectly focused on the Lord.

Not fun being accused of lacking focus or understanding, eh? :ehh:
 
leaner said:
Don’t worry, I am perfectly focused on the Lord.

Not fun being accused of lacking focus or understanding, eh? :ehh:
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The first posting of this thread suggested otherwise…
 
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leaner:
Let me preface first by saying it may be your bottom line, but seeing as it is left up to the actual leaders of the church, it is not THE bottom line…tho your other post does seem to keep with your “i am the authority” approach to this board…

After further “reflection” on this post as altarman suggested, I have to say, I didn’t receive a calling from God (that I’m aware of, unless He was acting thru our priest). Our priest asked for help. Several times. We are a military chapel, that means the protestant services come in not 5min behind our recessional…and some other denomination comes in 5min behind them, and the Lutheran service starts 5min after that…etc. etc…our kids cannot go in the playroom after mass b/c it is already full of the protestant “nursery” kids whos parents are standing in the halls waiting to get their pews for their service. Five more minutes makes a world of difference when you share the building with 5 other religious groups every weekend…We have two priests who say mass every day plus the 6 masses on the weekends in two separate locations (one chapel on base, one 7mi away in base housing) as well as having “squadron chaplain” duties to fulfill at a base full of deploying and returning soldiers and airmen. There is a definite need for help. They also get called on to “augment” other military chapels (we had a navy priest helping out for a while from the nearby base b/c our priest was called to the desert for 4mos). My point is, yes, I can see how EMHC are being overused by priests anxious to include the laity in an attempt to bring those who might not get involved as deeply a little closer to the Church. You are not, however, omniscient, and are not aware of each parish’s individual situations, so to make the assumption that anyone who serves as an EMHC is a self-serving attention-grubbing sacristy-chattering heretic just strikes me as you actually being the opposite of who you call yourself, ‘altarman’ – perhaps "holierthanthou’ would give others a heads up before they post and then get speared by you’re scathing accusations of not believing in the true presence of our Lord
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I believe this highlights well, how EMHC’s are indeed needed at times. I also think it was good of you to respond to the request of the priest to help. The Church does permit them and I believe it was Cardinal Arinze who recently stated that he felt it was warranted when the number was over 100 per priest. At the very least he did not seem to think they were necessary where under 100 people are in attendance, but I also believe that in a case where there is a time-constraint such as this, he would be in agreement.

I think a good example of this is the televised “Mass for Shut-ins” we get here in Detroit out of the Archdiocese. There can’t be more than a small handful of people and they are using EMHC’s. This really bothered me. However, giving them the benefit of the doubt, it is possible that they do this in order to make things even faster due to tight air-time.

Overuse is an understatement and I think that is where the hard feelings come in. I was awestruck when I first attended Assumption Grotto and saw that ALL of the priests available became active during Communion. This includes priests in a Holy Order who work on our grounds. It is rare that any one of the residing or visiting priests don’t help out. One or more also avails himself during Benediction as well, which always follows our noon Mass.

Compare that to my former parishes where there are two priests and once their Mass is done, that’s it.

But, the priests at Grotto are also encourage frequent confession and spend plenty of time in the box between Masses. Each of these priests dedicates their Sunday mornings and early afternoons to the flock which comes and removes all excuses for EMHC’s and for not going to Confession.

I understand my pastor had to have an EMHC at one time, but once more priests were on hand, he no longer distributes. If we get into a situation were there are not enough priests again, I’m convinced he will make use of one or two.
 
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