EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS To serve as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, persons must : • be practicing Catholics, distinguished in their Christian life, faith and morals; • be at least 19 years old; • have received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist; • demonstrate a deep reverence for and devotion to the Eucharist; • be an active registered member of a parish in the Archdiocese; • if married, the marriage must be a valid Catholic marriage. It is the responsibility of the pastor to ensure that these requirements have been met before an individual’s name is submitted. Hospital Ministry: In addition to the requirements outlined above, an individual must have the approval of his\her pastor. It is the hospital chaplain’s responsibility to obtain the approval from the candidate’s pastor. An individual commissioned for a hospital may serve in his\her parish at the pastor’s request. All candidates, even those commissioned for another diocese, must attend an Archdiocesan training session (one time only) before being commissioned for the first time. COMMISSION • The commissioning is to take place at a Sunday Eucharist and is to be done by the pastor, chaplain, or religious superior of a community for which the person is being commissioned. Where a Catholic priest is not available in a hospital or school, the local Dean is to do the commissioning. • The commission is for three consecutive years. • The Extraordinary minister may distribute either the sacred hosts or the sacred cup. • Ministry is to be exercised on a regular basis. The number of extraordinary ministers in a parish, chaplaincy or religious house should correspond to the genuine need. RECOMMISSION • Pastors, chaplains or and religious superiors may request a three-year renewal if he\she sees good resulting from the extension, e.g. ministering to the sick. • Retroactive renewals will only be allowed for individuals whose six year term expired after January 1, 2005. For additional information and\or clarification, please contact Lucy Zocco. Revised April 2006