June 21, 2010

2010 – The Mechanics of Eucharistic Minister for St. George Catholic Church 

In order to be a Eucharistic Minister, you must be a member in good standing in the Catholic Church and an active member of the St. George Catholic Church.

Know when you are scheduled to be a minister.  Schedules should be posted at the office or emailed at least one week prior to the end of the month.  If you are scheduled and cannot serve for any reason, it is your responsibility to find someone qualified to fill in for you in advance.  It is not the responsibility of the church office.  If you have the flu or other contagious disease, please find someone qualified to replace you.  If you cannot serve during the following month of the posted schedule, notify the scheduler or church office as soon as possible and they will try to accommodate your request.

You should be at mass at least 10 minutes early so you can prepare yourself to serve.  This includes a moment of quiet prayer before mass. 

At least one of the ministers should check with the presiding Priest or Deacon to see if any changes will be required for the mass in which you are serving. That person should relay any updates to the rest of the ministers.

Observe other Eucharistic ministers when you sit in your assigned seat in the third row of the Joseph side (west side).  If anyone of the scheduled ministers is not present 5 minutes before the beginning of mass, locate another qualified minister to assist.  If you are attending mass and notice there are not enough ministers, please offer to serve.  The first two (2) rows on both sides of the center isle are reserved for handicapped seating. The Lector and all Eucharistic Ministers will sit in the third row pew on the Joseph side (west side).  The first seat (going from the inside isle to the outside isle) in the third row will be the lector.  The second and third seat will be the ministers of the Blood of Christ in the front of the church.  The fourth and fifth seat is the ministers of the Blood of Christ going to the rear of the church.  The sixth and seventh seats are reserved for the ministers of the Body of Christ.

Wait until the Priest receives both species before all ministers leave the pew and approach the altar.  Exit the row beginning with the Ministers of the Body of Christ (going to the outside isle) followed by the Ministers of the Blood of Christ. All ministers should be lined up in front of the Altar on the main floor.  Wait until all ministers are in line then bow in unison.  Wait until all ministers have the Body of Christ or Blood of Christ before leaving the front of the altar.

When leaving the front of the altar, ministers going to the rear position in the church should go as follows: 

Those ministers with the Body of Christ go down the center aisle first and move to their assigned position in front of the doors.  The ministers of the Blood of Christ should follow down the center aisle and then go to the outside aisle and stand in the corner facing the baptismal font.  That position will allow the people wishing to receive the Body of Christ to go around the font and receive the Eucharist, then move to the side isle to receive the Blood of Christ and return to their seat, leaving enough room to allow traffic to pass if communicants do not wish to receive both species.

The front ministers will move to their positions as follows: The ministers distributing the Body of Christ will move to the first row and distribute to the handicapped section on their side of the church.  When done, move to the center of the church just in front of the altar (on the main floor) and distribute as in the past.  The ministers of the Blood of Christ will follow the ministers of the Body of Christ along the handicapped section, allowing each person the opportunity to receive under both species, and then move to the side of the altar for the distribution of the Blood of Christ.  Remember to leave enough room so those people wishing not to partake of both species can move by easily.

Please note:  The ushers will direct the people in the front pew of the church and the last pew to enter the isle first.  This will allow for a smoother flow of people to receive communion.  Going from the front and rear of the church and moving towards the center of the church, both the rear and front ministers will end at about the same time.  When the ushers on the west side reach the break in the pews, they will motion the cry room to enter for communion.

Look communicants in the eye and respect their wish to receive in the hand or on the tongue.

Hold up the host or chalice so that the communicant can see it when responding “Amen” to “Body of Christ” or “Blood of Christ”.

Allow the person time to say “Amen” before moving the host or chalice toward him or her.

Present the cup in such a way that communicants can easily take the cup in their own hands.  Should the Blood of Christ be depleted before the communicants are finished, fold and drape the pruificator over the chalice.

Keep your voice level loud enough for the communicant to hear but not so loud to disturb or distract others.

If a worshiper approaches you with a small child, consider making the sign of the cross in front of the child’s forehead as a gesture of inclusion.  If the person has their arms folded across their chest or do not seem to know what to do, bless them and make the sign of the cross in front of their forehead.

After the final communicant, ministers of the Blood of Christ in the rear of the church will consume the balance and move to the center aisle.  All ministers in the rear of the church will proceed to the front of the church at the same time.  In the front of the church, Body of Christ minister will walk to the center of the aisle at the base of the altar and wait for the Priest or Deacon to take the ciborium.  Ministers of the Blood of Christ will consume the balance, move to the center aisle and wait for the Priest or Deacon to take the chalice.  With all ministers in your group (for example:  the front ministers or the back ministers) reverently bow your heads together and return to the pew in an orderly manner.  (We want the ministers to be reverent but not distract others or draw attention.)

Other items to be aware of:

Always remain calm if any mishap occurs.  Accidents do happen.

Communicate reverence and dignity at all times in the performance of your duties, without being artificially formal.

Dress appropriately.  For women: business like attire such as a modest dress, skirt or pants and top, or pantsuit.  For men: slacks, dress shirt and tie (jacket or suit is preferred during colder months).  A tie is not required during warmer months.  Jewelry and colors should not be loud or distracting in any way.  Under no circumstances will jeans or shorts be permitted.

Participate in all parts of the liturgy at which you are serving, including singing, praying and listening attentively to the homily. Try not to let your role as a minister distract you from worshiping.

Develop a devotion to the Eucharistic presence of Christ, knowing the Christ of the Eucharist, not just knowing about the Eucharist.

Continue to educate yourself about the practice of celebrating Eucharist: its history in the church, in the Bible and by reading and attending local workshops and talks.

Do not draw attention to yourself by dramatic or hurried movements.  Be natural in your walking to and from the altar.

Never show signs by facial or body expression that could be interpreted as disappointment or rejection if people pass you by.  No one is obliged to partake of both species.

Never use any extra words such as piety or familiarity.  For example: never call a person by their name.

This information is provided by the National Pastoral Life Center, Diocese of Salt Lake directives and local policy as directed by the pastor.