Serve the Body of Christ

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist clergy in distributing the Eucharist during Mass, ensuring all members of the congregation can receive Communion in an orderly and reverent manner. This role fosters unity and allows full participation in the sacrament, nourishing the spiritual life of the community and ensuring the sacred act of Communion is carried out smoothly and with dignity.

• Membership in parish 1 year: At pastor's discretion but encouraged from point of view of fidelity to the community one wishes to serve
• Age: Any man or woman (from high school age on), acknowledged by peers and pastor to be active Catholic.
• Sacramental: A Confirmed practicing Catholic; if married, in a marriage recognized as valid by the Catholic Church.
• Names to be submitted to the bishop: The pastor's signature is required on the letter of request; the list will be acknowledged by the Chancellor and returned to the parish.
• "Hands-on" training
• Importance of fulfilling commitment as scheduled
• The preparation document says "the faithful should be properly catechized" on the following:
• The ecclesial nature of the Eucharist as the common possession of the whole Church;
• The Eucharist as the memorial of Christ's sacrifice, his death and resurrection, and as the sacred Banquet;
• The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharistic elements, whole and entire, in each element of bread and wine (the doctrine of concomitance);
• The kinds of reverence due at all times to the sacrament, whether within the Eucharistic liturgy or outside the celebration;
• The role of that ordinary and, if necessary, extraordinary ministers of the Holy Communion.