MASS GUIDELINES FOR LITURGICAL MINISTERS
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MASS GUIDELINES FOR EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
[see positions for Eucharistic Ministers assigned locations]
 

There have been significant changes to the guidelines for Eucharistic Ministers. Please review the following guidelines before serving.

The Eucharistic Ministers for the Mass walk in the procession at the beginning of Mass. You may sit anywhere in the Church.

Please:

1. Arrive at least 20 minutes before Mass.

• Sign in on the sign-in sheet at the vestibule work room.
• If anyone has not signed in by 10 minutes before Mass begins, the co-captains will look for and assign replacements.
• If you are scheduled to serve but know you cannot be there, please find your own replacement.

2. A few minutes before Mass is to begin, go to the back of the church and stand silently. If anyone tries to strike up a conversation, merely acknowledge him or her with a silent smile.
    
3. At the beginning of Mass, we process to the altar. After bowing with Father, remain in place at the bottom of the sanctuary steps until he ascends and kisses the altar. You may then retire to your seats.
    
4. After the "Sign of Peace".

• Go to the bottom of the sanctuary steps and wait until Father/Deacon has retrieved the Ciboria from the Tabernacle before you ascend the steps to the credence table.
• At the credence table, you may rinse your fingers off before going to the altar.
• Those offering the cup will take a purificator from the credence table and bring it to the altar.

5. Once all ministers are in place behind the altar, please form a semi circle behind Father and remain standing back during the fractioning rite and sharing of communion.
    
6. Minister #4 should stand at Father’s right, facing him.

• Father will give you the Body of Christ and the Precious Blood.Father will then continue to give the Host to the rest of the ministers.
• Minister #4 will follow Father, distributing the Precious Blood to the other ministers.
• Minister #4 will then place the Chalice with the remaining Precious Blood on the altar and cover it with the pall.

7. Wait for the priest to leave the altar before going to your assigned positions to distribute communion.
    
8. The only appropriate words when distributing communion are "The Body of Christ” or "The Blood of Christ".
    
9. Smile!! Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is a joyous occasion!
    
10. Minister #1 and #2 will give communion to the organist, choir leader or lead guitarist at their positions in the choir area. The remainder of the choir should receive communion at the Minister #1 and #2 positions by intermingling with other parishioners.
     
11. Ministers #9 and #10 will give communion to the Altar Servers before going to their communion stations.
     
12. If a Host is dropped, pick it up and consume it. If the Precious Blood is spilled, cover it with your purificator and we will clean it after Mass. Be sure to let Father know about the spillage. An appropriate time to notify him would be just after he is done distributing communion.
     
13. If a person comes to your position for a blessing, hold up your hand in a gesture of blessing and say "Christ’s Peace be with You". (Do not touch them – do not make the sign of the cross – do not use words of blessing).
     
14. Do not cross the sanctuary area in front of or behind the altar after distributing communion. Proceed at pew level at the bottom of the sanctuary steps until reaching the side of the sanctuary area nearest to the chapel, then ascend the steps and proceed to the credence table and altar. Then, proceed back to floor level, turn, bow to the altar and return to your seat via the back of the church.
     
15. All Host Ministers: When your communion line is complete, return your ciborium to the altar.

• If you see another Host minister in danger of running out of Hosts, switch ciboria with them.
• If you are the first Host Minister to complete distributing communion, return to the Credence table, fill the Pyxes for communion to the ill, closing them tightly and then bring your Ciborium to the altar.
• Out of respect for the Body of Christ, one minister will remain at the altar with the Hosts until Father or the Deacon returns to the altar.

16. All Cup Ministers: When your communion line is complete, return to the Credence table and leave your purificator there.

• If you have Precious Blood remaining, please check to see if other cup ministers need it. If so, switch communion cups with them.
• If not needed, please consume the Precious Blood at the credence table with your back to the people and then bring your cup to the altar. (If you cannot consume the Precious Blood, please place the cup on the altar for Father to consume).
• Do not pour the Precious Blood from one cup to another.

17. Purification of the Vessels is done by the priest or deacon. After Father / Deacon completes the purification, the altar servers will return the sacred vessels to the credence table. This is a ritual purification. A more thorough cleansing of the sacred vessels must be done immediately following Mass by Ministers # 1, 2, & 3. At the 7:30 am Mass, all three ministers should help with the cleansing after Mass.
     
18. Appropriate Dress for all Ministers:
    Men: Jacket, shirt and tie
    Women: Dresses, skirts and blouses, skirt suits, or appropriate pant suits.

It is often very helpful if you come to Mass in appropriate dress so you can be called upon to act as a substitute if needed.
 

MINISTER POSITIONS to see a picture of the positions in the church click here.

1. Host Minister
2. Cup Minister
3. Cup Minister
4. Host Minister or Deacon
5. Father
6. Cup Minister
7. Cup Minister
8. Host Minister
9. Cup Minister (Chapel)
10. Host Minister (Chapel)
11. Host Minister (Special Occasions Only)
12. Host Minister (Special Occasions Only)
 

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MASS GUIDELINES FOR LECTORS

Upon arriving at church, please first retrieve the Lectionary and the Brown binder from the lectern. Sometimes it is already on the first pew.

Read the brown binder for any current instructions regarding any changes in the normal procedure.

One of the lectors retrieves the Book of Gospels from the Altar, then both lectors proceed to the back of the church.

Both lectors are part of the procession at the beginning and at the close of the Liturgy, walking side-by-side directly in front of the presider and behind the Eucharist ministers.

One of the lectors carries the Book of Gospels, except when the Deacon officiates, which is the second Sunday of the month. The front cover of the Book should face the assembly.

It is recommended that the Book of Gospels be held with both hands cupped over the lower corners with the upper edge leaning against the upper chest/heart...or holding the Book at eye level, or higher, whichever you are most comfortable with.

The lector carrying the Book of Gospels should be:

• Standing next to the presider at the Altar steps.
• Wait on the first step while the priest kisses the Altar.
• Then, proceed to the back of the Altar facing the assembly and place the Book in the book-holder.

Both Readers:

• Prior to reading, adjust the microphone to your height.
• Start with..."A Reading from the Book of... (Uh not Ay; Thuh not Thee sound).
• You may wish to place your finger on the text so as not to lose your place.
• At the end of your reading...please pause before saying, "The Word of the Lord", so the impact of that statement is properly presented to the assembly.

First Reader: 

• Check  with the song leader prior to Mass regarding the Responsorial Psalm. If the choir will not sing the Responsorial Psalm, the first reader will read it at the appropriate time (see below).
• Wait for the Altar server to light the candle (during the Easter season this changes - instructions are always in the brown binder) When there is only one Altar server, the second reader lights the candle.
• If the choir sings the Responsorial Psalm, you should quietly and reverently return to your seat in the assembly.
• If the choir does not sing the Responsorial Psalm, the first reader will read it. Do not say the responses into the microphone. Exchange places with the second reader during the final congregation response.

Second Reader

• Check with song leader prior to Mass, if the choir does not say or sing the Alleluia, the second reader will read it.
• Be prepared to exchange places with the first reader during the final congregation response.
• Go to the ambo during the last two lines of the Creed to be ready for the Prayers of the Faithful after Father says the introductory prayer.
• The last prayer of the Prayers of the Faithful always says, "let us pause..."; after reading this passage please do pause... say a small prayer silently, or whatever you are comfortable with, BUT DO PAUSE to allow the assembly to add their silent prayers.
• Remain standing at the ambo after the Prayers of the Faithful until Father has read the concluding prayer to this part of the liturgy.

Appropriate dress for all Ministers:

Men:         Jacket, slacks, shirt and tie.
Women:    Dresses, skirts and blouses, skirt suit.

It is helpful if you always come to Mass in appropriate dress, even when you are not scheduled, so that we may call on you to substitute if needed.

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 GUIDELINES FOR HOSPITALITY MINISTERS

Thank you for volunteering for this very important ministry. While participating in this ministry please remember that you represent the church in making everyone feel welcome to God's house.

Responsibilities of the hospitality minister are as follows:

• Please be ready to greet parishioners 15 minutes prior to the start of Mass.
   

• Check the bulletin board in the work room prior to Mass for special instructions.
   

• The head usher of the day needs to select a family to bring up the gifts for the offertory.
   

• Please be sensitive to the needs of others, especially the handi-capable and those who may be feeling ill (offer to help if needed). Also, there are specially-selected areas in the front of the church for those in wheel chairs and their families.
   

• Watch for male parishioners entering the church with hats, caps or hoods on - politely ask them to remove them.
   

• Be aware of anyone using inappropriate language in the church and politely inform them that it is not acceptable.
   

• Be aware of people (including Eucharistic Ministers) at the back of the church or vestibule who are being loud and correct them.
   

• Try to be aware of open seating so that when the need arises, you will be prepared to handle it.
   

• Do not seat people after the beginning of the readings and until the Homily is completed. Also, do not seat people during the consecration (raising of the host and the priest saying: "The Body of Christ" until the "Great Amen'. The exception would be a sick person or possibly a pregnant woman.
   

• The head usher is also responsible for soliciting help if there are not enough ushers to take up the collection.
   

• Take up the collection - Prior to the collection, come forward to the front of the church at your respective positions, bow in unison and then begin your collection.
   

• The head usher or designated representative will bring the monetary offering to the altar.
   

• If you encounter a child that will not stop crying, respectfully suggest the "cry room" to the parent.
   

• If you observe a child wandering around the church, especially on the altar area please locate the parents or guide the child back to their seat.
   

• Correct people that are interfering with the normal flow of the service.
   

• Inform people that no photographs are to be taken from the altar.
   

• When receiving Communion, rather than you receiving together in the center aisle, we want you to receive last, separately in your respective area. This accomplishes two things; you are truly being hospitable by allowing everyone to go before you and secondly, if you have a parishioner that cannot come forward to receive communion, you will be there to guide the Eucharistic Ministers to their location.
   

• Pass out the bulletins at the end of Mass.
   

• Make sure the pews and books are in good orderly condition for the following Mass.
   

• Be especially watchful during the Christmas Eve celebration of people who may have over indulged and be prepared to escort them out of the church.
   

• On Palm Sunday keep the vestibule area clear, as Father, the Deacon and the eucharistic ministers will be processing into the church after the blessing of the palms, followed by the parishioners.

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This page last updated on Thursday, May 01, 2008