Our Sacred Calling

Here at St. Vincent de Paul parish, we follow our patron's example of seeing Christ in others, a mission that begins with our profound reverence for Christ's Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist. The Eucharist is the "source and summit" of our faith, the sacred meal that strengthens us for our mission of charity and service. The ministry of distributing this precious gift is therefore a sacred and humbling privilege.

Serving at the Liturgy

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs) are lay faithful who are called to assist our priests and deacons in the distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ during Mass. Their role is "extraordinary" because priests and deacons are the ordinary ministers of the Eucharist. In a parish community as vibrant as St. Vincent de Paul, EMHCs are essential to ensure that the faithful can receive Holy Communion in a reverent and timely manner. This is a ministry not of status, but of profound service to the Body of Christ (the Eucharist) and to the Body of Christ (the Church).

Bringing Christ to the Community

Following in the footsteps of St. Vincent de Paul, this ministry finds a profound expression in serving those who are unable to join us for Mass. Many of our EMHCs undertake the beautiful and vital mission of bringing the Eucharist to parishioners who are homebound, in hospitals, or in nursing homes. In this capacity, they are not only bringing the comfort of Christ's presence but are also acting as a tangible sign of our parish's care and communion, truly living out our patron's call to serve the vulnerable.

An Invitation to Serve

Is your heart filled with love and awe for Christ’s true presence in the Blessed Sacrament? Do you feel a calling to serve your fellow parishioners at the most sacred moment of our liturgy? Serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is a unique opportunity to deepen your own faith and devotion to the Eucharist while performing an invaluable service for our community.

We are seeking confirmed, practicing Catholics whose lives witness to their faith and who feel called to this ministry of reverence and love. Because this is a role of immense trust and spiritual importance, all ministers must complete a formation and training program provided by the parish and the Diocese. This process ensures you are fully prepared to serve with the grace, understanding, and reverence this sacred duty requires.

If you wish to discern a calling to this beautiful ministry, we invite you to begin with prayer. To learn more about the requirements and the next steps in the formation process, please contact Alberta DeStephano at 315-479-8715 or via email at destefabert@gmail.com.