Eucharistic Ministers
Extraordinary ministers are commissioned to assist in the distribution of the Holy Eucharist during Mass and also to the homebound and the sick.
Training is provided for any interested parishioner.
Contact Sr. Mary Anne Bookman at (585) 247-2566, extension 103 or Elizabeth Johnston at (585)247-2566.
Access the Eucharistic Ministers Schedule
Ministry Scheduler Pro
Eucharistic Ministers Procedures
- It is a great help if you arrive 10 minutes before Mass on your assigned time and day. Take a chain from the rack at the main entrance of the church, and sign the station at which you will serve.
- If you are not assigned to serve, it will be helpful if you check to see if you are needed, because someone may be away or late that day. Take a chain and sign in.
- Sit anywhere you choose within the congregation. Your most important function is to pray – to be a full member of the assembly, modeling what full, active, participation should look like, for all the assembly.
- At the greeting of Peace, offer a handshake or kiss (if appropriate) to one or two other worshippers near you. Recall the meaning and purpose of this gesture as a preparation for Holy Communion. Then, immediately, walk with reverence to your place for receiving, prior to distribution. If a minister of the Blood of Christ, take a purificator as you stand to receive. Please click on the MAP for reference of your Distribution Station.
- Be singing the Lamb of God with the congregation as a good member of the assembly at prayer Receive the Sacred Host on your open palm, one hand resting on the other. Be sure to respond with a faithful “Amen.” Receive the Blood of Christ when it is offered to you, if you choose, in faith. (Recall why the church encourages all to receive from the cup.)
- When all have received the ciborium or the cup for distribution, proceed to your place reverently. Remember whom it is you carry! While distributing, keep your eyes on Christ and on the person receiving. Try to make a brief eye contact with the recipient before you give the host or cup. (This should not be prolonged!)
- Reverently announce: “The Body of Christ!” or “The Blood of Christ!” to the recipient. Do it with love and faith, in your heart, face, and voice.
- When you have finished distributing in your place, look to see if any other place still has lines to the rear of the church. If so, move to assist them. If shorter lines, do not move to assist them.
- Return the ciborium to the altar (not the tabernacle), where the priest or deacon will consolidate the left-over sacred hosts. Place chain on the gook at the credence table. Return to your seat as soon as you will not interfere with any communion line still coming forward. A priest or deacon, in most instances, will take the hosts to the tabernacle. Altar servers will remove all vessels from the altar to the credence table.
- Return cups to the credence table behind the altar platform. Please be sure that the Blood of Christ is consumed from each cup. If possible, consume what is left in your cup, or ask another minister to help you do so. Place chain on the hook at the credence table. Return to your seat as soon as you will not interfere with a Communion line still coming forward.
- It is not necessary to leave the assembly and go into the sacristy during our worship.
- After Mass, it is very helpful if two Eucharistic Ministers remain to assist the sacristans in purifying the vessels, and preparing them for the next Mass or for storage. We have been assigning Ministers of the Body of Christ #2, 4, and 6 for this ministry.
- Lastly, please dress appropriately for this ministry, keeping in mind the sacredness of being a Minister of the Holy Eucharist.