[B Knotts]

"EM" is a rather misleading shorthand for "EEM."

The point is that Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers are supposed to be just that: extraordinary. Unfortunately, in the American Church they have become rather ordinary.

The Vatican has instructed that:

"Extraordinary ministers may distribute Holy Communion at eucharistic celebrations only when there are no ordained ministers present or when those ordained ministers present at a liturgical celebration are truly unable to distribute Holy Communion. They may also exercise this function at eucharistic celebrations where there are particularly large numbers of the faithful and which would be excessively prolonged because of an insufficient number of ordained ministers to distribute Holy Communion."

Unfortunately, this is not followed much in the U.S.

[al_c]

They may also exercise this function at eucharistic celebrations where there are particularly large numbers of the faithful and which would be excessively prolonged because of an insufficient number of ordained ministers to distribute Holy Communion."

This seems to be the case at most parishes in the D/FW area. At my parish, we'd be there all day if the priest didn't have help.

[jjm2111]

Thank you.

[Dusty Rose]

Where I attend we have Eucharistic Ministers and, because of this, it makes it possible for all to have the opportunity to recieve from the cup. Two priests distribute the Hosts and two Eucharistic Ministers hold the chalices at each Mass. On some occasions 2 priests may not be available, so one distributes Communion, but we still have 2 Eucharistic Ministers for the chalices.

Eucharistic Ministers have been commissioned in our diocese for our local hospital. The hospital chaplain, a priest, will generally make the initial visits to the Catholics. At that time he may give Communion after confession and/or annointing. The Eucharistic Ministers make daily visits to pray and give Communion to patients who request this. No way could the chaplain visit all patients everyday. By the way, there is extensive training and the EMs need to write papers on the meaning of the Eucharist and personal belief in the Divine Presence.