Before Mass

Schedule

During the last week of a month, a Liturgical Minister Schedule is available for the upcoming month on the wall next to the Minister's Room just outside the Pavilion (Daily Mass Chapel).

You are responsible for your assignment, as well as finding another extraordinary minister to replace you if you cannot be present when assigned for any reason (e.g., travel, illness, etc.).  In the event that you must find a replacement:  Contact another extraordinary minister whom you know, check the schedule for other names to contact, or check the Reference List of commissioned Communion Ministers, which is located next to the schedule.

For Masses on Solemnities (Holy Days), feasts, and holidays, there is no Liturgical Minister Schedule as we never know who is available.  If you will be available on such a day, you are asked to volunteer for such Masses by signing up on a board located near the top of the ramp.

Preparation

Everyone should prepare himself to receive Holy Communion.  Preparation becomes even more appropriate for those who will distribute Holy Communion.  Preparation is both remote (in the days before service) and proximate (immediately before Mass).

Preparation of one's soul

• Confession helps us to be more worthy recipients of Holy Communion.

• Pray for holiness because we handle the Most Blessed Sacrament

• Read and study the readings for Mass, so as to better participate.

Preparations of one's body

• Proper attire is required for the House of God, especially for those serving.

• Our hands should be clean and presentable.

Attire

You are fulfilling an important role at the Holy Mass.  You should look the part.  Please dress appropriately.  Shorts, tank tops, plunging necklines, revealing skirts, spaghetti-strap dresses, and the like are not proper for God's house.  A general rule for what is appropriate is collared shirts, slacks, dress shoes, dresses and blouses that do not expose bare shoulders, bare midriff, or bare legs above the knee.  Modesty is the rule.  Remember that, though the presence of God's people is important, we are not the focus of the Sacred Liturgy.  Christ himself, and what he has done for us, is the focus. We should not distract others from this encounter.

Number of Communion Ministers Needed

For most large Masses at St. John's we use:

5 ciboria containing the Sacred Hosts (One goes to the top of the ramp).

8 chalices containing the Precious Blood (None go up to the ramp due to risk of spilling).

This amounts to 13 total stations for distribution of Holy Communion.

For these 13 stations:

When there is only one priest at the Mass, 12 stations must be filled.  When there is both a priest and a deacon (or acolyte), 11 stations must be filled.  Also, whenever other ordinary ministers (clergy) are present, that many fewer extraordinary ministers are employed, as each ordinary minister distributes Holy Communion.