To serve as a Eucharistic Minister at Santa Sophia Catholic Church, you need to:

1. Have faith in the true presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
2. Be a Catholic in good standing (i.e., received sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist & Confirmation; if married, married in the Catholic Church; no cause for scandal, etc.);
3. Make Santa Sophia your primary parish community. This means that you regularly attend Masses of Santa Sophia and support the parish as a committed parishioner in the three fundamental areas of time, talent, and treasure;
4. Submit a parishioner registration form, after which Father may arrange to meet with you regarding your interest in liturgical ministry;
5. Complete a Diocesan Eucharistic Ministers Formation Workshop and a parish orientation (Diocesan Workshop may be waived by Father if not being held in a reasonable timeframe);
6. Be willing to serve for a three-year period (term of service is renewable);
7. Agree to attend each year:
   1. A general meeting of all liturgical ministers of the parish. This meeting is informational and provides an opportunity to discuss procedural issues and changes.
   2. The Annual Church Ministers’ Conference sponsored by the Diocese of San Diego. This is usually scheduled in the fall and combines liturgy, prayer, reflection and speakers.
8. Seek always to reflect the love of Christ to all you encounter, everywhere you go.

Our parish dress code for liturgical ministers is as follows:

• Women – dresses, suits, and blouses with skirts or dress slacks are appropriate attire.  Jeans, shorts, mini skirts (skirts higher than 1-inch above the knee), low-cut bodices, tank tops, sweatsuits and tennis shoes are not acceptable.
• Men – suits or collared shirts, dress slacks and dress shoes are appropriate. Jeans, shorts, sandals, and tennis shoes are not acceptable.

Upon completion of the Diocesan Eucharistic Ministers Formation Workshop and parish orientation, new Eucharistic Ministers will be commissioned during a weekend Mass.

Schedules designating your assignments to serve are prepared every three months (December, March, June and September).

Eucharistic Ministers usually serve once a month, but the frequency may vary depending on the number of active ministers at any given time. We try to honor your Mass preference, but may need you to serve at other Masses on occasion.

Parish policy limits service to one liturgical ministry of the four (altar serving, lectoring, Eucharistic Ministry, or hospitality ministry) during any given Mass.

If you have any questions regarding these expectations, please call (619) 463-6629.