Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood; you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever." (John 6: 53-58)
Lay Eucharistic Ministers are called upon to share the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ with OLM Church parishioners at Mass, in our local hospitals, nursing homes, and to those who are bound to their homes.
Ministry is never self-seeking but giving, and it is the kind of giving in which one loves the persons one gives to.
The title Eucharistic Minister is a title of the Roman Catholic Church that is given to the laity who have been authorized by Church Clergy to administer and distribute the 'True Presence of Jesus Christ', i.e. the 'Consecrated Host', 'Holy Communion', 'Eucharist', to other parishioners during, and even outside of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Typically, Eucharistic Ministers can also distribute 'Holy Communion' to those in prisons, or to those who are sick and unable or incapable of attending the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
The privilege of distributing the Eucharist applies only within our parish boundaries and is open to both lay women and men. To be a Eucharistic Minister, you must be at least 18 years old, have received all the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist).
If married, the marriage must be valid in the Roman Catholic Church. A junior or senior in a Catholic High School may be trained and mandated as an Extraordinary Minister to serve at school masses. If you feel a calling to this ministry, contact Lori Covello at 201-874-7403 or Marianne Garibaldi at 973-492-9088