St. Joseph Church, Danville, PA
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We serve in a role of “extra” ordinary
ministers; as you might remember, Ordinary
Ministers, ie bishops, priests and deacons,
are to serve when present at Mass…we serve
when there are not enough Ordinary
Ministers…. (Let us pray for an increase in
vocations to the priesthood and permanent
diaconate. )
◦ When we are scheduled to serve, if additional
Ordinary Ministers are available, we do NOT serve
at that Mass…remember, this is a privilege
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Diocesan guidelines have changed--mandate good for three years.
Here are some review points specific to St.
Joseph Church
◦ Each new pastor has preferences for how things are
done…..the following slides are a summary of the
changes which reflect our current pastor.
◦ Sacristy Aides have been assigned to make sure
that certain things are done before and after Mass;
questions about this role should be directed to Fr.
Tri
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Please sign in and indicate what you are
going to do…cup or host. Remember, if the
Deacon is serving, he is Minister of the Cup
Go to side sacristy to vest….please leave
coats or other belongings in the side sacristy
or in the chapel. We have been asked to NOT
leave coats and other belongings in the main
sacristy.
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You might be asked to take gifts to back of
the church……
Or to light the candles….
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Please do not be offended or upset; the SA is
responsible for a variety of duties prior to and
after each Mass; some who serve in that
capacity might prefer doing everything
themselves so they can be sure tasks are
done…sometimes help can mess up one’s
“routine”---it is always okay to offer to be of
assistance.
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Please go to the chapel and wait quietly until
it is time for the prayer before procession.
◦ This is a great time to read the readings of the day
or to just prepare your hearts for your ministry
◦ After the priest leads us in prayer, go to the back of
the church…and please remember to be quiet….
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We are behind the Altar Servers
We are ahead of the Lector and Psalmist
Stop in line with the front pew, bow, and
enter the pew from center aisle
Remember, you are in the front of the church
and many watchful eyes are upon
you…participate in the Mass as you are role
models for all…..
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Deacon Greg has asked that the EOMHC who
has the Cup, process in first…this helps in
having the correct placement when receiving
Communion….more later.
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Remember to exit pew, center aisle when
Father is receiving the Body of Christ
Wait until everybody is in front of the altar
and make a bow
Enter the sanctuary on St. Joseph side
When the Deacon is serving, the EOMHC who
is to Distribute the Precious Blood will be
entering Sanctuary first which places that
minister closest to the high altar
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When Father distributes the Body of Christ to
EOMHC and the Altar Servers, he will give the
cup to whoever is distributing the Precious
Blood; after you receive, go to the Altar
Servers; the other EOMHC who is distributing
Precious Blood will receive and distribute to
the other EOMHC. Communication is key, so
if you are distributing the Precious Blood,
discuss it before Mass.
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The Deacon will give the cup to the EOMHC
who is to distribute the Precious Blood
He wants that minister to give the Precious
Blood to the remaining EOMHC. Just watch
and follow his lead as sometimes this does
change. Discuss with him before Mass if you
have questions.
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Here are a few pictures to review how Father
has asked us to hold and use the purificator
Place the purificator
over your index
finger, at the center
fold; when wiping
the rim, your index
finger goes inside
the rim and the
middle finger on
the outside of the
rim…this provides
better control of the
purificator.
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You can use both sides of the purificator…the
same place should NOT be used for entire
time; every time you rotate the cup, move the
purificator…if you have questions, please ask.
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The EOMHC who is on St. Joseph side with the
Host, is the one who will travel to the back of
the church and the choir loft. Please keep in
mind, it is important to prevent spills….it is
suggested that you use the side aisle to go to
the back of the church to serve those who are
handicapped and then go to the choir loft.
◦ Please note, people who are standing in the back
who are not handicapped should not be given
Communion…they need to go to the front.
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It is strongly recommended that you use the
elevator…this again, is to prevent spills. Use
the stop on the elevator to keep it on the
second floor until you are ready to return to
the church.
Please remember to check for people who are
in the front pews who need Communion; if
somebody is on Blessed Mother side, the
person with hosts on that side can give
Communion…just communicate to each other
slide red switch down to
place elevator on hold;
then slide it back up to
return to first floor
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Please do NOT go back through the church to
return to the sanctuary; go through the
Chapel and then to the station in front of St.
Joseph if you are needed. Again, this is to
prevent accidents.
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Please, return to the sanctuary on St. Joseph
side. If you cross in front of the altar, you are
not to bow.
If you have a cup and still have Precious
Blood, you are to consume it at the station
before returning to the sanctuary.
All vessels are placed on the altar before you
return to the sacristy.
Please use the oblution cup, even if you had a
cup.
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Wait until all ministers have returned to the
sacristy and have used the oblution cup before
returning to the pew.
◦ Remember, go through the door that goes out by St.
Joseph statue; last one out of sacristy, quietly close the
door.
◦ All go to the front of the altar and bow; return to the
front pew using center
aisle.
Oblution cup
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When altar servers take their places with the
candles and cross, exit the pew via the center
aisle and line up two by two
Face the front of the church
When Father genuflects you are to
bow…there are ministers who cannot
genuflect but all can make a bow; so that we
are all doing the same thing, make a bow,
turn to the back of the church and process
out.
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You may ask the Sacristy Aide if they need
help with anything; they are responsible for a
variety of tasks at the end of Mass and may
or may not need/want assistance.
The role of Sacristy Aide is to free the clergy
from having to do tasks that can be done by
others who have been specifically trained to
do so.
Again, if you have questions or concerns
about that role, contact Fr. Tri.
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We have been called to a special ministry; we
all have had training through the diocese and
will each have to take additional training to
retain our mandates.
We all have to adjust to slight changes with
each new pastor. When we all do things in the
same manner, it makes for a smooth flow in
the liturgy and is less distracting; the goal of
these slides is to help us be on the same
page.
Devised May 5, 2013 /hb
Reviewed and approved by Fr. Tri and Deacon Amarante