Lay Eucharistic Ministers

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• Arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the service.
• Prayers of the People are found on the counter next to the sink in the
  Sacristy.  Please look them over ahead of time, especially for name pronunciation.
• Place Prayers of the People and a bulletin at your seat, so your hands can be free (or have only the Hymnal) for the processional.  Make sure there is a Prayer Book at your seat also. You will sit in the Sanctuary for the service.
• If there are no acolytes present, please light the candles: Light right to left (large then small). Extinguish candles from left to right.
• Sundays – all 8 (2 on the altar and 6 on the reardos)
• Weekdays – 2 – on the altar

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• In the procession – LEM precedes the Deacon and the Priest, unless instructed otherwise.
• In the procession – LEM goes to the top of the stairs, bows and then proceeds into the Sanctuary.  The only exception is if the LEM is in the choir, he or she would proceed to their seat in the choir and then proceed to the Sanctuary, along with the Priest, after the Offertory Sentence.
• Gospel Procession (9:45 service or holidays) 
•  Gospel is read from the congregation. 
•  Join acolytes at altar rail to process down.
•  Follow torch bearers.  Deacon will carry Gospel book. 
•  When in position, the Deacon will hand you the book to hold for the reading. 
•   After the reading, step to the side and allow acolytes to pass, follow to altar and return to seat.

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• 8:00 service – do them from the top of the stairs, facing the congregation.
• 9:45 service – do them from the aisle in the congregation, by the Last Supper window.
• For the Confession, you may stand or kneel in the aisle or go into a pew. 
• Be aware of pauses. Allow time for people to add their petitions. Silence is okay.

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• After the peace:
  • The Priest, Deacon, and LEM enter the Altar area together.
  • Bow together in front of the altar. 
  • LEM goes through the gate first and to the seat on the right.
  • If there is no acolyte, make sure you are on the right to help with the elements. 
• If you are an acolyte – follow the instructions of the Priest or Deacon. 
• Sundays – return to the gate, after the Priest and Deacon have taken their places, to receive the elements.  Pass them over the front of the altar to the Priest or Deacon.  Return to the right to take the elements off the altar and place on the credence table. After “Christ our Passover…” the second chalice needs to be given to the deacon.
• Weekdays – elements will be on the credence table.  Give the Priest the wafers and then the wine and water.
• After communion elements are set – prepare for the washing of the Priest’s hands with the Purificator on left arm, Bowl in left hand, water in right hand.  Slowly pour a small amount of water on Priest’s hands, (you don’t need a lot).  Then place items back on the credence table.
• Before “The gifts of God for the people of God” is said, come to stand beside the Priest. On his left side, if the Deacon is present.  Either side is appropriate if the Deacon is not present.
• If it is necessary to change sides of the altar, do so in FRONT of the altar.  Go to the front of the altar, bow, and proceed to the left side of the Priest. 
• While “The gifts of God for the people of God” is being said, hold up the chalice, keeping it on same level as bread. Keep the bottom of chalice level with bottom of the paten or bread box.  Return chalice to the corporal on the Altar and wait to be communicated.  You then communicate all other ministers on your side of the altar.

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• When distributing the elements, please use the equivalent words that the priest is using.  Usually preferred by Fr. Mike will be “The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven.”  You would then use: “The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.” 
•  Be aware of changes at larger services, when there are 2 Priests or the Priest and Deacon distributing the bread.
• During communion, if someone has consumed the bread and does not want the wine, they will cross their arms or shake their heads “no.”  If it is apparent the person wishes to receive, guide the cup to their lips. If they take it from you and you know they have it, you can let go.  If they have not consumed the bread, they will either dip it themselves or you communicate it and put it on their tongues.  If a small child presents themselves and you are unsure if they receive, turn to their parents for confirmation.
• When all at the rail have been communicated, be aware of those in the congregation who may not have come up, because of physical limitations.  If needed, move with the Priest or Deacon to that pew, communicate the individual and return.  Because you are carrying the elements, you do not bow to the altar coming or going.

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• After communion, you may have to help consume the remaining blessed wine. Look for instruction from the Priest.
• If there is no Acolyte, after communion, bring the water to the altar. After utensils are cleaned, return items to the credence table, as necessary.
• After the Post Communion Prayer and before the Blessing, the Priest, Deacon and LEM will return to where they were sitting for the Liturgy of the Word. 
• Recess from there.

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Interested in becoming a Lay Eucharistic Minister?  Contact Fr. Mike via e-mail at: FatherMike(at)nycap.rr.com or by telephone: 518-374-8391.

Back to The Servant Community

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Instructions

Before the Service

The Procession

Prayers of the People

Communion Preparations

Distribution of Communion

Post Communion

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