Eucharistic MinistERS

This group of parishioners assist the Presider at Mass with distributing the Eucharist.  Ministers also bring the Eucharist to homebound parishioners and to Beth Israel Hospital.  Contact the Parish Office.
 

We, the members of Saint Joseph Parish, are a faith community which is centered in and through the Eucharist. This is the purpose, meaning and life of our Catholic faith. This is where the living body and blood of Christ nourishes and strengthens our life of faith. That is why family is the first and foremost place of spiritual formation for the individual. The parish community must work together developing and supporting all members in their Christian responsibilities, for nothing will replace the lived reality of Christian life and witness in each individual and family, it will only assist.

Our parish family life is where the catholic faith matures – where it is caught by example. The simplest of family rituals, such as prayer at mealtime or evening prayer for those in need – for the sick - the reading of a scripture passage, can and will create an atmosphere where Christ will be found. But most especially, it will be found at the regular commitment to Sunday Mass which weaves Christ into our weekly fabric of life. If you have not participated in Sunday celebration of the Eucharist or have not received the Holy Eucharist in a long time, this is an opportunity for you to re-evaluate your relationship with Christ and his church – and begin anew. Christ will use the rhythm of your life to love you and invite you to a deeper love with him.

We are all called to teach about Christ and help each other to form and deepen our relationship with Christ and the Church. This invitation is to challenge each of us to live and grow in our faith.

Eucharistic Ministers prayerfully serve the people of Sts. Mary & Joseph Collaborative by distributing the Body and Blood of Christ during Eucharistic celebrations.

Eucharistic Minister Ministry

“It is a gift to be a Eucharistic Minister – to share the Body and Blood of Christ with another,” said one Eucharistic Minister reflecting on her experience at Holy Family. The moment of communion is one that should be seized by both the minister and the communicant.  This moment is unique because it is both personal and much bigger than the two people.

Those called to this ministry have, or soon acquire the grace in movement and reverence in touch.  Reverence in touch is especially important for Eucharistic Ministers since their whole work involves taking in hand the vessels of the Body of Christ and of the Blood of Christ and sharing them with everyone.

The eyes of the minister should meet the eyes of the communicant.  The minister says words of the formula “the Body of Christ” directly to the person.  When placing the consecrated host into the hand of the communicant there should be a slight and brief touch.  The same is true of the cup, eye contact, the words “the Blood of Christ” and touching!  All are in communion with the person of our Lord.  Cardinal Mahony says in his document Gather Faithfully Together: A Pastoral Letter on Liturgy: “What does it mean when the Body of Christ comes forward to receive the Body of Christ?”  It is the Body of Christ giving the Body of Christ to the Body of Christ.  We have communion with our living, loving, and nourishing God. This means that there can be no rush.  One can minister communion with reverence and dignity and personal attention and still keep the process moving steadily.

Likewise for our non communicants, special care is necessary when composing prayers of blessing over the people who come forward for a blessing.  Eye contact, words of welcome and blessing, and of course the kind and gentle touch of the Body of Christ touching the Body of Christ.
 

Requirements

• To be a Eucharistic Minister is to be intent on the work of liturgy caught up in singing, procession and even silence. To be a Eucharistic Minister is to know deeply that we are the Body and Blood of Christ. To be with the praying community is to learn how to be in this world with reverence, with a love of God that is incarnate in how we speak to others, how we move amidst the holiness of matter and of time.
• A fully initiated Catholic, having celebrated the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and First Eucharist.

If you would like to become an Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister, please contact your Parish Office.
 

Homebound Ministry

Bring Eucharist to the homebound, or those in the hospital, a skilled nursing facility, or retirement community.

Requirements

• Practicing Catholic and a St. Joseph Parish parishioner
• Loving and compassionate heart
• Good communication and people skills
• Honest and trustworthy
• Willing to give the time needed to serve in this ministry
• Interview and training prior to serving in this ministry
• VIRTUS certification
• Annual CORI form

Amount of Time Required
Approximately one hour once a week.

When Ministry is Performed
Monday through Sunday, depending on individual schedules.

If you would like to serve in Homebound Ministry, please contact the Parish Office.