Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist

ThankyouforacceptingtheinvitationfromyourChurchfamilytobecomeaMinister“AroundtheTable.”ServinginthisspecialwayhasaprofoundimpactonthewayourSt.PaulMissionStatement,“ToLiveAsTheBodyOfChrist,”comestolife.

ThepurposeoftheEucharisticLiturgy,aswellasallSacraments,istomakeusholy,tobuilduptheBodyofChristandtoworshipGod.TheLiturgy“nourishes,strengthensandexpressesfaith.”(CCC1123)Bysaying,“Yes”tothiscalling,Iagreetothefollowing:

ü IcommittoserveinthisoneLiturgicalMinistryforatwo-yearperiod.ü IunderstandtheimportanceofmyministryintheoverallmissionofourParish“ToLiveAsTheBodyOfChrist.”

ü IwillapproachtheCelebrationoftheEucharistwithaspiritoftheJoyofChrist.ü IwillpreparemyselfduringtheweekbeingreflectiveoftheupcomingReadingssothatIwillbepreparedspiritually,physicallyandemotionally.

ü IwillarriveontimeanddressappropriatelywhenIamscheduledtoserve.ü IwillfindareplacementintheeventIcannotserveatmyscheduledtime.ü WhenIamnotscheduledtoserve,Iwillbeabetterparticipantinthepewbybeingattentive,listening,andrespondingenthusiastically.

Bysigningbelow,Iagreetoalloftheabovestatements:Ministry:___________________________________________________________________Masspreference:(circleone) 5:30 8:00 10:30PrintedName: ____________________________________________________________Signature: ____________________________________________________________Date: ____________________________________________________________

MINISTRYCOMMITMENT

PURPOSE

ThisMinistryManualisbeingprovidedtoallMinisters"AroundtheTable"tocreateabetterunderstandingandzealforauthenticworshipatSt.PaulParish.Thisinformationisnotonlyinstructionofhowtocarryouttheministry,buttobetterunderstandwhyweworshipthewaywedo.Wewanttorejuvenatethedeep,spiritualmeaningofbeingaparticipantinMass.AsSt.Augustinesaid,"Beholdwhatyouare.Becomewhoyoureceive."EverytimewecelebratetheSacredBanquettogether,wearefulfillingJesus'commandto"DothisinmemoryofMe."WebelievethattheRisenChrististrulypresentintheLiturgyinthePresider;intheHolyEucharistasHisrealpresenceofBodyandBlood;intheWordproclaimedfromtheSacredScriptures;andintheCommunitygatheredinHisName.Wewanttorediscovertheimportanceofcelebratingwithjoy,reverence,andessenceofthePaschalMystery.Fromthetimeoftheapostles,Christianshavecontinuallycometogethertocelebrate,tolistentoScripture,andtoofferThanksgiving.TheLiturgyisacommunalencounterofChristthatbringsusalltogetherasaSt.PaulFamily.Ourmaingoalistofosterfull,activeandconsciousparticipationintheLiturgicalCelebrationinordertoencountertheLivingGodintheWordandEucharist,thenreturntotheworldfulfillingourbaptismalcalltodiscipleship.Astrained,prayerfulLiturgicalMinisters,wewillhelpplantthatwhichGodwillgrow.Wedonotneedtoreinventanything.WedonotneedtodecidewhatLiturgywillbe.TheChurchhasalreadyplannedtheLiturgy.Itisnotashoworperformancethatpeoplecometoobserve.TheLiturgyisaSacredCelebrationofthePaschalMysterythroughwhichtheMysteryofChristamonguscomesaliveinallthepeoplepresent.Therefore,wewanttomakeourpreparationandattainmentoftheexperienceofLiturgyatSt.Paulapriority,notalast-minuteexecutionofdutiesandtasks.CCC1070states,"…everyLiturgicalCelebrationisanactionofChristthepriestandofthisBodywhichistheChurch,isasacredactionsurpassingallothers."WewanttorecognizeeverypersonwhojoinsourCelebrationasequal,necessarymembersoftheBodyofChrist.WewanteachandeverypersontobereceivedwithJoy.We,asMinisters,willservethemwithJoy.WewanttoalwaysbeawarethatJesusChrist,ourRisenLord,isindeedpresidingateachMass,proclaimingHisWord,sharingHisBodyandBlood,andsittingnexttousextendingHisHandinthesignofpeace.First,weaskyoutopersonallyprayregularlyforthesuccess,graceandinsighttomoveintheDivineFlowofmeetingChristinareal,personalwayasaMinisterofourParish.PrayerwillalwaysbetheheartofMinistry.Prayerservestocontinuallyrenewandstrengthenustoserveourbrothersandsisters.

AnawarenessofthesacrednessofyourMinistrywillnaturallyfollow.Weareprivilegedtohavebeencalledandinvitedtoserveinthisspecialway.ThegreatresultwillbeacontinualrenewalofourlovefortheEucharistandtheSacraments,andafruitfulweeklyexperienceofLiturgy.

EXTRAORDINARYMINISTEROFTHEEUCHARIST

EucharisticMinistershavetheprivilegeofadministeringHolyCommunion,theBodyandBloodofourLordJesusChrist,toourbrothersandsistersinthecongregation.Throughthishumbleservice,GodunitesyoutoyourfellowmembersoftheBodyofChristandactuallyformsallofusinthebody.YourloveforChristpresentintheEucharistandinHispeoplewillmaketheBodyandBloodyouministertoothersgenuinesignsofChrist'sself-sacrificeandyourown.TheSacredSpeciesthatyouministertootherswillbeoutwardsignsoflovethatflowfromtheheartofChristandfromyourownheart.

HistoryJesusinstitutedtheEucharisticsacrificeofHisBodyandBloodattheLastSupper.TheHolyEucharististheSourceandSummitoftheChristianLife(VaticanII,LumenGentium).Traditionally,onlyaPriestorDeaconwouldadministerCommunionbutinthe1970s,thislayMinistrywasdevelopedtopreventdistributionofHolyCommunionfrombecomingadisproportionatepartoftheMass.LayMinisterswerealsoneededduetotheshortageofPriests/Deacons,whenthecongregationwasallowedtoreceiveunderbothspecies,andtoassistwithdistributingHolyCommuniontothesickandhomebound.WhyThisisagreathonorandawonderfulwaytoserveourSt.PaulParishFamily.KnowthatyouareaMinister,notjustaHolyCommuniondistributer.SharingtheBodyandBloodofourLordformsusmoreintimatelyintotheBodyofChristbringingusintocommunionwithHimandwitheachother.Westartwithourhumbleoffering---breadandwine,humanfoodoflittlevalue.GodtheFatherletsthatbreadandwinebecometheBodyandBloodofHisSonthroughthepoweroftheHolySpirit.WereceivebackourhumangiftsastherichestdivinegiftofGod'sLove--God'sBelovedSon.Throughthesegifts,andourverylives,sharingintheBodyandBloodofChrist,webecomewhatwereceive.AsaEucharisticMinister,youhavethedignityandresponsibilitytobecomewhatyougive.YoubecomeandliveastheBodyofChristthatyougivetoyourbrothersandsisters.Youshareinaministrythathumanscouldnotdeserveandwouldnotdareaskforontheirown.HowBeforeMass1. Duringthecourseoftheweek,readtheSundayReadingssoyouarefamiliarwiththeWordtobeproclaimedandthethemeoftheLiturgy.

2. DressappropriatelysinceyouareservingattheTableoftheLord.Pleasedonotwearbluejeans,shorts,orcasualfootwear.

3. Disposeofanygumorcandy.

4. Arrive20minutesbeforeMasstime,putacheckmarkbyyournameontheschedule,getawoodencrossfromthehookintheSacristyandwearitforMass.

5. Ifyoudonotcheckinby10minutesbeforeMasstime,theSacristanwillfindareplacement.Ifyournameismarkedthroughonthepostedschedule,someoneelsehasalreadybeenselectedtoserveinyourplace.YouwillnotservethisMass.

6. TakesometimeintheChapeloraquietplacetopraythatyouwillreflecttheJoyandLoveofChrist.

5. SetupfortheOffertory:BringtheCiboriumcontainingunconsecratedhostsandthewinedecantercontainingunconsecratedwinetothebackcounteroftheChurchfortheGiftBearerstocarryforwardattheOffertory.Note:5:30&8:00MassesuseoneCiborium,andthedecanterhalf-filledwithwine.10:30Masswillneed3Ciboriawithhostsandafulldecanterofwine.

6. SetuptheCredenceTable:PutinplaceFather'sChalice,completewithaPurificatordrapedacrossthetop,thePatenonthePurificator,andalargehostonthePaten;4CommunionCupsand5Purificators(anextrajustincase);freshwaterandatowelforthewashingofFather'shands;andthesmallcruetfilledwithtapwater.

7. SetuptheAltar:BecertainthelargeCorporalisinplaceontheAltar.8. TheMinisterdesignatedbythe(H)forHostwillberesponsibleforretrievingtheCiboriumofConsecratedHostsandthePyxofConsecratedlow-glutenHostsfromtheTabernacle.GettheTabernaclekeyfromtheSacristycloset.

9. MeetintheSacristy10minutesbeforeMassbeginstopraywithFatherandotherMinisters.ReturntoyourpewbeforeMassbegins.

DuringMass1. AftertheconclusionoftheLord'sPrayer,the(H)HostMinisterwillproceedtotheChapeltoretrievetheCiboriumandPyxfromtheTabernacle.AlwaysgenuflectbeforetheTabernaclecontainingtheBlessedSacrament.WaitforallEucharisticMinisterstogatheratthebackofchurch.

2. AllotherEucharisticMinistersshouldgatherinthebackofChurchaftertheconclusionoftheOurFather.comeforwardattheSignofPeace.

3. AllEucharisticMinisterswillproceedintwolinesdownthemiddleaisleduringtheSignofPeace.TheHostMinisterwillleadandreverentlyholduptheCiboriumwithbothhands.Paceyourself,donotrush.OnceallMinistersreachthesteps,formasingleline,shouldertoshoulderinfrontofthestepsoftheAltar.BowtogetherandmovetoyourpositionsontheAltarbehindFather.TheHostMinistershouldplacetheCiboriumandPyxontheAltaratFather'sright.

4. FatherwillreceivetheBodyandBloodfirst,thendistributeCommuniontotheMinisters.WhenheoffersTheBodyandBloodtoyouontheAltar,alwaysacceptandconsumeit.Ifyouareunabletoreceive,pleasedonotservethatday.

5. WhenFatheroffersyouacup,bow,answer“Amen,”receivetheCupofBloodandpurificator,thenservetheAltarServers.FatherwillindicatewhenitistimetomovedownofftheAltartodistributeHolyCommunion.BemindfulofspacingandspreadoutsothatlinesdonotbuildupandblocktheflowofCommunicants.

DuringMass(continued)6. AsyousharetheBodyandBloodofChrist,beawareofyourposturesoitreflectstherespectandreverencedeservingofthisSacrament.MakethegivingoftheHostortheCupasgracefulandreverentaspossible.EveryonewhoreceivesHolyCommunionfromyouhastherighttothefullhumananddivinevalueofthisHolyMoment.SetasideanymoodorfeelingsyouhavethatcouldbeinconflictwiththedignityofthisMinistry.LettheLordleadyoutoHigherGroundsothatallyoudoandsaywillbewithreverenceandlove.ThiswillhelpthosereceivingtheSacramentaswellasyou.YouaredoingthisinmemoryofHim.

7. BeattentivetothewayyouholdtheCiborium,theCupandthePurificator.BeconstantlyawareoftheSacredSpeciesthatthesevesselscontain.Beattentivetopersonswithdisabilities,andassistthemaccordingly.

8. Asanindividualarrivesinyourline,avoidbeinginarushandmakeeyecontactwiththepersonbeforeyou.Clearlyproclaim,"TheBodyofChrist,"or"TheBloodofChrist."LettheCommunicantrespond,"Amen."YouarevoicingGod'sinvitationtocometotheBanquet.

9. WhensomeoneapproacheswhodoesnotwishtoreceiveCommunion(indicatedbyhavingtheirarmscrossedovertheirchest),placeyourhandontheirshoulderandofferthemablessing.Say"MaytheLordBlessyouintheNameoftheFather,SonandHolySpirit."

10. DistributionoftheBody:ReverentlylaytheHostintheiroutstretchedhandorontheirtongueiftheyprefer.YouarehandingoveraPreciousgift.IftheSacredHostisdropped,theMinistershouldpickitupandconsumeitbeingcarefulnottospillanyfromtheCiborium.GivetheCommunicantanotherSacredHost.IfyourunoutofSacredHosts,asktheMinisternexttoyoutogiveyousomefromhis/herCiborium.

11. DistributionoftheBlood:ReverentlyoffertheCup,lettinggoonlywhenyouarecertaintherecipienthasitinhand.BemindfulofgettingagoodholdoftheCupastheymayletgoquickly.WipetherimoftheCupwiththePurificatorandturntheCup1/4turnaftereachCommunicantdrinksfromit.Findanew,cleanspotonthePurificatorwhiletheCommunicantisholdingtheCup.IfthePreciousBloodisspilled,immediatelycovertheareawithaPurificator.StepuptotheCredenceTableandgetanew,cleanPurificator.IfyourunoutofthePreciousBlood,coveryourCupwiththePurificatorandtakeonestepback.Waitthereuntilallhavebeenserved.

12. Whenallhavebeenserved,checktobesurethereisnooneelseinthecongregationwhoneedstoreceiveHolyCommunionattheirseat;ifso,goforward.Ifnot,allMinistersreturntothebackoftheAltar.AnyremainingPreciousBloodshouldbeconsumedatthistime,withutmostreverence.

13. PlacetheCiboriumorCupontheAltar.ThePurificatorsshouldbefoldedandputnexttotheCup,notintheCup.AllMinistersshouldmovetothebottomofthesteps,facetheAltar,bowtogether,thenproceeddownthemiddleaisleintwolinestothebackofthechurch,thenreturntoyourseat.The(H)HostMinisterwillreturntheCiboriumandPyxtotheTabernacle,reverentlyholdinguptheCiboriumwithbothhandsasyouwalkupthecenteraisle.Paceyourself.Thereisnoneedtorush.You

arestillholdingtheSacredBodyofChrist.CarefullyreturntheCiboriumandPyx,andcloseandlocktheTabernacle.ReturnthekeytotheSacristycloset.

AfterMass1. ItistheresponsibilityoftheExtraordinaryMinistersoftheEucharisttowashandthoroughlydrythevesselsusedinMass.UsethesinkintheSacristy,anddonotsubmergethevesselsinthewater.

2. 5:30&10:30Masses:allcleanedanddriedvesselsneedtobereturnedtothecupboardintheSacristy.AlllinensareplacedinthelaundryhamperintheSacristy.

3. 8:00Mass:allcleanedanddriedvesselsshouldremainonthedryingpadnearthesinkforuseat10:30Mass.AlllinensareplacedinthelaundryhamperintheSacristy.

Sacramentary-theBookthePriestusesduringMass

Chalicewithpatenandhost

Paten-platefortheHost

LargeHost-Tobeplaced

onFather'spaten

Ciborium–holdsthe

BodyofChrist

Cup–holdstheBloodofChrist

WineDecanter

Cruetforwater

Corporal–PlacedontheAltar

Purificators–usedtowipetheCupwhen

servingtheBloodofChrist

TabernacleandRedSacristyLight

Monstrance–HoldstheBlessedSacramentfor

ExpositionoftheEucharist