Eucharistic Ministers

Overview

Eucharistic Ministers serve the Eucharistic life of the parish community. They are appointed by the Bishop at the request of the pastor to assist with the sharing of the Eucharistic Body and Blood of Christ.

Mandatory Activities/Responsibilities

Be present at the mass at which you are scheduled to be a Eucharistic Minister
The individual must be able to attend an orientation session and the annual training session
If you are unable to fulfill your responsibility on a particular Sunday, get a replacement
Bring the Reserved Sacrament from the tabernacle to the altar in preparation for the distribution of communion and return the unused hosts to the tabernacle following communion
Distribute communion at the mass

Skills, Experience and Qualifications

A Eucharistic Minister should have an understanding of the Church's belief in the Eucharist. They should also have some understanding of the Liturgy of the Mass itself so that they understand how "communion" fits into the celebration as a whole
The Eucharistic Minister should be a member of the parish and a regularly practicing Catholic

Personal Traits and Qualities

The person must have good hygiene washing hands regularly
They must have the physical ability to climb up and down the sanctuary steps
They must have the physical ability to hold the ciborium of hosts in one hand while using the other to distribute the Eucharist
They must have a personal devotion to the Eucharist so that they are able to show appropriate reverence for the Eucharist while they are exercising their ministry
They must be able to look people in the eye when they are presenting the Eucharist to them
They must have the flexibility to adapt their style of distribution of the Eucharist to accommodate those with particular needs like the handicapped, the elderly or young children

Orientation and Training

They are to be trained for the task of distributing the Eucharist by the pastor or by his delegate
They are to participate in one session per year that is to be put on by the parish specifically for Eucharistic Ministers

Participant Group

Eucharistic Ministers serve the faith community of the parish as they gather for worship

Support, Supervision and Evaluation

The Eucharistic Ministry Coordinator will be the first level of support and supervision
The pastor will work with the coordinator to provide further support and supervision
Evaluation will take place at the end of each ministry appointment and will be facilitated by the coordinator of this ministry

Length of Ministry Appointment

The length of the ministry appointment for a Eucharistic Minister will be two years

Benefits and Working Conditions

The participation of the Eucharistic Minister will directly impact the faith life of the parish community and the quality of our liturgies
The responsibilities of the Eucharistic Minister will take approximately 1 to 1.5 hours each time the person signs up to be a minister

Screening Measures

This is a low risk ministry
The screening measures include the following:
- completion of
  - the Ministry Information Form
  - the Ministry Covenant Form
- participation in the orientation and training sessions
- ongoing supervision
- evaluation at the end of their term of ministry

Contact

Parish Office at (416) 489-1540, Ext 221 or office@olphtoronto.com.