Extraordinary
Ministers of Communion
As a result of the Second Vatican Council, the
Church has called for greater participation in the liturgy, a less
clergy-dominated worship and more distribution of roles among the
laity. Here at Holy Spirit Church we have between 500-850
communicants at each of four weekend masses.
Since the formation of Holy Spirit Parish, a
significant number of lay people have been serving our faith
community as special ministers of the Eucharist - a ministry that
Pope Paul VI called "an important office of immense love." No-one
is "worthy" enough to be a Extraordinary Ministers of
Communion just like no-one
is "worthy" enough to be a priest or a bishop or even a pope. But
by virtue of our Baptism we have become members of God's family,
in Eucharist we recognize that we have been forgiven and redeemed
by Christ, and in Confirmation we have been called to make a
mature commitment to the Lord and His Church. So, when God calls
us to serve Him and His People, we respond with `humble and
contrite hearts'.
One week-day evening session prepares the
ministers. This includes a prayer service and commissioning by our
pastor as well as a `hands-on' training session. During the
training period, ministers tour the sacristy, become familiar with
the special vocabulary for the sacred vessels and linens and learn
all the `whens' and `hows' of this very special ministry. If you
feel that the Lord is calling you to be an Extraordinary Ministers
of Communion, please sign-up at the Extraordinary Ministers of
Communion table at the `Volunteer Fair' in September.
