Extraordinary Ministers for the distribution of Holy Communion are properly formed, instructed and commissioned lay persons. Extraordinary Ministers for the distribution of Holy Communion may be male or female. These ministers are appointed for a given parish community to aid in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass and to the sick and homebound when ordinary ministers* of Holy Communion are unavailable. EMHCs are not to function apart from their parish community. Ordinarily, EMHCs do not perform any other liturgical ministry at the Mass at which they serve as an EMHC.

Can. 910 *§1. The ordinary minister of Holy Communion is a bishop, presbyter, or deacon. §2. The extraordinary minister of Holy Communion is an acolyte or another member of the Christian faithful designated according to the norm of can. 230, §3.

In order for a person to be appointed as an EMHC, the following conditions must be met:

• Be a Catholic living in harmony with the teachings of the Church and be able to receive the Eucharist

• Be of sufficient age and maturity to perform the duties of an EMHC at Mass or to the sick and homebound in various locations (i.e. private homes, nursing homes, hospitals)

• Be approved by the pastor for the parish entrusted to him