[B Knotts]

You’re absolutely right. There is no reason in a parish with four priests to have so many EMHCs. Often, this is done to “speed up” the Mass, by shortening the time it takes to distribute Holy Communion. But any extra time needed could be spent in silent prayer, so it is not really necessary to do this.

[AnAmericanMother]

I can see why in a parish with LOTS of heavily-attended Masses on Sunday (we go to one) that EMHCs are needed. Because of the tight schedule, the extra time it takes for distribution of Communion by the priest runs over into the next Mass.

Also, the choir loft is in the rear of the church and the overflow attendance spills over (up?) into the choir loft, and we couldn't get down and back while singing . . . so we're going to have an EMHC no matter what. The only time I've ever seen a priest darken the door of the choir loft is when we had a Penance Service or a Healing Service. I was so shocked that I held out my hands and the priest was shocked because I had just genuflected . . . . I didn't use to receive on the tongue when it was an EMHC but now I always do, just because I don't want to shock the priest again . . . . < g >