Charles Joseph
NORTHERN ARABIAN VICARIATE, MARCH 29, 2012: Seventeen new Extraordinary Ministers for Communion Distribution (EMCD) were inducted during the Holy Mass on Sunday, March 25, 2012, celebrated by Fr. Franco Pereira and concelebrated by Fr. Blany Pinto.
Fr. Francis Kharjia, the spiritual director of the EMCD's, had planned the formation programme spanning for eight weeks, for a duration of an hour and a half. He was assisted by Frs. Blany Pinto, Joy Marangatikkala, Franco Pereira and Lionel Braganza. Each priest took a session or two and the sessions ranged from the teachings of the church on Eucharist, Eucharistic piety and instructions on the practical aspects of distributing communion.
The seventeen new EMCDs took the oath during the Eucharistic celebration on Sunday, March 25 and thereby committing themselves to the ministry. They received special blessings from the priests along with the EMCD attire.
After the holy mass, all the EMCDs gathered in a room. The parish priest invited all the members, both old and new, to introduce themselves. He thanked the new EMCDs for their commitments and also reminded everyone about the divine call and how the EMCDs are to be the role models in the parish.
There was also a felicitation for two EMCDs who were stepping down from the service. Mr. Sam Francis, who had served for thirteen years and Mr. Joseph Thomas who served for three years were presented with a memento and a certificate of appreciation. Mr. Louis D'Costa, the coordinator of the Eucharistic ministers, was thanked and his efforts and coordination was well appreciated. The gathering concluded with closing prayer and blessings by the parish priest.