Pope Paul VI's 1973 encyclical, IMMENSAE CARITATIS, restored this pre-ninth century practice of entrusting the Eucharist to lay people. The first four lay ministers at St. Rose were commissioned in 1976 to encourage and facilitate access to Holy Communion. Today 104 trained and active lay ministers serve at the five weekend Masses and bring the Eucharist to the homebound who request it. An additional nine ministers make bedside visits and conduct prayer services with Holy Communion at a nearby nursing home. Twelve trained, inactive ministers substitute from time to time.
The rubric says that recruitment should be among lectors, seminarians, religious, catechists and other Catholic women and men who demonstrate a life of faith.