FORMING EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS For Holy Communion Caroline M. Thomas PDF, $14.95 25 pages, 8½" × 11" ISBN 978-0-89390-720-4 View Table of Contents View Introduction Quantity:

Forming Extraordinary Ministers consists of three sessions for training extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. The purpose of the sessions is to give the ministers a background in eucharistic theology and ecclesiology, to give them an understanding of their ministry, and to help prepare them for it. Each session includes the catechist's background, opening and closing prayers, discussion questions, faith reflection, and action. The material is general, to be applicable in any parish. Specific procedures for each individual parish can be added by the catechist.

The third session is specific to training for those who are going to visit the sick or homebound and can be omitted if the ministers will be serving only at the community’s liturgy. In that case the first two sessions can be used alone, but incorporating the commissioning ritual at the end of the third session. The third session involves participation by current ministers to the homebound for demonstration skits, which they can provide based on their experiences.

The sessions are available in an electronic (PDF) format, ready for immediate download.

About the Author
Caroline Thomas has been involved in liturgy planning since the early 1970's, leading to an MA degree from the University of Santa Clara in 1992. She has worked in parishes as the director of liturgy for over 14 years, and continues to be passionate about the potential of the liturgy to transform its participants.

Contents

Introduction

The following three sessions are designed to prepare extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion for their ministry. Primarily this is background information for understanding the meaning of Eucharist as a response to human need and of the ministry in the context of hospitality.

The first two sessions focus on preparation for ministry within the liturgical context. Because the actual procedures differ from parish to parish, instruction on the procedures, which would include an actual walk-through, would be an addition to the sessions. The new ministers would be paired with experienced ones at the beginning of their ministry so they can feel more secure.

The last session is designed to prepare for ministry to the sick or homebound. This third session is designed to have examples in skits of actual circumstances when making home visits. The skits themselves are not included in the session plan, but are intended to be presented by active members in the ministry. From their experience they can demonstrate how to handle different situations.

The intent is for the new ministers to be mentored by those who have been in the ministry, and to go out with them at the beginning until they feel comfortable making the home visits on their own.

If the ministers going through the training will not be going to the homebound, the commissioning ceremony at the end of the third session can be moved to the end of the second session, just before the concluding sign of peace.

Many dioceses require that application be made to the Bishop for permission to commission extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. Usually this requires that a list of names and a statement that they have been trained be sent to him.

Once the permission has been received, a commissioning at Mass can be planned. They can all be commissioned at one time, or at various Masses on the same Sunday, or individually at the first Mass at which they serve.