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LITURGY > EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST

Ministry Description: Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (EMOEs) assist with the distribution of Holy Eucharist during the regularly scheduled Masses.

EMOE Chair: Laura Smith, 268-4277

Table of Contents

EMOE Schedule
Ministry Description
Hand Book (EMOE specifics are highlighted in bold in the text)

Diagrams
 Frequently Asked Questions

Ministry Description

Objective:

To assist the Presider in the distribution of the Eucharist at every regularly scheduled Saturday Evening and Sunday Mass as well as Masses scheduled during the Christmas and Easter season. Care is taken to reflect the diversity of the Parish Community, thus members of this Ministry includes men and women of various ages, social and ethnic backgrounds, married and single.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Recognize that appointment to this Ministry is for the purposes of meeting the needs of the Parish Community in the distribution of the Eucharist at scheduled Parish Masses.
  • Secure the monthly schedule for service at scheduled Parish Masses, from the designated location, in a timely manner. If a schedule conflict does occur, then it is your responsibility to secure a substitute.
  • Arrive in a timely manner, at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the Mass for which one is scheduled to serve.
  • Wear appropriate attire and be properly groomed when serving in the role of Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist; appropriate attire is formal attire or business casual....please note: no blue jeans or shorts at any time!
  • Engage in full participation in the Mass, i.e., joining in the singing, extending a Peace greeting etc..
  • Participate willingly in training and/or scheduled Ministry meetings.

Qualifications:

  • Is a fully practicing Catholic known to be committed to growth in holiness.
  • Possesses a sense of Liturgical Prayer.
  • Is at least sixteen years old and is a fully initiated Catholic (Baptized, Confirmed and receiving Eucharist)
  • Dependable, responsible and accountable.

Relationships:

Responsible to the Parish Coordinator of EMOEs; works in collaboration with all Liturgical Ministers at scheduled Masses, with the Mass coordinator and in particular with the Presider of the Mass at which one is scheduled to serve.

Hours Needed:

Regularly scheduled Saturday Evening and Sunday Masses; Masses during the Christmas and Easter Season; other Liturgical celebrations for which members of the Ministry may be needed

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Handbook

Preparation before the Eucharist

      • Read the EMOE notes that are sent each week by email prior to the Saturday/Sunday liturgies.
      • Arrive 15 minutes before Mass, check off your name and sign for a position in the EMOE binder on the stand outside the Sacristy against the windows.
      • Please fill in the Cup Pour and Cup Assist positions first
      • If you are an EMOE but not scheduled, please check in with the Mass Coordinator if you are available to fill in if needed.
      • Review the EMOE notes in the EMOE binder for additional or special instructions.
      • Double check that the credence table is properly prepared. (See Figure 1)
      • Reserve your seats and please greet people at the doors closest to your EMOE position is located.

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Introductory Rites

Assembly of the Procession

      • All procession participants should gather by the main doors of the church 5 minutes prior to the beginning of Mass. This includes the Presider.
      • Participants line up according to proper procession order. (Incense Bearer if appropriate, Cross Bearer, Candle Bearers, Lectors with Book of Gospels, EMOEs, other people if appropriate, and Presider.) Mass Coordinator can assist with this.
      • Mass Coordinator will light the candles right before the procession starts.
      • Presider proceeds to the altar for the Call to Worship.

Call to Worship by the Presider

      • Mass Coordinator should let the Presider know that mass is ready to begin before he proceeds for the Call to Worship
      • Presider greets the Community and asks visitors to be recognized.
      • If first Sunday of the Month, Presider will ask for birthdays and anniversaries within the month
      • Special recognition given to 25th, 50th and above anniversaries and special event birthdays.
      • Presider invites Community to greet each other by name and moves to the back of church.

Entrance Song/Procession

      • Cantor/Music Group will begin the processional song once the Presider has returned to the back of church and receives a signal from the Mass Coordinator.
      • If incense is used the Incense Bearer leads the procession, and stands at the foot of the altar until the Presider reaches the altar.
      • Cross Bearer leads the procession or follows the Incense Bearer if appropriate, pauses reverently at the foot of the altar and then places the cross in the holder behind the altar, and proceeds to his/her seat.
      • The Candle Bearers proceed to the ambo side of the altar and place the candles in the candle stands by the ambo. Proceed to the back of the altar to their seats.
      • Lectors follow the candles in procession; Lector 1 carries the Book of Gospels with book opening held to their left, proceeds to the foot of the altar. Lector 1 does not bow, but instead pauses reverently at the foot of the altar table, and then proceeds behind the altar and places the Book of Gospels in the stand on altar, with the opening to their left.
      • The other 2 Lectors follow behind the first Lector to the altar table; bow and then all Lectors proceed to seats.  Each needs to leave enough space between them so they do not run into each other.
      • EMOEs follow the Lectors in procession; they bow to the altar table and proceed to their seats within the community. Please keep enough space between pairs of EMOEs so you don’t run into each other.
      • The Presider proceeds to the foot of the altar.
      • Presider kisses altar and proceeds to his seat.
      • After the Presider has arrived at his seat, Cantor/Music Group will finish current verse of song and do one more verse before concluding.  Make sure that at least 2 full verses of the Processional Song are completed before ending.

Greeting by Presider

Penitential Rite or Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling Holy Water

Kyrie – typically used with Penitential Rite Form A (Confiteor).

Gloria – omitted during Advent and Lent, sometimes this may be sung

Opening Prayer

LOW dismissal

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Liturgy of the Word

First Reading

Responsorial Psalm

Second Reading

Gospel Acclamation

Gospel Reading

Homily

Dismissal of Catechumens and Candidates – (5:00pm Mass only during RCIA season)

Special Rites within the weekend liturgies

Profession of Faith

General Intercessions

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Liturgy of the Eucharist

Preparation of the Altar and the Gifts

Prayer over the Gifts

Preface

Holy, Holy, Holy

Eucharistic Prayer

Memorial Acclamation

Amen

Lord’s Prayer

Sign of Peace

      • The Mass Coordinator and EMOEs should proceed to the credence table during the Sign of Peace.
      • The Mass Coordinator should be ready to assist the Altar Servers with getting ready for the distribution of Communion.
      • During the exchange of the sign of peace, Altar Servers exchange the sign of peace with the Presider, each other, and then go to the credence tables to bring the cups, bread plates and purificators to the altar. Please carry the wine cups 2 at a time. You will need to make multiple trips.
      • When all the cups and plates are on the altar, the Altar Servers should go to their position in line for the reception of Communion.
      • After sanitizing their hands, the EMOEs then proceed to the Redmond side of the altar for reception of communion.  Bread EMOEs line up first followed by wine ministers as shown in diagram.
      • Cup/Pour and Cup/Assist positions proceed to the Presider’s right side by the altar.

Breaking of the Bread

      • Presider breaks the loaves of bread in half and distributes the halves into the glass bread glass plates. The plates used for the front stations should have enough bread for 200 people. The plate for the creek side of the church should have the smallest amount of bread. The hosts should be evenly distributed between all trays.
      • The Cup/Pour assists the Presider by pouring Consecrated Wine into the cups as soon as the Presider breaks the bread. When finished pouring Wine into cups, give the flagon back to the Mass Coordinator.
      • Mass Coordinator accepts bread bowl from the Presider and the wine pitcher from Cup/Pour and places the bowl on the bottom shelf and the pitcher on the top shelf of the left credence table.
      • The Mass Coordinator moves the water cruet from the bottom shelf to the top shelf of the left credence table, next to the pitcher.
      • Lamb of God is sung by Music Group/Cantor
      • Presider prays, “This is the Lamb of God…”

Communion

      • Presider receives Communion under both Species.
      • Presider distributes Communion under both Species to the Cup/Pour and Cup/Assist positions. 
      • Presider should give the Chalice to the Cup/Pour position and a cup to the Cup/Assist.
      • Presider distributes Consecrated Bread to the Mass Coordinator, the instrumentalists and Cantor from the music group, then the other EMOEs and Altar Servers. He then proceeds to his station and faces the altar.
      • After receiving Communion, the cup pour follows the Presider to distribute wine to the ministers behind the altar.   The cup assist should help if 4 or more ministers.  If fewer than 4 ministers, the cup assist will proceed to the EMOE line and give wine after they have received Eucharist from the Presider.
      • The cup pour will join the cup assist in giving wine to the EMOEs, but the cup pour will go to the middle of the line and end with the altar servers
      • Remember, please wait until the EMOEs have received the bread before giving them the wine
      • Once an EMOE has received Communion under both species, immediately go to the altar and pick up your plate/cup. If you are a bread EMOE, make sure you pick up the plate closest to your position since the Presider divides the bread according to the number of people in each section
      • If you are a cup minister, please select the cup that is most appropriately filled with amount of wine that fits your section.  Not all cups will have the same amount of wine.
      • All EMOEs and Presider continue to face the altar until the Presider signals to begin distribution
      • Community led by Cantor/Music Group begin Communion procession song
      • Once the Communion distribution begins, the Chalice Bearer will go up to the altar, fold the corporal and  place it on the right credence table,
      • If the Sacramentary is on the altar, the Book Bearer takes it and puts it on the presider's chair.
      • There should be nothing left on the altar. Then proceed to their seats and remain standing.
      • The Community remains standing during the distribution of the Eucharist until the last person has received including the Music Group.
      • Ushers can help with the flow of people for Communion distribution.
      • Ushers inform EMOEs to distribute Communion to disabled    community members.
      • When children come forward to receive, please try to bow down to their level when presenting them with the Eucharist.
      • If you run low on bread or hosts, signal the Mass Coordinator.  If Communion is running low, the Mass Coordinator may ask you to break the host.  Please follow the Mass Coordinator’s instructions.
      • If you run out of wine, inform the Mass Coordinator and the closest wine minister so they can change position to accommodate your line as well as their own.
      • If your position is done, please look to see if you can be of assistance at another station or ask the Mass Coordinator.  If you have extra bread, give it to another bread minister.  ( Please try to use all the bread on your plate)
      • If you drop bread/hosts, immediately stop and pick it up and either consume it or put it aside on your plate.  If wine spills, signal for the Mass Coordinator who will cover the spill with a purificator.
      • If someone is coming for a blessing, not Communion, (arms crossed), please touch their shoulder and say the following: May the Almighty Father bless you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit".
      • Mass Coordinator should look for any EMOE or the Presider who needs additional hosts from the Ciborium during distribution. When providing more hosts, please place them into the bread tray on the side that they are holding the tray.
      • When the Presider has completed distribution, he can give his bread plate to the Mass Coordinator and return to his seat. 
      • When an EMOE has concluded Communion distribution at their station and there is no other station to help, they return their vessel to the credence table or to the Mass Coordinator and return to their seat.
      • The Mass Coordinator will collect any remaining Consecrated Hosts into the ciborium and places it into the tabernacle.
      • The Mass Coordinator will also collect any remaining Consecrated Bread into one tray and cover with a corporal. Once complete, the Mass Coordinator quietly returns to the Sacristy area for the remainder of the Mass.
      • Once everyone has received Communion, Presider will signal Community and the Altar Servers to be seated for Silent Prayer.
      •  Silent prayer is observed for an appropriate period of time.  A meditation song may be sung during this sacred silence.

Prayer After Communion

      • Presider prays this prayer while seated in the chair using the sacramentary.
      • Ushers place Bulletins in the holders on the doors and on the table by the front door.

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Dismissal Rites

Announcements

  • Ushers may take up a second collection during this time.

4 Minute Catechesis - Presider

Greeting- Presider

Blessing – Presider

      • Other special blessings may be appropriate depending on the occasion for a particular Sunday such as Special blessing on 25th, 50th or above anniversaries, special birthdays or special events.

Dismissal- Presider

      • Ushers may take up a second collection during this time.
      • After 2nd collection, put money into appropriate envelope, seal, sign and date and put into the sacristy safe.

Recessional

      • Community led by Cantor/Music Group begins recessional hymn
      • When the Presider goes up to the altar, the Cross Bearer proceeds to the back of the altar, removes the Cross from the stand and proceeds to the foot of the altar to stand directly behind the Presider.
      • Book Bearer and Chalice Bearer follow the Presider to the foot of the altar. Stand on both sides of the Presider.
      • Lectors proceed to the foot of the altar and stand on either side of the altar servers.  Lector 1 should be on the right (when facing the altar) of the altar servers and Lectors 2 and 3 should be on the left of the altar servers.  Do not process out with the Book of Gospels.
      • EMOES go to the altar and stand on either side of the Lectors on the side that they served Communion on.
      • There should be an equal number of ministers on both sides of the Presider. 
      • Recessional begins at the second verse of the hymn.  When the Presider bows, all bow and turn to process out.  Cross Bearer first, then the 3rd Lector, then the outermost EMOEs, followed by the next EMOEs and so on, then Lectors 1 & 2, any additional people (Baptisms, new parishioners, etc.) and then the Book Bearer, Chalice Bearer and Presider.
      • Mass Coordinator takes the missal from the Presider as he exits the church.
      • Ushers select children to stand by the doors and hand out bulletins or hand out themselves.

 

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Duties After Mass

      • All EMOEs are asked to return to the credence tables immediately following Mass so any Consecrated Bread or Wine can be consumed.

        Procedure for Consumption:

        ·         Cleansing and consumption should be done with reverence and in silence

        ·         You do not need to give consecrated wine and bread to each other- you may directly consume the bread and drink from the cup.  You are Eucharist ministers who have already received Communion; you are simply consuming the remaining Communion.  However, if someone other than the Presider or EMOE is helping you consume, you must distribute to them and say Body of Christ/Blood of Christ to them

        ·         Check the bread trays and consume any remaining consecrated bread, including crumbs

        ·         Check the pitcher for residual consecrated wine- add a little water from the cruet and pour contents into a cup.

        ·          Drink any remaining wine from the cups.  Pour a little water from the cruet into the Chalice and glasses and drink.  Then, cleanse with purificator.

      • Remove all empty Eucharistic vessels and linens to the Sacristy for cleansing
      • Take the Water Cruet, the Lavabo bowl and the towel back to the sacristy. Empty the Lavabo bowl into the sink and place the used towel in the laundry bag in the vestment closet.
      • All EMOEs are responsible for cleansing vessels after Mass in preparation for the next Mass and for setting up the credence table for the next Mass or returning the vessels to the cabinets after the 6:00pm mass on Sunday.
      • Chalice is not to be left out after the 5:00, or the 11:30am

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What do I do if I spill the Precious Blood?

A. Do not panic! Try to draw as little attention as possible. If you spill the precious blood on the table use a purificator to soak it up. If the spill is large put as many purificators as necessary to soak it up and go to the credence table to get more purificators. If the spill occurs at the position of distribution then again draw as little attention as possible and cover with the purificator. If necessary return to credence for extra purificators. After you have soaked it all up, then get a new purificator from the credence table and continue distributing the precious blood. After Mass ensure that the area where the spill occurred is more thoroughly cleaned with water and towel.

Q. What do I do if I drop a host or a piece of bread?

A. Stop distributing communion and pick it up. You may either consume it yourself or place it on the side of your bread tray. It should be properly disposed of after Mass ends.

Q. What if a child not old enough to receive comes forward?

A. Offer them a simple blessing by touching either their shoulder or their head. If an adult comes forward with arms crossed over their chest offer them a blessing as well. As a general rule we never refuse communion to anyone of the appropriate age if they come forward to receive.

Q. What should I do if someone reverences the Cup but is not going to receive?

A. Hold the Cup out to them, say the Blood of Christ but try not to offer the cup to them to hold. Some parts of our country encourage this action so if they take the Cup allow them to do so. If you recognize this behavior as common then report it to the EMOE coordinator or pastor.

Q. What if they do not respond “Amen” to the Body or Blood of Christ? Or they say “thanks”?

A. Gently prompt them to say “Amen” by saying “Amen” to them before giving them communion. If they still do not respond, don’t make a big deal of it but after Mass, if you can recognize the person you might speak to them quietly about the proper response.

Q. What do I do if a communicant tries to dip the host in the Precious Blood?

A. Discreetly try to discourage the communicant from doing this by holding back the cup or shaking your head. If that does not work then don’t do or say anything more, but either make it a point to speak to them quietly after Mass that this is not proper or ask the pastor to quietly educate the communicant sometime after the liturgy. A person may never self communicate and this form of intinction is self-communication.

Q. What do I do if a person genuflects before receiving communion, or kneels to receive communion?

A. Allow them to finish their action and distribute communion as per usual. Some parts of our country encourage these actions so it is best to assume they are doing as they regularly do. If however, you see this as regular behavior then report it to the EMOE coordinator or the pastor.

Q. What should I do if I notice something foreign floating in the wine cup?

A. Stop distributing as soon as you notice, place the cup on the proper credence table, alerting the Mass Coordinator. Then after Mass dispose of the wine in the soil outside the Sacristy.

Q. What should I do if a communicant wants to receive on the tongue?

A. It is acceptable to receive communion on your tongue. Try to use a host versus a piece of bread and place your thumb on top as you distribute to them. Hold the host up until they extend their tongue far enough for you to place the host on it.

Q. Is it ok to address a communicant by name?

A. It is absolutely ok to address a communicant by name. You can either say their name prior to or after saying the Body or the Blood of Christ. Don’t make a big deal out of it, don’t say their name extra loud or elongated.

Q. What if someone brings a pyx with them to my station?

A. After distributing communion to them, then simply place the host into the pics. If they do not have a pics to hold the host, then ask them to return to the tabernacle after Mass and you can help them with their request in the proper manner.

Q. Should the Cup/Pour position assume that the Presider will fill the Chalice?

A. Yes, assume that the Presider has poured enough consecrated wine into the Chalice and all you have to do is fill the remaining cups.

Q. If I run out of wine should I try to get wine from another wine station?

A. No, if you run out of wine at your station, simply tell the communicant that there is none left and reverently return the empty cup to the proper credence table.

Q. What if a communicant only uses one hand to receive the bread?

A. Gently explain suggest that they use both hands, but do not make a big deal out of it. After Mass, perhaps you can explain to them the proper way to receive.

Q. Is there anything I should do while I am waiting for Mass to begin if all of my pre-mass work is done?

A. Yes, while you are assembling at the doors of the church for the procession please greet people coming into church – make this a welcoming experience for them and meet new parishioners at the same time.

Q. Is there anything I should do if I am attending mass but not scheduled as an EMOE?

A Yes, please sign your name in the ministries binder as a potential substitute if needed. This would be a great help to the Mass Coordinator.

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