by Wilfred Vaz
KUWAIT, APR 18, 2017: Canon law permits that where the needs of the Church require and the ordinary ministers are not available, lay people can be appointed as extra-
ordinary ministers to distribute Holy Communion, in accordance with the provisions of the law.
To assist in the distribution of Holy Eucharist to the faithful of the parish, the Church of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Kuwait inducted nine parishioners as the Extraordinary Ministers for Holy Communion Distribution (EMCD), at Holy Mass on Maundy Thursday, April 13.
The candidates were selected based on pre-determined criteria and were required to attend an orientation course comprising nine talks spread over three months. The course covered topics like meaning and power of the Holy Eucharist, holy Mass, Sacramentum Caritatis, I Believe, holy Rosary, Dry Mass and personal traits, roles and responsibilities.
John D'Souza, one of the candidates said, "The orientation was very enlightening and has deeply enhanced my spiritual knowledge." Father Blany Pinto- parish priest, Father Francisco Pereira- spiritual director of EMCD, Wilfred Vaz - EMCD coordinator and Lester D'Mello- EMCD deputy coordinator, were involved in conducting the orientation course.
The induction Holy Mass was concelebrated by Father Pinto and Father Pereira. During the homily, Father Pereira reminded the congregation, especially the candidates, of their calling, saying, "We must imitate our Lord Jesus with humility by washing one another's feet and showing that we are truly his disciples by loving one another." Vaz then presented the nine candidates to Father Pinto for induction as EMCD. Father Pinto administered the oath and adorned each candidate with the Eucharistic minister's vestment and also presented them with a copy of the book, 'The Imitation of Christ'.
Rubin Ferrao, an EMCD said, "I am blessed to be inducted as a Eucharistic minister and the induction ceremony has changed my life with the desire to imitate Jesus. My family was very glad and happy to see me being inducted as a Eucharistic minister".
After Holy Mass all EMCD's, the newly inducted and the existing ones, enjoyed a time of fellowship. A family member of the newly inducted EMCD, Norberto Colaco said, "We are truly blessed to be a part of the Salmiya Parish, with so many families coming together in Christ, for Christ. We feel all the more blessed that Norberto is now with the EMCD and pray for all good things for him and his fellow Eucharistic ministers."