Eucharistic and Lector Ministers

The need for Eucharistic Ministers and readers varies during the course of the year. With this in mind, if you are interested in participating in either ministry or if you would like more information, please contact Deacon Juan Arreola at the Parish Office at 760 346-6502 or email

jarreola@sacredheartpalmdesert.com


Eucharistic Ministers and readers are needed at all Masses. Our parish deeply appreciates your desire to serve the Lord.


 

Eucharistic Ministers

The Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion:

“The faithful who are special Ministers of Communion must be persons whose good qualities of Christian life, faith and morals recommended them. Let them strive to be worthy of this great office, foster their own devotion to the Eucharist, and show an example to the rest of the faithful by their own devotion and reverence toward the most august sacrament of the Altar” (Pope Paul VI, Immensae Caritatis, January 29, 1973).


The parish of Sacred Heart has a well defined Eucharistic Ministry Program. Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priest at the celebration of the Eucharist (Mass) to distribute the Body and the Blood of Christ to the faithful.  Certain requirements have to be met per directives of the Diocese of San Bernardino and our Bishop. (Diocese of San Bernardino, Guidelines for Parish Ordinary & Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, 2022)

 

Parish Readers

The Ministry of the Reader:

The term “Reader” is to distinguish a person appointed by a pastor, parochial administrator or pastoral coordinator to proclaim the Word of God. It is the Reader who breathes the breath of life into words on a page. 

Those invited to this ministry agree to be trained and are willing to continue their formation and education through parish and diocesan workshops and retreats.

Readers are committed to faithful and reliable presence at those liturgies to which they have been assigned. Because the liturgy is comprised of many different rites and rituals, it is important for Readers to understand these rites and rituals and the overall flow of the liturgy. It is two millennia old and has grown with every century. Understanding the relationship between past and present celebrations helps to understand “why we do what we do.” (Diocese of San Bernardino, Guidelines for Parish Readers, 2018).

Requirements:

  • The persons invited to serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) and Readers are to be mature (usually at least 16 years of age), fully initiated Catholics, who participate fully and regularly in the Sunday Celebration of the Eucharist.
  • EMHCs and readers strive to live Gospel values and to be Christ's presence in all areas of their lives.
  • Those invited to these ministries agree to be trained before being commissioned to parish service, are committed to faithful and reliable presence at those liturgies to which they have been assigned, and are willing to continue their formation and education through parish and diocesan workshops and retreats.
  • Background checks and Safe Environment Training are mandatory requirements of the Diocese of San Bernardino.