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Lovemyfaith
Guest
Does your parish have EMHC walk to the back of the church, away from the Tabernacle and Altar to distribute Communion?
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bilop
Guest
Usually, in my parish, one or two priests will go to the rear and distribute communion there. A priest or EMHC will also usually go to each side alter. I have also seen this at the Seminary chapel.
God Bless
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SenorSalsa
Guest
I have seen it done, or where a person will walk about halfway down the aisle. It just helps to facilitate Communion for exceptionally large Masses. I think it is a fine idea, but to bring in moreEMHCs to do it is not the best. It is best done when you have many Priests concelebrating. For instance at an ordination, or a special function
. Do they ever get used?
ahhhhhh, side Altars
. Do they ever get used?
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Augustine
Guest
I’ve seen them being used a while ago for daily Mass in rather large churches. Then again, few new churches being built, even built beautifully and using distinctly Catholic architecture, have them.ahhhhhh, side Altars
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puzzleannie
Guest
have not been to a church in years where communion is distributed anywhere near the tabernacle, so I am not understanding the question. yes in many places if there is a crowd, the ministers may also go to the back, balcony or other areas to distribute, and esp to where the handicapped or parents with small children are seated
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NewUlm1976_2000
Guest
I have seen it done at a few parishes. This is usually at packed masses with overflowing crowds (usually Christmas/Easter). Two to four EMs go to the back to distribute bread and wine so half the church goes up and half the church goes back to receive. This makes communion go along much smoother and quicker. It is all about managing the mass to the expect turnout, a type of crowd management.
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YADA
Guest
At our normal Sunday masses, it depends upon the number of people at the mass … we do try to have the people face the altar when they receive in the back of the church … and when possible, we try to have all approach the front to receive …
That said:
I was at a mass at a seminary [a special occasion] a few years back … there were so many people in attendance and the weather was awful [Pacific Northwest - January] the Church was standing room only - they began opening up variosu additional rooms - we ended up in the basement - watching a big screen version of the mass 'beamed into the room" …when communion time came … the Eucharist was brought to the room where we were …
During the Jubilee Year 2000 in Rome at a Mass with JPII in St. Peter’s Square, 50,000 people in attendance … Communion was taken out into the square in a multitude of locations * some near the front at the altar most though were far removed… while it did not exactly match the word “orderly”, I believe that those that desired communion were able to receive it … controlled chaos …
During the Year of the Eucharist, our archdiocese had a Mass at a Stadium, 10,000 +/- catholics and Communion was distributed by EM’s and EMHC from a variety of locations around the stadium, in the front near the altar and more distant stations …*
That said:
I was at a mass at a seminary [a special occasion] a few years back … there were so many people in attendance and the weather was awful [Pacific Northwest - January] the Church was standing room only - they began opening up variosu additional rooms - we ended up in the basement - watching a big screen version of the mass 'beamed into the room" …when communion time came … the Eucharist was brought to the room where we were …
During the Jubilee Year 2000 in Rome at a Mass with JPII in St. Peter’s Square, 50,000 people in attendance … Communion was taken out into the square in a multitude of locations * some near the front at the altar most though were far removed… while it did not exactly match the word “orderly”, I believe that those that desired communion were able to receive it … controlled chaos …
During the Year of the Eucharist, our archdiocese had a Mass at a Stadium, 10,000 +/- catholics and Communion was distributed by EM’s and EMHC from a variety of locations around the stadium, in the front near the altar and more distant stations …*
Since our church is round (and I mean round, not fan shaped) it is rather unclear exactly where the “back” of the church is so I have to say, “no” to EMHCs regularly walking to the back. And since it is the custom in our parish for those in the “outer rings” to come forward for communion prior to those in the “inner rings” it is not really necessary.
(A priest, deacon, or EMHC will walk to the location of anyone who, for mobility reasons, is unable to come “forward”, assuming they realize there is a problem.)
(A priest, deacon, or EMHC will walk to the location of anyone who, for mobility reasons, is unable to come “forward”, assuming they realize there is a problem.)
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SenorSalsa
Guest
During the Jubilee Year 2000 in Rome at a Mass with JPII in St. Peter’s Square, 50,000 people in attendance … Communion was taken out into the square in a multitude of locations * some near the front at the altar most though were far removed… while it did not exactly match the word “orderly”, I believe that those that desired communion were able to receive it … controlled chaos …*
From what I have heard, thats sort of a norm in some European places
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YADA
Guest
Yes, this is true … on our pilgrammage we had mass often, you could always spot the americans … when communion time came the people would just spontaneously advance to the front of the church and receive … except the americans … they waited until the crowds subsided and then proceeded to from lines: pew by pew in an orderly fashion …From what I have heard, thats sort of a norm in some European places
We also observed this in the abeying of traffic laws as well … you may think that we americans drive and break lots of rules … but until you see the traffic in Rome [vehicles and cars parked on sidewalks, double parked, traffic lights are*** just suggestions* for when to stop or go, speed limits - foreget bout it - one way streets - maybe for some but not the majority
] … Funny the home of the free and the brave are mostly law abiding, self regulating and proably boring by european standards …we work too many hours and play not enough 
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Newbie2
Guest
At our 2 out of the 3 Sunday masses that are usually very well attended, we have 2 stations at the back, in order to facilitate the movement of the people.
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acadian
Guest
My parish does not do this, but one that we attend on Sunday evenings sometimes, does. When I receive, I often glance at the crucifix. It was a bit disconcerting to be herded to the back of church, to glance up and see a blank wall. I think it would be a better solution to station the EMHCs in the middle of the church - half way down the main aisle.
Just my 2 cents.
Just my 2 cents.
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tulsacubfan
Guest
Our church used to do this, but when our new priest came he stopped it. Mainly because the back of the church really wasn’t condusive to this and the flow was horrible!
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Lovemyfaith
Guest
At very crowded Masses there are usually a large number of people who are standing in the back and it does look pretty crowded back there with the Communion lines heading back and the people trying to jump out of the way.
I see the point of EM stations in large churches, especially with multiple lanes between groups of pews. I have a hard time with the stations in the back where I have to turn away from the Altar to receive Jesus.
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lak611
Guest
In my parish, everybody distributing Communion stands at the front of the church, but if there are handicapped persons in the back, an usher will tell the EMHC to go to the back to give Communion to those persons after the last person in line has received.
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Sabda
Guest
This is the opposite of the way it’s done in our parish. However, we are also a really small parish too. The priest distributes Communion to the handicapped first in their pew and then he goes back to the altar so everyone else can go up and receive Jesus. Even when we have visiting priest they are instructed by the EMHC’s to go to the handicapped first.
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