Please check-in in the sacristy by 15 minutes before Mass – earlier if possible. Let the Mass coordinator know you are here. If you are running late and don’t check-in, chances are you will be replaced. This causes confusion so please help out by checking in on time.
Eucharistic Ministers should come into the sanctuary at the Sign of Peace. Don’t wait for the music to start - ministers should be in their places before the Lamb of God is sung. There should be 5 “Emins”. Usually, the one in the middle becomes the bread minister and the other 4 are wine ministers, but be flexible and take what Fr. hands you.
The presider will distribute the consecrated bread to all the Eucharistic Ministers, then wine. When you receive a cup, please take the purificator (small white cloth) before you drink. Once everyone has received the consecrated bread and wine, please take the lead to go directly to your stations. Don’t wait for the presider to lead!
If a person in a wheelchair is in the aisle, be sure they are offered bread & wine.
If someone approaches you with their arms crossed over their chest they want a blessing. Hold your hand near their head or shoulder and say something appropriate such as “May God bless you all the days of your life.”
If a consecrated host is dropped someone must consume it. If you do not want to, that’s OK, but you must keep the host separate – maybe hold it under the plate with the fingers that are supporting the plate – and give it to the priest at the end of communion. Tell him it was dropped!
If wine is spilled you must keep people from walking through it. Ask someone to get the Mass Coordinator who will help you. The spilled wine should be blotted up with purificators – get more from the sacristy if needed. Those purificators should be rinsed out in a bowl and the rinse water is to be poured into the ground – NOT down the sink.
If there is wine left at the end of communion Fr. will consume it, but if there is a lot left the Emins can help by consuming wine. No one is required to drink any wine. Ladies with a “baby-on-board”, or anyone underage, should NOT drink the wine! Use your own judgment as to whether or not and how much wine you should consume.
Fr. Jeff and Fr. John will both purify the vessels during mass. When visiting priests are here, watch to see whether or not they purify. If they do not, the Eucharistic Ministers must purify the vessels after mass before washing them. Talk to the Mass Coordinator if you are uncertain as to what to do.
After placing your cup on the credence table, it is a tradition for the Emins to gather at the foot of the stairs, bow together then return to their seats. This is a tradition at St. Mary’s – it is not a rule!
On the schedule, two Eucharistic Ministers are designated as Clean-Up ministers. This means that they distribute communion AND help wash the vessels afterwards! Please take your turn when so designated and come to the sacristy after Mass to help.