Well, I am involved with many different things within my parish. I really love being a sacristan, altar server, and reader. The coordinator at my parish wants to train me to be an EMHC next month. Personally, I feel like I have no business holding/distributing the body and blood of Christ (no offense to those who are EMHC, but that’s my personal preference). I have no problem doing anything else in the parish, but being an EMHC is out of the question for me, and I don’t really know why. Is it wrong if I tell her that I would rather not and continue my current duties? What would be a polite way to tell her?
Actually, why don’t you print THIS one-way communication out and let her read it.
It’s pretty eloquent. And if I were her - I’d understand completely.
I am “sort of” an EMHC. They call it CSL. Communion Service Leader. I sometimes “lead” a Communion Service on Sundays at a County Home for children 0 - 17.
My dilemma was similar to yours per feelings. I began as a musician and lector assisting a Chaplain/Deacon. We sometimes had a priest come in and celebrate mass - which was ideal - but our groups at the biggest were 20 kids. More often five or less.
Still the Catholic kids got communion and the mass readings of the day. When I lead the service I wear an alb … and lead some of the prayers a priest does (not many - it’s abbreviated quite a bit). I read the Gospel and give (not a homily) … but a “reflection” on the readings. The Diocese tests and commissions people who do this - and it’s a very rare thing in my Diocese, part of the “Detention Ministry/Office of Restorative Justice”. And I am in the ONE facility that is not a jail nor a Juvenile Hall!
It is hard to give Jesus His DUE worship anywhere really. Processions, choirs, altar servers, stained glass windows, statues, tapestries, incense, bells and a great sound system do not go too far. In the sterile (but clean) foyer we have but a little kit - a small pyx with the Eucharist, an altar cloth and a corporal, a red sanctuary candle (quite small) and a crucifix make an existing table our “altar”. Though there is no offertory (of course), nor
liturgy of the Eucharist leading up to consecration.
It all feels funny. But I get over it … since bringing Jesus to His people is needed.
We do have a priest once per month now. Which is amazing considering our size and how much a priest might be needed elsewhere (the other prison ministry gatherings are much larger - 50 to 100 people as the hour of mass is also time “out of jail” in a sense).
With no instructions per kneeling at any time … we encourage our kids to kneel (as we leaders do) at what would be like the elevation of the host.
“This is the lamb of God … (etc.)” That does not agree with the mass … but the part of the mass that mandates kneeling is not included in our Communion Service sheet.
Anyway I sympathize.
There are benefits to doing it though. I am inspired to resist sin more. (I can’t do THAT … I have to lead a Sunday Service for kids for heaven’s sake!) And regarding the need to
“reflect” on the Scriptures has led me to a deeper look at them and listening to the Lord (plus, surprisingly, remembering gold nuggets from the priests throughout my life who have given homily’s on these VERY scriptures at masses I’d attended long ago).
If you feel yourself pulled the other way, toward it – still give your contact the letter and see if she still wants to recruit you. You seem humble … which is the right spirit to serve.
Above all, and more important than the technicalities - I think a minister of the Eucharist should try to be authentically worshipping during the time he or she ministers. For that we need graces. God gives them. And has used humble vessels for His work before.
Since you seem to want to DO the right thing … you probably will. Whether the answer is Yes or No. Or a temporary yes or no. “Not now.” Or “I’ll try but can’t commit long term” for example.
Bless you for being a thoughtful person in an important matter CatholicZ.
