Opinion on EMHC/Men and Women

[InquisitorMax]

A few things might help:

1. People realising what mortal sin is and the importance of not going up to receive when in that state. Communion is not a buffet.
2. Making time for Communion. Two churches I know have EMHCs where there’s no following Mass I know of. I do think there’s a sense that ‘we really mustn’t detain people or they might not come back’.
3. Suggest people don’t need to receive every Sunday, robotically. They didn’t in the past.
4. Priests are badly formed. They may think that EMHCs are essential.
5. Get em all lined up, shoulder to shoulder, in a row, down at an accessible level, mouths open. Someone really should invent a system like that.

 

[Monica4316]

I hope the altar rails come back… it really doesn’t take long, with them.

 

[elizabeth_anne_1]

Just wondering…why would a male EMHC be different than a female one? After all, neither are ministerial priests…

 

[Monica4316]

As a beggar, I’m happy just to be able to recieve the sacraments at all. I have no place asking God for access to His sacraments according to my own personal preference, let alone demanding them on my own terms.

As long as the validly ordained successor to the Apostles or the one designated by him hits the right spots with the oil, says the proper words and lays his hands on me and prays, the confirmation is valid and everything else is extra. Jesus traveled fifteen miles to be baptized in a muddy little stream located in the middle of the hot desert. Who’s hands Jesus passes through so that I can be incorporated into His Body really don’t concern me within any reasonable bounds. I might be lying in a hospital bed tomorrow unable to speak, wishing some woman would bring me the Eucharist in that little leather pouch around her neck before I die. Men have died in foxholes wishing that they could recieve the Eucharist from someone… anyone. Who am I to be concerned about whether the EMHC is a woman or a man?

She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." (Matthew 15:27)

Who am I to even be in the same room when Christ is made present? I’m not about to advise God as to how I am willing or prefer to be served by Him.

-Tim-

Tim, I disagree with having EMHCs, etc, but I like the humility in your post… this is what I try to remember when I go to Novus Ordo, - that I’m so fortunate to be at Mass at all, and to receive Communion. God bless

 

[mick321]

I am a very traditional minded Catholic. I prefer the Tridentine Mass but go regularly to a NO parish.
For a couple months last year I was an EMHC, before I learned about the Latin Mass and came into that preference.
I would love it if EMHC were not necessary, and that we could all receive from the hands of the priest.
However, (and I do not wish to offend) the vast majority of EMHC at the parish are women. In an ideal situation I suppose I would prefer that if a priest could not give Communion then men should (please don’t flame me ). For you traditional minded people as well, do you think that I should go back to being and EMHC to encourage more men to step up and fulfill that role? Or should I not?

You should NOT go back to being an EMHC under any circumstance. The use of EMHC’s is akin to treating four severed limbs with sweat-lodge therapy. The Body of Christ deserves better.

Your diocese needs seminarians, deacons and priests. Nothing more, nothing less. If your pastor and bishop do not get a handle on this - pronto - don’t be surprised to find out you’re “allowed” to confess your sins an Extraordinary Minister of Reconciliation.

 

[Thomas_Casey]

Please do not make disparaging comments about the EMHC. If you don’t like receiving Holy Communion from them, you may say so. However, remember that charity is paramount. There are many posters here who serve as EMHC. They deserve to be spoken about with respect, charity and gratitude for their willingness to serve.

 

[corsair]

Our FSSP parish has one priest who celebrates Mass seven days a week, both low Masses and a High Mass on Sundays plus Holy Days. On sundays he has somewhere between 300 and 500 communicants. So its just him and an Altar boy. Doesn’t take any longer than at my OF parish where the priest gives communion to about 150 with the help of an EMHC plus two ministers of the chalice.

At the FSSP parish the marble floor in front of the communion rail is very hard and cold but the kneelers at the pews are padded. We sort of think of it as part of our penance. I’m 71 and I can still handle it.