Germs and The Communion Cup

[DebChris]

When I was first commissioned I received a letter from my bishop confirming that my pastor had submitted my name and guaranteed that I was “right for the ministry” so to speak. So the Pastor had submitted our names before he even asked us. One he got permission then we were invited to be trained. That was in the very early years of EMHCs.

Exactly. The bishop wanted to know that extraordinary ministers were suitable. In the Middle East parish to which I belonged, the pictures of the candidates for EMCH are posted on the bulletin in the same way that marriage bans are still announced.
Anybody can inform the pastor if there is a problem before the person is admitted into the one year formation program.
My teaching contract was renewed on an annual basis, plus I was already in the lector ministry. It likewise had the monthly meeting, Enriching the Faith, Holy Hour, and Bible Study requirements.
Special Masses are held in October, after everybody has returned from summer breaks for each of the various parish ministries. They are generally on Friday, and include a Holy Hour before hand. Until the cathedral is built, it remains the only Catholic church in the country. Masses are always packed to overflowing.

 

[paperwight66]

It is not just in your archdiocese. It is worldwide, as a result of the decision of Pope Benedict XVI.

Maybe each Bishops Conference has come to a separate agreement?
I know that in our Archdiocese, the EMHCs purify the vessels at the Cathedral, as the sanctuary is large and it would cause delay for the celebrant to leave his chair to do so, and they do so in our parish - indeed, including at Masses celebrated by.the Archbishop Emeritus .

 

[DebChris]

Maybe each Bishops Conference has come to a separate agreement?
I know that in our Archdiocese, the EMHCs purify the vessels at the Cathedral, as the sanctuary is large and it would cause delay for the celebrant to leave his chair to do so, and they do so in our parish - indeed, including at Masses celebrated by.the Archbishop Emeritus .

When I was first commissioned as EMCH, the purification was done in the sacristy after Mass. The way my pastor phrased was, “You don’t do dishes at the table.”

When the new guidelines were issued, the vessels were still moved to the side table. All Precious Blood was consumed and the vessels covered to be purified later. There was no delay in the Mass. It didn’t matter that I was in a smaller parish. The actual celebration of the Mass was never affected.

I have been to Mass where the priest does purify the vessels at the altar. Others do not. I see this difference strictly as a matter of preference and training.