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Services of Word and Holy Communion; commonly called "Eucharistic Services"
Topic Started: Monday, 23. April 2007, 23:55 (2,628 Views)
Derekap
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Rose of York
Monday, 2. August 2010, 20:50
Derek, I imagine if they were not allowed they would not have access the tabernacle keys. If a sick person, or family member, contacts an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion direct, when the priest is unavailable, is the EMHC permitted then to take Holy Communion to them without waiting to speak to the priest? If so, does the EMHC need to notify the parish priest, when able?
A difficult question. I would not say never - that is an EMHC must always consult the relevant priest. These days, however, with the increasingly fewer priests and temporary emergency absence of priests there could be an odd occasion where the EMHC would have to use his/her initiative. However, because, as occasionally happens, I don't feel well enough to go to church on a particular Saturday Evening or Sunday I wouldn't expect a Priest or Minister to come and bring me Holy Communion. Sometimes I have attended churches where the Celebrant ceremoniously gives pyxes to Ministers after Holy Mass. In the church we attend the Deacon often places Hosts in one or two pyxies at the end of distribution of Holy communion and places them in the Tabernacle whether for he himself or others to visit the sick, I don't know.
Derekap
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Mairtin
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Rose of York
Friday, 30. July 2010, 18:41
The exact format is laid down. Mairtin I find it significant that you, an EMHC, are not aware. Dioceses need to ensure all who are EMHCs are familiar with the format.
Sorry, Rose, I meant to reply to this at the time.

The significance is simply that I have never been to one of these services and there has never been one in our parish (though our priest has suggested that it will not be too long before they become a necessary feature of our parish) so there is no reason for me to know the rules.

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How would you cope if you priest were to be involved in an accident minutes before Mass was due, and was unable to proceed?

That happened hear during the bad weather, the priest slipped on his way into the church and split his head, had to be taken to the hospital. Mass just got cancelled, there was no formal prayer though a lot of people stayed on for private prayer.

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Would you know whether you may hold a service of Word and Holy Communion, how it is done, what prayers and readings are included, and whether persons who are not EMHCs should be given roles in the sanctuary? Should you read the Gospel? Would you have entrance, Communion and final hymns? What would you do it there were ten times as many would be communicants, as consecrated hosts available? As I said earlier we need educating in these matters.

They are not things I am particularly concerned about; I cannot imagine any of our Eucharistic Ministers deciding on their own initiative to hold a service without it having been discussed beforehand with our priest and the exact format agreed with him.
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CARLO
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I am with Rose on all these matters.

The fact is that some lay people secretly yearn to be the centre of attention in our liturgy by having a greater 'hands on' role than is permitted. Some also resent the central and superior role of the Priest and wish to usurp that role by doing everything a Priest is permitted to do or at least as much as they can get away with.

The rules much derided by some are there for several good purposes, theological and practical. One of these is to prevent this sort of attention seeking behaviour by a minority of Catholics.

Oremus


CARLO

Judica me Deus
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Anne-Marie

CARLO
Saturday, 28. August 2010, 12:42
The fact is that some lay people secretly yearn to be the centre of attention in our liturgy by having a greater 'hands on' role than is permitted. The rules much derided by some are there... to prevent this sort of attention seeking behaviour by a minority of Catholics.
You haven't specified what roles you refer to, Carlo. There are servers, welcomers, hymn-leaders (for want of a better word)... and decons seeking to provide a Service of the Word or similar for parishioners wanting a greater interaction with God in His house. All this is laudable in my view and worthy of support, whatever goes on in the Vatican!

Perhaps you have something else that bothers you - or maybe you are a priest who wants to be in control! I've no idea....
Anne-Marie
FIAT VOLUNTAS DEI
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CARLO
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Anna-Maria

My remarks apply to lay people performing any of the roles you mention and were intended to apply to an attitude of mind that a very small but noisy minority have rather than the roles themselves.

Services of the Word never really caught on and quite frankly are out of liturgical fashion in most UK Parishes these days.

They are no substitute for Holy Mass and never will be.

Pax

CARLO
Edited by CARLO, Saturday, 28. August 2010, 16:03.
Judica me Deus
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Derekap
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Carlo wrote:

"Services of the Word never really caught on and quite frankly are out of liturgical fashion in most UK Parishes these days.

They are no substitute for Holy Mass and never will be."

Surely they are better than nothing, Jesus Christ said something like: "Where two or three are gathered in my name,I am among them"

I know of two different parishes, each in different dioceses, where most weekdays of this month there has been a Service of the word and Distribution of Holy Communion. In one case the priest is in hospital - I don't know the reason in the other. As I am unable to attend I can't say how well they are attended.
Derekap
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Mairtin
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CARLO
Saturday, 28. August 2010, 12:42
The rules much derided by some ...

Who has been deriding the rules, Carlo?

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... are there for several good purposes, theological and practical. One of these is to prevent this sort of attention seeking behaviour by a minority of Catholics.

Let's just remember that it is a very tiny minority, Carlo.

I reckon that over the years I have probably known maybe 50+ EMHCs; I struggle to think of even one or two whom I would regard as taking on the ministry for some sort of self aggrandisement, the vast majority I know have had to be coaxed into it by their priest.
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Mairtin
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Carlo
 
They are no substitute for Holy Mass and never will be
I don't kow anybody who reards them as that. They are not used as a substitute for Mass, they are an option of last resort when Mass is not possible.
Edited by Mairtin, Saturday, 28. August 2010, 17:25.
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Derekap
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Hey Mairtin:

I never wrote:

"They are no substitute for Holy Mass and never will be"

It was Carlo, I was quoting him!!

But I'm not surprised you got confused, I often have to re-read and re-study entries!
Derekap
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Mairtin
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Ooops, sorry, fixed :bl:
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Derekap
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I'll forgive you this time, Mairtin!
Derekap
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Rose of York
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Mairtin
Saturday, 28. August 2010, 16:57
I reckon that over the years I have probably known maybe 50+ EMHCs; I struggle to think of even one or two whom I would regard as taking on the ministry for some sort of self aggrandisement, the vast majority I know have had to be coaxed into it by their priest.
The modest majority are not noticed. When you do get one who takes on roles for some sort of self importance, it is impossible not to notice their activities, presence and domination. It's a bit like the "drunken Irishman", he is noticed, he speaks, he has the accent, is labelled drunken Irishman. His brother who walks along the street neatly dressed and being considerate to all, is just a gentleman, his nationality attracts no attention. So it is when one EMHC is too much to the fore, they all get tarred with the same brush.
Keep the Faith!

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CARLO
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Ironic how Mairtin says Services OTW are an option of last resort and Derek says he knows a Parish where they are held almost every day!

:snob:

De profundis
Out of the depths


CARLO
Edited by CARLO, Sunday, 29. August 2010, 00:09.
Judica me Deus
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Derekap
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"Ironic how Mairtin says Services OTW are an option of last resort and Derek says he knows a Parish where they are held almost every day!"

Obviously, Carlo, perceptions are according to what one experiences locally. I was in no way wishing to 'disagree' with Mairtin, just reporting my own knowledge.
Derekap
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PJD

"The modest majority are not noticed. When you do get one who takes on roles for some sort of self importance, it is impossible not to notice their activities, presence and domination. It's a bit like the "drunken Irishman", he is noticed, he speaks, he has the accent, is labelled drunken Irishman. His brother who walks along the street neatly dressed and being considerate to all, is just a gentleman, his nationality attracts no attention. So it is when one EMHC is too much to the fore, they all get tarred with the same brush."

Yes Rose there always appears to be one, or worse if you have two effectively warring against one another (smile); but often it wears off after a year or two methinks.

PJD
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