What do I do as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion?

If you are one of the Scheduled Ministers

• Arrive at Church 10 minutes ahead of time. Check in with the priest or deacon, so they know you are present.
• In the Church, take the larger Silver Cross to denote your ministry.
• The Scheduled Ministers are responsible for cleaning the vessels after mass.
• If there are any ministers who would be able to commit to being scheduled for assisting with purifying and cleaning the vessels, please contact Sr. Shawn at the parish office 733-0575. This ministry takes only about 5 minutes and is necessary so that we can reverently, and in a timely fashion, purify and wash the vessels.

If you are not one of the Scheduled Ministers

When you arrive at Church, take a cross to denote your ministry. If there are crosses available, you are needed. It should never be necessary to announce we are in need of extraordinary ministers. If you are available after mass and are able to help purify vessels, please volunteer your services. It only takes 5 minutes.

How many extraordinary ministers do we need?

If there are crosses available, you are needed.

If there is no Deacon:

• Sat. 5:00 p.m., Sun. 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. : 5 Host & 6 Cup

• Sun. 6:00 p.m.: 5 Hosts & 2 Cups

If there is a Deacon: (He will remove 1 cup cross to avoid confusion)

• Sat. 5:00 p.m., Sun. 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.: 5 Host 6 Cup

• Sun. 6:00 p.m.: 5 Host 1 Cup

How often am I allowed to serve as Extraordinary Minister?

You may serve as extraordinary minister anytime you come to mass, so long as you are properly dressed.

Please refrain from ministering if you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms.

When do extraordinary ministers come forward?

When the Lamb of God begins, the ministers approach the sanctuary.

The Host distributors line up near the ambo; the Cup distributors line up near the baptismal font.

Cleanse your hands at one of the cleansing stations.

When do we enter the Sanctuary

After the Priest (and deacon if present) have received Eucharist.

If I notice there are not enough distributors, but I did not take a cross, may I come up without one?

Yes, if you see a need, just volunteer your services.

Receiving Holy Communion:

The priest will distribute the Body of Christ to the Ministers beginning with the Host distributors.

He will then begin distributing the Cup.

If there is a Deacon (or a second priest):

He will assist with distributing the Cup to the other extraordinary ministers.

If there is no Deacon:

The scheduled CUP distributor will assist with ministering the Cup to the other extraordinary ministers.

This person should come to the side of the altar as to be able to receive the Eucharist first.

After you have received Communion: Where do I distribute?

Host distributors are needed at each of the main aisles

The Priest will always distribute at the center aisle.

At 5:00, 8:30, & 10:30 mass Cup distributors are needed at the side of each Host distributor.

At 6:00 mass, the cup distributors minister at the main center aisle.

The Deacon will always distribute the Cup to the Right of the priest.

PLEASE: Do not forget to distribute Holy Communion, both the Hosts and Cup to the handicapped sections in the front rows before distributing to the others.

What if I drop a Host?

Reverently pick it up and either:

1. Consume it -(or)-
2. give it to the priest or deacon to consume later.

Never distribute a host that has been dropped on the floor.

What if I spill?

Stop distributing.

1. Place your purificator over the spill.
2. Go to the sacristy and get a towel and place that over the spill, if the spill is larger.
3. After Mass, see the priest or deacon so that the spill is tended to as soon as possible.

What do I do when my line is finished?

Look at the other lines. If there is a need, you may go and help in another line.

What do I do with leftover Precious Blood?

Reverently consume it.

If there is too much for you to consume, ask another minister to help you.

What do I do when I’m finished distributing?

HOSTS: Return your ciborium to the altar and cleanse your fingers in the dish near the tabernacle, and place your cross in the basket. Remain in the sanctuary until the priest has placed the ciborium in the tabernacle.

CUPS: Return your empty cup to the credence table and place your cross in the basket. Remain in the sanctuary until the priest has placed the ciborium in the tabernacle.

When the priest closes the tabernacle, ALL MINISTERS bow to the tabernacle and then leave the sanctuary.  (Note: This will happen rather quickly)