Question regarding Extraordinary Ministers

[Orogeny]

How might we justify the often-observed practice of EMHCs distributing communion while ordained ministers are seated in the sanctuary or in the nave? The explanations I have heard include “It wasn’t my turn to preach this week and so I did not vest,” (a deacon), or “It was my turn to be ‘Eucharistic Minister’ this week so I told Father we did not need him.” (EMHC).

I don’t know. You won’t hear that at my parish. For a typical Mass, we have one priest (the EM), one deacon (the OMHC) and numerous laity (EMHCs) to distribute to about 1,700 people.

How do we explain the army of EMHCs standing all around the nave or at every “communion station,” mostly idle, holding cups?

Again, I don’t know, but what you are refering to doesn’t happen in my parish. Trust me, the EMHCs are very busy.

And how is it that we have all this clergy-wannabe manpower available during communion and, yes, available to pseudo-concelebrate at the fraction rite, but when communion is over, one or two low-ranking busboy EMs carry the sacred vessels offstage, unpurified, as if they were dirty dishes.

Low-ranking busboy EMs? You don’t seem to understand the difference I explained earlier. The EM is the PRIEST. If you are going to complain, at least be accurate with your terminology.

Is the Blessed Sacrament not still present? Which is more important: reverent administration and reverent reservation of the sacrament, or prancing around in front of the people, pretending to be priests and priestesses?

Your attitude is one that will never be amenable to the practice. I would suggest that you find a parish that bans the practice. Just don’t complain when the low-ranking busboy EM has to clean the chalices following Mass.

Peace

Tim