Serving at Mass

[Annabelle_Marie]

Spread it out as much as you can. Make do with what you have. There is no rule against double roles, though.

I think as a rule though you should notify whomever that you already have a role for Mass. We have one lector who almost always ends up serving as EMHC and I’m sure it’s because he comes in just before Mass when they are frantically looking for one and he doesn’t tell them that he is a reader as well. I notice because I’m trained to be an EMHC but dont’ typically get asked at that Mass.

 

[thistle]

I am a Reader as well as EMHC in my parish. Is it permissible to do both at the same Mass if there are other minsters who could serve as EMHC if I read? It seems that I read somewhere that you can only serve in one or the other capacity at the same Mass unless there is a shortage of EMHC at that Mass, then one could do both. Thanks for any help.

Here in the Philippines females are not allowed to be EMHC’s but almost all the readers are female so they would not be allowed to step in to help in case of shortages.

 

[PhilipUSA]

Even though we seem to have priestly resurgences from time to time, especially since JPII’s call for more priests; I gather from the comments that so many churches are still very much in need of priests and lay servers. I can’t remember the last time I saw Nuns wearing their habits at Mass either. Now more than ever, everything we’ve ever held sacred or believed in as Catholics and Christians is under attack. Morals are being redefined, adjusted and minimized. Marriage is no longer considered sacred or necessary. Children out of wedlock are flaunted by Hollywood celebrities.

Relativism pervades society and is used justify political advancement toward progressivism. Legislation is increasingly anti-Christian.

I know that many on this site are good Catholic seekers of Truth - not trying to preach to the choir, but…

If we don’t return to God as a people, we “will” be no conquered. Our country will cease to exist. This has to happen - we’re breaking God’s laws and mocking Him. How about the first gay marriage ceremony being performed at West Point last week- the pinnacle of our military academies??

We need good solid and Holy priests now more than ever!

My family’s daily prayers include an increase in vocations to the priesthood.
Please join us.

We also pray for an increase in Holiness as a people. And; as reminded by Bishop Fulton Sheen - please join us as we pray for the souls in purgatory and the unborn babies in danger of abortion. Thank you & God Bless.

 

[PhilipUSA]

here in the philippines females are not allowed to be emhc’s but almost all the readers are female so they would not be allowed to step in to help in case of shortages.

god bless you and your’s in the philippines!

 

[CyrilSebastian]

Our previous pastor (priest) made it firmly clear that at Mass, an individual did one ministry and one ministry only. If you were trained in being a Reader and also a Eucharistic Minister, you only did the ministry you were assigned to do at the Mass.kpeople:

 

[PhilipUSA]

Our previous pastor (priest) made it firmly clear that at Mass, an individual did one ministry and one ministry only. If you were trained in being a Reader and also a Eucharistic Minister, you only did the ministry you were assigned to do at the Mass.kpeople:

In perfect world that would be nice. However;
I’ve done many services as reader, usher, EM and altar server at the request of the celebrant who needed help. People sometimes do show up to cover their duties for a variety of reasons including a heart attack on the way to the church.

 

[judynurse]

Our previous pastor (priest) made it firmly clear that at Mass, an individual did one ministry and one ministry only. If you were trained in being a Reader and also a Eucharistic Minister, you only did the ministry you were assigned to do at the Mass.kpeople:

If we did that at our Parish, especially during summer vacations and Christmas time, Father would have to do all but one of the Ministries!! Maybe two of them on a good weekend! Last weekend, with flu going around, two ministers recovering from hip surgeries, etc… I was Usher, took up the Gifts to the Altar, and at the last moment was 2nd Server for the Communion Line! The only people we had were the required Lectors, one of whom was also required to assist with Holy Communion, which I would have helped with, but she had no training as a Server. Our congregation is not as small as some, but we sure are no big city! If your Pastor can have that many Ministers at every Mass, he’s lucky indeed! Otherwise, he’ll find himself with NO server to assist him (which happens here during weekday Masses quite often), he’ll have to do at least one reading plus the Gospel, no server for Communion, and possibly one Eucharistic Minister to serve one chalice at one side only of the Church. We had a Priest try that, and he gave it up after a month of doing everything by himself, for the most part!