The reception of Communion, the very Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist, is a privilege of all those who are baptized in the Catholic Christian faith.  This is not to be taken lightly, nor is it to be done habitually and without conscious thought.  It is, after all the very presence of Christ that we receive!

The Ministry of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, is to assist in the orderly and reverent distribution of the Eucharist both at Mass and in the homes of those unable to gather with the wider community.  Members of this ministry are to be Confirmed parishioners who are well trained and commissioned at the request of the Pastor and through the approval of the Bishop of the Diocese.  They are to be consciously working toward a deeper personal relationship with God and, as should all who call Jesus Lord, a truer sense of holiness in their lives.  These men and women are our brothers and sisters, fellow parishioners who step forth from the community to actively and visibly “bring Christ to others”.

Through a period of training, where participants will receive valuable information as to the history of their work as well as the practical aspects of such at St. Barnabas, all are given the tools needed to serve in a manner worthy of precious gift they distribute - the Body and Blood of Christ.  

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass are assigned to distribute either the Precious Body or the Precious Blood at each communal celebration.  The frequency of their service will be determined by the number of ministers available for a particular Mass time or special celebration.  Most will be called upon to minister at least three times in two months.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Home will be asked to bring communion to only one or two of their fellow parishioners on a weekly basis.  In some cases, and only through the request of the recipient, this ministry may be only once per month to a given parishioner.  These ministers would lead a very brief period of prayer in the home, bringing perhaps some element of the communal celebration of Eucharist from which they have taken communion to the home.

For more information as to how to become an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, please contact:

Melissa Carty  (for ministry at Mass)
401-683-3147
melissacarty.sb@gmail.com

Deacon John Silvia  (for ministry at Home)
401-683-3144
deaconjohn@jsilvia.com