Eucharistic Minister Role at 6pm Mass

Among those who minister in a Eucharistic Celebration, the priest and deacon, through virtue of sacred ordination, are considered ordinary ministers. The lay people assisting in the distribution of the Holy Eucharist are called the “extra ordinaries”. Thank you for being an “extra ordinaire”!

Note: Upon arrival for the Eucharistic Minister role, please sign your initials on the 6pm Youth Mass EM calendar kept in the binder on the counter in the sacristy. Please arrive in appropriate, respectful attire for Mass, spiritually prepared to participate in this important ministry and participate in prayer in the Sacristy with the Celebrant and altar servers about 5 min before the start of Mass. 

The Head Minister, noted on the schedule, should arrive 20 min before the start of Mass and is responsible for Set-Up.

Head Eucharistic Minister Set-Up:

1. Obtain the Tabernacle Key from the safe.  Approach the Tabernacle, genuflecting appropriately, checking the amount of consecrated hosts in the Ciborium to help determine the quantity of wafers needed to be supplemented.  Leave the key in the Tabernacle with door closed and unlocked.  Do not remove the Ciborium from the Tabernacle. 

• After referencing the priest calendar on the inside closet door in the sacristy side room, select the appropriate priest Chalice from the safe depending on who is celebrating mass.  Fr. Paulson has his own Chalice in the box on the top shelf in the safe or visiting priest chalice.
• From the upper cabinet in the sacristy side room, select the 4 small and 1 large paten.  (At this time, no additional Chalices or wine decanter is needed, as wine is not being served at the 6pm Mass.)
• From the refrigerator, select the Wine and Holy Water cruets and 2 wafer tins.  Place the appropriate supplemental amount of wafers on the large paten with 1 large wafer on top.  Return tins to refrigerator.  (Additional wafers are in bags in the cabinet under the drawers – place any extra wafers in refrigerated tins.  PLEASE DO NOT leave open bags in the cabinet).
• Select a Purificator (cloth with small cross) from the right drawer and place on top of the Chalice.
• Place a small amount of warm water in the bowl and obtain a terry towel from left drawer.
• The following items are to be brought to the Gifts Table (small table at Church entry), usually by the altar servers:
• Large paten with Hosts
• Wine cruet
• The following items are to be placed on the Credence Table (small table behind the altar):
• Chalice with Purificator on top
• Holy Water cruet
• Bowl with warm water and terry towel
• 4 small patens
• ***Pyx of Gluten Free Hosts (prepared by those who are gluten intolerant)
• Determine number of priests/deacons in attendance and number of EMs needed.  Ensure EMs know their Communion positions, as needed (B2, B3 & B4).
• B1 = Celebrant/Priest
• B2 = stands by the Celebrant (may be another priest or deacon)
• B3 = stands on the Tabernacle side (responsible for Gluten Free Hosts Pyx, if present)
• B4 = stands on the Piano side
• Participate in prayer with the Celebrant, altar servers and Eucharistic Ministers just before the start of Mass.

Eucharist Minister Role During Mass:

• At the beginning of “Lamb of God”, EMs approach, lining up at the base of the steps, near the ambo.  If no deacon is present, the Head EM must approach the Tabernacle, genuflect, open the Tabernacle, retrieve the Ciborium, place it on the altar and rejoin the EMs lined up below the steps.
• Once the priest has consumed both the Precious Body and Precious Blood, EMs bow together and approach the side of the altar to receive Communion.  (If needed, use hand sanitizer before receiving communion).
• The priest will hand patens to EMs who need to step back and follow the priest to pre-determined positions.  The B3 EM is responsible to take the Pyx of Gluten Free Hosts, if present.  (***Try to pay attention to see if the priest uses all the hosts in the Ciborium when he plates them.  If a Minister runs out of hosts, they may refill the plate with any leftovers from the Ciborium.  If none left, break hosts in half accordingly).
• Raise the host slightly and show it to each recipient, saying “The Body of Christ”.  If approached by someone with arms crossed at their chest, you may touch their head or shoulder and say “May God be with You” or “God Loves You”.  Do not make the sign of the cross or offer a blessing – only priest and deacons may give blessings.
• If a host falls to the floor, the EM must pick it up and immediately consume it. 
• At the conclusion of Communion, the EMs return patens to altar for priest to place extra consecrated Hosts into Ciborium and line up again at the base of the steps.
• If no deacon is present and the priest has not already done so, once the extra consecrated Hosts are placed in the Ciborium, the Head EM takes the Ciborium to the Tabernacle and closes the door.
• EMs wait until all are lined up at the base of the steps, bow together and return to their seats.  If crossing the middle aisle, bow your head.

 

Eucharistic Minister Role After Mass:

All EMs should help with Clean-Up, also known as Purification of Vessels, following the end of mass.

• All consecrated Host particles (and any Precious Blood) go down the special drain that goes under the Church.
• Wash and dry all dishes and put them away.
• Place used towels in basket in cabinet under drawer.
• Replace Wine and Holy Water cruets to trivet and place in refrigerator.
• Lock the Tabernacle and return the key to the safe.
• Lock the cabinet doors to the safe and determine if safe should be closed.

 

General Eucharistic Minister Reminders:

1. Please arrange for a substitute if you are not able to serve Mass.

• Please dress in a respectful manner for Mass (no rubber flip-flops, short shorts, or the like)
• Do not remove the Ciborium from the Tabernacle (except during Mass if needed).
• Only priests/deacons may give blessings.

• If a communicant does not know what to do with the consecrated host or attempts to walk away still holding the host in their hands, the EM should say, “You are to place the host in your mouth”. 
• If wine is served, it is offered by saying “The Blood of Christ” and followed up by cleansing the lip of the cup with a Purificator.
• If wine is served and someone attempts to dip the host into the cup, it is not allowed.  Put one hand over the cup and inform the communicant “Intinction is not allowed”.
• If wine is served and there is left over wine in the cups, it needs to be consumed by the EMs near the Credence table.  The deacon may consume the wine if no EM wants to.

Thank you and Bless you All