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| Penfold | Saturday, 27. June 2009, 14:24 |
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When properly trained and commissioned by the Bishop I have to say Eucharistic ministers do a great job in visiting the sick. It is not an excuse for the priest to abrogate his responsibilities. In many parishes there were once things called, curates. It was the curate’s lot to visit the housebound and distribute Holy Communion to the long term sick in the Parish. The Parish priest might visit the better off end of the parish and may in dire emergency visit the not so well off but on the whole the housebound were fortunate if they saw either of them more than twice a month. Since the demise of curates the EMs have stepped into the breach and many housebound now receive communion at least once a week with a monthly visit from the priest unless he is invited, usually by the EM to make and extra visit in time of need. I also know from talking to many housebound that they have become very fond of 'their EM' who often has the time to chat and have a cup of tea that the curate with half a dozen more people to see did not. Also the EMs are often closer in age to the people they are visiting and the conversation can be more relaxed and social rather than polite and business like. Where I do see a problem is when EM's get to big for their boots and start trying to dictate to other parishioners. The solution is simple when they are next due for renewal the priest should not put their name forward. As a general rule I do not think EM's should serve for more than 6 consecutive years and should take a minimum of 2 years between each appointment, this would help offset the 'Top Dog' tendency. As in all things discretion should be permitted, after all if you do have a saintly EM who is loved and respected by all they should be allowed to carry on the good work. I also think that by having a limit on the term of appointments it encourages others to come forward because they do not have to break into a select club or worry that they will be tied to a never ending commitment. |
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| Services of Word and Holy Communion · The Mass , Liturgy, Sacraments, Priesthood | |
2:37 PM Nov 25