Eucharistic Ministers. Procedures for Mass. Cathedral of the Annunciation

Eucharistic Ministers Procedures for Mass Cathedral of the Annunciation 1

CATHEDRAL OF THE ANNUNCIATION EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS PROCEDURES CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION.4 II. SCHEDULING..5 a) How are ministers scheduled? b) When will I receive my schedule? c) What if I know of my availability before the schedule is printed? d) What if I can t make a scheduled Mass? III. FACILITATORS 5 a) What is a Facilitator? b) Are all Eucharistic Ministers Facilitators? c) What is my relationship to the Facilitator? IV. DRESS AND DEMEANOR.6 a) Is there a dress code for Eucharistic Ministers? b) What should my demeanor be during the liturgy? V. DUTIES BEFORE MASS 6 a) When should I arrive? b) Should I let anyone know I ve arrived? c) Should I sign in if I m not scheduled? VI. DUTIES DURING MASS: PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION..7 a) When do I go up to the altar? b) If I see a shortage of Eucharistic Ministers, should I go up to the altar? c) Should I bow or genuflect? d) What do I do first? e) Where do I stand at the altar? f) Who will get the cups and pour the eucharistic wine? g) Who will get the plates for the eucharistic bread? h) When do I receive Communion? i) What do I do once I ve received Communion in both forms? Rev. 12/2012 2

VII. DUTIES DURING MASS: DISTRIBUTING THE EUCHARISTIC BREAD..8 a) Where do I go to distribute the eucharistic bread? b) How do I distribute the eucharistic bread? c) Should I say Amen if the recipient does not? d) What if the recipient extends both hand and tongue? e) What if the recipient extends neither hand nor tongue? f) What if the recipient has his/her arms crossed across his/her chest? g) What if the recipient does not consume the eucharistic bread? h) What if I drop a host? i) What if I run out of hosts? j) What do I do when everyone in my line has received? VIII. DUTIES DURING MASS: DISTRIBUTING THE EUCHARISTIC WINE.. 9 a) Where do I go to distribute the eucharistic wine? b) How do I distribute the eucharistic wine? c) Should I say Amen if the recipient does not? d) What if the recipient has his/her arms crossed across his/her chest? e) What if the recipient keeps drinking? f) What if I spill some eucharistic wine? g) What if I run out of eucharistic wine? h) What do I do when everyone in my line has received? IX. DUTIES DURING MASS: FOLLOWING DISTRIBUTION... 10 a) What do I do with leftover eucharistic bread? b) What do I do with leftover eucharistic wine? c) Should I clean and purify my vessel now? d) Should all Eucharistic Ministers return to their pew together? e) Should I bow or genuflect at this time? X. DUTIES AFTER MASS.11 XI. GLOSSARY.12 XII. MASS DIAGRAMS.13-16 3

I. INTRODUCTION Every liturgical celebration, because it is an action of Christ the Priest and of his Body which is the Church, is a sacred action surpassing all others; no other action of the Church can equal its effectiveness by the same title and to the same degree. (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy #7) The community aspect of the Sunday celebration should be particularly stressed... Among the many activities of a parish, none is as vital or as community-forming as the Sunday celebration of the Lord s Day and his eucharist. (Pope John Paul II, On Keeping The Lord s Day #35) Ministers shall always show the greatest reverence for the eucharistic species by their demeanor and in the manner in which they handle the consecrated bread or wine. (This Holy and Living Sacrifice #34) These quotes from Church documents are just a sample of the bounty of words which have been written on the liturgy of the Church, and specifically, the importance of our celebration of the Eucharist. The documents use language such as vital and community-forming, calling our Sunday gathering an activity which surpasses all others, and which demands the greatest reverence. Recognizing this reality, we at the Cathedral, therefore, place tremendous importance and weight on our eucharistic liturgies. Thus, one of the most crucial ministries is that of Eucharistic Minister. Eucharistic Ministers serve the Church by helping to distribute the Body and Blood of Christ, but that s only part of it. They are also a vital link to the community which assembles for liturgical celebrations. They are representatives and models of our Church and our faith. They are indeed the face of Christ s Church. So, the Eucharistic Minister is not just a vending machine, but an embodiment of Christ s hospitality and love for all members of his body. The procedures written here are all technical, the how to aspect of the ministry. For more spiritual and liturgical formation, Cathedral Eucharistic Ministers are strongly encouraged to attend adult faith formation offerings by the parish and the Diocese throughout the year. Nevertheless, the hope is that all Cathedral Eucharistic Ministers will be so well-prepared in these technical aspects that they will be better able to concentrate solely on the human connections that this ministry affords and demands. Communion time will continue to grow, therefore, as community time, both as a parish and as the Body of Christ. 4

II. SCHEDULING a) How are ministers scheduled? Schedules for all liturgical ministries are done through an on-line ministry scheduler. Each Eucharistic Minister is given a log-in name and a password. b) When will I receive my schedule? Schedules are e-mailed some three months ahead. If you do not have internet access, they are mailed by post. When you receive your schedule, immediately write your scheduled dates on your calendar. The week before you are scheduled, an e-mail reminder is sent out. If you have a change in e-mail address, postal address and/or phone number, please notify the coordinator. b) What if I know of my availability before the schedule is printed? If you have weekend conflicts or preferences before a schedule is sent, you can log on to the ministry scheduler and notify us when you will not be available and when you will. You can call the parish office for help if needed. c) What if I can t make a scheduled Mass? Occasionally, conflicts come up which prohibit your making a scheduled Mass. If you are unable to keep your schedule, it is your responsibility to find a substitute or trade with someone. Log on to the ministry scheduler and ask for a substitute or contact another minister to fill in for you. Remember, you are a valued and vital part of our eucharistic celebration. Strong participation leads to strong liturgy and strong community! Don t let us down! III. FACILITATORS a) What is a Facilitator? The Facilitator is a Eucharistic Minister who has specific duties before, during, and after the liturgy. These duties include preparing the credence and gifts tables, bringing the tray of cups and plates to the altar at Communion, pouring the eucharistic wine into the cups, putting the eucharistic bread into the tabernacle at the end of Communion, and cleaning the vessels after Mass. b) Are all Eucharistic ministers Facilitators? No. We currently have several Facilitators who are scheduled in rotation. Facilitators are specially trained and have occasional meetings as a leadership group. If you are interested in becoming a Facilitator, please contact the liturgy coordinator of the parish at 463-1305. 5

c) Are Facilitators there to help? Yes! Get to know the Facilitators at your Mass. Introduce yourself to them if you haven t already. Ask them questions, or offer suggestions. And remember, they will be there with you as a fellow Eucharistic Minister during the liturgy. IV. DRESS AND DEMEANOR a) Is there a dress code for Eucharistic Ministers? Yes! Remember how we read of the liturgy being a sacred action which surpasses all others? Eucharistic Ministers must model that for the community. Always dress your Sunday best. Inappropriate attire includes: Jeans, shorts, mini skirts, tank tops, bare midriffs, t-shirts, tennis shoes, and flip-flops. b) What should my demeanor be during the liturgy? Carry yourself with dignity, with a sense of the importance and sanctity of the eucharistic celebration, and with-- as we read in the Introduction-- the greatest reverence for the eucharistic species. As a Eucharistic Minister you serve the community: accept that role with humility and compassion. Smile! Always take your time there is no rush! Relax. And if something goes wrong, don t worry! We are human after all, and God understands! V. DUTIES BEFORE MASS a) When should I arrive? Plan to arrive at church no later than 10-15 minutes before the start of Mass. This enables the Presider, the Facilitator, and the Sacristan to begin the liturgy with confidence, knowing that all scheduled ministers are present. b) Should I let anyone know I ve arrived? Yes! This is not done verbally, but in writing. Please sign in next to your name on the sign-in sheet or next to the name of the person for whom you are substituting. The sign-in sheet is located on the gifts table behind the last pew, to the right when you first enter the front of the church. c) Should I sign in if I m not scheduled? Yes! If you are not scheduled, but are willing and able to serve as a Eucharistic Minister in case someone is missing, please jot your name down in the margin of the sign-in sheet. This will alert the Facilitator that you are there as a safety net! 6

VI. DUTIES DURING MASS: PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION a) When do I go up to the altar? Go up to the altar during the Sign of Peace. While we don t want you to rush, please don t hesitate either. Simply exchange peace with one or two of the people around you, then proceed to the altar. All Eucharistic Ministers should be in their place behind the altar by the time the Presider breaks the bread (coinciding with the singing of the Lamb of God). b) If I see a shortage of Ministers, should I go up to the altar? Yes! Our hope is that all scheduled ministers will either be present, or will have found a substitute. But in the event that someone is missing, please fill in their place. The number of ministers at each Mass (including the Facilitator and the priest) is as follows: Sat. 5:30 p.m. (8); Sun. 7:00 a.m. (5); Sun. 9:00 a.m. (11 if choir, 9 otherwise); and Sun. 11:00 a.m. (12). c) Should I bow or genuflect? You do not need to bow to the altar or genuflect to the tabernacle at this part of the liturgy (the assumption is that you already will have done so when you first arrived to church). d) What do I do first? After you leave your pew, immediately proceed to the credence table (facing the altar, it s to the right, by the statue of St. Joseph), and wash your hands with hand sanitizer. Then take your place by the altar. e) Where do I stand at the altar? Stand in a line behind the altar, facing the community (see diagrams for each Mass at the back of this booklet). At Masses where there are a large number of Eucharistic Ministers, form a semi-circle around the altar. The ministers closest to the Presider s chair will distribute the eucharistic bread. All the others will distribute the eucharistic wine. f) Who will get the cups and pour the eucharistic wine? The Facilitator will do this, unless a deacon is present. g) Who will get the plates for the eucharistic bread? The Facilitator will ask another Eucharistic Minister to bring the plates to the altar. If it s you, simply place the plates on the altar to the priest s left. 7

h) When do I receive Communion? The priest will give Communion to the Facilitator first, in both forms. The priest will then distribute the eucharistic bread to you. Then, either the Facilitator or priest will offer you the eucharistic wine. Remember to reverence the eucharistic species with a slight bow of your head and waist before receiving the Eucharistic bread and before receiving the Eucharistic wine. i) What do I do once I ve received Communion in both forms? Once you have received Communion, the priest, deacon or Facilitator will give you either a cup and purificator, or a plate with hosts depending upon where you are standing. Once all are ready, proceed to an open station in the main body of the church. VII. DUTIES DURING MASS: DISTRIBUTING THE EUCHARISTIC BREAD a) Where do I go to distribute the eucharistic bread? At the 7:00 a.m. Mass, there are three stations for distribution of the eucharistic bread (including the priest). At the 5:30 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. Masses there are four stations for distribution of the eucharistic bread (including the priest). At the 11:00 a.m. Mass, there are five stations for distribution of the eucharistic bread (including the priest). PLEASE SEE DIAGRAMS FOR EACH MASS AT THE BACK OF THIS BOOKLET. b) How do I distribute the eucharistic bread? Hold the host up in front of the recipient. Make eye contact. Say, The Body of Christ. The recipient says, Amen, and extends either an open palm or the tongue. Place the host on the palm or tongue. c) Should I say Amen if the recipient does not? No. Simply give them the host and move on. d) What if the recipient extends both hand and tongue? Place the host in the palm of their hand. e) What if the recipient extends neither hand nor tongue? Gently lift his/her hand and then place the host in it. f) What if the recipient has arms crossed across his/her chest? This is a sign that they have not yet received First Communion, but they would like a blessing. Extend a blessing as you feel comfortable, perhaps touching the person s head, making the sign of the cross on his/her forehead, even saying, God bless you. 8

g) What if the recipient does not consume the eucharistic bread? Bottom line: DON T MAKE A SCENE! Nevertheless, it is not appropriate for someone to take the host back to their pew. If you witness this, quietly ask the person to consume the host. If there is resistance, inform the priest immediately after Mass. h) What if I drop a host? If you drop a host, pick it up gracefully and put it aside on your plate. DO NOT GIVE IT TO THE NEXT PERSON! Once you have returned to the credence table, consume it yourself. i) What if I run out of hosts? The priest s distribution of hosts during the Lamb of God is not an exact science! While there may be plenty of hosts available, you may run out at your station. If this happens, FIRST: tell the next person in line you ll be right back. Try going to one of the other ministers of the eucharistic bread (including the priest). If they have enough to spare, transfer some on to your plate. As a last resort, you may got to the tabernacle, and take some hosts which have been reserved from a previous Mass. Always close the tabernacle door when you are finished! j) What do I do when everyone in my line has received? When your line is finished ALWAYS visit any remaining stations to either replenish their plate with your remaining hosts, or take his/her place as distributor. You may also stand next to the priest if no one is already and help distribute side-by-side. NEVER return a plate of hosts to the credence table until you are sure your hosts are not needed. VIII. DUTIES DURING MASS: DISTRIBUTING THE EUCHARISTIC WINE a) Where do I go to distribute the eucharistic wine? At the 7:00 a.m. Mass, there are two stations for distribution of the eucharistic wine. At the 5:30 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. Masses, there are four stations for distribution of the eucharistic wine. At the11:00 a.m. Mass, there are six stations for distribution of the eucharistic wine. PLEASE SEE DIAGRAMS FOR EACH MASS AT THE BACK OF THIS BOOKLET. b) How do I distribute the eucharistic wine? Hold up the cup in front of the recipient. Make eye contact. Say, The Blood of Christ. The recipient says, Amen, takes the cup and drinks from it. Then wipe the cup with the purificator (both inside and outside the rim), AND turn the cup approximately ¼ turn. c) Should I say Amen if the recipient does not? No. Simply give them the cup and move on. 9

d) What if the recipient has arms crossed across his/her chest? This is a sign that they have not yet received First Communion, but they would like a blessing. Extend a blessing as you feel comfortable, perhaps touching the person s head, making the sign of the cross on his/her forehead, even saying, God bless you. e) What if the recipient keeps drinking? Bottom line: DON T MAKE A SCENE! As you are comfortable to do so, gently pull the cup away when you deem it necessary. f) What if I spill some eucharistic wine? If you spill some of the eucharistic wine, leave it for the time being. Then when you are all finished, reverently clean it up with your purificator. For a larger spill, see the Facilitator for additional purificators. Be sure you leave the area dry, so no one will trip after Mass. g) What if I run out of eucharistic wine? You are finished! Return the empty glass and purificator to the Credence Table (with the purificator outside the glass). However tell a nearby minister that you are leaving so that he or she can serve your line as well. h) What do I do when everyone in my line has received? When your line is finished ALWAYS visit any remaining stations to either stand side-by-side with another cup minister and assist with that line, or replace the minister if his/her cup is empty. NEVER pour eucharistic wine into another cup. And NEVER return a cup with remaining eucharistic wine in it to the credence table until you are sure you are no longer needed. IX. DUTIES DURING MASS: FOLLOWING DISTRIBUTION a) What do I do with leftover eucharistic bread? Once you are sure your hosts are no longer needed at any station, return your plate to the credence table (facing the altar, it s to the right, by the statue of St. Joseph). Then you may return to your pew. The Facilitator will take care of your remaining hosts. b) What do I do with leftover eucharistic wine? Once you are sure your cup is no longer needed at any station, return it to the credence table (facing the altar, it s to the right, by the statue of St. Joseph). If there is eucharistic wine remaining in your cup, drink it discreetly. If you are unable to do so, ask another minister or the priest to drink it. Please do not put purificators inside the glasses. Simply leave them on the table. Then you may return to your pew. 10

c) Should I clean and purify my vessel now? No. Just leave it on the table. The Facilitator will clean the cups and plates after Mass in the sacristy (you re welcome to help then!) d) Should all Eucharistic Ministers return to their pews together? No, unless it happens naturally. As soon as you are finished at the credence table, you may return to your pew. Please DO NOT congregate at the credence table! e) Should I bow or genuflect at this time? No, that is not necessary at this part of the Mass. X. DUTIES AFTER MASS a) What are my duties after Mass? You have no duties after Mass! The Facilitator is responsible for cleaning and purifying the vessels and setting up for the next Mass (of course if you offer to help I m sure he/she would appreciate it!). 11

XI. GLOSSARY o CIBORIUM: (Plural: Ciboria) This is the gold, covered container inside the tabernacle which holds consecrated bread leftover from a previous Mass. Empty ciboria can be found in the tall cupboard to the right of the sink in the West sacristy. o CREDENCE TABLE: The small table on which sits the linens and the vessels to be used for the Mass. At the Cathedral of the Annunciation it is located to the right of the altar (facing the altar), next to the statue of St. Joseph. o GIFTS TABLE: The small table on which sits the bread, wine, and basket before the start of Mass. Also on this table is the sign-in sheet for Eucharistic Ministers and Ministers of Hospitality. At the Cathedral of the Annunciation, the gifts table is located behind the last pew, to the right when you walk in the front of the church. o PURIFICATOR: This is the small, white cloth used by the priest and each Eucharistic Minister to wipe and purify a cup containing eucharistic wine. o PYX: A small, usually round metal container used to transport consecrated hosts to those who are sick, elderly, or homebound and unable to attend Mass. o SACRISTY: The room where all the liturgical vestments, vessels, and linens are stored, and where liturgical ministers prepare for the liturgy. At the Cathedral of the Annunciation, there are two sacristies. The East sacristy is located to the left of the altar and is for vesting. It s also where the liturgical books are stored, as well as all sound equipment. The West sacristy is located to the right of the altar and holds all plates, trays, cups, bread, wine, and supplies for Altar Servers. In this sacristy is also posted schedules for all liturgical ministries. There is no need for any Eucharistic Minister to enter either sacristy during Mass, unless asked to fetch something! o SANCTUARY: The area of the church surrounding and containing the altar, the ambo, the presider s and Bishop s chairs, and everything in between! o TABERNACLE: The traditionally large and ornamental metal container which contains consecrated hosts from previous eucharistic celebrations. At the Cathedral of the Annunciation, the tabernacle is located directly behind the altar, although in many churches it is located in a separate devotional chapel. 12