Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist in the distribution of the Eucharist.  The "ordinary" ministers of the Eucharist are priest, deacons and acolytes.  Individuals serving as Eucharistic Minister in parishes are "extraordinary" ministers, meaning that they serve when there is not a sufficient number of ordinary ministers.  Our Lord himself is the principal minister of the Eucharist.  In Christ's name and in the name of the Church, the priest presides at the liturgy.  It is essential that Eucharistic Ministers be fully and actively involved in the life of the parish.  (See Requirements below)

If you are interested in becoming a Eucharistic Minister please contact one of the Priests of the Parish

The requirements of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and St. Jane Frances for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are:

1. To serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, the individual must be a practicing Catholic in full communion with the Church (that is, under no prohibition of Church law regarding reception of the sacraments).
2. All those who what to Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must be confirmed.
3. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must be currently registered parishioners of St. Jane Frances Parish
4. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must participate in ongoing formation for ministry
5. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must be person of good moral character and consistent in their practice of the faith

Lectors

The Liturgy of the Word is the Church's proclamation of God's life in us and it is communicated by the gifts that you have as a good and effective minister of the Word.  It is difficult to prescribe the best way to proclaim, for many of the tools of proclamation are unique to each person.

Greeters

The Ministry of Greeting

The ministry of greeters is to welcome those attending our services.  This ministry has its origins in the duty of every Christian to greet others in the name of Christ.  We remember what Jesus said concerning the final judgment of the world in Matthew’s Gospel.  There will be those who will be condemned for failing to welcome others and to recognize Him in them.  The Just, however, will hear these saving words: “I was… a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matt. 25:35).  If we are commanded by Christ to offer hospitality to others under     ordinary circumstances, how much more are we required to do so when we gather in worship.

It would be wrong to view this ministry as appendage to the liturgy, attached to it as an option.  Rather, the greeting that takes place before Mass is a fundamental foundation upon which the entire liturgy of the Eucharist rests.  As the Lord said Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in their midst.” (Matt. 18:20).

 

Greeting is the first act by which the community gathers— and gathering is the first action of prayer.  In acknowledging one another with a warm and genuine welcome, we are saying first of all that Christ is present among us.

 

This ministry also announces the presence of the mystical body of Christ, ourselves as his Church, which is made most visible in the Eucharist.    Those who greet others before Mass find it both a natural and wonderfully human thing to do.  At the same time it is important to remember that the ministry of greeters has a very profound sacred character.  It is intimately connected to the Eucharist which follows.

Because the tone of our liturgy is set at the door of the church, the attitude of the greeter says a great deal about what awaits the visitor inside.  Greeters are attentive to the “regulars” who are already part of the congregation; at the same time they are ready to extend a welcoming hand to any newcomers.  The openness and joy of the greeter say that people of every walk of life are welcomed here, at Saint Jane Frances de Chantal Parish.

We invite you to become a greeter at the Sunday Mass which you regularly attend.  The requirements are simple.  Those who serve in this ministry must be open to others and have a genuine interest in them.  Greeting is always joyful and begins with a friendly smile.  We extend a special invitation for all members of our parish to participate,  men and woman, the young and the old.  We also encourage families and parish groups to greet together.  For it is together we become a truer image of Jesus, who invited so many diverse people to gather around Him to eat with Him and to give them the hope of the kingdom.