>>First, lay people who are helping to distribute Communion have no business giving blessings. <<
How about this? Bring back the communion rail and dump the EMHCs. My girls sing at an Historic Church downtown. One priest, one deacon, two communion rails. It never takes longer than 10 minutes.
That being said, My DH is an EMHC. In my parish, they are just what they are supposed to be. Extraordinary. But understanding that we have six Masses on the weekend, packed, we do have times where there are not enough priests to cover everyone.
He was told that if someone comes forward (mostly children), that there is to be NO laying of hands on that person. Just the general “May God Bless you.” as he holds up the host.
Laity is not to give a blessing. Period.
Similar situation in my parish.
But we have three priests and four deacons. That sounds like 7 ordinary ministers of Holy Communion to me, doesn't it to you?
Not that you'd know about it for any of those six Masses on a given weekend. Yes, surely, on Christmas midnight, Palm Sunday, and the Triduum...but, otherwise?