Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Workshop Recap
As part of the Archdiocese's Eucharistic Revival, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion were invited on September 7, 2022 to attend a workshop led by Father Dennis Gill (Rector and Pastor of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia and the Director of the Office for Divine Worship for the Archdiocese). The workshop was held at St Patrick’s in Malvern and offered practical as well as spiritual insight concerning the miraculous sacrament of the Eucharist and Holy Communion. Below are some highlights from the workshop.
Did you know there's a difference between Eucharist and Holy Communion? Eucharist is a divine event. Holy Communion is the eating and drinking of the altar event.
In the Mass we are united with Jesus at the right hand of the Father. We are celebrating with the Communion of Saints and should be reminded of heaven.
“Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion” are laypeople who assist the priest in the distribution of Holy Communion. They are not “Ordinary Ministers” or “Eucharistic Ministers” who are ordained (Bishops, Priests, Deacons), have genuine Eucharistic Faith, live their first vocation well (be it Holy Orders, single or married) and know what they are doing and do it well. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should be commissioned by their pastor or chaplain and should be in a state of grace (reconciliation, fasting, proper attire).
Four things the bishops are concerned about:
- The holy reception of Holy Communion - do people realize they are receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus?
- The Communion fast (NO Food/Liquids except medication and water) should be at least 1 hour before receiving Communion. If people are arriving to Mass with coffee cups and drinking them during Mass, they are not fasting.
- Attire - attire that is appropriate for Mass.
- Participation in the Mass - a deeper interior participation
There are four parts of the Mass:
- Introductory Rites
- Liturgy of the Word
- Liturgy of the Eucharist
- Concluding Rites
The Liturgy of the Eucharistic has three parts:
- The Preparation of the Gifts
- The Eucharistic Prayer
- The Communion Rite
The wording for distribution of Holy Communion is “The Body of Christ”. No verb is used and nothing else should be said. The people should respond with “Amen”.
Taking Holy Communion to the sick is the primary reason for laypeople to help with communion. It can be in a home setting, group setting such as an assisted living facility, or hospital setting.
We need to fall in love with the Mass. We need to pray more at Adoration. We need to regularly seek Reconciliation.
The clergy cannot do this revival on their own. They need us to talk to our families, our parish, and our circle of influence about the Mass and the importance of receiving Holy Communion.
Other events celebrating the Eucharist Revival can be found on https://www.phillyeucharisticrevival.org/
Thank you to Pat Purfield and Lydia Manieri for sharing this synopsis of the workshop. Many others attended from St. Max as well. Thank you to ALL our St. Max Extraordinary Ministers who volunteer their time to St. Max Parish. You are such a blessing to so many!