Ministers of the Eucharist

“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’”
Matthew 26:26

A Minister of the Eucharist is an individual that is appointed by the Archbishop upon the recommendation of the pastor in order to assist in the distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ during the Holy Mass. For Catholics, the Mass is the heart and soul of our worship of God. As the celebrant reenacts the Last Supper, when Jesus instituted the Eucharist, we accept the fact that bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus, because Jesus told us this is so. Receiving Jesus in the Eucharist is the strength we need to live our Christian lives. The guidelines of the Archdiocese and of our parish ask that anyone who serves as a Minister of the Eucharist be required the following:

1. Fully initiated in the Catholic Church, you must have received Baptism, Communion and Confirmation.
2. If you are married, your marriage should be in conformity with our Catholic Faith.
3. To dedicate one hour each week in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in accordance with your personal schedule, although it is encouraged that you be a scheduled adorer.
4. A Minister of the Eucharist must attend 2 hour training.
5. A Minister of the Eucharist must arrive at least 15 minutes before the Mass begins on the day he/she is serving.
6. A Minister of the Eucharist must adhere to the dress code for all Ministers. 7. A Minister of the Eucharist is normally scheduled to serve Sunday Mass once a month, at the Mass of his/her preference, for a term of at least 2 years.

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Press Release 3/2/2020: Archbishop Wenski issues guidelines to help prevent spread of coronavirus.

Monday, March 2, 2020

Communications Department - Archdiocese of Miami

Miami ... (March 2, 2020) The Archdiocese of Miami offers the following guidelines parishes can employ to help prevent the spread of contagion.  The same precautions taken for the flu are also to be employed to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Because we now have two confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the state of Florida, the following practices are suggested.
  • Temporary suspension of the minor chalices used for the distribution of the Precious Blood.
  • Temporary suspension of the communal Sign of Peace (kissing or shaking of hands).
  • Not to hold hands during the recitation/chanting of the Our Father.
  • Temporary suspension of the greeting before Mass (if your parish has this practice).
  • Emptying the holy water fonts at the church doors.
  • Use of anti-bacterial soap by the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion before and after distribution of the Host.
  • Reminding parishioners that if they feel unwell or have flu like symptoms they are encouraged to stay home.
  • The celebrant is to use discretion if he shakes hands while greeting parishioners before or after the Mass.
As the distribution of Holy Communion involves contact with both the mouth and hands, any Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion who feels uncomfortable distributing Communion should be allowed to temporarily step down from ministry. It is still left to the discretion of the communicant how they wish to receive the Host. If circumstances should change in the coming days and weeks that require a different course of action, further information or measures will be forthcoming. The Archdiocese of Miami: www.miamiarch.org Instagram/Twitter/YouTube: @CatholicMiami Facebook: /ArchdioceseofMiami Follow our hashtags: #MiamiArchNews #MiamiArchCommunications Media contact: Maria Alejandra Rivas, Media Coordinator, at (305)762-1046 mrivas@theadom.org, or Mary Ross Agosta, Director of Communications, at (305)762-1043 mragosta@theadom.org. Click here to view the Press Release on the ADOM website.