Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist

Fr Gene

Carl : Eucharistic Ministers;

I have cited several Church resources from the GIRM to the Vatican's, EWTN, and USCCB's websites, regarding extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist which is nicely laid out in black and white. It has occurred to me that along with some of our lectors that some blur the line of being lay-personnel to perhaps thinking they are higher than the rest of the congregation. EME's are not per se Eucharistic ministers. And never got why at Our Lady of the Fields they need to walk in with the priest and sit in a specially marked pew.

EME's are there to serve the priest. They are not supposed to be entering the sanctuary before the celebrant has received communion. I have also noticed some of these EME's making blessings to some of the children/ non-receivers of the Eucharist. Also, EME's are not to cleanse the communion vessels, which I have also continued to notice.

Thanks

Gerry