EXTRA-ORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST: Extra-Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist are lay people or religious who are selected by the pastor for this role of service. These individuals attend an orientation session and are commissioned by the Diocese to serve in their parish. Eucharistic Ministers distribute the Eucharist at Mass as assistants to the priest when other ordained ministers are not readily available. In addition to serving at Mass, some of these ministers may bring the Eucharist to the sick or shut-ins.