The ministry of distributing Holy Communion at Mass is a valuable and necessary service to the faithful of our parish. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) assist the priest and deacon with the distribution of Holy Communion whenever the number of worshipers (or communion under both species – bread and cup) demands that the priest (and deacon, when present) have help to distribute communion in a timely and dignified manner.
However, the position of EMHC is often misunderstood, so a little background may be helpful. The Church teaches that the "ordinary minister" of Holy Communion is the bishop, priest, or deacon, as they represent Christ himself, who feeds us with his Body and Blood. It is only in situations of need that lay people may be commissioned to assist in this. Please read this excerpt from the document, Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the United States of America (2001).
Besides this assistance at Mass, some EMHC's also assist with the important task of taking Communion to the sick and homebound, an extremely valuable ministry indeed! These EMHC's bring the love of Christ and his body, the Church, to those who are most in need of his comfort.
Prospective EMHC's must have a deep love for and commitment to Christ in the Eucharist and a great humility in acting as his ministers. They must be reliable in fulfilling their commitment to serve at Mass or on sick calls, and they must find properly commissioned substitutes whenever they cannot fulfill their duty. EMHC's must also understand and accept that they act as extraordinary ministers, not ordinary ministers, and they must on occasion humbly give way to an ordained priest or deacon when "surplus" ordained are present at Mass.
If you believe you may be called to be an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, please contact the Parish Office 317-787-8246 for more information.
Commissioned ministers who wish to serve Lord's Day Mass can pick the Mass time which they prefer and also select second and/or third preferences, if they wish. Schedules are prepared to assure that each Mass has the required number of ministers available. Ministers are usually scheduled for the Mass they most prefer to attend. If they have a second and/or third Mass preference, ministers can be scheduled accordingly.
Any planned absences can be scheduled in advance by contacting the Parish Office at 317-787-8246. For any unforeseen absences which arise after the schedule has been prepared, the minister must arrange for a substitute by contacting another member of the ministry who would be willing to fill-in.
Ministers are required to attend a training session at least once a year and after the training they must be approved and commissioned by the Diocese to serve.