Eucharistic Ministers prayerfully serve the people of St. Joseph Parish by distributing the Body and Blood of Christ during Eucharistic celebrations.

Eucharistic Minister Ministry

“It is a gift to be a Eucharistic Minister – to share the Body and Blood of Christ with another,” said one Eucharistic Minister reflecting on her experience at Holy Family. The moment of communion is one that should be seized by both the minister and the communicant.  This moment is unique because it is both personal and much bigger than the two people.

Those called to this ministry have, or soon acquire the grace in movement and reverence in touch.  Reverence in touch is especially important for Eucharistic Ministers since their whole work involves taking in hand the vessels of the Body of Christ and of the Blood of Christ and sharing them with everyone.

The eyes of the minister should meet the eyes of the communicant.  The minister says words of the formula “the Body of Christ” directly to the person.  When placing the consecrated host into the hand of the communicant there should be a slight and brief touch.  The same is true of the cup, eye contact, the words “the Blood of Christ” and touching!  All are in communion with the person of our Lord.  Cardinal Mahony says in his document Gather Faithfully Together: A Pastoral Letter on Liturgy: “What does it mean when the Body of Christ comes forward to receive the Body of Christ?”  It is the Body of Christ giving the Body of Christ to the Body of Christ.  We have communion with our living, loving, and nourishing God. This means that there can be no rush.  One can minister communion with reverence and dignity and personal attention and still keep the process moving steadily.

Likewise for our non communicants, special care is necessary when composing prayers of blessing over the people who come forward for a blessing.  Eye contact, words of welcome and blessing, and of course the kind and gentle touch of the Body of Christ touching the Body of Christ.
 

Requirements

• To be a Eucharistic Minister is to be intent on the work of liturgy caught up in singing, procession and even silence. To be a Eucharistic Minister is to know deeply that we are the Body and Blood of Christ. To be with the praying community is to learn how to be in this world with reverence, with a love of God that is incarnate in how we speak to others, how we move amidst the holiness of matter and of time.
• A fully initiated Catholic, having celebrated the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and First Eucharist.

If you would like to become an Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister, please contact the Parish Office.
 

Homebound Ministry

Bring Eucharist to the homebound, or those in the hospital, a skilled nursing facility, or retirement community.

Requirements

• Practicing Catholic and a St. Joseph Parish parishioner
• Loving and compassionate heart
• Good communication and people skills
• Honest and trustworthy
• Willing to give the time needed to serve in this ministry
• Interview and training prior to serving in this ministry
• VIRTUS certification
• Annual CORI form

Amount of Time Required
Approximately one hour once a week.

When Ministry is Performed
Monday through Sunday, depending on individual schedules.

If you would like to serve in Homebound Ministry, please contact the Parish Office.