Contact: Parish Office at 616-363-6885.
Holy Mass
It is an awesome honor and responsibility to participate in the distribution of the Holy Eucharist, the glorified Body and Blood of Jesus! Our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are a necessary and valued part of every celebration of the Mass. Parish staff schedule training sessions for all Ministers and notices are posted in the bulletin. Prerequisites for becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion are simply that you be a confirmed adult or teen Catholic and that you will perform this important office with common sense and reverence for the Sacrament.
Hospitals & Homebound
It is also important to remember those that are unable to attend Mass due to hospitalization or being homebound. Hospital Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are called upon one weekend per month to take communion to our parishioners who are in the hospital. Prerequisites are simply that you be a confirmed adult or teen Catholic and that you perform your duties with the appropriate reverence.
Special Guidelines
Required Vessels and Equipment
- The Pyx: The consecrated Host must always be carried in a pyx – a small, solid metal (usually gold-plated) container designated specifically for transporting the Eucharist. It is strictly forbidden to transport the Eucharist in handkerchiefs, envelopes, bags, or other casual containers.
- The Burse: The pyx should be placed inside a burse, which is a small protective pouch.
- Close to the Heart: The burse is traditionally worn around the neck, allowing the Eucharist to rest securely close to the minister’s heart. It should be kept underneath a coat or jacket to protect it from swinging or getting caught. It should not be placed in a pocket.
Strict Rules of Transit
- Go Directly: You must travel directly from the church to the hospital or home of the homebound individual.
- No Errands or Stops: Stopping for groceries, casual visits, sitting down at restaurants, or running errands while the Eucharist is in your possession is strictly prohibited.
- Never Leave Unattended: The pyx must remain on your person at all times. It must never be left unattended in a vehicle, glove compartment, or bag.
- Sacred Silence: Maintain an internal spirit of prayer and adoration while traveling. Turn off the car radio, silence your cell phone, and avoid casual conversations.
Absolute Prohibition on Home Storage
- No Overnight Storage: Canonical law strictly prohibits keeping the Blessed Sacrament in your home overnight. You cannot save the Eucharist to bring to a homebound person at a later date or a different day.
- Handling Unconsumed Hosts: If the homebound person is unable to receive Communion upon arrival (e.g., they are asleep, ill, or unable to swallow), the minister must immediately return the Host to the parish tabernacle.
Setting the Environment Upon Arrival
When arriving at the home or hospital room, the minister should place the closed pyx on a clean table. Ideally, the homebound person or their family should prepare a table covered with a white linen cloth (corporal), a crucifix, and a lit candle to signify the sacredness of the moment. Following the distribution, the minister should purify the pyx by ensuring any leftover particles or crumbs are consumed reverently.