Ministers of Holy Communion are trained in the parish and mandated by the Diocese of Joliet to assist in the distribution of the Precious Body and Blood of Our Lord, Jesus, at all Masses. These ministers graciously welcome the assembly to full Communion with our Lord and with one another. Periodic Liturgical Season training and ongoing formation are provided. Orientation and training meetings are required for this ministry.

Guidelines for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs)

(Procedures Before, During, and After Mass)

Reverence and Attire

An EMHC’s demeanor at Mass should be showing reverence for the Eucharist.

• A neat and reverential appearance is in keeping with the EMHCs role in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist.  The minister’s attire should be appropriate and should not detract from that role; therefore, we ask no denim or tennis shoes when ministering.

Before Mass

EMHC’s are asked to arrive at least 20 minutes before the scheduled Mass to check in. If you arrive late (10 minutes before Mass) and another minister has signed in for you, please refrain from ministering on that day. All ministers are asked to gather in the sacristy 5 minutes before the Mass to join in the prayer before Mass. Please do not gather in the sacristy prior to that time.

Procedures for Distribution

• EMHCs should go to the sacristy to wash their hands with soap and water at the beginning of the Lord’s Prayer and then assemble in front of the Baptismal Font. At present we are still wearing masks when we distribute Communion. At the beginning of “The Lamb of God,” the EMHCs approach the altar and assemble at the base of the steps of the sanctuary nearest the tabernacle.
• When a deacon is not present, the Mass Captain will go to the tabernacle to bring the ciborium to the altar.
• Once all EMHCs have received communion, the MC or altar server will approach to sanitize your hands before receiving a ciborium. Wait for Father and proceed reverently to their Communion stations.
• Do not step forward to receive the ciborium, stay where you are and let Father come to you.
• The Bread Minister that stands next to the priest should stand directly in front of the people approaching.
• In a clear voice, while looking at the communicant’s eyes, with a smile, please say, “The Body of Christ.”
• When a child, a Christian from another denomination, or a Catholic indisposed to receive is in your line for a blessing (with their hands crossed on their chest) say, “God Bless You.” the clergy are asked to give a sign of the cross on their forehead, also saying the same formula.
• If a communicant approaches with a pyx, direct them to see the Mass Captain after Mass. Please be polite, but firm. All who wish to take Holy Communion to a homebound person, must be registered with the Ministry of Care. We must keep a record of all who take Communion to the homebound.
• An EMHC, returning from distributing communion at St. Anne’s Room/Choir/Balcony is to position him or herself in section 4 to help the Deacon or EMHC. Stand in front of the third seat from the aisle. Either EMHC, but not both, from a position near the Tabernacle when finished distributing at their station, may move to a position in front of section 3 (middle section) to help the priest if needed. Stand in front of the 4th chair from the aisle. If that position is already filled or is not needed, proceed to the altar, and place your ciborium on the altar but do not leave the Body of Christ unattended.  This applies to each EMHC when they have finished distribution of the Eucharist. Leave only when a Priest or deacon returns to the altar.
• When walking to and from the altar with the Precious Body, cover the ciborium with your hand.
• Once all EMHCs have completed distribution of the Holy Communion, they should return their vessels to the Altar where any remaining hosts will be placed by the priest into one/two ciboria.
• If there is no deacon present, the Mass Captain will return the consecrated hosts to the tabernacle.
• Feel free to sanitize or wash your hands after you complete your ministry.

Accidents during Distribution

If a host falls on the ground during distribution, the EMHC should pick it up and consume it. Never put it back in the vessel. If it has fallen out of a communicant’s mouth or hand, after distribution is over, you can take it to the Sacristy, inform the Mass Captain to place it in a cup of warm water to dissolve, and put it aside in a dignified space.

Extreme Welcoming

On Christmas, Palm Sunday, Easter and Mother’s Day, you are asked to arrive one (1) hour before Mass. We want EMHCs to join all the liturgical ministers to be part of our extreme welcoming before and after Mass.