History
As early as the third and fourth
centuries, historical documentation proves that among the practices
of the Church the faithful received the Eucharist in their hands.
To carry a provision of the consecrated bread home to consume
between celebrations of the liturgy was also a common practice.
Keeping the Eucharist at home was well founded during the times of
the persecution. During the sixth and seventh centuries, a special
box in the home was designed for this purpose. As the
ecclesiastical church progressed, the distribution of the Eucharist
was entrusted more and more to priests. In the ninth century, the
practice of confiding the Eucharist to the laity was abolished.
In 1970, the Holy See
granted bishops the opportunity to designate members of the laity as
Eucharistic Ministers upon the request of the local pastor. This
was not simply a move back to the practices of the early church, but
an attempt to combine past disciplines with the pastoral needs of
the present.
The Eucharistic
Ministers at St. Mary’s were formed as a small group to assist with
the sick and the homebound of the parish community. In time the
Eucharistic Ministers were added to the Sunday Mass services and
parish liturgies. Presently, we are also providing this Ministry at
the local hospitals and nursing homes to bring peace and Communion
to parishioners who cannot come to Mass.
Heavenly Father,
May
our love and joy be evident as we share your Son’s Body and Blood
with our brothers and sisters. May we truly be ministers, as was
Jesus while on earth. Bless us and bless all those we serve. We
ask this in the name of Jesus, Your Son, in union with Your Spirit
of Love.
Amen
If you are interested
in the Extraordinary Ministry Program please contact: Laraine Gilberti
at 973-625-5228 or
GILBERTI1aol.com |
