The community of BSM has the opportunity to worship each month and broaden their journey of faith, but certain members of the community take an extra step by becoming eucharistic ministers. With each school year comes a wave of new eucharistic ministers. The ministers help at school masses with the distribution of the Sacrament of Communion and serve at other special events.

Only seniors and staff members are allowed to volunteer. The 2017-18 school year had a record-breaking number of seniors wanting to carry out their faith at BSM through eucharistic ministry. “We have 49 seniors; that’s the most seniors I have ever had. Usually there is around, anything between 25-30, but this year 49. Everybody is assigned twice during the school year. I call upon them for any special occasions,” Campus Minister Mr. Michael Jeremiah said.

There is one main requirement for becoming a eucharistic minister at BSM. The student or faculty member must be a Catholic and be an involved member at their home church. “Someone who is active in their parish, and by active I mean just participating, from going every Sunday or Saturday evening, and someone who has been confirmed,” Jeremiah said.

Training for the eucharistic ministers took place a week before installation at the Homecoming mass. During the training, ministers were informed about the history and importance of eucharistic ministry. “I had them think back to when they received their first communion and how excited and privileged they felt at that time. We just out of habit walk up and say, “Amen” without even thinking about what it is we are receiving, when we are truly receiving Jesus,” Jeremiah said.

The eucharistic ministers are installed at BSM because the ministry goes by a student’s location. “If they were at a parish or in a situation where eucharistic ministers are needed, then they can come forward and help. As a part of the training, I also encourage them to talk to their parish and to be involved there,” Jeremiah said.

Like many aspects of a student’s educational journey, eucharistic ministry has the potential to stretch beyond their time at BSM. “I also tell them that I hope this isn’t the last time they do this, that they can also reaffirm this and do this in college or as an adult,” Jeremiah said.