October 14, 2009

Workshops for extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist

Two workshops for the remandation of all extraordinary ministers of holy Communion will be held next month.  According to John Miller, associate director for the Office of Liturgy, the workshops are mandatory for all ministers.
“Every three years, as per the guidelines of the pastoral handbook of the archdiocese, extraordinary ministers of holy Communion need to be recertified if they want to continue to function in that capacity,” Miller said.
Each workshop will consist of a spiritual component as well as a hands-on understanding of their ministry, according to Miller.

“The first hour will be conducted by Msgr. Kenneth Leone, pastor of Risen Christ Parish, who’ll speak on the importance of the Eucharist in our daily lives,” he said.  “The second part will deal with practical understanding of what to do in certain situations; how to present yourself for holy Communion, how to dress—that sort of thing.”

At the end of the workshop, participants will receive a certificate, which they present to their pastor as proof that they’ve fulfilled the requirements of the pastoral handbook.  Miller said that it’s up to the individual parish to ensure their eucharistic ministers are recertified by the first Sunday of Advent, Nov. 29.  If the parish doesn’t schedule their own workshop, their ministers may attend one of the two offered by the archdiocese.

The first workshop will be offered from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 7 in Bonfils Hall of the John Paul II Center, 1300 S. Steele St., Denver.  A second will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 16 at St. Thomas More Parish, 8035 S. Quebec St., Centennial.  Cost to attend either workshop is $5.  For more information, call 303-715-3156 or e-mail John.Miller@archden.org.