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Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Guidelines
These
guidelines may seem quite specific to you. Some might even think
they are too nit picky. However, they are based on the "General
Instruction from the Roman Missal" that is established and
published by the Holy See. The General Instructions apply to
the Universal Church and should be observed.
All
Ministers should sign in on the Ministers' schedule sheet in
the sacristy before Mass.
Ministers
come forward during the Sign of Peace. Stand on the carpet at
the
foot of the steps on the right side of the altar.
Each
Minister will receive Communion from Father in the existing fashion.
Ministers of the cup will step forward to receive and then distribute
the cup to the other ministers. When each Minister has received
both host and cup, Father -ill give the remaining ministers one
of the vessels for distribution.
Ministers
are not to take their bowl or cup from the altar. It must be
given to them
by Father.
Ministers
are to wait until all other Ministers have received their vessels
before moving to their places for the distribution of Communion.
Ministers
should place themselves according to the chart in the sacristy
for distribution.
Following
Communion, all remaining bowls should be returned to the altar.
Come in close to the center and set the bowl down. Do not stretch
to reach the altar. Father will combine the hosts into one bowl.
One of the ministers will return the empty bowls to the credence
table.
Ministers
of the cup should bring any remaining Precious Blood to the altar
and consume it on the side of the altar, not behind, not while
walking or in any other general vicinity of the altar. If, at
the end of Communion, you find there is too much Precious Blood
for you to consume at the altar, take the cup directly to the
credence table, cover it and then consume it after Mass in the
sacristy with the help of another minister. Do not stuff the
purificator inside the chalice. (Note: If you find consistently
that there is too much remaining Precious Blood, please bring
it to Father's attention.)
At
the end of Communion, Father will purify the vessels at the Credence
table.
Make
sure all vessels are brought to the sacristy after Mass.
All
cups and bowls should be cleaned after Mass. Please follow this
process. Do not submerge any chalices in water. Do not wipe out
the chalice/cups before adding water to them. Always add water
first. Swish gently and pour the water from the bowl with the
particles of host into the chalice and then drink. To clean,
add a little detergent and water to the bowl and the chalice/cups.
Dry thoroughly. Make sure chalices are not streaked. (Often when
a chalice is dried, it is still damp and will cause streaking
as it dries. Use dry towels to make sure the chalice are clean
and look clean for the next Mass.)
Do
not put any other vessels inside other metal bowls to avoid scratches
or damage.
Do
not purify Father's chalice or remove the purificator from it.
Leave it intact on the counter.
5:30
and 8:00 11:00 Masses only: Do not put the cups and bowls
away following Mass. Leave all cups and bowls on the counter
for the next Liturgy. Following 6:00 PM Mass, everything should
be put away in the safe or closet.
Intinction
(dipping the host into the precious blood in the chalice to consume)
is not
permitted. If someone attempts to intinct, simply put your hand
over the cup and tell them that Intinction is not allowed.
If
someone comes to Communion with something in their hands (rosaries,
keys, Kleenex, etc.) or has gloves on, you may not give them
Communion in the hand. They should receive on the tongue.
(Revised
08/07)
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