Resources for Active EMHC
Eucharistic Ministers Contact:
Christine Piccioni
ccpiccioni@aol.com
The Lord Jesus, on the night before he suffered on the cross, shared one last meal with his disciples. During this meal, our Savior instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist. As the Gospel of Matthew tells us:
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.”
The risen Christ is present to us in many ways, but most especially through the sacrament of his Body and Blood. Bishops, priests and deacons distribute Holy Communion in virtue of their office as ordinary ministers of the Body and Blood of the Lord. When the size of the congregation requires it, the priest may call upon duly instituted Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) to assist him.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must have received the Sacrament of Confirmation and be actively practicing their faith at St. Joseph Parish. Training and Commissioning is required. Current Eucharistic Ministers are requested to attend one refresher training class at least every two years. Training classes are generally held in January, May, and September. Watch the weekly bulletin, or view our information on the Resources page for more details.