St. Mary Roman Catholic Church at 210 West Main Street, Manchester, MI 48158 US - Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors

            Since the Second Vatican Council the laity often assist at Mass by reading and when necessary help with the distribution of Holy Communion. Here at St. Mary, laity assist at Mass as readers (lectors), altar servers, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC). [Note: Extraordinary Ministers will assist only with Precious Blood of Jesus; the priest alone will distribute the Body of Christ except on occasions such as Christmas when the number of people attending Mass makes assistance necessary.]

You are invited to pray to see if God is stirring your heart to offer to assist at Mass when assistance is needed. Because this is extraordinary service, we remember that when God prompts us, we offer. We plant the seed. Then if and when needed, we will be asked to serve.

Below are the minimum guidelines for anyone offering to assist in the Sacred Liturgy. If you feel called to offer, please contact the parish office (428-8811) or the coordinator Marja Warner (428-9506).

            Reader: You must have received the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist). You must attend holy Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation, be known in the community as a person of good moral character, have the ability to read in front of the congregation, receive the appropriate training, and be approved by the Pastor.

            Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion: You must have received the three Sacraments of Initiation. You must attend holy Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation, be at least 18 years old, be known in the community as a person of good moral character, believe all that the Roman Catholic Church teaches and believes to be revealed by God, receive appropriate training, be approved by the Pastor, and be commissioned by the Bishop of Lansing.

            Altar Server: You must be in at least 4^th grade. You must attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation, have a desire to serve God and His priest at His holy altar, be able to take direction, be attentive, be reverent, and with the approval of the Pastor receive the appropriate training.                        —Marja Warner, Coordinator