Prcedures fr Extrardinary Ministers f Hly Cmmunin Hly Trinity Cathlic Church, Gainesville, VA June 2018
Prcedures fr Extrardinary Ministers f Hly Cmmunin Hly Trinity Cathlic Church, Gainesville, VA 1 Missin... 3 2 General Plicies... 3 2.1 Mandates.... 3 2.2 Training.... 3 2.3 Annual Meeting(s).... 3 2.4 Multiple Ministries.... 3 2.5 Attire.... 4 3 EMC Scheduling... 5 3.1 Schedule... 5 3.2 Substitutes... 5 3.3 Daily Mass... 6 4 Mass... 6 4.1 Signing In.... 6 4.2 Seating... 6 4.3 Reverence.... 6 4.4 Appraching the altar.... 6 4.5 Ging t Cmmunin statins.... 7 4.6 Cmmunin statins.... 7 4.7 Giving Hly Cmmunin.... 9 4.8 Giving Hly Cmmunin t the Chir.... 9 4.9 After Cmmunin....10 5 Frequently Asked Questins... 11 5.1 Why dn t we have Hly Cmmunin under bth species?...11 5.2 What if I drp a Hst?...11 5.3 What if smene appraches with arms crssed, appears nt t be Cathlic, r seems t yung?...11 5.4 What if smene has gum in their muth, extremely dirty hands, etc.?...12 5.5 What if smene walks away withut cnsuming the Hst?...12 5.6 What if I run ut f Hsts?...12 Page 1 June 2018
Prcedures fr Extrardinary Ministers f Hly Cmmunin Hly Trinity Cathlic Church, Gainesville, VA 5.7 What if smene asks fr a small piece f the Hst?...12 5.8 What is the purpse f the ablutin bwl?...13 5.9 What health precautins shuld EMCs take? 13 5.10 May I take Hly Cmmunin t the sick r hmebund?...13 Page 2 June 2018
Prcedures fr Extrardinary Ministers f Hly Cmmunin Hly Trinity Cathlic Church, Gainesville, VA These prcedures explain hw instructins given t Extrardinary Ministers f Hly Cmmunin by the Dicese f Arlingtn are implemented within Hly Trinity Parish (where Extrardinary Ministers f Hly Cmmunin are usually simply called EMCs ). These prcedures are nt intended t supersede, supplement r in any way interpret the instructins given by the Dicese. Special supplements t these prcedures are published as needed, e.g., fr Easter Triduum and Christmas. If yu have any cmments r questins, please cntact the ministry crdinatr. These prcedures apply primarily t the Mass ministry. The Hmebund/Nursing Hme ministry is crdinated separately frm the Mass ministry and publishes prcedures that apply specifically t that ministry. All EMCs are encuraged t participate in the Hmebund/Nursing Hme ministry n a regular r ccasinal basis. Separate training is prvided. Fr mre infrmatin, cntact the Hmebund/Nursing Hme ministry crdinatr. 1 Missin Serving with utmst care and reverence, Extrardinary Ministers f Hly Cmmunin assist the priests f Hly Trinity Parish with distributin f Hly Cmmunin, when necessitated by the size f the cngregatin, t ensure that greater access t the Eucharist is made pssible fr the faithful. Extrardinary Ministers f Hly Cmmunin assist with the distributin f Hly Cmmunin at Mass, take the Eucharist t the hmebund and nursing hme patients, and als assist in ecclesiastical functins such as the distributin f ashes n Ash Wednesday. 2 General Plicies 2.1 Mandates. EMC mandates granted by the dicese are nt permanent and apply nly within the bundaries f the parish. Mandates are gd fr five years, renewable nce, in rder t allw mre f the faithful t share in the benefits f this ministry. (With apprval by the pastr and the dicese, mandates may be renewed fr additinal terms t fill particular parish needs.) A mandate will be revked if the EMC mves ut f Hly Trinity Parish r becmes inactive. Frmer EMCs may apply fr a new mandate after taking at least ne year ff. 2.2 Training. EMCs must attend a wrkshp cnducted by the dicese in rder t receive a mandate. In additin, training in hw the instructins given in the dicesan wrkshp are applied at Hly Trinity is required befre an EMC may serve. This training is rdinarily dne at a general meeting f EMCs. 2.3 Annual Meeting(s). All EMCs must attend the annual EMC meeting, usually held in June. If necessary, additinal meetings may be scheduled, fr example, t prepare fr the Christmas and Easter liturgical seasns. At these meetings, current prcedures and plicies are reviewed, new nes are intrduced, and issues and cncerns are addressed. EMCs may be remved frm the EMC schedule if they d nt attend a mandatry meeting. If yu cannt attend a meeting fr any reasn, yu shuld cntact the ministry crdinatr t arrange a make-up sessin. 2.4 Multiple Ministries. Many EMCs serve the parish thrugh participatin in a variety f ministries, cmmittees, and scial and supprt grups. Hwever, it is preferable that different individuals serve in the varius rles and ministries f the liturgy, s that thse rles and ministries are nt mnplized by a few. The rules pertaining t the service in multiple liturgical ministries here at Hly Trinity are: Lectr. EMCs may nt serve as bth lectr and EMC at the same Mass. Sacristan. EMCs may nt serve as bth sacristan and EMC at the same Mass. Usher. EMCs may nt serve as bth usher and EMC at the same Mass. Page 3 June 2018
Prcedures fr Extrardinary Ministers f Hly Cmmunin Hly Trinity Cathlic Church, Gainesville, VA Cantr. EMCs may nt serve as bth cantr and EMC at the same Mass. Chir. EMCs are discuraged frm singing in the chir at the same Mass fr which they are assigned as EMC. If an EMC chses t participate in bth at the same Mass, EMC respnsibilities take precedence ver chir respnsibilities. 2.5 Attire. EMCs must cmply with the fllwing Hly Trinity Parish attire plicy fr all liturgical ministries: Attire Plicy fr all Liturgical Ministries Serving in the Church and at Mass The attire fr all liturgical ministers (lectrs, cantrs, Extrardinary Ministers f Hly Cmmunin (EMC) and ushers) shuld be reverent, mdest and neat s as t display dignity fr the ministerial rle, t prvide a rle mdel fr the cngregatin, and t avid drawing fcus frm the sacredness f being in the hly presence f Our Lrd. The vast majrity f the time we get this right, let s try t make it all the time. Men: Thugh a jacket/suit and tie is preferred fr weekend Masses, a tailred shirt with a sprt cat, tie, sweater r vest is als acceptable. Slightly mre casual attire may be wrn at daily Masses. Ladies: Tps must have cvered shulders, accmplished either by the tp having sleeves r by the additin f a jacket, sweater r ther slid fabric garment (nt lace r ther see-thrugh fabric). Lw cut tps may nt be wrn. Dresses and skirts are t be at least knee length. Slacks are dressy, rather than casual. Dress she selectin is made giving careful cnsideratin t heel height (stairs) and nise (marble flrs). All: Jeans and sneakers may nt be wrn. Tight and/r revealing clthing may nt be wrn. Thugh attire mdificatins may be necessary due t inclement weather, mdesty must remain a pririty. Mms and dads: Thank yu fr helping yur daughters and sns make gd chices fr Mass attire. In additin: Wear yur EMC crss. Avid the use f perfume, clgne, scented hand ltins, sanitizers, etc. that might transfer t the Blessed Sacrament r trigger allergic reactins in thers. If yu use hand sanitizer befre Hly Cmmunin, be sure that it is unscented and des nt leave a sticky residue n the cibrium. Page 4 June 2018
Prcedures fr Extrardinary Ministers f Hly Cmmunin Hly Trinity Cathlic Church, Gainesville, VA 3 EMC Scheduling 3.1 Schedule Schedules are typically prepared every tw mnths. A request fr input is made apprximately ne mnth befre the beginning f the next schedule. Respnd as quickly as pssible t requests fr schedule input, identifying any dates when yu are nt available t serve and any dates r Mass times when yu wuld especially like t serve. Immediately review the draft schedule and ntify the crdinatr f any errrs r cnflicts. Cnsider vlunteering fr any vacancies, even if they are at a Mass yu dn t usually attend. It is a gd idea t enter yur assignments int yur persnal calendar. Be sure t check yur calendar regularly s that yu dn t accidently miss an assignment. The final versin f the schedule is distributed by email and psted n the Hly Trinity web site at http://www.hlytrinityparish.net/ministries/. 3.2 Substitutes Yu are respnsible fr finding a substitute if yu cannt serve at an assigned Mass. PLEASE DON T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE! Get t knw the ther EMCs wh serve at the same Mass(es) yu prefer. This can make it easier t find a substitute with a quick phne call r email. Email requests fr subs are als effective. Send yur request FIRST t the list f EMCs wh regularly serve at the Mass in questin. If n ne respnds, yu may send a secnd request t the general list f EMCs. If yu are assigned t take Hly Cmmunin t the chir r help with cibria after Hly Cmmunin and yu can't serve, please remember t let yur substitute knw that he r she is nw respnsible fr the chir r cibria. If yur substitute isn t able t perfrm that task, please ask anther assigned EMC t take n the respnsibility. While yur genersity and willingness t serve at tw Masses in respnse t a request fr a substitute is greatly appreciated, cnsider giving unassigned EMCs the pprtunity t vlunteer befre yu ffer. Dn t assume that yu are the designated substitute just because yu vlunteered. Anther vlunteer may have respnded befre yu. Ask fr cnfirmatin when yu send yur ffer t substitute t the requester. As sn as a replacement is fund, send a message t all addressees identifying the vlunteer t eliminate the need t make r respnd t multiple ffers (e.g., Sue Smith has agreed t sub fr me at the 10:30 am Mass n June 1. ). Always be prepared t serve, even if nt assigned, in case an assigned EMC is absent. Dress apprpriately, as if yu had been assigned t serve. Bring yur EMC crss. Check the sign-in bk upn arrival t get a sense f whether any assigned EMCs are absent. (See 4.1.) Knw hw many EMCs are needed (the number is in parentheses by the Mass time in the sign-in bk). Cunt the EMCs that g frward after "Lrd I m nt wrthy that yu shuld enter under my rf, but nly say the wrd and my sul shall be healed." If ne r mre are missing, g frward. Be sure t wait t make sure that all assigned EMCs have had a chance t take their places. (Example: At 10:30, eight EMCs are assigned. If nly six are lined up at the sanctuary steps, tw mre EMCs shuld immediately g up t jin the thers.) The priest determines whether all the assigned EMCs are needed. Please d nt be ffended if the priest decides that yu are nt needed and asks yu t return t yur seat! Page 5 June 2018
Prcedures fr Extrardinary Ministers f Hly Cmmunin Hly Trinity Cathlic Church, Gainesville, VA 3.3 Daily Mass The priest decides whether an EMC is needed fr daily Mass based n the number f peple in attendance n any given day. EMCs shuld watch t see hw many cibria the priest takes frm the tabernacle. He will take an extra cibrium (i.e., ne mre than the number f clergy) if an EMC is needed. In that case, an EMC shuld g frward. Wait t g up until after, Lrd I am nt wrthy. 4 Mass 4.1 Signing In. The EMC schedule is psted in the ministry bk n the stand in the narthex. Initial the blck next t yur name under the Mass date and time when yu arrive fr an assigned Mass. If yu are substituting fr anther EMC, line thrugh their name and write yur name underneath r t the side. If yu are nt assigned but g up at Hly Cmmunin time t fill a vacancy, please return t the bk after Mass, line thrugh the name f the missing EMC, and add yur wn. 4.2 Seating. EMCs are encuraged t sit in the right transept sectins f pews (St. Jseph side) when assigned t serve at Mass. Reserved seating will be arranged as needed (e.g., Easter, Christmas). 4.3 Reverence. EMCs have a special bligatin t behave reverently in the presence f the Blessed Sacrament. Examples include: Behavir and attire shuld reflect reverence fr the Blessed Sacrament and the dignity f the EMC rle. Always cme up t the altar with yur hands flded reverently. Bw reverently: Tward the altar just befre ging up the steps after the Lrd I am nt wrthy, Tward the priest just befre receiving Hly Cmmunin, Tward the altar after returning the cibrium t the priest after Hly Cmmunin, Tward the tabernacle when the Blessed Sacrament is repsed. Crss in frnt f the altar, never behind it. Cver the full cibrium with yur palm when walking t prevent spills. Keep yur thumb and index finger (the fingers with which yu tuched the Blessed Sacrament) tgether ver the cibrium until yu return the cibrium t the priest and then purify them. This is because tiny fragments f the Blessed Sacrament may still be n yur fingers (the same reasn we rinse ur fingers in the ablutin bwl after Hly Cmmunin). 4.4 Appraching the altar. Apprach the altar after Lrd, I am nt wrthy that yu shuld enter under my rf, but nly say the wrd and my sul shall be healed. Keep yur hands flded reverently. Reverence the altar with a bw if yu crss in frnt f it. Stand at the ft f the steps t the right f the sanctuary, near the baptismal fnt (Illustratin psitin 1 ). The chir EMC shuld stand clsest t the clumn by the baptismal fnt (Illustratin psitin X*). If yu are NOT the chir EMC, leave rm fr the chir EMC next t the clumn. Please refer t the illustratin n the last page f this dcument. Page 6 June 2018
Prcedures fr Extrardinary Ministers f Hly Cmmunin Hly Trinity Cathlic Church, Gainesville, VA If there is nly ONE priest, ONE MORE EMC may g frward AFTER all assigned EMCs have gne t steps. The extra EMC shuld take the psitin clsest t the center aisle s as t end up in the psitin clsest t Tabernacle. (Nte: Yu may be asked t sit dwn if there are nt enugh cibria.) When the priest drinks frm the chalice, bw reverently tward the altar and then g up the steps. The EMC clsest t the cngregatin ges up the steps first, fllwed in a line by the rest f the EMCs. The leading EMC shuld walk alng the side f the altar rug and stp clse t the tabernacle (the distance frm the tabernacle depends n hw many EMCs there are in attendance). The ther EMCs shuld fllw the first EMC and take their places in a line alng the edge f the rug (Illustratin psitin 2* ). The Chir EMC shuld stand clsest t the altar (Illustratin psitin X*). If yu are assigned t serve at a Mass and will be taking the Blessed Sacrament t a sick r hmebund parishiner after that Mass, place yur pyx n the altar s that the priest knws that yu will need t btain Hsts. (Fllwing Hly Cmmunin, AFTER yu have purified yur fingers, return t the altar t get the pyx and Hsts.) Bw as the priest appraches and receive Hly Cmmunin. The priest will then hand yu a cibrium and may direct yu t a Cmmunin statin. As each EMC is given a cibria, the ther EMCs shuld mve dwn s they are clse t altar. This prevents the priest r deacn frm having t walk all ver the sanctuary. Daily Mass Exceptin. At regular daily Mass, wait until the priest takes the cibria frm the tabernacle t g frward. If the priest takes nly enugh fr himself (and any ther clergy present at the altar), d nt g up. (Fr example, if there is nly ne priest, g up nly if he takes tw cibria frm the tabernacle.) 4.5 Ging t Cmmunin statins. If yu have nt been directed t a specific Cmmunin statin by the priest, fill the statins frm the FRONT t the REAR. When there are three r fewer EMCs (i.e., daily Mass, 7:30 pm Saturday Mass, 7:00 am Sunday Mass), allw the priest t leave the sanctuary first. At ther Masses, leave the sanctuary and g t yur Cmmunin statin as sn as yu receive a cibrium. (This is especially imprtant fr the chir EMC). Crss behind the priest n the wide sanctuary step if yu are ging t the statin by the Blessed Mther statue. Never crss behind the altar! Carry the Blessed Sacrament with dignity and decrum, paying special attentin t the sanctuary steps. Cver the tp f the cibrium with ne hand t ensure that the Hsts d nt fall ut as yu walk. 4.6 Cmmunin statins. Cmmunin statins are numbered in the rder they shuld be filled, frm the frnt f the church t the rear: 1. Frnt transept n the Blessed Mther side, backed up against the stairs 2. Frnt transept n the St. Jseph side, backed up against the stairs 3. Crss aisle between the pew sectins, facing the rear 4. Rear, abut halfway between pews and drs, facing the narthex (fr cmmunicants in narthex and Hall) 5. Rear, abut halfway between pews and drs, facing the altar 6. Next t the priest (used if there is nly ne priest) Chir. If there is a chir, the EMC assigned t take the Hly Cmmunin t the chir needs t stand clsest t the altar t allw EMC t leave first t either the lft r the rear. This enable chir t receive Hly Cmmunin befre singing the Cmmunin hymn. After giving Hly Cmmunin t the chir (either in the lft r at the rear), the chir EMC ges t anther statin where needed t cntinue distributing Hly Cmmunin. (This is likely t be at the crss aisle r rear f the church.) Please refer t the illustratin n the last page f this dcument. Page 7 June 2018
Prcedures fr Extrardinary Ministers f Hly Cmmunin Hly Trinity Cathlic Church, Gainesville, VA The weekend Mass Cmmunin statins (assuming that there are tw priests), in the rder in which they shuld be filled, are: Saturday, 5:30 pm (6 EMCs) (n chir) 1. Tw EMCs at the frnt transept n the Blessed Mther side, backed up against the stairs 2. Tw EMCs at the frnt transept n the St. Jseph side, backed up against the stairs 3. Tw EMCs at the crss aisle between the pew sectins, facing the rear Saturday, 7:30 pm (1 EMC) (chir Chir EMC t the chir lft, and then t wherever needed.) Sunday, 7:00 am (2 EMCs) (n chir) 1. One EMC at the frnt transept n the Blessed Mther side, backed up against the stairs 2. One EMC at the frnt transept n the St. Jseph side, backed up against the stairs Sunday, 8:30 am (6 EMCs) (chir r rganist Chir EMC t the chir lft and then t wherever needed. It s best t g t the crss aisles.) 1. Tw EMCs at the frnt transept n the Blessed Mther side, backed up against the stairs 2. Tw EMCs at the frnt transept n the St. Jseph side, backed up against the stairs 3. One EMC at the crss aisle between the pew sectins, facing the rear. Sunday, 10:30 am (8 EMCs) (chir Chir EMC t the chir lft and then t wherever needed.) 1. Tw EMCs at the frnt transept n the Blessed Mther side, backed up against the stairs 2. Tw EMCs at the frnt transept n the St. Jseph side, backed up against the stairs 3. Tw EMCs at the crss aisle between the pew sectins, facing the rear 4. One EMC in the rear abut halfway between pews and drs, facing the narthex. Sunday, 5:00 pm (5 EMCs) (chir Chir EMC ges t the rear f the church abut halfway between pews and drs, facing the narthex, where chir will be waiting. The chir EMC then gives Cmmunin t thse cming in thrugh the drs, r ges t wherever needed, as apprpriate.) 1. Tw EMCs at the frnt transept n the Blessed Mther side, backed up against the stairs 2. Tw EMCs at the frnt transept n the St. Jseph side, backed up against the stairs This means that, if there is a chir, the first EMC t leave the altar ges t the chir. The next EMC ges t the frnt transept n the Blessed Mther side, etc. At the 8:30 am and 10:30 am, the next TWO EMCS g t the Blessed Mther side, etc. At any Mass where there is nly ONE priest r deacn, the LAST EMC leaving the altar shuld take psitin 6, next t the priest, instead f ging t the statin farthest frm the altar. When yu finish giving Hly Cmmunin at a statin, lk arund t see whether lines remain elsewhere in the church. If s, yu may g t assist ministers at anther statin (see 4.9) t an unccupied statin (e.g., at the rear f the church) where lines remain. NOTE: Be flexible and use cmmn sense regarding Cmmunin statins. If there are mre than tw clergy, they may g t ANY statin. If yur statin is already filled, either with clergy r anther EMC, g t the next statin(s) in rder, mving tward the rear, until yu find a vacancy. Page 8 June 2018
Prcedures fr Extrardinary Ministers f Hly Cmmunin Hly Trinity Cathlic Church, Gainesville, VA 4.7 Giving Hly Cmmunin. While yu may give Hly Cmmunin t many peple at a particular Mass, recgnize and hnr the fact that, fr each individual recipient, there is nly ONE Hly Cmmunin. Take yur time: T give each persn the chance t cme frward, stp cmpletely and fcus n the Blessed Sacrament; T reduce the pssibility that yu r the persn receiving drps the Blessed Sacrament; T give yu the pprtunity t ntice whether the persn receiving actually cnsumes the Blessed Sacrament. If necessary, quietly ask the server t mve t whichever side makes it easiest fr yu t give Cmmunin. If necessary, quietly remind the server t hld the paten right under the hands r chin f the persn receiving t catch any drpped Hsts. Hld the cibrium back and away when apprached by smene carrying a yung child s the child can t grab it. Hld the Hst up s that the recipient can see and adre ur Lrd in the Blessed Sacrament. In a quiet but clear vice say The Bdy f Christ. These are the nly wrds that shuld be said. Nthing shuld be added r subtracted, nt even a name (e.g., d nt say This is the Bdy f Christ r Jane, the Bdy f Christ ). Often there are elderly r disabled individuals in the church t whm yu must take the Blessed Sacrament because they cannt cme dwn the aisle. The ushers shuld direct yu t them, but take a mment t lk arund fr individuals wh may need yur attentin befre returning t the sanctuary. Occasinally, smene may walk away withut cnsuming the Blessed Sacrament. See Sectin 5.5, under Frequently Asked Questins, fr infrmatin n this situatin. 4.8 Giving Hly Cmmunin t the Chir. At Masses when there is a chir (usually 8:30 am, 10:30 am, and 5:00 pm n Sunday), an EMC is designated t give Hly Cmmunin t the chir. That EMC s name is printed n the schedule in red with an asterisk (*red). If yu are assigned t take Hly Cmmunin t the chir, yu shuld: Stand clsest t the clumn, near the baptismal fnt, after Lrd I am nt wrthy s that yu end up clsest t the altar (see Sectin 4.4); If necessary, let the celebrant knw that yu are assigned t take Hly Cmmunin t the chir; At the 8:30 am and 10:30 am Sunday Masses g immediately t the chir lft after leaving the sanctuary, ging up the stairs t the left f the lft as yu face it. (This timing is very imprtant, because the chir/musicians cannt stp singing/playing the Cmmunin hymns t receive nce they start.) The chir will line up in the lft stairwell t receive Hly Cmmunin befre singing. If the chir is nt waiting fr yu, step int the lft s that the chir sees that yu have arrived, and then return t the stairwell. NOTE: During the summer mnths when the 8:30 am chir is n hiatus, g int the lft t the rganist t give him Hly Cmmunin. The chir fr the 5:00 pm Mass will cme dwn frm the lft t receive, lining up at the back f the church facing the altar; g immediately t that statin. After giving Hly Cmmunin t the chir, g t wherever needed. This will mst likely be the statin in the rear facing the drs, t give Hly Cmmunin t thse directed in frm the narthex. If there are already 2 EMCs at that statin, yu may face the altar and give Hly Cmmunin t thse in the rear pews r g t anther statin where assistance is needed. Page 9 June 2018
Prcedures fr Extrardinary Ministers f Hly Cmmunin Hly Trinity Cathlic Church, Gainesville, VA 4.9 After Cmmunin. Usually, yu shuld return t the sanctuary as sn as yu finish at yur riginal statin and wait near the altar (Illustratin psitin 3 *** ) until the celebrant finishes giving Hly Cmmunin. If a lng line remains at sme statin, yu may mve t that statin t assist. There shuld never be mre than fur EMCs at any statin: ne/tw riginal EMCs plus ne/tw helpers (ne n each side, abut five feet apart, standing next t the riginal ministers, standing backed up against the stairs n the Blessed Mther side, St Jseph side and next t the priests, r backed up against the frnt pews if at the crss aisles. D nt stand at pew frnt). In the case f significant crwding, yu may g t an unccupied statin (likely in the rear f the church, facing either the narthex r altar). In general, use the center aisle t return t the altar when yu finish giving Hly Cmmunin. If lines remain in the center aisle, return t the altar via the side aisle n the St. Jseph side. At crwded Masses, ushers may lead yu back t the altar, t reduce the pssibility f clliding with smene in the aisle. If they feel it is prudent, they may have yu pause near the cry rms until Cmmunin lines have finished. If yu see that assistance is needed at anther statin, let the usher knw where yu need t g. REMEMBER: N mre than FOUR ministers at any statin! Keep yur thumb and index finger (the fingers with which yu tuched the Blessed Sacrament) tgether ver the cibrium, until yu have returned the cibrium t the priest and then purified yur fingers. This is because tiny fragments f the Blessed Sacrament may still be n yur fingers until yu have rinsed yur fingers in the ablutin bwl. When the celebrant cmes back t the altar, place the cibrium in his hands. (D nt place the cibrium n the altar.) There is n need t hang back and wait fr the servers t return their patens, but d try t line up in an rderly fashin rather than crwding arund the altar. After giving the cibrium t the priest, bw tward the altar and g t the credence table behind the altar n the baptistry side t purify yur fingers. Rinse yur fingers in the ablutin bwl n the credence table. Yu may als use the hand sanitizer, if available, after rinsing yur fingers. Line up at the bttm f the sanctuary steps in frnt f the baptismal fnt (Illustratin psitin 4***). Wait until the celebrant lcks the cibria in the tabernacle. Genuflect r bw when the celebrant des. Once the tabernacle has been lcked, yu may return t yur pew. If yu need t btain the Blessed Sacrament fr visits t the hmebund r nursing hme, apprach the altar as the priest returns t the sanctuary after Hly Cmmunin. After being given the Blessed Sacrament, g t the ft f the altar steps and wait with the ther EMCs fr the priest t repse the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle. (After the Blessed Sacrament is repsed, prceed t the back f the church, wait there fr Mass t end, and then g immediately t the sick r hmebund persn, withut stpping r cnversing with thers.) In sme cases, an assisting priest r deacn may cllect the cibria and chalice(s) and take them t the sacristy behind the altar fr purificatin. An EMC is designated n the schedule in blue with the @ symbl (@blue) t help carry the vessels t the sacristy, if requested by the priest r deacn. If yu are assigned t help carry vessels, wait at the tp f the steps near the credence table after rinsing yur fingers t see if the priest r deacn cllects the vessels and wishes assistance. If s, return t the altar and help carry the vessels t the sacristy. Only members f the clergy may actually purify vessels used fr Hly Cmmunin. EMCs are nly permitted t dry vessels after they have been purified. (The priest r deacn ding the purificatin may nt want any help at all.) If yu are asked t help, please d nt attempt t d any mre than carry the vessels t the sacristy, and if requested, dry them after purificatin. After leaving the sacristy, reverence the tabernacle as yu pass, and return t yur pew. *** Please refer t the illustratin n the last page f this dcument. Page 10 June 2018
Prcedures fr Extrardinary Ministers f Hly Cmmunin Hly Trinity Cathlic Church, Gainesville, VA 5 Frequently Asked Questins. 5.1 Why dn t we have Hly Cmmunin under bth species? Althugh the Blessed Sacrament is smetimes given in the frm f the Precius Bld by the priest, Hly Cmmunin is distributed by EMCs at Hly Trinity nly in the frm f the Sacred Bdy fr a variety f reasns, such as the limited number f EMCs, the lgistics invlved in washing vessels, and health reasns. We knw, f curse, that since Christ is sacramentally present under each f the species, Cmmunin under the species f bread alne makes it pssible t receive all the fruit f Eucharistic grace. 1 5.2 What if I drp a Hst? Drpping a Hst (r even spilling a cibrium) ccasinally happens t everyne. When it happens, please bserve the fllwing: DO: DON T: Immediately and calmly pick up the Hst and ffer it t the cmmunicant. If the cmmunicant refuses the Hst, EMCs return t the altar and place the Hst n the priest s paten. Then return t the Cmmunin statin and cntinue distributing Hly Cmmunin. (When Cmmunin is ver, tell the priest what happened s that he knws that the Hst n the paten was drpped.) Have the server place his purificatr (clth) n the spt and guard it until yu return r until the spt is purified. Upn yur return, r if anther EMC takes that spt, make sure t prevent anyne frm stepping n the spt where the Hst fell. When yu have finished giving Hly Cmmunin, ask the server, anther EMC r an usher t get smene (usually a priest, deacn r server knight) t bring hly water t purify the spt. Remain in place, prtecting the area where the Hst(s) fell, until he cmes. If multiple Hsts are drpped, immediately and calmly pick up the Hsts and place them n the server s paten, checking carefully t be sure yu have fund them all. Cver the paten with the server s purificatr s they dn t fall again. Ask the usher(s) t help prtect the area until it has been purified. Take the paten with the drpped Hsts t the altar and place them n the priest s paten. Then return t yur statin t cntinue distributing Hly Cmmunin. When yu return t the altar, tell the priest what happened. The drpped Hsts will prbably be placed in water t disslve and then be pured dwn the sacrarium. Dn t panic! Dn t hesitate t ask the server, ther EMCs, r ushers fr help. Dn t wrry if the Cmmunin line is held up. Anther EMC shuld cme t assist after finishing at his/her riginal statin. Dn t place a drpped Hst in the ablutin bwl. Instead, place it n the priest s paten and tell him what happened. Dn t place a drpped Hst n the server s paten. Dn t cnsume a drpped Hst. 5.3 What if smene appraches with arms crssed, appears nt t be Cathlic, r seems t yung? Assume that smene wh appraches with crssed arms simply wants t adre ur Lrd in the Blessed Sacrament. Yu may just smile and lk t the next persn in line. Since nthing may be added t the liturgy, it is nt apprpriate t say May Gd bless yu, May Jesus be in yur heart, r any ther wrds besides The Bdy f Christ. Als remember that nly priests and deacns may bestw blessings; d nt 1 The Catechism f the Cathlic Church, n., 1390 Page 11 June 2018
Prcedures fr Extrardinary Ministers f Hly Cmmunin Hly Trinity Cathlic Church, Gainesville, VA extend a hand ver the persn, make a crss n their heads, r d anything that suggests that yu are bestwing a blessing n them. With regard t smene wh appears nt t be Cathlic, please remember that, generally speaking, EMCs d nt have the authrity t decide wh may receive the Eucharist. Only Gd knws with abslute certainty a persn s heart r state f grace, and s EMCs shuld habitually defer t the gd faith f thse wh apprach the sacrament. If yu have a grave cncern abut smene wh cmes frward t receive, yu may kindly and quietly ask them if they are Cathlic. If they respnd that they are nt, kindly and quietly tell them that yu cannt give them Hly Cmmunin. If they prtest, kindly and quietly ask them t mve t a line where there is a priest r speak t the priest after Mass. Yu may als ask yung children if they have received their First Hly Cmmunin. If they say n r are cnfused, just smile and lk t the persn behind them t receive. NOTE: Eastern Rite Cathlics give First Cmmunin t very yung children and ften receive with crssed arms. We can give the Blessed Sacrament t smene wh identifies himself r his child as such. 5.4 What if smene has gum in their muth, extremely dirty hands, etc.? Quietly ask them t remve their gum, pen their muth t receive n the tngue, r whatever is apprpriate. Ask them t g t priest s line if they prtest. 5.5 What if smene walks away withut cnsuming the Hst? If smene begins t walk away carrying the Hst, placing it in a pcket, etc., withut cnsuming it, stp the persn and quietly ask if he r she is Cathlic. If the persn is Cathlic, quietly ask him r her t immediately cnsume the Hst and watch t see that they d s befre resuming distributin f Hly Cmmunin. If the persn is NOT Cathlic, ask him/ her t return the Hst t yu and invite him/her t speak t the priest after Mass abut the Cathlic faith. Take the Hst t altar and place it n the priest s paten. Then return t resume distributin f Hly Cmmunin. If necessary, g after a persn walking away withut cnsuming the Hst, but d nt place yur hands n the individual in attempt t restrain him r retrieve the Hst; instead, immediately ask fr assistance frm a priest r usher. EMCs can usually rely n the altar servers and ushers t help mnitr the cnsumptin f the Blessed Sacrament. While failing t cnsume the Blessed Sacrament is especially likely at Christmas and Easter Masses, it may ccur at ANY Mass, and it desn t always invlve a child r teenager. In sme cases, the persn invlved is nt an bservant Cathlic and is ignrant f the meaning and manner f receiving Hly Cmmunin. In ther cases, the persn simply wants t ensure that a family member wh is nt present r wh has difficulty leaving the pew is able t receive. (In the latter case, yu can ask the persn t pint ut the individual wh is unable t cme frward, and then yu can give Hly Cmmunin t that persn when yu finish with the line.) We pray that there is n malicius intent! In any case, it is essential t see that the Hst is immediately cnsumed r returned t the EMC. 5.6 What if I run ut f Hsts? Try t mnitr the lines and yur supply f Hsts. If yu nly need a few mre Hsts, ask an EMC near yu t share his supply. If yu run ut f Hsts and cannt easily btain mre frm a nearby EMC, simply return t the sanctuary and wait by the altar until Cmmunin is ver and yu can hand yur cibrium t the priest. D nt break Hsts. 5.7 What if smene asks fr a small piece f the Hst? EMC may nt break Hsts. If smene is unable t cnsume the entire Hsts, tell them that yu cannt break the Hst and ask them t g the priest r deacn s line. If they are unable t d s, g t the priest r deacn yurself, r ask anther EMC r usher t assist in getting a priest r deacn t g t that persn. Page 12 June 2018
Prcedures fr Extrardinary Ministers f Hly Cmmunin Hly Trinity Cathlic Church, Gainesville, VA 5.8 What is the purpse f the ablutin bwl? The ablutin bwl is intended t capture any fragments f the Blessed Sacrament (even nes nt visible t the eye) that may adhere t yur fingers while distributing Hly Cmmunin. Fr this reasn, it is very imprtant that we rinse ur fingers every time we give Hly Cmmunin. If the ablutin bwl is empty, the first EMC shuld take it t the sacristy behind the altar, fill it with water frm the tap, and return it t the credence table. EMCs shuld then purify their fingers as usual. If the ablutin bwl is missing, the first EMC shuld g t the sacristy behind the altar and get it, fill it with water frm the tap, and place it n the credence table. The ablutin bwl (a small gld-clred, fted bwl) is kept in the tall pantry-like cabinet t the far left f the sink, n a shelf at abut eye-level). EMCs shuld then purify their fingers as usual. It wuld als be acceptable but nt preferable t g t the sacristy and rinse yur fingers in the sacrarium sink, since it drains directly int the grund. The ablutin bwl is nt intended as a means t sanitize yur hands. Hand sanitizer is usually available in a pump bttle next t the ablutin bwl t deal with germs. It is t be used AFTER the ablutin bwl, NOT INSTEAD f it. Its use is ptinal. 5.9 What health precautins shuld EMCs take? EMCs that are ill, recvering frm an illness r think they may be cming dwn with smething shuld nt serve. EMCs wh have sres r bandages r their fingers, hands, arms r faces shuld nt serve. Please find a substitute if yu can, but if yu dn t have time r aren t successful, it s still better nt t serve than t risk spreading infectin (r cause parishiners cncern that yu might be spreading infectin). EMCs shuld wash their hands well with sap and water befre and after Mass and use hand sanitizer after Cmmunin. Yu may wish t avid shaking hands during the Exchange f Peace, if yu will be distributing Hly Cmmunin. (Yu can bw, wave r shw sme ther sign f greeting instead.) If yu feel that yu must use hand sanitizer BEFORE giving Hly Cmmunin, be sure that the sanitizer is drless and rubbed in well, t keep the cibrium frm becming sticky. 5.10 May I take Hly Cmmunin t the sick r hmebund? This very special aspect f the EMC ministry is crdinated separately and has its wn set f frmal prcedures. While all EMCs are encuraged t participate in the Hmebund/Nursing Hme ministry n a regular r ccasinal basis: EMCs shuld NEVER take it upn themselves t take Hly Cmmunin t anyne withut first cntacting the Hmebund/Nursing Hme crdinatr. The crdinatr will take care f the required crdinatin with the parish ffice and help determine hw best t minister t the persn in questin. EMCs shuld NEVER give the Blessed Sacrament t anther persn even anther EMC t take away with them. EMCs wh are assigned t take the Blessed Sacrament t the sick MUST apprach the altar after Hly Cmmunin and btain the Blessed Sacrament frm the priest. Page 13 June 2018
Altar Rug Tabernacle 3 X X X X X X X X X X 2 Credence Table 1 4 X X X X X Baptismal Fnt