Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Humbly Serving and Sharing Christ

Throughout 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 Communion. Ministers are confirmed Catholics who have undergone a simple training process. Fr. Godfrey trains new ministers after a weekend Mass, walking them through the practical steps and also giving some catechesis about the ministry. The parish is always in need of additional people to serve in this ministry. Fr. Alex is looking for one or two people willing to take over the coordination of this ministry.

“Often, when I encourage someone to consider this ministry, I hear these familiar words, ‘Father, I’m not worthy to do that,’” Fr. Godfrey says. “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. There are very few reasons that really should keep a person from this ministry.”

Entering this ministry with humility and reflection can spill over into the rest of your life in the best possible way.

“Noticing the hunger of the other, finding ourselves able to address that hunger not only with our own service but with the presence of Christ, that moves us to becoming more readily willing to ask the Lord to help us in all our projects, challenges, and ministries,” Fr. Godfrey says.

Anyone who is interested in being trained as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion may contact the parish office at cathedral@evdio.org or 812-425-3369.