Uncomfortable with EMHC singling me out during communion

[felsguy]

Yes, it is an abuse, unless the priest himself is unable to distribute the Eucharist. We have a permanent deacon at my parish, and he used to help distribute the Blood, while the EMHC helped distribute along with the priest.** I’m glad my new priest has corrected this error.** The deacon now distributes communion along with the priest, while the 2 EMHCs handle the Blood.

Error here? My reading of the GIRM, #94 suggests not:

“At Mass the Deacon has his own part in proclaiming the Gospel, from time to time in preaching God’s Word, in announcing the intentions of the Universal Prayer, in ministering to the Priest, in preparing the altar and in serving the celebration of the Sacrifice, in distributing the Eucharist to the faithful, especially under the species of wine, and from time to time in giving instructions regarding the people’s gestures and posture.”

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[Starrsmother]

Am I being too picky? We have a ton of EMHCs at our tiny church who rotate daily. But there is one in particular who insists on using my name when giving me the Host at Mass. And I seem to be the only one she does this with. Other than that, she doesn’t speak to me, pretty much ignores me.
I admit I am of the old fashioned flavor of preferring not to have EMHCs at our Mass, especially considering we have only a total of about 600 parishioners, and many Masses only maybe have fifty people at them max. But I don’t argue it- I leave those decisions to the priest. But I find it extremely distracting to have EMHC calling my attention to her directly by using my name. Because that is what happens. When she uses my name, I stop contemplating and begin immediately thinking about HER.
Ideas? Let it go? what?

Another option would be to either go to a different Mass or if, like our church, there are usually 2 EMHC’s at each Mass–switch lines and go to the other side with a different minister.

 

[Phemie]

Is anyone else finding that this particular thread loads very sloooooowly?

 

[nannymar]

I would just pull your parish priest aside quietly and tell him that you have had the experience as you told it here, (without mentioning this EMHC specifically by name), and let him know you find it distracting to your receiving communion.

Dont bring it up in an accusatory or judgemental tone, but more of informing him of it.

Hopefully he will handle it with the person who is head of the minisrty/QU

Yes, good advice to tell the Pastor discreetly about your problem which is indeed real. It is Christ who calls you not an EMHC…AMEN!!!

 

[Starrsmother]

I wonder how long she’s been an EMHC. There was a point where I was one and we were trained to say the person’s name. It was a bad idea then and it’s still a bad idea because it means that those who are known are treated differently from those who are strangers and that should never be the case. I would approach the pastor and mention this and hope than the next time there is a meeting or training of the EMHCs, that it’s made clear that this is to stop.

Probably the EM is just aware of your name and is trying to be friendly and extra nice–but it would bother me too. I agree with the others–speak to your priest and then go to a different EM. Should the EM who actually is saying your name at communion be brazen enough to ask you at some point (say after church or in another setting) why you change lines or some such, simply tell him/her kindly that you prefer to be treated the same as anyone else at the communion table.