Ask a newbie Eucharistic Minister

[Protinus]

well, I've done it three times already. My church is sort of a "power church" so I'm wonder why they are lax on EM training...they literally throw you in trial-by-fire.

My first experience, I walked diagonally up the steps to the EM area. I was reprimanded by the an old guard EM who said that I should walk/turn in 90 degree angles.:doh:

the same service, when the celebrant handed me the host at the altar, I took it immediately and made the sign of the cross...you have to wait for the final blessing when the priest eats the host. They weren't as hard on me about this one.:o

My second Sunday, I had the host in the processional line. We are blessed with a lot of children in our parish and they come up in the arms of parents. One child, in her mother's arms, snatched the host out of my hand and threw to the ground. I immediately picked it up and ate it...which won me favor with the old guard EMs. That same service, a mother asked me to bless her son. I knew that I couldn't and I motioned to the celebrant, right next to me, to bless the child- it's as if he couldn't hear me!!

My third Sunday (this morning), a woman came up with her baby. This time I had the consecrated wine. The baby was squirming so I lifted the chalice to her lips and she tried to drink. At once, the baby pulled out his pacifier and plopped it in the Chalice!! I regained composure and wiped the pacifier off with the cloth. I continued to serve although there were only two others in line. They said that I should have abandoned the station and returned the chalice to the table.:doh:

[Loki]

All I can say is "wow."

Kudos for eating the fallen host, though.

Didn't know about the right angles thing, though I knew of the "everyone noshes at once" thing.

And the pacifier is just funny.

[MikeK]

I was reprimanded by the an old guard EM who said that I should walk/turn in 90 degree angles.

What if wish to follow a path 45degrees from the way you're facing? Did he want you to zig-zag? Perhaps the old guard EM was afraid you were going to get torpedoed.

[JasonV]

Great stories JP. I too enjoyed the pacifier one the most!

If I ever get ordained, I hope to add a few fun stories to this thread myself. ;)

[Fish and Bread]

I like these type of stories. I hope we get to read more. :)

I might be a minority in the liberal community in saying these, but I actually love little traditions like the priest communing first, walking on the altar at 90 degree angles, eating hosts that touch the floor, etc.. I totally understand that they are easy to forget and often hard to keep track of (I didn't even know the 90 degree angle thing), but it's cool that they're there, even if people are going to completely understandably sometimes forget to do them or not know to do them. :)

[Loki]

I like these type of stories. I hope we get to read more. :)

I might be a minority in the liberal community in saying these, but I actually love little traditions like the priest communing first, walking on the altar at 90 degree angles, eating hosts that touch the floor, etc.. I totally understand that they are easy to forget and often hard to keep track of (I didn't even know the 90 degree angle thing), but it's cool that they're there, even if people are going to completely understandably sometimes forget to do them or not know to do them. :)

Eh, Liberal doesn't necessarily imply dislike of the high tradition and smells&bells. I love the little things like that, especially when I know what they mean (the right angle thing still seems a little weird).

[fragmentsofdreams]

It's hard to suppress the reflex to consume a proffered host. I'm glad they wait until after the priest has consumed to distribute the hosts. I think there might be something in the new GIRM about this.

[Fantine]

Until you feel a little more experienced and comfortable, why don't you start out with simpler situations, like bringing Communion to the sick and homebound, or distributing Communion at a weekday or early AM Sunday Mass (if they need an EM in those situations.)

[Miss Shelby]

well, I've done it three times already. My church is sort of a "power church" so I'm wonder why they are lax on EM training...they literally throw you in trial-by-fire.

My first experience, I walked diagonally up the steps to the EM area. I was reprimanded by the an old guard EM who said that I should walk/turn in 90 degree angles.:doh:

the same service, when the celebrant handed me the host at the altar, I took it immediately and made the sign of the cross...you have to wait for the final blessing when the priest eats the host. They weren't as hard on me about this one.:o

My second Sunday, I had the host in the processional line. We are blessed with a lot of children in our parish and they come up in the arms of parents. One child, in her mother's arms, snatched the host out of my hand and threw to the ground. I immediately picked it up and ate it...which won me favor with the old guard EMs. That same service, a mother asked me to bless her son. I knew that I couldn't and I motioned to the celebrant, right next to me, to bless the child- it's as if he couldn't hear me!!

My third Sunday (this morning), a woman came up with her baby. This time I had the consecrated wine. The baby was squirming so I lifted the chalice to her lips and she tried to drink. At once, the baby pulled out his pacifier and plopped it in the Chalice!! I regained composure and wiped the pacifier off with the cloth. I continued to serve although there were only two others in line. They said that I should have abandoned the station and returned the chalice to the table.:doh:see all that time you spent in OBOB was not wasted. You actually learned something, spanky. And you call yourself a liberal. yeah right. wait til I spread this around Reilly's.

[Protinus]

Until you feel a little more experienced and comfortable, why don't you start out with simpler situations, like bringing Communion to the sick and homebound, or distributing Communion at a weekday or early AM Sunday Mass (if they need an EM in those situations.)

That's a good idea. I was just put on the list ...we probably had 250 people at mass last Sunday.:o

[Protinus]

It's hard to suppress the reflex to consume a proffered host. I'm glad they wait until after the priest has consumed to distribute the hosts. I think there might be something in the new GIRM about this.

I knew what the ritual was in me brain...having reviewed it previously in preparing even. I was amazed at the reflex...you are absolutely right...it is very powerful. I was the first minister to be handed the host.:o

[Loki]

It's hard to suppress the reflex to consume a proffered host. I'm glad they wait until after the priest has consumed to distribute the hosts. I think there might be something in the new GIRM about this.

Ayup. Especially if you still have memories of scary 2nd grade teachers yelling at the class about it in preparation for one's first communion. :eek:

[Protinus]

Ayup. Especially if you still have memories of scary 2nd grade teachers yelling at the class about it in preparation for one's first communion. :eek:

I converted as an adult. I didn't have those scarey things growing up. In fact, I didn't think that Catholics were Christians in grade school.

My 1st communion was when I was baptized at 12 years old, the age of reckoning in my church. My sons, both Catholic, think I grew up in a Christian cult.:o

[Loki]

I converted as an adult. I didn't have those scarey things growing up. In fact, I didn't think that Catholics were Christians in grade school.

My 1st communion was when I was baptized at 12 years old, the age of reckoning in my church. My sons, both Catholic, think I grew up in a Christian cult.:o

Heh. Baptism, Communion and Confirmation smushed into one glorious sacrament!

When they get old enough to understand, maybe give them a crash course in the mainstream Protestant denominations? I forced myself to go to at least one service of everything in walking distance from my dorm in college, and learned quite a bit about Christianity in general from doing so.

[Protinus]

Heh. Baptism, Communion and Confirmation smushed into one glorious sacrament!

When they get old enough to understand, maybe give them a crash course in the mainstream Protestant denominations? I forced myself to go to at least one service of everything in walking distance from my dorm in college, and learned quite a bit about Christianity in general from doing so.


I can't even get them to go to a Disciples of Christ church (my old denomination) right next to my church!! Their point is that "they have to altar serve and learn about religion every day"...why would they need to spend time in "Dad's old church that he doesn't go to anymore?":doh:

[Loki]

Are they overdosing on religion?

[Protinus]

Are they overdosing on religion?

Their mom certainly doesn't think so....They have been so immersed in Catholicism that I am preparing for their revolt and seeking period...Their mother thinks that we are doing what we "should as parents by them".

Although, I really don't think it will happen...they might have a brownout period...but they'll be fine.

[Loki]

Here's hoping for your sake. Beware, though; I kept my atheism a secret from my parents for about 6 years.

[Protinus]

Here's hoping for your sake. Beware, though; I kept my atheism a secret from my parents for about 6 years.


I am prepared for anything...my SO is not, even denying that that would even be possible (she can't even understand why they would date girls that aren't Catholic). Before I met my SO, I'd been dating a Jewish girl for about two years. I don't think that I have ever been able to tell her the appealing things that I learned about Judaism (I thought it was "that former girlfriend" thing) but I don't think she is actually open to to the richness of faith that might be outside the Catholic Church. Of course, I was in awe for many, many years of this...thinking that is it was "conviction". In a way, it is her conviction, not mine. I've only recently been able to discern this.

[Loki]

*pokes prot repeatedly* When are we gonna hear your conversion story?

(I've long accepted the fact that a thread where you and I are chatting will quickly drift off to wherever it pleases).

[JasonV]

Drifting noted.

[Protinus]

*pokes prot repeatedly* When are we gonna hear your conversion story?

(I've long accepted the fact that a thread where you and I are chatting will quickly drift off to wherever it pleases).


alas fair loki...it will come, very soon. I am trying to not project my mindset that I have now onto then...because it was very joyful and I was passionately Catholic...as I am now. But I fear that I would create questions in the minds of those who are seeking and questioning....it is really a fear that I have. The essential "trainwreck of faith" that I had in 2002 has nothing to do with joy and fulfilling spirit that I had in my conversion. Though maybe it does and I don't have the right words yet.

[Loki]

alas fair loki...it will come, very soon. I am trying to not project my mindset that I have now onto then...because it was very joyful and I was passionately Catholic...as I am now. But I fear that I would create questions in the minds of those who are seeking and questioning....it is really a fear that I have. The essential "trainwreck of faith" that I had in 2002 has nothing to do with joy and fulfilling spirit that I had in my conversion. Though maybe it does and I don't have the right words yet.



If you don't have the words, that's understandable. With my deconversion to atheism, each time I told it, it varied a bit, depending on my mindset at the time of writing it. Separating oneself from what one was is very difficult.

Perhaps you'd dissuade people, perhaps you'd encourage people. No way really to know without doing.

As a lapsed cradle Catholic, I sort of get the best and worst of both worlds; I feel like I never really left and it's the same old Church I rejected 10 years ago, but I'm seeing it anew, and it's really nice to be able to do that. And my mannerisms and mindset (guilt) are fairly Catholic and ingrained, and that's okay by me, too. Not having to learn the routine of all the tradition is nice; I think it'd be cumbersome to have to do that, learn the responses, prayers, reasons for some of the weird stuff that goes on.

[Protinus]

If you don't have the words, that's understandable. With my deconversion to atheism, each time I told it, it varied a bit, depending on my mindset at the time of writing it. Separating oneself from what one was is very difficult.

Perhaps you'd dissuade people, perhaps you'd encourage people. No way really to know without doing.

As a lapsed cradle Catholic, I sort of get the best and worst of both worlds; I feel like I never really left and it's the same old Church I rejected 10 years ago, but I'm seeing it anew, and it's really nice to be able to do that. And my mannerisms and mindset (guilt) are fairly Catholic and ingrained, and that's okay by me, too. Not having to learn the routine of all the tradition is nice; I think it'd be cumbersome to have to do that, learn the responses, prayers, reasons for some of the weird stuff that goes on.

the one thing that I would like to say Loki is your inquiry of faith is strong...that's why you are here.

Whatever you've been told...it is not a bad thing to inquire, to lapse, to separate....as long as we know that you have been given the "tools". What are those tools of separation, what are those tools of total separation from the "things we were taught"? We need each other in fellowship.

You are here, you already know that. We need to build to help others as we are helping ourselves. It never happens that we encounter revelation without helping others...scientifically, spiritually.

[Rochir]

At once, the baby pulled out his pacifier and plopped it in the Chalice!!

Is that now a Holy Pacifier? ;)

[JasonV]

Is that now a Holy Pacifier? ;)

LOL!!!

[Catherineanne]

well, I've done it three times already. My church is sort of a "power church" so I'm wonder why they are lax on EM training...they literally throw you in trial-by-fire.


Lol!! I don't think there was any need to abandon the station after the pacifier fell in - the parishioners might have been a bit unhappy about baby germs in the wine, but it wouldn't do them any more harm than all those people germs around the rim. :) I think you should have sucked the wine off, though, rather than wiping it on the cloth. ^_^

As for the walking at right angles stuff, I don't think this is essential, but it is aesthetically pleasing, so I can understand including this requirement, however daft it might seem. If you regard liturgy as being at least part theatre, then it makes sense.

I would certainly eat a host which had inadvertantly fallen to the ground, assuming it was not too gross. If it happened to be covered in mud, I would respectfully offer it to the nearest priest. :cool:

I love these stories. I went to mass for the assumption of the BVM yesterday, and we all stood in a circle. At one point everyone bowed together, except for me. Felt a real noddy, but in the end it matters nothing at all. The important thing was that I was there. Just as the important thing is that you are doing what you believe to be right at the time, even if you don't do it the way others would.

[drstevej]

well, I've done it three times already. My church is sort of a "power church" so I'm wonder why they are lax on EM training...they literally throw you in trial-by-fire.

My first experience, I walked diagonally up the steps to the EM area. I was reprimanded by the an old guard EM who said that I should walk/turn in 90 degree angles.:doh:

the same service, when the celebrant handed me the host at the altar, I took it immediately and made the sign of the cross...you have to wait for the final blessing when the priest eats the host. They weren't as hard on me about this one.:o

My second Sunday, I had the host in the processional line. We are blessed with a lot of children in our parish and they come up in the arms of parents. One child, in her mother's arms, snatched the host out of my hand and threw to the ground. I immediately picked it up and ate it...which won me favor with the old guard EMs. That same service, a mother asked me to bless her son. I knew that I couldn't and I motioned to the celebrant, right next to me, to bless the child- it's as if he couldn't hear me!!

My third Sunday (this morning), a woman came up with her baby. This time I had the consecrated wine. The baby was squirming so I lifted the chalice to her lips and she tried to drink. At once, the baby pulled out his pacifier and plopped it in the Chalice!! I regained composure and wiped the pacifier off with the cloth. I continued to serve although there were only two others in line. They said that I should have abandoned the station and returned the chalice to the table.:doh:

One of the most interesting posts at CF in years.

My first communion at a new church I reversed the order of the cup and the bread. Some thought I was innovative others wondered if I were a heretic. Fact was was I had been absent minded as a newbie pastor.

The pacifier episode is worth an entire theology course in seminary exploring the implications.

:cool:
drstevej

[Protinus]

One of the most interesting posts at CF in years.

My first communion at a new church I reversed the order of the cup and the bread. Some thought I was innovative others wondered if I were a heretic. Fact was was I had been absent minded as a newbie pastor.

The pacifier episode is worth an entire theology course in seminary exploring the implications.

:cool:
drstevej


Thanks Steve,

The wine episode bothered me more than the host hitting the floor. And it wasn't the baby making the most surreal motion to land his pacifier in a small cup...with his mother drinking no less! I believed that his pacifier tainted the "blood of Christ". I remember feeling like my head was on fire...not angered ...maybe embarrassed...but fearful for a moment: that I caused the blood of Christ to be changed or ...I don't know.

When I was a Protestant, I felt that the symbol of Christ in a small cup was very powerful. Now I think that the wine literally changes...that is the way it is for me and many Catholics.

And then I was able to laugh about it and feel so much joy that a mother could have the confidence to come and partake with a baby in her arms. I felt so holy...instinctively trying to help her drink from the chalice...it makes me emotional.

them to have the reprimands from the EMs and even my wife, who was attending. They felt like I should have stopped and left the station, replacing the cup. My SO said I should have not indulged the mother like that...that she's "never seen that before". this is very hard for me to talk about now

[drstevej]

Protinus, I do understand your plight knowing Eucharistic theology.

God knows your heart.

Why cannot someone hold the babies for the moms as they commune?

BTW, after an adoption interview our 2 year old daughter went over the the agency secretary's desk and dropped her peanut butter cracker in the secretary's coffee cup. She did it with a smile. We were still allowed to adopt. Our adopted son is now 21.

So life continues.

[Protinus]

Protinus, I do understand your plight knowing Eucharistic theology.

God knows your heart.

Why cannot someone hold the babies for the moms as they commune?

BTW, after an adoption interview our 2 year old daughter went over the the agency secretary's desk and dropped her peanut butter cracker in the secretary's coffee cup. She did it with a smile. We were still allowed to adopt. Our adopted son is now 21.

So life continues.

There is something to these two stories that I marvel at...that our Lord projects Himself through children. I'm happy to work with kids day in and out, coach them, be hurt by them, revel in their glory.

But I'm not so sure I would have not wanted those mothers to bring their kids up to me..grabbing the bread, dipping in the chalice. Something is being channeled to me in the Lord's presence.

I'm only 3 weeks old and E Ministers say this has never happened to them in decades...if at all.

[Annabel Lee]

.

[Catherineanne]

I believed that his pacifier tainted the blood of Christ. I remember feeling like my head was on fire...not angered ...maybe embarrassed...but fearful for a moment: that I caused the blood of Christ to be changed or ...I don't know.

I can understand this fear, but how on earth can it be possible to taint the blood of Christ? :)

The OT version of God was very much that of holiness being separated out from the people. The priests had to be separate, blood had to be separate; the feeling was very much that of holiness under seige, fearing contamination if the rites were not followed to the letter.This happened because the ancient Israelites interpreted God's separation from them as him protecting his holiness from their sinfulness. In fact it was the other way round; his holiness was so holy that it would destroy any man who looks on it.

Christ turned all of this round. He came, who was God, and walked about among the very ordinary and very sinful people of this world. And the message he brings in doing this is that his holiness is not contaminated by contact with the profane, because he is both fully God and fully man; rather that which is profane is sanctified by contact with He who is holy.In terms of the body and blood, their very real presence is a great mystery, which none of us can explain or understand fully. But neither can any one of us, least of all a babe in arms, reverse this holy mystery and cause that which has become Christ into that which is no longer fully Christ, or that which is Christ contaminated.

That which is holy cannot be defiled. This is the message which Christ brings, and which enables us in turn to have the courage to go anywhere, speak to anyone, eat anything, and know that God and his grace, however imperfectly revealed through our lives, is never sullied, never changed and most certainly never desecrated.

[Horizonol]

well, I've done it three times already. My church is sort of a "power church" so I'm wonder why they are lax on EM training...they literally throw you in trial-by-fire.

My first experience, I walked diagonally up the steps to the EM area. I was reprimanded by the an old guard EM who said that I should walk/turn in 90 degree angles.:doh:

the same service, when the celebrant handed me the host at the altar, I took it immediately and made the sign of the cross...you have to wait for the final blessing when the priest eats the host. They weren't as hard on me about this one.:o

My second Sunday, I had the host in the processional line. We are blessed with a lot of children in our parish and they come up in the arms of parents. One child, in her mother's arms, snatched the host out of my hand and threw to the ground. I immediately picked it up and ate it...which won me favor with the old guard EMs. That same service, a mother asked me to bless her son. I knew that I couldn't and I motioned to the celebrant, right next to me, to bless the child- it's as if he couldn't hear me!!

My third Sunday (this morning), a woman came up with her baby. This time I had the consecrated wine. The baby was squirming so I lifted the chalice to her lips and she tried to drink. At once, the baby pulled out his pacifier and plopped it in the Chalice!! I regained composure and wiped the pacifier off with the cloth. I continued to serve although there were only two others in line. They said that I should have abandoned the station and returned the chalice to the table.:doh:

Just to note- the incidents regarding the host on the floor and the pacifier should, I believe, usually be handled by the priest. Did you bring up the incidents with the priest to find out how he prefers you to handle the situations? Assuming it wasn't mentioned in training?

I also wanted to add, if you didn't already know, that Extra-Ordinary Eucharistic Ministers need, by Church law, to be approved by the bishop. Although pastors can make dispensations for that.... before you consider visiting the sick et al, you might want to ask about that?

I figured you might want a few hints since you were trained by fire, as you said :)
Peace

[BAFRIEND]

Ask a newbie Eucharistic Minister

BTW, it is not Eucharistic Minister, it is Extraordinary Minister.

[BAFRIEND]

Just joking. Good luck and make the best of it. And thanks to you and all the other EMs out there.

[JasonV]

Ok, I finally have a story to add to this venerable thread.

As a newly ordained Cleric in the Minor Orders, I am allowed to lead the Hours of Prime and Compline. Yesterday, a single mom and her two very young boys came to Prime. We spoke for a few minutes before the service began and I introduced her to her first Catholic-like worship service.

Her 2 year old loved the candles on the Altar. So much so that he wanted to do what any 2 year old would want to do: blow them out!

Technically we only need two candles alight during our services, so I let him blow out the others for the sake of peace. Well this kid wanted them all blown out, and would not rest until they were!

Wow. Ok. :doh:

So in order to procede through the service (Mom tried her best, but the 1 year old was all she could handle at the same time) I let the kid blow them all out and we went without candles for Prime.

Afterwards I came to understand the importance of a good old fashioned Altar Rail that COMPLETELY closes off the sanctuary from the nave! LOL!