• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are first and foremost ministers of hospitality.  You who serve in the ministry of communion are exercising the role of hosts and servants at the Eucharistic banquet.  

• Extraordinary Ministers should:

.  arrive 15 minutes before Mass is scheduled to begin.

.  check in with the Mass Coordinator.

.  be seated in the assembly in close proximity to the altar.

.  move into position in the altar area as soon as you have exchanged the sign of peace with those around you.

• Distribution of Communion should be done in a timely fashion.  Extraordinary ministers should:

.  go directly to their assigned places.

.  know where all the communion stations are.

.  spread out far enough from each other to prevent congestion.

.  stand on the step at each station (except 4B who stands on floor with celebrant)

.  use only the ritual formulas: “The Body of Christ”, “The Blood of Christ”.

.  allow the communicant to hold the cup.

.  properly wipe the rim of the cup – wiping inside and outside after each communicant, turning it slightly before offering it to the next person.

.  consume any left over precious blood at your station.

• Your reverence for the persons you serve and for the sacrament will show itself in all your actions:

.  in the way you walk (slowly, with dignity) as you approach the altar during the sign of peace.  Different positions require different responsibilities – you may be asked to bring the bowls to the altar, to assist the presider retrieving the ciborium from the tabernacle, or you may simply stand to the side of the altar until handed a bowl or cup.  Whatever you do, do it with care and attention.

.  in the way you stand when you take your position at a communion station – with good posture, but relaxed, without stiffness.  This is not a business transaction, remember, but a family meal.

.  in the way you hold the bowl – carefully with one hand while ministering with the other.

.  in the way you hold the cup – with one hand, using the other to hold the cloth with which you wipe the rim after each communicant has received.

.  in the way you minister – with unhurried, deliberate movements.

• The practice of the communicant dipping the Eucharistic bread into the cup is not practiced in this Diocese.  If this should be attempted, simply ask the individual to consume the consecrated bread first.  You may wish to place your flattened hand over the top of the cup.  If the communicant is insistent, only the minister may dip the consecrated host into the consecrated wine and the host must be placed on the tongue of the recipient.
• For individuals in the communion line not receiving communion (this is sometimes communicated to the minister by arms crossed over chest), or for small children, simply place your hand on their head and say “God bless you.”  Please remember that the arms crossed over the chest is not always a sign of not receiving.  For some, this posture is the ritual action for receiving.  If you are unsure, ask the individual.
• If you are a cup minister and both of the cups on the same side run out – please check the length of the communion line and determine if a cup from the other side should be asked to relocate.  If so – please inform a cup minister from the other side of the need to relocate.  Otherwise – when your cup is empty you may leave your position and proceed to the sacristy through either door.
• If you are a bowl minister and you run out of consecrated hosts, please check the length of the communion line and determine if you need to refill your bowl.  If so – go directly to the ciborium on the altar, place an appropriate amount of consecrated hosts in your bowl and return to your communion station
• Ministers should use the purificator to wipe up any consecrated wine that is spilled or dripped on the floor.  If you need a fresh purificator, simply go to the sacristy and retrieve one from the drawer.
• In most cases, when a piece of consecrated bread is dropped, it should be picked up and consumed.

Scheduling

• If you are unable to serve when scheduled, please contact a replacement.  Please inform your substitute of the position they will fill and communicate the change to your Mass Coordinator.  It will be necessary for substitutes to check in 15 minutes before mass and identify themselves to the Mass Coordinator.
• If you are on the schedule to serve but are detained or unable to check in with the Mass Coordinator before the start of Mass, a substitute will be found and checked-in.  You will not need to step forward to minister.  Please be understanding.
• If you are not scheduled to serve but are willing to fill a vacancy, please check in with the Mass Coordinator and offer assistance.  Before Mass begins, your coordinator will let you know if you will be needed. 
• Mass Coordinators will have all positions filled by 5 minutes prior to the start of Mass.