• How to be  Extraordinary Ministers Of Holy Communion

• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are adult Catholics in good standing who have a love for the Eucharist and wish to serve their fellow parishioners. 
  
  Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are ordinary Christians who model Christian living in faith and conduct in their ministry and in their daily lives.
  
  What is the role of the Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion?
  
  The role of the Extraordinary Minister is to assist the priest in the distribution of Holy Communion when other priests or deacons (the ordinary ministers) are not available or when numbers of persons receiving Holy Communion necessitate more ministers for an orderly and reverent distribution of Holy Communion.
  
  [Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the United States of America (hereinafter Norms) #10].
  
  In cases of necessity, “the priest may commission suitable members of the faithful for the occasion.” (Norms # 28) Specific roles include:
  
  a) Distributing Holy Communion in the parish or institution for which the mandate is given; if the minister moves to another parish the mandate may be transferred; b) bringing Holy Communion to the homes of the sick or aged members of the parish, at the request of the pastor. (See Appendix B for Blessing);
  c) bringing Holy Communion to a hospital or nursing home with the permission of the Catholic chaplain;
  d) administering Holy Communion under both species, bread and consecrated wine;
  e) being entrusted with the tabernacle key; 
  f) assisting with the purification of the vessels as needed;
  g) Exposing the Blessed Sacrament for adoration by the faithful: This is done only when the priest, deacon or acolyte is unable to be present. The Extraordinary Minister: 1. Makes a single genuflection in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, to be reserved or exposed for public adoration; 2. opens the tabernacle door and either places the ciborium on the altar or places the host in the monstrance; 3. at the end of the period of adoration, he/she does not bless with, or incense, the Sacrament but puts the Blessed Sacrament back into the tabernacle; 4. may not bless with the Sacrament, nor incense the Sacrament; 5. the minister wears suitable clothing for this ministry. Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass. #’s 84 - 89
  h) saying the prayer, but not blessing throats on the feast of St. Blase, Feb. 3rd;
  i) distributing ashes on Ash Wednesday.
   

  Are there occasions when Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion may not distribute Communion at a Eucharistic Liturgy?
  
  Yes. When there are enough ordinary ministers to distribute Holy Communion. When the size of the congregation or the incapacity of the bishop, priest or deacon requires it, the celebrant may be assisted by other bishops, priests or deacons. If such ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are not present, “the priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, i.e., formally instituted acolytes or even some of the faithful who have been commissioned according to the prescribed rite. In case of necessity, the priest may also commission suitable members of the faithful for the occasion.” [General Instruction of the Roman Missal (hereinafter GIRM) #162]
  
  Come and join us, a formal training program for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion is provided.  Contact the parish offices or ask after Mass to your parish  priest or deacon. 

  
  https://www.saintdenisashburnham.com/staff
  
   

  Saint Denis Parish
  85 Main St
  Ashburnham, MA 01430
  
  Phone: 978-827-5806
  [email protected]

  
  http://www.churchofstdenis.org/images/pdf/Instructions%20for%20Extraordinary%20Ministers.pdf