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COMMUNION UNDER BOTH SPECIES (BREAD & WINE)
Recently, under the authority of Bishop Gregory Parkes, we resumed serving Holy Communion under both species, meaning both the bread and wine. The practice of serving from the cup was halted after the start of the pandemic for health and safety reasons. As you make the decision whether or not to do so, there are some things to remember and consider as we follow the diocesan guidelines. Please note the following:
 

  • The Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are the priest and the deacon. They will serve the consecrated body at the center aisle. 

  • The Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will serve the precious blood from the cup and will position themselves at the far end of the sanctuary to the right and left.

  • As the faithful approach to receive communion at the center aisle, they first bow their head. This gesture expresses our reverence and honor to Christ who comes to us as spiritual food. Then the priest or deacon will audibly say, "The Body of Christ", while holding up the host. The receiver will respond, "Amen", received the host on their tongue, or in the palm of their hand and immediately consume it. 

  • If intending to receive from the cup, the receiver will approach the nearest Extraordinary Minister, bowing the head again. The minister will lift the cup and say, "The Blood of Christ". Again the receiver will respond, "Amen", take the cup and sip from it.

  • The Extraordinary Minister will wipe the inner and outer rim of the cup, turn it, then offer it to the next person until it is empty or there are no more recipients.

 

**Please be aware that if you intend to receive the Precious Blood, you must drink from the cup. The method of dipping the host into the cup, called intinction, is not an approved method for receiving communion in this diocese. If you do not want to drink from the cup, do not approach. Catholicism teaches that Christ is sacramentally (and equally) present under each species, and therefore if a person receives only one species, Christ is fully present and nothing is lacking. 

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