Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
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Coordinator: Mary Kathryn DeLodder, (502) 526-1988, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC), sometimes referred to as Communion Ministers, assist the priests and deacons in distributing Holy Communion to those who gather for Mass. These ministers are also responsible for washing the Communion vessels after Mass and consuming excess consecrated hosts. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are assigned to serve at Mass on a rotating basis. Any confirmed member of the parish who completes the required training is welcome to participate in this ministry.
Below is a description of the process to become an EMHC at St. Aloysius.Because this ministry is so special and so central to the Mass, the Church requires specialized training for EMHCs. We are very fortunate that the Archdiocese of Louisville provides excellent classes for this purpose. These training sessions give you the necessary background information and enrich the experience of being a Communion Minister. They cover more than just the "mechanics" of our ministry. The sessions are held every few months around the Archdiocese. This is a two-part training, and there is no cost to attend. You must attend both sessions.
**If you have gone through one of these trainings in the past, please let the EMHC coordinator know. If it has been 5 years or more, you may be able to attend an update session rather than the entire class series.
2) Attend an info meeting for ministers at St. Aloysius.
This meeting will be scheduled after the Archdiocesan trainings based on your availability. Here we will cover the specifics of our parish, our procedure, etc. This is where you will learn things like where to stand, what to do, and more. You will also receive a manual to assist you.
3) Receive your mandate and be commissioned.
One of the final steps to becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is that you receive a mandate from the Archbishop and are commissioned to serve. The mandate is formal permission from the Archbishop to serve in this capacity. Commissioning is a short process and blessing that will take place during a Mass.
Once all the previous steps have been completed, you will be ready to participate in this special ministry. You will be able to start serving as a substitute for other ministers, and you will be scheduled when the next regular ministry schedule starts. (Schedules are produced on a quarterly basis).
Frequently Asked Questions
-How old do you have to be to be/what are the requirements to be an EMHC?
One must be confirmed to serve as an EMHC.
-Can I chose the Mass at which I will be scheduled to serve?
Yes, you will tell us your preferred Mass time.
-What if I will be out of town?
You can let us know in advance dates you will be unable to serve.
-My spouse and I both serve, but one of us needs to stay with the kids.
We can schedule you and your spouse to not serve together so that one of you is always free. We can also schedule you to always serve together if you prefer.
It truly is a special ministry to be able to participate in Mass in a way that allows you to physically administer the Body and Blood of Christ to your parish family. To get involved, please contact Mary Kathryn DeLodder.
