Ministry of Holy Communion
The late Charles Henderson, an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Southwark, was always keen to remind us that we priests, together with the deacons, are the Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. If a lay person helped in the distribution of Holy Communion they should always be referred to as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. The Gospel reading for the last few weeks, from the sixth chapter of St John, has afforded us the opportunity to reflect on the wonderful gift of the Eucharist and the Ministry of Holy Communion.
This week, I would like to thank all those of you who have been commissioned in our Diocese as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Your ministry serves Christ present in the assembly by ministering his Body and Blood to our brothers and sisters. You also serve the unity of our worshipping community by taking Communion to those parishioners who are prevented by sickness, old age or other cause from taking part in the gathering for Mass. The Rite of the Pastoral Care of the Sick emphasises the importance of the sick being able to receive Holy Communion frequently. In accord with an ancient tradition, it is appropriate for Communion to be taken directly from the Sunday Eucharist to the sick and to those unable to leave their homes. Father Giovanni and myself cannot visit the sick and housebound as frequently as we would like, and having Extraordinary Ministers to visit frequently is a great blessing.
Christ is received body, blood, soul and divinity — under the form either of bread, or of wine. But the Church teaches that Holy Communion has a fuller form as a sign when it is distributed under both kinds. For in this form the sign of the Eucharistic banquet is more clearly evident and clear expression is given to the divine will by which the new and eternal Covenant is ratified in the Blood of the Lord, as also the relationship between the Eucharistic banquet and the eschatological banquet in the Father’s Kingdom.
The opportunity to receive from the chalice was suspended in our parish during COVID and has yet to be re-established. My great desire is that receiving from the chalice should be re-established.
Next Saturday 17th August, at 10am in the Hall, we are having a session for all those who would like to be considered to be an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. What are the criteria for become a Eucharistic minister? To be willing to accept the responsibility of being an example of Christian living, in faith and conduct. To acknowledge the need to observe the Lord’s command to love God and our neighbour. To have a deep love and understanding that the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian Life. Please reflect on whether this is something you can do and, if you feel it is, then please attend this meeting.
