Mass

Eucharistic Ministers

 

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to assist the celebrant in sharing the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ in a respectful, reverent, and dignified manner that enhances the communicant’s spiritual experience.

 

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A EUCHARISTIC MINISTER

General roles and responsibilities:

  • Approximately 4-5 times a year, you are asked to complete a form which will arrive to you via e-mail. You will be asked to indicate your availability over a number of weeks.
  • Based on the responses, you will be scheduled with two other ministers for your preferred Mass (Saturday 5:00 pm, or Sunday 9:00 am or 11:00 am and Holy Days of Obligation).
  • Secure a substitute in advance whenever you cannot assist at the Mass for which you are scheduled.
  • Get familiar with any special needs of communicants (unable to walk/stand, etc.) so that you can accommodate their needs and preferences, and preserve their dignity.

On the scheduled day:

  • Arrive at least 15 minutes in the sacristy before Mass begins.
  • Sign in to let the celebrant know that there are enough ministers present to assist in the distribution of the Eucharist.
  • Along with the other ministers, assist with setting up the altar/church for Mass.
  • Ministers are seated in the pews during Mass.
  • At the Sign of Peace, make your way to the front of the church, sanitize your hands, and bring the ciborium from the Tabernacle to the altar.
  • Wait at the tabernacle side of the altar, and, at the bottom of the altar stairs, for Father to finish the consecration before climbing the stairs and standing at the foot of the cross directly behind Father to receive Holy Communion.
  • Accept the ciborium or chalice if it is being used, and assist with the distribution of Eucharist to congregation.
  • When Mass has ended, take all items on the credence table back to the sacristy, except for the book.
  • Blow out the candles.

 

CONTACT

If you feel called to serve as a Eucharistic Minister, please contact either

  • Barrig Hayward, St. Anselm Administrative Assistant (stanselmsto@archtoronto.org)