Requirements for Eucharistic Minister?

[Phemie]

In every instance that I am aware of, the pastor must invite someone to be an EMHC. It is not a role that one can self-select for in the way one volunteers to be an usher. After the invitation, there is training both from the diocese and the parish.

It all depends on the diocese and the parish. Only once was I invited, and that was the time I first became an EMHC. In every other parish I belonged to they called for volunteers who were then trained by the priest or the liturgy person. The priest then submitted their name to the bishop for approval. I long ago gave up this ministry when I realized how overused it was.

 

[sinner_saint]

Sadly, most people think nothing of it.

And more parishioners are becoming more dismissive of Church law everyday. Seems that in the last 10 years or so, this trend has accelerated at an alarming rate.

I know I’ve ventured off course. I must have this conversation with a member of the clergy. It bothers me to a degree that I’m not comfortable with. Should I attend Mass and ignore the hypocrites that are within arms length? I admit that this is a juvenile argument but it is a burr under my saddle.

 

[Phemie]

Therefore, while we recognize that “Eucharistic Minister” was a common term in the past which referred to EMHCs, the Church in her wisdom has deprecated this term, and I think that you will find in reality that nobody officially representing the Church will use the term “Eucharistic Minister” when they in fact mean an EMHC.

I wish.

Priests use the term all the time and you will find it on parish websites. In fact, I was ordered to stop using the term EMHC by a previous pastor and ordered to call them Eucharistic Ministers.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

I have been looking everywhere for some information on this. Isn’t the lay minister required to be a Catholic in good standing? A nice lady at our small church (20-30) wants to be one, but she has told me she is not married to the man she has lived with for the last 10 or so years. She receives Holy Communion also (as does another lady in the same situation), our priest must know this. If all the parishioners know this, what does this do to their faith?? I told her I would email some information to her on the requirements.
Anyone know where to look?
Thanks

If it were me…I would email her the requirements…one of which I would think would to be a Catholic in good standing…And I would include what the requirements are for that…as she apparently does not know. That way you are not being judgemental…you are just being super helpful by providing extra information…

 

[thomas_jd]

“Rite of Commissioning Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion”: Chapter 63 of the book of Blessings(Roman Ritual,1998
" Communion Rite at Sunday Mass", Gabe Huck, Liturgy Training Publications Chicago,1989
“This Holy and Living Sacrifice”, NCCB 1985
Resources that may be of help.
We require all to be in communion with the Church at my Parish.

 

[agnes_therese]

An divorced woman I know is a new Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC) at a local parish. She is in a relationship with a man and I have it on good word (from mutual friends) that it is a sexual relationship.

I’m sorry, but that sounds like gossip to me. Do you KNOW, of your OWN knowledge, that she is living in mortal sin? If not, then the best thing to do is go with your other assumption – that she “completed the necessary requirements under the guidance and watchful eye of the parish priest and/or program director.”

I think we all sometimes – and I do include myself in that – spend too much attention to the state of other people’s souls, when our own are in sore need of that attention.

Just my 2-cents worth. That and your next paycheck will get you a latte at Starbucks.

 

[diggerdomer]

An divorced woman I know is a new Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC) at a local parish. She is in a relationship with a man and I have it on good word (from mutual friends) that it is a sexual relationship. This causes great consternation in my soul and leaves me disappointed in the Church that this is allowed to happen. I would like to think that anyone who is given the privilege of distributing The Body of Christ would also follow ALL of the Catholic dogma. I assume this woman completed the necessary requirements under the guidance and watchful eye of the parish priest and/or program director. The fact that there are disingenuous members such as this embedded within the congregation is unsettling to me.

I don’t intend to use this forum as a gossip column but this and other hypocritical issues have distanced me from the Catholic Church - although I am a strong believer in the Church and what it stands for.

You’re replying to a thread that is almost a year old. How about starting a new thread/topic?

 

[rebecca123]

Apart from the eucharistic minister appointment, I also know of two women who have lived with their boyfriends for a long time who partake of communion without a second thought. This seems really common. I thought confession was required before communion?

 

[Brendan]

But language is largely determined by usage, and in many Catholic churches, parishes and dioceses throughout the United States, the term eucharistic minister is currently used for lay people who help in the distribution of Holy Communion.
.

I think everyone here understands that. But we also understand that we were told by Rome to stop using the term to refer to anyone but a priest or bishop.

So the fact that lots of people use the term does not justifiy disobeying Rome on the matter.

 

[Newbie2]

Hey Brendon,

Are there any AOD guidelines on the selection or training of EMHCs? I’m not aware of any.

 

[Lapey]

I know that you have a good point.

But language is largely determined by usage, and in many Catholic churches, parishes and dioceses throughout the United States, the term eucharistic minister is currently used for lay people who help in the distribution of Holy Communion.

Language changes- I guess it can change back, too- but just like the definition of *celibacy *changed from “unmarried” to “no sex”, so it has been in many places with eucharistic minister.

Where and when has the Church ever sanctioned unmarried sex? Sorry but an unmarried person called to celibacy is called to have no sex.

 

[Lapey]

An EMHC is not a Eucharistic Minister. The Eucharistic Minister is the priest.

Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion = Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

 

[Lapey]

If i were to answer the question **Requirements for Eucharistic Minister? **i would say you must be a priest!

**There is no Eucharistic Minister other than the ordained persons (priests and bishops). **

Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion = Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

Why is it that the deacon is always left out? Especially since their existence in Church history can be traced back to the apostles.

Sorry I am so sensitive to this, it is personal to me.

I believe there are many new “traditions” that have begun and need to be reined in surrounding Holy Communion. EMHCs do not have a right to be just because they are on a list. It is as required. If there are enough ordinary ministers then the emhc is not needed. But there are very few pastors with the willingness to “offend” anyone. This is sad, just like removing a minister from service who is no longer in good standing with the Church.

We save the feelings of one person and cause confusion and frustration in many others, which is more dangerous? I know, I am too strict I guess. Good thing I will never be a pastor!