| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
|---|---|---|
| Eucharistic ministry | Joseph | Monday, October 4, 2004 |
Question: Dear Bro. Ignatius Mary, I have been reading the emails about extraordinary minsters, and I have a concern now. I recently volunteered at my Church to bring the Eucharist to the elderly and sick. I receive a lot of joy when I see these people so zealous to receive communion. I do it very reverently: lay out a linen cloth, place a crucifix and Holy Water on it, and finally place the pyx in the middle. I follow a prayerbook that was given to me by the church. Its a very special time for me when I do this ministry, and I have thought about volunteering more of my time as an extraordinary minister during Mass. However, as I am reading your replies to some of the questions that other readers are posting, I have some reservations now. It seems like my Church views being a Eucharist Minister -extraordinary minister - as an ongoing ministry, and they are always seeking people to volunteer their time for this ministry. Would it still be ok for me to help with this ministry, or should I have these reservations since its supposed to be only temporary that an extraordinary person help distribute the Eucharist in the first place? I hope this question makes some sense. God bless, Joe |
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| Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM+
Dear Joe: It is the responsiblity of the priest to properly utilize Extraordinary Ministers. You are doing nothing wrong yourself. As to whether or not you continue with this work is up to your conscience. If your parish priest is actually abusing the law about extraordinary ministers, then that could be a reason to not participate IF you are SURE that there is abuse taking place. If the priest is so busy that he cannot get around to all the shut-ins each week, then perhaps the use of Extraordinary ministers may be warranted. In that case, the Extraordinary ministers need to be sure they do not imitate that which is only for clergy -- such as giving the communicant a blessing with the sign of the cross made in the air toward the person like a priest does. God Bless, Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum
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