Our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are Eucharistic Ministers who serve in 2 ways
- Mass – Eucharist ministers are required to attend a training prior to acting as a minister for the parish community. These training sessions are 3 to 4 hours long and scheduled every four to five months.
To Serve, Contact – Nancy Streeter 816-781-1277 - Shut-in and Sick – Volunteers in this ministry take Holy Communion to those who can’t go to Mass on a weekly basis. To request a visit by a priest or volunteer, contact the parish office at 816-781-4343.
To Serve, Contact – Jeanne Verssue 816-294-0236
Mission Statement
Eucharistic Ministers prayerfully serve the people of St. James by distributing the Body and Blood of Christ during Eucharistic celebrations and for those who are unable to attend Mass.
About Eucharistic Minister Ministry
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 in order to share them with everyone.
Volunteer Ministry
Assist the presider in distributing Eucharist at Mass. The minister looks each person in the eye and says, without rushing, “The Body of Christ,” “The Blood of Christ.” Each person has time to respond, “Amen.” The minister, again without hurrying, then places the Body of Christ in the hand or on the tongue and gives over the Blood of Christ.
- Be willing to serve with a flexibility to meet the needs of the Parish
- Be willing to find your own replacement if you are unable to serve when scheduled.
- Offer to minister on Holy Days and as needed.
- Join the other ministers in the sacristy before the liturgy begins for a short prayer.
- Be willing to serve at the Saturday, 5:00 p.m., Sunday, 7:30, 9:15, and 11:00 a.m as well as 6:00pm Masses until there is a sufficient number of ministers in place to serve at these liturgies.
- Be a fully initiated Catholic, having celebrated the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and First Eucharist.
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 evidenced in how we speak to others, how we move in the holiness of matter and of time.