Communion Preparation

Setting communion is fairly simple. It can be done the evening before, even the Friday before, or if enough time is allotted, it can be done on Sunday morning. Before Sunday service, turn the hot water tank on located under the sink, or turn on the hot water tap before clearing the communion setting from the altar after service.

How Communion Should Be Prepared

Prepare two trays of individual cups to place on the altar and set a third tray with 10 or 15 cups in the sacristy in case they are needed. Use either the cup and ear syringe, or bottle with the spout, or the plunger (my favorite) to fill the cups. The two trays will equal 80 cups of wine. Stack the two trays on one another with a third empty tray (no cups) on top for the acolyte to use for used cups. Fill ¾ full the cruet (grey ceramic) with wine and the chalice. Leave the bottle of wine in the sacristy in case the elders need more. Take out the bread plate and the host box. Any wafers left in the host box should be used first in the plate, then add wafers from the cellophane wrapper for a total of about 110. Any wafers not consumed can be placed in the host box for the next use. There are a few gluten free communicants and one who must use the tinctured wafer. The gluten free is a tan color. Place a few of those in the bread plate also. Pastor will know if he needs the tinctured wafer.

How Communion Should Be Set There is a photo of the proper set up for communion on the bulletin board in the sacristy. You may wish to refer to that. As you are standing behind the altar place……. The Missal Stand to the right hand side of the altar The Communion Trays toward the front left hand side of the altar The Bread Plate to the right hand side of the individual cup trays The Cruet, Chalice, and communion towel behind the bread plate (extra towels are in the plastic tub in the bottom cupboard to the left of the sink) Once all is set, cover all with the large veil, making sure that the front edge of the veil is aligned with the front edge of the altar. Refer to the picture to get a visual idea of the set-up. Record how many cups were prepared and place that number on the chart in the sacristy.

Clean-up Make sure you use hot water (or add a drop of Clorox from under the sink to the water). There is an instant hot water heater under the sink which may be turned on before service, or run the hot water tap full open while you clear the altar. When cleaning up, any unconsumed wine left in the sacristy in cups may be placed back in the bottle. Count how many cups were not used and subtract from the number prepared for total of cups used. Also record how many common cups were consummed. (Ask the elder who had the common cup

for a count) Unused blessed wine should be placed in the chalice and poured on the ground, reverently making the sign of the cross. Only unblessed wine (from sacristy) should be placed back in the bottle. Wash in soap and water and rinse and dry cups, cruet, chalice and any trays that have wine spilled on them. Put all away. Wipe out the channel on the communion rail and the plastic on the altar. If wine is spilled on the communion towels or the veil, or any other linens, these must be taken home and washed according to directions on the “Care of Linens” sheet. Boiling water poured over the linen which has a wine stain will remove the stain. Then the linen should be washed separately from other laundry and ironed damp according to directions.