Nineteenth Sunday in Ordianry Time - Year <A>

[musicus]

We're straying off topic here.

My fault! I'll split it off as a new topic if it persists.
Meanwhile, doc is quite right: it's an ideal to be striven after, but pragmatism usually prevails.

[lesley wright]

Still off topic, my choir contains a number of Extraordinary Ministers, but they either administer at other Masses or take turns each to administer to the rest of the choir/musicians. It seems to work, and avoids the disturbance of the choir having to move around the church.
Lesley

[docmattc]

I recall the liturgical principle that no-one should exercise more than one ministry at any one celebration

Sorry to remain OT, but does anyone know the documentary source for this principle? I'm beginning to tackle the issue.

[John Ainslie]

I recall the liturgical principle that no-one should exercise more than one ministry at any one celebration

Sorry to remain OT, but does anyone know the documentary source for this principle? I'm beginning to tackle the issue.

The principle of the diversity of liturgical ministry is explained in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, para 91: the whole paragraph is well worth study. Only due respect for copyright prevents me quoting it in full. GO AND READ IT NOW!

The principle of 'one ministry at a time' is obviously sensible: ministers 'are to shun any appearance of individualism or division' (para 95). Para 109 recommends sharing of ministries, but a single reading may not be divided between several readers, except for the Passion. However, the following paragraph states that 'if only one minister is present at a Mass with a congregation, that minister may exercise several different duties'. I would see here an implication that if several ministers are present, their ministries should be shared.