Introductory Rite:

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Penitential Rite:

Minister:  Let us turn with confidence to the Lord and ask forgiveness from all our sins.

ALL:  I confess to Almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; (striking breast) through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary, ever-Virgin, and all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Minister:   May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen

Liturgy of the Word:

Reading the Current Sunday Gospel is recommended

Or:

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John:

Jesus says, “He who feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has life eternal, and I will raise him up on the last day.  For my flesh is real food, and my blood real drink.  The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.  Just as the Father who has life sent me and I have life because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.  This is the bread that came down from Heaven.  Unlike your ancestors who ate and died nonetheless, the one who feeds on this bread shall live forever.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

General Intercessions

1.     For hearts always grateful for the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist, we pray to the Lord…….ALL:  Lord, hear our prayer

2.     For an end to abortion and a greater respect for life from conception until natural death, we pray to the Lord…….ALL:  Lord, hear our prayer

3.     For an increase in vocations to the Priesthood and religious life, we pray to the Lord……..ALL: Lord, hear our prayer

Liturgy of the Eucharist:

Minister:  Now let us pray with confidence as Christ our Lord taught us:  Our Father who art in heaven………..

Communion:

Holding the Eucharist for all to see, say:

Minister:  Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world.  Blessed are those called to this supper of the Lamb

ALL:  Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.

Minister:  The Body of Christ

Communicant:  AMEN

Prayer after communion:

Minister: May the Body of Christ which our brother/sister received bring them lasting health in mind and body.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Concluding Rite:

Minister: May the almighty and merciful God bless and protect us, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Liturgical Procedures for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Report to sacristy before Mass begins.  Check off your name on the roster and take your seat in the congregation.

After the “Sign of Peace” proceed with the other Extraordinary Ministers into the sanctuary.  Bow to reverence the altar as you enter the sanctuary.

Stand on the sides of the altar.

3 stand by the cry room  - These 3 will stay in FRONT of the church and distribute communion

3 stand by the altar servers – These 3 will go to BACK of the church and distribute communion

EM’s and all parishioners should bow their heads as a sign of reverence prior to receiving the BODY and BLOOD of Christ.

EM’s should be deliberate, focused and reverent and unhurried when walking to the assigned stations.  Remember you are holding the precious Body and Blood of our Lord. 

When distributing the Body and Blood of Christ, say only “The Body of Christ” or “The Blood of Christ”

If the recipient does not respond, it is not bad policy to say “Amen”.  Hopefully this will encourage a better response next time.

If the Host falls to the floor, pick it up immediately.  Your have a few options, consume it yourself or give it to the communicant, but only if they indicate that this is acceptable or hold it in your hand and consume it later or give the Host to the priest upon returning to the altar.

If the Precious Blood is spilled accidentally, immediately place the purificator on top of it.  Let the purificator absorb it.  A second purificator from the sacristy should be obtained before continuing with distribution of the Precious Blood.

After distribution of the Eucharist, return your ciborium, with the Hosts to the Priest.

If you were distributing the Chalice, upon returning to the credence table consume any remaining Precious Blood and return the chalice to the table near the altar servers.  Never consume the Precious Blood while walking.  If you are unable to consume it all, leave it on the table for the Priest.

Ministers should then return to their pews as quickly as possible.

Those ministers taking Holy Communion to the shut-ins should remain in the sacristy and then approach the altar telling the Priest the number of Hosts you will need. The priest will place the hosts into your pyx.   Receive his blessing.  Depart from the sacristy.  Take a Pittsburgh Catholic Newspaper and a church bulletin for each of your shut-ins.

The purification of the vessels is always done by the priest. 

Home Visitations

Extraordinary Ministers are encouraged to share the gift of the Eucharist with the homebound.  Please consider this part of the ministry.  Training is available.  Typically you will have 3 homes to visit after either the 10:00 or Noon Mass on Sunday.

Extraordinary Ministers #1 thru #5 take communion to the shut-ins.  These EM’s will need to call the rectory between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on the Saturday before your scheduled Mass to obtain your list of names/addresses and phone numbers.  Contact your shut-ins immediately and confirm with them that they would like to receive communion and advise them of the time you expect to arrive at their home. 

After all your visits, you must consume any remaining Hosts that you have.  The Eucharist is NEVER left outside the tabernacle, that is, never leave the Body of the Lord in the pyx.

Please return your empty pyx to the sacristy.  If the sacristy is locked, you may place the pyx into the mail slot (NOT THE MAIL BOX).  The mail slot is located on the bottom right side of the front door. 

General Information

The dress code is formal.  No jeans, sweat suits, tee shirts, shorts or tennis shoes are permitted.  Please come to Mass dressed to serve if needed.

Scheduling

Ideally, all EM’s should distribute communion at all of the 5 different Mass times and also take communion to the homebound.  We would like all EM’s to be as flexible as possible.  If you cannot make your scheduled mass you may call a substitute or switch with another EM.  If you were scheduled to bring communion to the shut-ins, please call the rectory and tell the secretary the name of the person who is replacing you and the mass day and time.  Our homebound parishioners wait all week for the Eucharist and we want to make sure they are visited.

Weekday Masses

We do not schedule EM’s for weekday Masses.  However, please come dressed to serve if needed.

Fr. Dennis requests 2 EM’s at daily mass.

Fr. Tusky requests 3 EM’s at daily mass.

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO THIS MINISTRY