Eucharistic Ministers

Eucharistic Ministers serve the whole community by making it possible for the communion rite to take place in a length of time that is not out of proportion to the whole liturgy.

Reverence in touch is especially important for ministers of communion since their whole work is to take in hand the vessels of bread and wine and share them with everyone. A true reverence for what they carry is to be seen and felt by all; a strong sense of joy and delight in the sharing of the Lord's body and blood.

Those who take on this ministry must, above all else, be individuals who know how to be truly present to others in the moment they have. They are not dispensing machines, but brothers and sisters in this very body and blood they are sharing. They not only speak their own faith in saying "The body/blood of Christ", but they call forth the faith of the communicant.

Requirements:

Be a practicing Catholic (faithful attendance at weekend and holy day liturgies)
Be a fully initiated Catholic (having received Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation; and if married, the Sacrament of Matrimony in the Catholic Church)
Commit to initial training (Usually 2 Sessions)
Commit to team meetings
Commit to at least one annual enrichment. You may choose from:
- St. Bede's Liturgy Workshop
- Archdiocesan Liturgy Conference or Workshop or Pathways
- Religious Education Congress

For more information, contact the EM Coordinatore, Virginia Newburn at v_newburn@yahoo.com

Explanation of Roles at Mass:

Mass Team Captain

Ensures that all Eucharistic Ministers are present for their assigned mass time; Informs the Sacristan if there are any known shortages; At the end of the Our Father the captain enters the Sanctuary. As the Presider says, "let us offer each other the sign of peace" assists the Lead with the distribution of the Eucharist into the vessels; Silently directs any EM's if necessary.

Lead

At the end of the Our Father the lead enters the Sanctuary. As the Presider says, "let us offer each other the sign of peace" the lead approaches altar and assists the Mass Team captain with the distribution of the Precious Blood into the cups.

Purifiers

The two purifiers assigned to each mass take the vessels from the chapel altar to the sacristy to be cleaned immediately following the recessional.

Stations for Eucharistic Ministers:

Eucharistic Ministers enter the Sanctuary as the Presider is finishing the Sign of Peace. Following the Lamb of God the Eucharistic Ministers take cup or ciborium to the position designated on the vessel:

1: Serve at far east side

2: Serve at east side of the center aisle (usually the presider or deacon's station)

3: Serve at west side of the center aisle

4: Serve at far west side near exterior door

5: Serve chapel center aisle

6: Serve the choir loft or choir in sanctuary (When Children's Choir is present the cup is eliminated and add an additional ciborium for the choir loft.)

Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick

Parishioners involved with this ministry bring communion to the sick and confined. For informaton regarding involvement or to add someone to the list of those needing communion, Contact Mike Smith 818-952-1459

Ministry to the Sick and/or Homebound

This ministry provides more specific needs than Eucharistic Ministers above. They assists, visit and minister to those who are ill or confined at home or in a nursing home.

Contact: Suzanne Person, 818-249-1207, or homebound@bede.org.