Should I continue to be a Extraordinary minister

[benedictgal]

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It is not wrong for y ou to give out the Body and Blood of Christ, in fact, it is an asset to the priest. You should be honored to be able to handle the Body and Blood of Christ. The only time it would be wrong if the priest just sat there and had the lay-people doing it This is not permitted. Be at ease and continue with your ministry.
God bless you. Charles A Rose, OSFD+.

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I would agree with most of what you said; however, if the numbers don’t justify our being there, then, that is when we need to step back. Redemptionis Sacramentum is very clear on that.

As I noted earlier, the problem is that the “extra-ordinary” has now become the “ordinary.” We only function if there is a genuine necessity. We shouldn’t be up there if the priest can handle the number of communicants on his own. And, simply shortening Mass time isn’t justification enough, as the documents have shown.

Now, what we have begun doing in our parish is to have the priest distribute the body of Christ (and the deacon, if he is there) and then have the EMHCs distribute the Precious Blood.

Everyone involved needs to exercise prudence.

 

[quiet52]

I have been taking communion to the nursing homes for several months as well. I have no doubts that I should continue to do this ministry because all people should have the opportunity to receive Our Lord weekly!

But there’s this little something that keeps gnawing at me saying…2bcatholic, **even though you WANT to be an extraordinary minister for the congregation you KNOW this is not your job but the job of the priest and wanting to do something doesn’t make you worthy! ** (I guess that would be my conscience huh? (However, I don’t want to be offensive to Our Lord if He wants me doing this either.)

This parish has had Eucharist ministers for as long as I can remember and just recently we have had another priest to come in and He has continued this tradition.

Only priests and bishops are authorized by the Church to administer the sacrament of the Eucharist. Lay people are not Eucharistic ministers. The title “extraordinary” does not come from the English meaning (“unusual” or “remarkable”" but from the Latin (“extra” means “outside of” – extraordinary means “outside of the ordained”). We lay people are merely the extension of the celebrant’s hands during one part of the celebration of the Eucharist – when Holy Communion is distributed to the faithful – IF we are needed. We’re not taking over the priest’s job. It IS our job only if and when bishops and pastors determine the need is there and we are duly commissioned to do so. If an adequate number of other clergy is present at Mass, they, and not the lay people, must serve Holy Communion. Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion should not be demeaned by others – they are saying “yes” in service to the pastor and parish, and they should not be judged as to their motivation. Only God judges hearts.

 

[benedictgal]

Only priests and bishops are authorized by the Church to administer the sacrament of the Eucharist. Lay people are not Eucharistic ministers. The title “extraordinary” does not come from the English meaning (“unusual” or “remarkable”" but from the Latin (“extra” means “outside of” – extraordinary means “outside of the ordained”). We lay people are merely the extension of the celebrant’s hands during one part of the celebration of the Eucharist – when Holy Communion is distributed to the faithful – IF we are needed. We’re not taking over the priest’s job. It IS our job only if and when bishops and pastors determine the need is there and we are duly commissioned to do so. If an adequate number of other clergy is present at Mass, they, and not the lay people, must serve Holy Communion. Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion should not be demeaned by others – they are saying “yes” in service to the pastor and parish, and they should not be judged as to their motivation. Only God judges hearts.

I completely agree with your observations. As I indicated in my post, my concern is when the “extra-ordinary” is now seen as the “ordinary”. And yes, in my diocese, one priest, in particular, who is in excellent health, remains seated during Communion while the deacon and the EMHCs distribute the Body of Christ (no Precious Blood). In fact, there are too many EMHCs to justify distributing Holy Communion to about 200 people. It’s not that I’m being judgmental, but, there is something very wrong with this picture. What makes it worse is that the EMHCs wear vesture that looks too much like a stole (or a chasuble overlay). I tried bringing it to the pastor’s attention, but, he says that he’s fulfilling his duty by distributing communion to the EMHCs. That’s not even the point.

Now, I have a different take on the matter which maybe the OP might consider. My father is an EMHC who devotes his care to the elderly, infirmed and homebound, visiting 30 people every Sunday. He goes to the senior citizens homes, the nursing homes and a few houses. What is disheartening to him is when he keeps asking the priests to go and hear the confessions of these individuals and no one goes. Often, my father is the only visitor that these folks will ever get.

Being an EMHC to the elderly and infirmed is important because they, too, need to be able to receive Our Lord. Maybe this could be a viable option for you.

 

[JesuXPIPassio]

I’m just wondering if I should quit doing it? I don’t believe that I am worthy to be doing such a ministry but I also realize that even if I decide not to do it then somebody else will most likely be asked to do it.

Well here’s the thing: nobody is worthy of it. Even John the Baptist said he’s not worthy to carry our Lord’s sandals.

That being said, it’s good that you realise that you’re not worthy of it. That’s God’s challenge to you: try your best to *make *yourself worthy of it! You’ll never actually get there (no human being has or ever will) but the closer you get to it, the more you please God.

 

[quiet52]

My father is an EMHC who devotes his care to the elderly, infirmed and homebound, visiting 30 people every Sunday. He goes to the senior citizens homes, the nursing homes and a few houses. What is disheartening to him is when he keeps asking the priests to go and hear the confessions of these individuals and no one goes. Often, my father is the only visitor that these folks will ever get.

Being an EMHC to the elderly and infirmed is important because they, too, need to be able to receive Our Lord. Maybe this could be a viable option for you.

Please encourage your father to formally write a letter of request to the pastor, specifying the needs of the elderly he visits, re: the sacrament of Reconciliation. If the pastor doesn’t respond within a few weeks, your father should write the bishop.
And please give your father an extra hug.

 

[Jimdandy]

At my Parrish, the Precious Blood is offered at each Mass-even if only 10 people or less are at Mass, which is frequent at some of the daily Masses.

We do not have a Deacon, so lay people have to help-or the priest has to stop offering the Precious Blood.

This is not unusual for Parishes in small towns here in America.

 

[benedictgal]

Please encourage your father to formally write a letter of request to the pastor, specifying the needs of the elderly he visits, re: the sacrament of Reconciliation. If the pastor doesn’t respond within a few weeks, your father should write the bishop.
And please give your father an extra hug.

Thank you. He did write to the pastor. The pastor ignored him. He also sent a registered, certified, returned receipt requested, letter to the bishop. That was also ignored. Now, the CDWDS is handing the matter.

Now, going back to the OP, I really believe that being an EMHC for the sick, elderly and shut-ins would be a viable alternative. It’s not an easy ministry, but, it is a very much needed one. These folks hunger for Our Lord and it pains them to not be able to go to Mass. For many, this may be the one contact they have with another person al week.

 

[KingAlfred]

I think it’s good to get the laity involved and keep it involved. As I said, if vocations in America don’t ‘step it up’ a good bit, the laity might have to run Mass completely in certain parts of the country. What does a Catholic do, for example, if he lives hundreds of miles away from the nearest priest?

 

[MrS]

A thought from the Desk Of Mr S

I was just thinking of the Scriptures and the feeding of the 5000 (men…many more when you count the families present).

Anyway, Jesus blessed the meal and had his Apostles distribute. But the passage adds, then when they “ran out” they went back to Jesus for more, and then they distributed that. And they gathered up the remains so that none would be lost.

HHmmmm.

Only the Apostles distributed
Only the Apostles went back for more
Only the Apostles “fed the sheep” as it were.

And the multitude reclined in groups (like a parish perhaps?), and were served by the Apostles.

So the thought is this…

How many Extraordinary Ministers should have been used to “speed things up” for what was a really big crowd?

Or perhaps they were happy and really content - and patient - to be in the presence of the Real Presence.

(please don’t destroy my desk for my “traditionalist” attitude )

 

[Brendan]

I think it’s good to get the laity involved and keep it involved. As I said, if vocations in America don’t ‘step it up’ a good bit, the laity might have to run Mass completely in certain parts of the country.

Not possible. A Mass, by definition, requires a validly Ordained priest. Anything else is not a Mass

What does a Catholic do, for example, if he lives hundreds of miles away from the nearest priest?

The same way that Catholics for hundreds of years dealt with it. If they cannot get to a Mass, the obligation is removed.

They can, at their discretion, substitute the time with prayer or the reading of Scripture.

I doubt there was time in the Church’s history were there were NOT members of the faithful were seperated from the Sacraments by distance. In each case, prayer suffices until they can attend Mass. In fact, with the internet and the ready availibilty of good, solid books, the modern Catholic is in a much better position than, say a medieval Spanish sailor on the ocean or an Irishman under the English Penal Laws.

 

[Fergal]

I too was an EMHC until I learned the truth about this very fact. In most Parishes, including my own, there is nothing Extraordinary about their ministry anymore. It has become an Ordinary ministry, the very thing that was never envisaged for it.

When I learned this, I stepped down.

 

[2Bcatholic]

I have another question/ comment! Several of us were trained by a parishioner (no not a priest or deacon) in our parish!!! He received permission from the priest to train all ministers and still does so several times a year but we were not technically commissioned…Well, honestly I’m not really sure what that entails OR was our training from the parishioner considered our commissioning?

I only want to do what is right and what the church teaches…

Even if I’m not an extraordinary minister at Mass anymore I would like to continue doing it for the homebound; not very many people want to do this!

 

[muffinmojo]

Ehh when I’m the senior altar sever during sunday Mass I have to be a cupbearer and distribute the Precious Blood. I always feel so wrong doing that…

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

Hi,

The usual practie is for the new EMHC to be commissioned at a service, and given a certificate, but a Pastor is allowed to appoint for a specific time, or even a one time if he feels they are needed.

If you are uncomortable serving at Mass, you can take yourself off the schedule, but please do not give up serving the sick, unless you are ertain someone will take your place.

Suz

 

[AMDGtoo]

If you are uncomortable serving at Mass, you can take yourself off the schedule, but please do not give up serving the sick

Just want to mention that in some places, there is not a choice. If the extraordinary minister feels uncomfortable doing something (read the service is not extraordinary any longer, or it has become more than what the Church permits, or is even an abuse that has been mentioned to those in charge and nothing changes and instead they let it be known that its an “all or nothing” situation) there is no option. It’s very sad that one is put between “a hard place and a stone”, but it has happened. And so I can only say to try to speak to those in charge (and know that with the small army of extraordinary ministers there usually is, a replacement is virtually guaranteed.)

 

[Sheeniac]

I am a member of a very small parish less than 150 people at mass on Sunday and have been a Extra. minister for only a few months now. I recently learned from a parishioner of another parish that priests are the only ones who should be giving communion to the congregation unless there are many parishoners in attendance and another minister would be needed to help because of time or if a priest is not feeling well.

I’m just wondering if I should quit doing it? I don’t believe that I am worthy to be doing such a ministry but I also realize that even if I decide not to do it then somebody else will most likely be asked to do it.

What are your thoughts?

I was in the same boat… I am an EMHC, and I think we’re overused. However, we’re a relatively conservative parish, and I want it to stay that way. The practice will continue, and I would rather that more traditional people serve in this capacity.

 

[Lepanto]

I am a member of a very small parish less than 150 people at mass on Sunday and have been a Extra. minister for only a few months now.

I know that you mean well, but unless there are health problems with the priest, I can not see how an EMHC can be justified if there are only 150 at Mass. Maybe if there were 1000 people – but not 150.

I would resign, in all humility.

 

[Richard_1]

This is a touchy one with many Priests. If you are in a more Liberal Diocese than there are probably many cases of EXTROIRDINARY Ministers of the Eucharist being used, when it is not necessary. What is going on all over the country is NOT what the Holy See had in mind. Read the official documents on the issue. A few things to look for that are deffinate no no’s are. EMHC recieving communion apart from the laity, pouring the preciouse Blood into the chalices, unnecessary use of EMHC’s for the amount of laity present. Rome has spoken out directly on these issues and it is time our clergy listen. I was going to be one until I studied the issue. Hope that helps. God Bless.

 

[benedictgal]

This is a touchy one with many Priests. If you are in a more Liberal Diocese than there are probably many cases of EXTROIRDINARY Ministers of the Eucharist being used, when it is not necessary. What is going on all over the country is NOT what the Holy See had in mind. Read the official documents on the issue. A few things to look for that are deffinate no no’s are. EMHC recieving communion apart from the laity, pouring the preciouse Blood into the chalices, unnecessary use of EMHC’s for the amount of laity present. Rome has spoken out directly on these issues and it is time our clergy listen. I was going to be one until I studied the issue. Hope that helps. God Bless.

I had dinner with a priest friend of mine last night. We discussed the issue of EMHCs and I told him, quite frankly, that I was disappointed with him (he’s my best friend). He asked me why and I told him that he was using the EMHC too frequently during daily Mass when the numbers don’t justify it at all. He told me that it’s the noon Mass and people are coming in on their lunch horus. I told him that 30 people doesn’t justify using one, even if she is elderly. I told him that I didn’t have anything against her, but, an abuse is an abuse no matter how well-intentioned it is.

I told him to re-read RS (he has my copy of it–ironically, he asked to borrow it for just this reason). What I found interesting is that when I pointed it out to him some time back, he stopped using an EMHC for daily Mass. I suppose that we were both challenging each other on the matter, but, he’s a very astute priest who follows the Holy Father down the line.

 

[2Bcatholic]

Richard1:

Please explain yourself about EMHC’s should not be receiving communion apart from the laity…Is this what you mean…After our parish “makes the sign of peace” all EMHC’s make their way up to the altar and we all receive communion from the priest there; is this what you are referring to…

I apologize for my ignorance on the matter!