In order for the celebration of the Mass to take place, and stemming from the rightful call of Vatican Two, the laity has been asked to become "fully involved" in the life of the parish. Part of that involvement is the use of lay ministers in the celebration of the Sacred Eucharist.

A few days ago a Eucharistic Minister asked me a few questions about their role and their duties. It sparked a conversation that I thought might be of interest to others?

The Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion is the ordained clergy?the bishop of the diocese, the pastor and priest of the parish, and the deacon, if one is present. After that, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMOHC) are commissioned to serve in the Sacred Mass in this role. It is clear in Canon Law that ordained priest have the priority of distributing Holy Communion during the
celebration of the Mass. If a Mass is concelebrated (that is, if more than one priest is celebrating the Mass) those priests present are first to distribute Holy Communion. If after all priests in attendance at Mass are distributing Holy
Communion more assistance is needed, then Extraordinary Ministers are called into service. At a typical Sunday Mass in the parish when there is normally just one priest present, Extraordinary Ministers are required and appropriate. The priest celebrant always distributes Holy Communion, unless he becomes ill.
A second question asked of me by this EMOHC was ?Is there any time that one may refuse to give Holy Communion at Mass?? The quick answer is "no." Ministers of Holy Communion, ordained or not, do not make judgments about an individual?s worthiness to receive in the midst of the Mass. In fact, even the priest would be unwise to refuse Holy Communion in the midst of the line to someone he knows, by public knowledge, to be unable to receive Holy Communion. It would be acceptable for the priest to contact that individual privately to discuss the
matter outside of this pubic venue. HOWEVER, the only time a minister of Holy Communion would be appropriate in refusing Holy Communion to a communicant is if at the time of distribution, when the Ministers says, ?The Body of Christ / The Blood of Christ? and the communicant says, ?NO!? (as in I don?t believe) then it would be appropriate to refrain from distribution of Holy Communion. But one must never cause a greater scandal by making a scene in the Communion line.

Finally, a third question asked of me was ?Should I receive Communion in another Christian church or should I encourage my non-Catholic friends to receive Holy
Communion when they attend Mass with me?? For a complete answer here, one should look in the back of our Missal in Church which explains the Church's teachings on this. But suffice it to say, when one attends a service at a non-Catholic, Christian church in which we are not in union with, then it is more respectful to both faiths' the Catholic faith and the non-Catholic faith to offer a sign of respect by not receiving their communion and remain in one's pew offering a prayer for Christian unity.

This is not to be exclusive or restrictive, nor is it because we believe we are ?better? than the next Christian faith. Rather, Catholics believe and teach that Holy
Communion is the REAL PRESENCE OF CHRIST; most non-Catholic Christian churches believe communion to be a symbol only. The question to ask the Catholic and the non-Catholic alike, is if you don't believe it to be Christ Himself, then why feel compelled to receive? It is not a sign of disrespect to sit in the pew and pray. Rather, it is a sign of mutual respect? for the faith of the individual and of the house of worship in which you are visiting. When I attend interfaith services at a non-Catholic house of worship, I do not feel compelled to read the Hebrew or kneel on a prayer blanket or receive in the communion line. I simply offer respect to those I am visiting by participating in the common prayers and readings.