Church of St. Timothy
EUCHARISTIC MINISTER PROCEDURES
(Eucharistic Minister must be practicing Catholics at least 15 years of age, fully initiated (having received the Sacrament of Confirmation) & should distinguish themselves by Christian life, faith & morals.
Sign up in the Binder in the Sacristy, in the position you wish to serve, (Remember what position you signed up for). If you are substituting please put person's name in parenthesis.
There are "4" (“5” with Choir) Bread Ministers :
“1” in front of altar by priest
“1" on the North (“2” with Choir) Side
“2”on the South side of the altar
There are "8" Cup Ministers:
"2" on each side at the front
"2" on the South side (to the right & left of the Bread Minister )
"2" on the North Side (Choir Side), (both on left side of the Bread Minister.)
Communion should be given to Music Ministers (Cantors, Choir & Guitar Ensemble) before going to handicapped. (They are ministers of service at this Mass & need to get back to their position in a timely manner.)
ARRIVE A MINIMUM OF 5 MINUTES BEFORE MASS. If you arrive so LATE SOMEONE has ALREADY SIGNED IN TO REPLACE YOU, you don't serve that day.
Even if you are NOT scheduled to serve, check the binder to see who is missing. Please wait till the last 2 minutes before Mass begins to give scheduled person a chance. Watch the altar during Mass & if they are short, go up. Normally 12 should be there & when choir present 13 besides priest.
After sharing Peace with "1" or "2" people (keep it short), go immediately to the Altar.
"2" Bread Ministers go to the Tabernacle & bring Ciborium & Paten(s) to the Altar. Yes, "2" because one walks in front as the “Honor Guard” for the Eucharist; & there is sometimes there is an extra paten(bowl).
Wine Minister on south end hands the Purificators down to next person. (Be aware there will be an extra Purificator on the side table in case of accidents. Don't take extra up to altar, leave on side table.) Stand away from priest & person pouring wine so you don't interfere. Wine Minister divides wine evenly into "8" cups, using all the wine. Use a purificator to catch drips. Ministers then steps back into their position
When priest hands you the Eucharist, consume it immediately.
Please stand in the order of which you signed in.
ADMINISTERING COMMUNION
Bread Minister holds host at eye level and says "Body of Christ." Then places bread on outstretched hand or tongue reverently. Cup Ministers offer cup with words "Blood of Christ."
Cup Ministers STAND FAR ENOUGH AWAY from Priest and Bread Minister, and each other SO THE LINE DOESN'T BACK UP. FRONT Cup Ministers on outside go to end of Altar steps. Offer cup to communicant, (except for a good reason ie.parent holding a child, person who does not have full use of hands) do not attempt to guide the cup, but place it entirely into their hands.
Please be sure to WIPE THE RIM OF THE CUP BOTH INSIDE AND OUT AFTER EVERY PERSON AND TURN IT A QUARTER TURN EACH TIME, be sure your purificator is open & you change the position you use frequently.
DO NOT ALLOW PEOPLE TO DIP THEIR HOSTS IN THE WINE, THIS IS NOT PERMITTED IN OUR DIOCESE. It is unsanitary (their fingers) and the Precious Blood drips on the floor. Be alert if someone attempts to do this, place your hand over the cup and tell them it is NOT PERMITTED.
When you are finished giving out hosts DO NOT GO TO THE FRONT TO HELP!!! Go to altar & put your hosts into Ciborium & return to your seat (unless you are the one to go back to the tabernacle., then just stand & wait.))
If wine is spilled, take your purificator and quietly wipe it up. Take the soiled purificator up and place on side table and take a clean one and resume your place.
If a host drops, pick it up and hold it in your fingers under the paten till you are finished with Communion & consume it as you go up to the altar. If it has fallen from someone’s mouth, take it to the Sacristy and place on a Purificator, & notify priest or Deacon or Sacristan. It will be buried.
AFTER COMMUNION
Two Bread Minister take Ciborium back to Tabernacle
Cup Ministers quietly go to the Sacristy when finished serving, consume remaining Precious Blood, put a little water in cup to rinse, CONSUME the water, and rinse again, dry with purificator.
Be aware that we have NO Sacorium or special sink that empties only into the ground. YOU MAY NOT put wine or desolved hosts down the sink, since it goes into the sewer.
When adult/child comes up with hands crossed in front you may place your hand on their shoulder & say “God bless you” or “God love you” or a small cross may be made on their forehead.
You are responsible for YOUR OWN SUBSTITUTES WHEN YOU ARE SCHEDULED TO SERVE. Please, please, please do call & try to get a replacement. Come to Mass dressed & prepared to serve.
VISITING PRIESTS
Use common sense when we have visiting priests. BE EXTRA SHARP WHEN IT ISN'T FR.JIM.
July 27, 2004