Eucharistic Ministers assist with the Mass in the distribution of the consecrated bread and wine.

When you are scheduled as a Eucharistic Minister, go to the sacristy and check your name off the schedule posted for the day. Let the presider and sacristan know that you are one of the Eucharistic Ministers for that mass.

Please Note: See the Definitions below for any words & phrases that are unfamiliar.

During Mass: All Eucharistic Ministers should move to the Altar immediately after the Sign of Peace. Ministers are asked to greet their fellow Ministers as they gather around the Altar, forming an arc behind it.

Please feel free to help the Sacristan to ready the Hosts and Precious Blood for distribution. For example, the book can be taken back to the Credence Table, and the trays holding the chalices and bowls can be brought to the Altar.

The Host Center should proceed to the tabernacle and bring the Ciborium to the Altar. The Sacristan and Host Center should work to the side of the Altar when dividing the Hosts and Precious Blood before Communion. Divide all of the Hosts evenly into the bowls, and do so over the Corporal. Do not break the large Host, the Presider will do this. Place the Ciborium on the Credence Table.

Ministers to the Choir, after receiving Communion proceed directly to the choir loft. If the choir is not in the loft, the Sacristan will direct you accordingly.

The Ministers of the Cup should move to the Altar two at time to receive the Precious Blood, face the congregation while receiving, and then offer the Precious Blood to Ministers of the Host.

Ministers of the Host, if you run out of Hosts, please walk over to another Minister to obtain more. Breaking Hosts in half should be a last resort.

All Ministers, if the line you’re serving finishes early, you can go to assist at another line. If two stations complete distribution of the Body and Blood, only one Minister of each should proceed to help another station.

After distributing Communion, place the chalices and bowls on the Credence Table. Place the extra Hosts in the Ciborium and place the Ciborium into the Tabernacle. Place a second bowl in the Tabernacle only if the Hosts do not fit into the Ciborium.

After Mass: All Eucharistic Ministers should help with clean up after the Mass. Bring the trays, bowls, chalices and book back to the Sacristy.

Purification of the chalices and bowls: No Precious Blood or Hosts should be poured down the drain or thrown away, they must be consumed. Pour water (a few ounces) into one bowl and swirl the water around. Transfer the water to each bowl and chalice, repeating the swirling action. Consume the water after the last chalice is purified.

The chalices and bowls are now ready to be hand washed. When washing the bowls and cups, don’t scrub or rub vigorously, as they are made of very soft gold. Wash, dry and return the chalices and bowls to the cabinet.

Do not stack the bowls. When transporting the bowls or placing them on trays, please do not stack the bowls (not even with something in between them), as they are made from very soft gold.

Please be on time. Come at least 15 minutes before the start of the Mass. If you cannot attend a Mass for which you’re scheduled, please try to find a substitute. If you cannot find a substitute, please call the Parish Center and ask to leave a message for the sacristan in the Sacristy before the mass.

Please wear appropriate clothing. Shorts, bare shoulders, T-shirts, and worn-out jeans are regarded by many people who worship with us as a sign of an overly casual approach toward assisting the Mass. Nice jeans are fine, but otherwise, if you wouldn’t wear it to work, we ask you not to wear it to church.

Sacristy: Preparation room adjacent to Sanctuary.
Sanctuary: Entire altar space.
Presider: The Father who performs the mass.
Tabernacle: Chamber holding hosts, behind the Altar table.
Ciborium: Vessel in the Tabernacle holding the Eucharist.
Corporal: Cloth covering the altar table.
Credence Table: Offering table carried to altar and placed behind it.
Chalice: Gold cup which holds consecrated wine.
Bowl: Gold bowl which holds consecrated Hosts.
Precious Blood:
Host:
Host Center:
Ministers to the Choir:
Ministers of the Cup:
Ministers of the Host: