IS JESUS IS TAPPING YOU… TO BECOME A EUCHARISTIC MINISTER?
The Lord never makes a “general call.” He calls by name:
“As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew
sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed him.” (Matthew 9:9)
Is the Lord calling you?
Please see or email [email protected]
Fr. Jacek if you are interested in becoming an
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (formal name)
for our Parish.
We will begin the training on February 25th.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Description, Selection Criteria, Formation and Training
Description
Extraordinary Ministers for the distribution of Holy Communion are properly formed,
instructed and commissioned lay persons. EMHCs may be male or female. They should
reflect the cultural diversity of their parish community. These ministers are appointed for a
given parish community to aid in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass and to the
sick and homebound when ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are unavailable.
EMHCs are not to function apart from their parish community. Ordinarily, EMHCs do not
perform any other liturgical ministry at the Mass at which they serve as an EMHC.
When the situation requires, the presider of the Mass may call upon members of the
faithful who are not EMHCs to aid him in the distribution of Holy Communion on that one
occasion. Those called must be Catholics in good standing who are themselves able to
receive the Eucharist.
As the Church teaches, the bishop is the chief liturgist of his diocese. For this reason, the
Archbishop of Santa Fe regulates this ministry and all other liturgical ministries in
collaboration with the pastors of the parishes of the Archdiocese.
Selection Criteria
In order for a person to be appointed as an EMHC, the following conditions must be met:
• Be a Catholic living in harmony with the teachings of the Church and be
able to receive the Eucharist
• Be of sufficient age and maturity to perform the duties of an EMHC at
Mass or to the sick and homebound in various locations (i.e. private
homes, nursing homes, hospitals)
• Be chosen and appointed by the pastor for the parish entrusted to him
Formation and Training
Prior to beginning their ministry, EMHCs should be formed and trained in the following:
• Theology of the Eucharist and understanding of the Mass
• Theology and spirituality of ministry
• Universal church, archdiocesan and parish guidelines and procedures for
their ministry
EMHCs should participate in ongoing theological and ministerial formation at the parish
and/or Archdiocesan level.