Extraordinary Minister
Humbly Serving a
T
“Fundamentally, none of us is worthy to do what we do. Seeing this ministry as a service with the Body of Christ, for the Body of Christ, to the Body of Christ is of great importance.” — Fr. Godfrey Mullen 4
hroughout the course of the liturgy, the priest acts in the person of Christ. Ultimately, the priest is the only one necessary to bring us Christ in the Eucharist. However, the Church gives us many ways for laypeople to assist the priest and in a large parish like St. Benedict Cathedral, this assistance is vital. Altar servers directly assist the priest while lectors and cantors bring us the Word of God in a profound way. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion have the unique privilege of offering the Body of Christ to the congregation. It is a great and humbling responsibility. “There is no place nearer that we can get here on this earth than holding His presence in our hands, offering His presence to another brother or sister with a hungry soul,” says our former rector, Fr. Godfrey Mullen. In our parish, the ministers assist at Mass and often help to take Communion to those who are ill or homebound. While being a minister brings an individual close to our Lord, they also have a great responsibility in bringing Christ to others who are hungering for spiritual food. When those who would like to receive the Eucharist are unable to come to Mass and participate in the community of the parish, the Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is able to be the face of the parish, bringing them both our Lord and fellowship. “Anytime we serve someone in need, someone hungry, and we’re looking for the living Lord, we so easily are serving Him,” Fr. Godfrey says. “His hunger is fed when those who hunger for the ‘bread come down from heaven’ are fed.” St. Benedict currently has about 65 Extraordinary Ministers of Holy
