1. Remember this is an important ministry and to always dress modestly and appropriate to your role in the sanctuary.
Be at church 15 minutes before Mass begins and sign-in on the ministry list to let others know you are present. For the procession, line up behind the reader. Upon reaching the sanctuary, line up across the front, and make a profound bow with the other minsters together and then go to your seat.
At Communion Time (Lamb of God Being Sung)
2. Af
ter exchanging a sign of peace, move forward to the sanctuary steps at the third verse of the lamb of God, and remain there until the priest and deacon receive both elements (Body and Blood),and then proceed to walk up the steps and take a place alongside the altar to receive Holy Communion. 3. All the ministers of the Precious Blood need to stand nearest the front of the sanctuary.
4. The altar servers are asked to receive communion after those on the cemetery side of church receive and to receive by entering the Communion procession in the center aisle.
5. When offering communion,
allow the person time to bow first, then while making eye contact say "The Blood of Christ" & "the Body of Christ" and wait for response "Amen".
6. After each person receives the Precious Blood, the minster should take the purificator, wipe the rim of the chalice, and then turn the chalice to a new spot before offering to the next person.
7. If some of the Precious Blood should spill, then gracefully and calmly wipe it up with a purificator and go to the sacristy for another purificator. After Mass, the floor should be cleaned with soap and water.
8. When the Precious Blood runs out, take the chalice and purificator and place them on
the altar. When Holy Communion is finished, consume any remaining Precious Blood, if you are able, and simply return the chalice to the altar if you are not able to consume any remaining for the deacon/priest to consume prior to them purifying the vessel.
After Mass:
Please Note: Even though the Deacon/Priest will be purifying the vessels at the altar, following Mass,
help is still needed moving the vessels to the sacristy after mass and washing and preparing them for the next Mass.
So please assist after mass by gathering the vessels from the credence table and return them to the sacristy for washing with soap and water. Place the chalices and bowls in the left-hand cabinet, if not being placed back on table for 10:00 am mass. Leave used purificators in the plastic box.
Reminder: If you cannot be here on your assigned day, please switch with someone.