Would you prefer that the EMHC (Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion) wear a simple long tunic?

[pianistclare]

Driving to church is for wimps.

Seriously, many churches in Chicago and the suburbs use alleys for parking lots. Only the far suburban churches have the luxury of large parking areas, which, by the way, cost a fortune to maintain and insure.

Aw…we have a HUGE parking lot. Come on down! It’s empty all the time!
Bring the kids!

 

[ProVobis]

Aw…we have a HUGE parking lot. Come on down! It’s empty all the time!
Bring the kids!

Why is that? All the EMHC’s quit?

 

[pianistclare]

Why is that? All the EMHC’s quit?

No, they all heard we were praying in English.

Srsly though, we share a big lot with a school. Too many spaces, not enough parishioners.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

No, for the reasons Fr. David gives against doing so. I’m an EMHC and don’t feel wearing a vestment is proper when I come out of the congregation and go back into the congregation.

 

[smichhertz]

No, for the reasons Fr. David gives against doing so. I’m an EMHC and don’t feel wearing a vestment is proper when I come out of the congregation and go back into the congregation.

That’s a good point to. The EMHCs are only up there for Communion. It would be a bit awkward wearing an alb the entire mass while sitting in the pews.

 

[27lw]

That’s a good point to. The EMHCs are only up there for Communion. It would be a bit awkward wearing an alb the entire mass while sitting in the pews.

Maybe they could sit together in the front pew or something. Like altar servers. Since that’s what they are.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

I would like to see EMHC to be extraordinary instead of at every Mass.

 

[pianistclare]

I don’t mind EMHC, but when everyone is the parish encouraged to be one, I think it’s overkill.
It’s not a matter of people “get” to help, but that people may be needed to help.
In most cases, the need is overstated.
In my own parish, I find that Communion goes so quickly, by the time I return to my place, there is less than a minute for private prayer. Everybody is standing, I feel awkward being the only kneeling and then they all sit down and the priest stands back up for the Post Communion prayer.
And I haven’t had much time for quiet prayer. It really makes me sad.
After Mass, everyone is talking loudly, laughing, hugging, not bad things in themselves, but that’s not conducive to reflective prayer either.
I get that Mass is a public event, but I wish it were not so public sometimes.
And having oodles of EMCH’s contributes to that “rush”.

 

[Cat]

Maybe they could sit together in the front pew or something. Like altar servers. Since that’s what they are.

It’s edifying, especially for any children, if families are able to sit together during Mass.

In our Protestant churches, families were separated. Babies to the nursery, toddlers to children’s church, older children working as helpers in the nursery or children’s church, teenagers sitting with all the other teenagers in the youth group, mom up at the piano or in the choir, dad standing at the back with all the ushers or in the sound booth. This wasn’t just once in a while, but weekly for years at a stretch.

So I’m always glad to see families sitting together in Mass, even when Mom or Dad has a responsibility during the Mass (e.g., EMHC, pianist/organist, choir, usher, etc.).

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

I would say no! I would dislike anything that would call attention to me as an EMHC in any way. I prefer not to call attention to myself during Mass. In the case of them all sitting together…no. Because I serve at the early Mass and because those that go to that one tend to be older…there are not as many that serve…and It’s rare that I get a Sunday off. I prefer to sit in my pew with my husband. (Yes…I’m Catholic…I have my own pew )

Also when I serve as MC…sometimes scheduled EMHC’s don’t show up and I have to get fill in’ say the last minute. No time to change!

 

[27lw]

I would say no! I would dislike anything that would call attention to me as an EMHC in any way. I prefer not to call attention to myself during Mass. In the case of them all sitting together…no. Because I serve at the early Mass and because those that go to that one tend to be older…there are not as many that serve…and It’s rare that I get a Sunday off. I prefer to sit in my pew with my husband. (Yes…I’m Catholic…I have my own pew )

Also when I serve as MC…sometimes scheduled EMHC’s don’t show up and I have to get fill in’ say the last minute. No time to change!

I actually think that when people are wearing a “uniform” (in case this an alb), you draw LESS attention to yourself, not more. Just my opinion, I guess.
Maybe your husband could serve with you. That would be a beautiful witness of marriage as well. Or maybe he could just sit with you, if he can’t serve.

 

[Phemie]

So I’m always glad to see families sitting together in Mass, even when Mom or Dad has a responsibility during the Mass (e.g., EMHC, pianist/organist, choir, usher, etc.).

How can a parent be in the choir or a musician and still sit with the kids? EMHC and usher I can certainly understand.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

I actually think that when people are wearing a “uniform” (in case this an alb), you draw LESS attention to yourself, not more. Just my opinion, I guess.
Maybe your husband could serve with you. That would be a beautiful witness of marriage as well. Or maybe he could just sit with you, if he can’t serve.

First of all…sitting in an alb or tunic in the pews is not distracting? And that still doesn’t deal with the issue of having to get people sometimes at the last minute.

My husband serves in plenty of other ministries.

 

[ProVobis]

And that still doesn’t deal with the issue of having to get people sometimes at the last minute.

I’m curious. How is this done now? Just before communion, does the priest gives some kind of hand signal to get one, two, or three EMHCs to come up?

 

[paperwight66]

I’m curious. How is this done now? Just before communion, does the priest gives some kind of hand signal to get one, two, or three EMHCs to come up?

In our parish we know that 6 EMHCs are required, So if fewer than 6 go up, the EMHCs still in the benches use their commonsense and whoever’s nearest goes up.

 

[maryjk]

In our parish we know that 6 EMHCs are required, So if fewer than 6 go up, the EMHCs still in the benches use their commonsense and whoever’s nearest goes up.

Our parish does this too.

And if someone miscounts, and too many go up, he will send someone back. This can happen if there is an ordinary minister of communion. And no, he doesn’t send the ordinary minister away, he sends the extraordinary minister away.

 

[pianistclare]

I’m curious. How is this done now? Just before communion, does the priest gives some kind of hand signal to get one, two, or three EMHCs to come up?

We have 4 Deacons, so yes. The Deacon of the table holds up one finger or two and people near the front who are EMHC come forward.

 

[ProVobis]

We have 4 Deacons, so yes. The Deacon of the table holds up one finger or two and people near the front who are EMHC come forward.

What I’ve observed (mostly in Spanish Masses) is that the EMHCs all come up for communion in the sanctuary and then the priest decides on how to deploy them before people’s communion. The priest and deacon usually do all the distributing of the Body and the EMHCs do the Blood. It seems to work since half of the congregation doesn’t receive and the young kids get blessing only.

 

[Cat]

How can a parent be in the choir or a musician and still sit with the kids? EMHC and usher I can certainly understand.

Choir is a little difficult, although families sit up in our choir loft.

But musicians will leave the podium (they don’t sing anything from the ambo except the Psalm), and sit with their families. So do pianists/organists.

 

[maryjk]

What I’ve observed (mostly in Spanish Masses) is that the EMHCs all come up for communion in the sanctuary and then the priest decides on how to deploy them before people’s communion. The priest and deacon usually do all the distributing of the Body and the EMHCs do the Blood. It seems to work since half of the congregation doesn’t receive and the young kids get blessing only.

Interesting. Our Deacon, always, always distributes the Precious Blood. The only time he does not, is if we do not offer the Chalice.