Rite of Commissioning for New Lay Liturgical Ministers (MLC, EMHC, Greeters) - Booklet

The rite of commissioning for

Lay liturgical

Ministers For lectors and commentators, extraordinary ministers of holy communion, and greeters and collectors

CALLING OF THE CANDIDATES The animators of the Lectors and Commentators, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Greeters and Collectors approach the sanctuary, then they will call the candidates from their respective ministries in these words: MLC Animator:

Those who will be commissioned as Lectors and Commentators, please come forward.

EMHC Animator:

Those who will be commissioned as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, please come forward.

GCM Animator:

Those who will be commissioned as Greeters and Collectors, please come forward.

Worship Animator:

Reverend Father, the Worship Ministry of our parish asks you to commission our brothers and sisters to service as Lectors and Commentators, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and Greeters and Collectors.

The Priest:

We rely on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, and we commission these, our brothers and sisters to service as Lectors and Commentators, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and Greeters and Collectors. Thanks be to God.

All reply:

PROFESSION OF FAITH The Priest:

Before you are commissioned in your respective ministries, I ask you now, together with the assembly here present, to profess you faith.

The Ministers:

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten

Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, At the words that follow, up to and including and became man, all bow. and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. EXAMINATION The Priest:

Dear brothers and sisters, you are here today to be commissioned in the ministries that the Church will be entrusting you. In this ministry, you must be examples of Christian living in faith and conduct; you must strive to grow in holiness. Remember that, though many, we are one body because we share the one bread and one cup. As lay liturgical ministers, be, therefore, especially observant of the Lord’s

The Ministers:

command to love your neighbor. For when he gave his body as food to his disciples, he said to them: “This is my commandment, that you should love one another as I have loved you.” Now, I ask you to answer the following questions: Are you resolved to perform your ministry with grace and serve this community with love in everything you do? I am.

Dear Lectors and Commentators: Are you resolved to proclaim the Word of God in the liturgical celebrations and be examples of what you proclaim in word and deed according to the teachings of the Church? The Lectors and Commentators: I am. The Priest:

The Priest:

The EMHC’s:

Dear Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Are you resolved to undertake the office of giving the body and blood of the Lord to your brothers and sisters with utmost care and reverence, and so serve to build up the Church? I am.

Dear Greeters and Collectors: Are you resolved to give yourselves to service for the proper celebration of worship and to be good examples of living for God's people? The Greeters and Collectors: I am. The Priest:

The Priest:

The Ministers:

Dear liturgical ministers: Are you resolved to be good examples to the people in the image and likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ? I am.

The Priest:

The Ministers: The Priest:

Are you resolved to promise respect and obedience to the Diocesan Bishop and to me, your Pastor,who represents our Lord Jesus Christ in our parish? I am. May you follow the example of Christ, who did not come to be serve but to serve not for his own glory but for the greater glory of God the Father.

PRAYER OF COMMISSIONING The Priest:

Let us pray that the kindness of almighty God will pour out on you an abundance of grace.

The Priest, with hands outstretched over the ministers, sings or says the following prayer:

All reply:

Loving Father, You have made us members of the Body of Christ, bestowed on us by your Holy Spirit, and called us to holiness and service. Look kindly upon these men and women who have responded to your call and have chosen to serve you as lay liturgical ministers. Fill them with your love. and the true joy that we can only find in serving you. Let them manifest your Son, Jesus Christ, and guide them in the path to holiness. Let their love and service for you be a sign and example for all. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, God forever and ever. Amen.