EMHC - St. Fabian Catholic Church & School

PROCEDURES FOR EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION (EMHC)

Dressing appropriately for the occasion, men wear at least business casual attire, such as trousers and a collared shirt. Women wear a dress, skirt, or slacks and a blouse with sleeves. No shorts or sportswear are permitted.
When you arrive at church, if the red flag is still displayed near the organ, please sign up to serve as an EMHC at the table near the altar server’s room, and initial the spot where you would like to distribute Holy Communion.

When in the sanctuary, stand close together; it is acceptable to stand in front of the tabernacle.
Note that if a deacon is present, only one EMHC with a chalice is on the left side of the sanctuary.
For those distributing from a Chalice, please share it with your immediate neighbor, then move on to your designated distribution station.
For the EMHC distributing the Host with the priest in the center, stand at the back of the lowest step of the sanctuary.

For the EMHC distributing the Host on the choir side of the church: if the choir is present, give them Holy Communion first, facing them from the position of this brick pillar. Then stand on the other side, as shown below.

For the EMHC distributing the Chalice on the choir side of the church, proceed to your position by the stained-glass windows.

Once everyone in this section of the church has received Holy Communion, both EMHCs should move to their secondary positions (see below, highlighted in yellow).
When the EMHC distributing the Host is at their secondary station, signal to people to come to you to receive Holy Communion. After distribution, do not cross to the other side of the church to assist with any further distribution.

For the EMHC distributing the Host at the ambo/font side of the church, proceed to position one and give Holy Communion to those in that far wing of the church (see the graphic above, or the one below, with the position highlighted in blue).

Once everyone in this section has received Holy Communion, proceed to the secondary position (see the image below; the position is highlighted in blue).
After distributing, do not cross to the other side of the church to help with more distribution.

Bring the remaining Hosts to the priest at the altar.
Chalices should be brought to the table beneath the image of the Madonna and Child. Do not wipe the inside of the Chalice. Simply put the Chalice and purificator down. If no deacon or additional priests are present, Chalices should be taken to the altar for purification.

Wants to intinct: place your hand over the Chalice and invite them to consume the Host. Then they may receive from the Chalice.
Comes up with their arms crossed: say, “God bless you” (no touching; no Sign of the Cross).
Doesn’t know what to do when they get to you: ask, “Are you Catholic?” and “Did you make your First Communion?” If the response is a “no” to either question, say, “God bless you.”