Ministers of Holy communion serve Christ present in the gathered assembly by ministering his Body and Blood to their brothers and sisters.
In his instruction endorsing ministers of the Eucharist, Pope Paul VI described the Eucharist as a testament of Chirst's "immense love," a "wondeful gift", "the greatest fift of all", and insisted that "the greatest reverence toward this sacrament be constatnly maintained".
 
The primary responsibility of the Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EM) is to distribute the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus in the form of bread and wine during Mass, when there are not present enough ordinary ministers (bishop, priest, deacon). In order to do this, the EM must prepare by prayer, show reverence to the Eucharistic elements, and treat each communicant with love and respect.  Another responsibility is to purify and clean the patens (plates) and chalices (cups) after Mass. It is often necessary to consume left-over, excess consecrated wine and bread (in some cases). Each EM should expect to be scheduled to serve two to three times per month. There is required training and renewal every two years.

Knowledge and skills required:
(1) Knowledge & love of the Eucharist
(2) Friendly, caring, warm personality
(3) fully initiated Catholic.

For additional information or questions, please contact Signe Montosa at montosa@msn.com, or 408-691-3237, or contact Tamara Hopwood, liturgy@stca or at the rectory, 779-3959.