Saint John The Evangelist

Catholic Community

5655 Stadium Parkway
Viera, FL  32940

 

Phone: (321)637-9650 Fax: (321)637-9651

email: office@StJohnViera.Org
Member of the Orlando Diocese

 

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTER OF HOLY COMMUNION GUIDELINES

 

1. EMHC’S should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to Mass and check in with the sacristan. If you arrive late, you may need to be replaced. If replaced, you will not serve that Mass. The sacristan/co-sacristan or cup minister will go over your assignment.

 

2. If you are unable to serve at the mass scheduled, make arrangements for a substitute or notify the sacristan assigned to that mass so that he/she will be able to find a replacement for you.

 

3. As extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, we have been given the privilege to distribute the Precious Body & Blood to the members of our church. Therefore, we should dress appropriately for this ministry. Men should wear dress shirt and tie or jacket and dress shirt with nice slacks. Women should wear a dress, pants or skirt with a top that has sleeves. Please no shorts, short skirts, spaghetti strap dresses, low cut tops or bare midriff clothing and no jeans, t-shirts, flip flops, sneaker or tennis shoes. Also, no excessive or showy jewelry, please.

 

4. After the Sign of Peace, EMHCs will come forward on the Altar, using the handrail on either side of the altar, and stand behind the altar facing the congregation in front of the chairs. Ministers’ serving positions the farthest away from the Altar (in the rear of the Church) will line up first, right to left, on Blessed Mother’s side of the Altar. Then the ministers serving front of the Church line up on St. Joseph’s side of the Altar. The sacristan will receive Precious Body & Blood from Father. Father will then distribute the Precious Body to the EMHCs followed by the sacristan and co-sacristan/or assigned cup minister with the Precious Blood. Ministers serving the front of the Church should use the stairs near the Tabernacle; those serving the rear of the Church should use the steps on Mary’s side. EMHC’s should not walk down the center aisle walking to their assigned positions. Please use only the side aisles.

 

5. The line up for the EHMC’s should be lead sacristan, both choir ministers, co-sacristan/cup minister, EMHC’s serving the rear of the church and then the EMHC’s serving the front of the church.

 

6. After partaking of the Precious Body & Blood, each minister will pick up the assigned Cup or Ciborium from the altar and move to their designated station and face the altar until Father comes down from the altar.

 

a. Say only “The Body of Christ” or “The Blood of Christ”. Nothing more must be added to these phrases such as the person’s name. Remember, handicapped parishioners sitting in the handicapped areas handicapped are to receive Holy Communion first and then go to your assigned position.

b. Please wipe & turn the cup after each presentation. Ensure a different part of the Purificator is used after each wipe. Please make sure that the purificator is open fully and use all areas when wiping the cup.

 

7. When an adult or child approaches you with their arms crossed over their chest for a blessing, the EMHC should touch them on the head or shoulder, SMILE, and say “God Bless You”.

 

8. When finished EMHCs will return the Cup with purificator and the ciborium to the credence table. A sacristan will combine the remaining hosts into the gold ciborium(s) and either Father or the sacristan will place the ciborium in the Tabernacle and close the door. If you have Precious Blood remaining in your cup, with you back to the congregation, consume the remaining Precious Blood. If there is a lot, ask another EMHC or the sacristan to help you consume.

 

 

9. A consecrated Host that is dropped on the altar or credence table cloth, may be picked up and placed back into the ciborium, the Host doesn’t have to be consumed. However, if a consecrated Host is dropped on the floor you are to pick up the Host and place it in the palm of your hand. When you go back to the altar you may do one of two things;

 

A. Consume the Host yourself

 

B. Give the consecrated Host to the sacristan or Priest and tell her/him that it has been dropped. The sacristan will either consume the host or take it to the Sacristy and dissolve in a small bowl of water. Once the Host is completely dissolved the sacristan will take it outside and pour into the ground.