Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

This weekend we will acknowledge and bless all those who serve our parish as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. At St. Thomas Aquinas, we are fortunate to have more than three-hundred people serving the Spanish-speaking and English-speaking communities. Most of these persons distribute the Body and the Blood of Christ during Mass. But many others take the Body of Christ from the community’s Eucharist to the sick and to others who cannot be present for Mass. Extraordinary Ministers bring communion to nearly twenty homes on a regular basis. They also visit residents at Atria, Benton House, Brookdale, Cottonwood Estates, Crabapple Hall, J Manor, Dogwood Forest, Mayfield Oaks, Roswell Nursing Home, Lee Arrendale State Prison, Hays State Prison and patients in North Fulton Hospital.

These lay ministers are called “extraordinary” to distinguish them from the ordinary ministers of Holy Communion, priests and deacons.

Like many lay ministries in the Church, this ministry was born from a need:

The priest may be assisted in the distribution of Communion by other priests who happen to be present. If such priests are not present and there are a very large number of communicants, the priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, i.e., duly instituted acolytes or even other faithful who have been deputed for this purpose. General Instruction of the Roman Missal 162

Not only does this ministry fulfill a need, it also touches the hearts of those who participate:

·     When people come to communion, I can see Jesus in their eyes. It’s very rewarding to be able to serve in this way. Maria Murilo

·     I love being able to help, to do as much as I can to serve God. For me it’s a privilege to be able to serve God by distributing the Body and Blood of Jesus. Filiberto Negrete

·     Every day, God is calling me to be more like him, to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Being a Communion minister is one of the ways I feel like I am helping others to feel closer to Jesus. Patricia Goldin                                                                                                                                              

·     It is an exhilarating experience and at the same time very humbling. Richard Sugrue

·     Serving as a Eucharistic Minister is a blessing and an honor which constantly creates a change in me and a deeper love of God that enables me to live a better Christian life. Sandra Long

We are grateful for all of our Ordinary and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and we are reminded of the privilege this ministry offers with words from author and pastor, Fr. Austin Fleming:

Yours is a share in the work of the Lord’s Spirit.                                                                              You name for each of us the gifts we have offered and the gifts we receive:                                “The Body of Christ, the Blood of Christ.”                                                                                       You minister holy food to holy people in the holiest of all communions.                                            Let your service at the Lord’s Table make your life                                                                              a table of mercy and welcome for all you know and meet.                                                          From Yours Is a Share by Fr. Austin Fleming