Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Revised January 2012 Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Guidelines Page 2 of 8 Table of Contents QUALIFICATIONS FOR BECOMING AN EXTRA ORDINARY MINISTER OF HOLY COMMUNION ................................................................................................. 3 PRE-MASS PREPARATION ............................................................................ 3 All Ministers ............................................................................................. 3 Lead Minister ........................................................................................... 4 Preparation before Mass ............................................................................ 4 MASS RESPONSIBILITIES ............................................................................. 4 Preparation of the Altar at Offertory ........................................................... 4 Diagrams for Preparation of Altar for Mass at 10:00 am & 7:00 pm ............ 5 The Missal ................................................................................................. 5 The Chalice, Corporal, Pall and Purificator ............................................... 5 Diagram for 10:00 a.m. Mass ................................................................... 6 Diagram for 7:00 p.m. Mass ....................................................................... 6 SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES ........................................................................... 8 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................... 8 Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Guidelines Page 3 of 8 The Most Holy Eucharist is the sacrament by which Jesus Christ shares Himself as God and as Man with everyone who receives Him: He offers himself to His heavenly Father as the most appropriate offering and invites every human being present to do the same. The faithful around the table are animated by the graces of the sacrament to growth in belief and understanding of God and so live a life ever so close to the intent of the Father. QUALIFICATIONS FOR BECOMING AN EXTRA ORDINARY MINISTER OF HOLY COMMUNION Any confirmed Catholic adult (16 years and older) of good moral standing wishing to serve as an Extra Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion may approach the parish priest to apply to be an Extra Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Training is required prior to serving at Mass. Meetings are scheduled by the ministry coordinators on a regular basis. All Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are required to attend these seminars to acquaint them with their roles as Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. In order to be properly disposed to receive communion, Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, like all other Catholics, should not be conscious of grave sin and should have fasted for one hour. It is encouraged that all Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly. Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should in every way demonstrate by their reverence for the Holy Eucharist that they truly believe that this is not just bread and wine, but the very Body and Blood of the risen Lord. Their manner of dress (the best in your closet and decent) their respectful silence, their grace-filled movement, and their care with the Sacred Species are observed by all the people. One should not accept this obligation of responsibility unless he or she is willing to carry it out with deep faith and an awe inspired sense of God's presence. PRE-MASS PREPARATION All Ministers The schedule will be available in the church narthex and on the parish website www.stjamesparishokotoks.catholicweb.com. Also ministers who have email will receive a copy and those who do not will receive a copy by mail. The first name on the list is the Lead Minister. The lead and the second ministers prepare the altar. The lead minister brings the Sacrament from the tabernacle to the altar, together with the celebrant, concelebrant and other Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, distribute the Body of Christ. The remaining (6) Ministers distribute the sacred blood. When a Deacon is present at Mass with the Priest, he will bring the Blessed Sacrament (gluten and low gluten hosts) from the tabernacle to the altar and also at the end of communion will return them. Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Guidelines Page 4 of 8 All Ministers are responsible for being present at their scheduled time. If you are unable to attend, you are responsible to obtain a replacement. Upon arrival all Ministers will find the ministry schedule and check off their names indicating that they are present. All Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should arrive 15-20 minutes before Mass and inform the Lead Minister and check off the schedule. Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are asked to dress respectfully for this ministry. Men are to dress in a shirt with a collar and women should wear modest clothing. The receiver of Holy Communion should be taken in by Jesus he/she receives and not be distracted by the person who offers him/her Communion. Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should sit near the front of the congregation and participate fully in the celebration of Mass. Lead Minister The Lead Minister will be responsible to ensure that all positions for Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are filled, and if need be, recruit from the congregation if a pre-assigned Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are missing. The Lead Minister will also ensure that the family designated to bring the gifts to the altar is present and understands their responsibility. The Lead Minister should be the first to arrive for Mass. Preparation before Mass The Lead and Second Ministers bow before the altar and proceed to the credence table (table behind the ambo). Check that the sacramentary, chalice, communion cups (6) or (2), corporal, pall, purificators (7) or (2), ciboriums (6) or (2), flagon, the finger bowel, cruets and hand towels are all in place. Check to see that the tabernacle key is in place. When approaching the tabernacle, remember to show the appropriate sign of reverence, which is a genuflection. MASS RESPONSIBILITIES Preparation of the Altar at Offertory At the conclusion of the Prayers of the Faithful the Lead and Second Minister will proceed in front of the altar, bow, and go to the credence table and prepare the various sacred vessels and other items to be used in the Eucharistic celebration. If a Deacon is present, the preparation of the altar will be done by him along with the Lead Minister. Please position the chalices closer to the corporal so that the priest is able to reach and give to the Minister of the Cup. Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Guidelines Page 5 of 8 For 10:00 am Mass Purificator Cibria Ciboria Ciboria Ciboria Ciboria Missal Priest’s CORPORAL Chalice For 7:00 pm Mass Purificator Ciboria Priest’s Chalice Missal CORPORAL The Missal The Missal (Sacramentary) contains the official prayers for celebrating the Eucharist. The Lead Minister will place this on the left side of the Altar (as you face the congregation). The Chalice, Corporal, Pall and Purificator The corporal is to be spread in the centre of the altar and unfolded that the creases are towards the altar. (Do not flip over.) Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Guidelines Page 6 of 8 Place the priest’s chalice on the right side of the corporal. Leave the purificator and pall in place on top of the chalice. The Second Minister will place the remaining chalices, with a purificator beside each chalice, in front of the corporal and the ciboria to be placed on the left and right side of the chalices. (See diagram on page 5). The Lead Minister will position the ciboria and purificators as noted on diagram on page 5. When a Deacon is present for the celebration, he will set up the ciboria, the priest’s chalice, the corporal and the Missal. At communion the Chalices and Ciboria will be given to the Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion by the priest. The Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, who will serve the Precious Blood, are to position themselves on the West side, behind the altar, and the those who will serve the Precious Body will position themselves on the East side, behind the altar. Immediately after they have received the Chalice or Ciboria, they will go down to their assigned places and offer the Sacred Species to the people. See diagram below for position of Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the 10:00 a.m. Mass. Communion for the 7:00 p.m. Mass. Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Guidelines Page 7 of 8 For the distribution of the Body of Christ, the Minister holds up the host and says to the communicant, "The Body of Christ." Wait for the communicant to respond with a bow and "Amen”. If the communicant fails to respond, say "Amen" for them. Do not alter the words. Place the host reverently in the person's hands or on the tongue of the communicant. If you observe someone, particularly children, not consuming the host immediately, please say "please consume the Host" or some similar statement. For the distribution of the Precious Blood, each minister should offer the cup saying, "The Blood of Christ." Wait for the communicant to respond with a bow and "Amen." If the communicant fails to respond, say "Amen" for them. Do not alter the words. Pass the chalice to the communicant. When the person