Communion Ministers
If you have forgotten to remove and leave your cross in the basket after Mass, please return it to the church as soon as possible.
Theology
In celebrating the Holy Eucharist, Christians follow Christ's invitation: "'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then he took a cup . . . 'Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins'" (Mt. 26:26-28). They also follow his command: "Do this in memory of me" (Lk 22:19). In the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, Christians enter into communion with the Body and Blood of Christ, the Real Presence of the Lord Jesus (cf. 1 Cor. 10:16). In the Holy Mass, by means of the Body and Blood of Christ, Christians proclaim the Lord who died and who rose to life again. This is the mystery of faith. Catholics believe that Christ is truly and really present in the Blessed Sacrament, under the appearances of bread and wine.
The various ministers of Holy Communion perform a service to the Church by distributing that greatest Sacrament, the Holy Eucharist. It is important for all ministers to recall that they are ministers of the Church, administering a treasure of the Church. With this in mind, ministers should conduct themselves reverently and follow the rites established by the Church.
Introduction
The ordinary manner by which the faithful partake of Holy Communion is from the hands of an ordained minister (bishop, priest, or deacon). The clergy are designated as "Ordinary ministers". 'Ordinary' carries a precise meaning. It does not refer to some of the more common definitions of 'ordinary': of no special quality, commonplace, undistinguished, somewhat inferior, customary, or usual. Rather, it refers to proper jurisdiction or authority. As ordinary ministers, the clergy most properly distribute Holy Communion because it is within their authority and jurisdiction to do so. This is contrasted with the delegation function given to certain members of the lay faithful Thus, those who are delegated to assist the clergy in distribution of Holy Communion are designated as "Extraordinary ministers" (sometimes they are also called "Special Ministers"). Likewise, this carries a precise meaning. It refers to the temporary and supplementary nature by which the laity assist the ordinary ministers.
Extraordinary ministers assist in the distribution of Holy Communion: (a) when there is an insufficient number of ordinary ministers; or, (b) when the ordinary ministers are impeded from their function (e.g., due to illness or physical problems); or, (c) when there are particularly large numbers of the faithful which would excessively prolong the distribution of Holy Communion. Qualified candidates for this extraordinary service are nominated by the pastor and appointed by the Archbishop to serve only in their own parishes for a period of three years. Once appointed, extraordinary ministers must be trained and may serve after being commissioned in a special ceremony at Mass.
Extraordinary ministers have been entrusted with an important task and so must be exemplary models of Christian living in faith and conduct. At Baptism, Christians enter a life that demands holiness. How much more is this the case for those who draw most near the Blessed Sacrament?
