Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Thank you for your willingness to serve your parish community as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. This is very important lay ministries at St. Vincent de Paul. You will literally bring our Lord Jesus Christ to your brothers and sisters during our celebration of the Eucharist and, more importantly, to those in our parish family who are unable to attend Mass due to various infirmities.

It is my hope that along with your fellow parishioners you will grow closer to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit through your performance of this ministry. Through your Baptism in Christ you too “are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.” In the Rite for Ordination of Priest, when the chalice and paten containing the wine and the bread are handed to the newly ordained priest, the bishop exhorts him to “Receive the oblation of the holy people, to be offered to God. Understand what you do, imitate what you celebrate, and conform your life to the mystery of the Lord’s cross.” Though your ministry differs from that of the ordained priest, you participate in the priesthood of the faithful and the same words apply.

The following handbook provides a theological perspective necessary for this ministry as well as practical guidelines serving as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist at St. Vincent de Paul. It is lengthy but please take the time to read it in its entirety. If you have already been serving as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, please take this opportunity to refresh your understanding of this ministry and commit once again to bringing Christ to your brothers and sisters.

Please know that I hold you in my prayers as you embark on this ministry and I am always available should you have any questions.

Yours in Christ,
Rev. Francisco Pérez