CONSTITUTION AND BY – LAWS of the

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION (EMHC)

PREAMBLE

We, the EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION, AWARE OF THE IMPORTANT

ROLE OF THIS MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH, WHICH PERTAINS TO THE MOST HOLY EUCHARIST WHO
IS CHRIST HIMSELF, THE VERY SOURCE AND SUMMIT OF LIFE, IN THE PURSUIT AND DESIRE FOR
RENEWAL AND GROWTH AS APOSTLES OF EVANGELIZATION THROUGH THE EUCHARIST, PRAYER,
AND SERVICE, DO HEREBY PROMULGATE AND ADOPT THIS CONSTITUTION AND BY- LAWS.

ARTICLE I– NAME AND OFFICE

Section I. Name
This organization shall be known as the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion abbreviated
EMHC and herein referred to as the Eucharistic Ministry.

Section II. Office

The principal office of the Eucharistic Ministry shall be located at the Epiphany of Our Lord Co-
Cathedral Parish Grounds, Lingayen, Pangasinan.
ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES

Section I. The objectives of the Eucharistic Ministry are the following:

1. To take an active part in the life and mission of the Church,

particularly the Holy Mass, by assisting the Mass Presider in the
distribution of Holy Communion.
2. To treat the Mass as the most vital part of his Christian life, receive
Holy Communion often, daily if possible, and make visits to the
Blessed Sacrament and have Confession often.
3. To promote devotion to the Eucharist not only by his example but
by his words, gestures/actions, expression and lifestyle.
4. To live a life of faith conspicuous by his humility, honesty and
charity, by sharing and appreciating the sorrows, needs and hopes of
those around him.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section I. Qualification of Members:

1.0 25-60 years old

1.1 A Roman Catholic that has already received the Sacrament of Baptism,
Confirmation, and First Communion
1.2 If married, they are canonically married (Catholic Church Wedding)
1.3 Must have a good family background and responsible citizen in the eyes
of God and people.
1.4 Passed rigid screening and properly recommended by the organization.
1.5 Undergone Initial Formation Seminar, and the mandatory formation seminar
conducted twice a year at the Lay Formation Center in Bonuan, Dagupan City.
1.6 Attended Parish-Based PREX, Pannanabangan, and Pasimbalo Seminars,
Parish Lenten Recollection, and a Parish-Based Spiritual Upliftment Seminar or
Recollection exclusively for EMHC’s.
Section III. Duties and Responsibilities:

Members of the EMHC shall comply with the following duties and responsibilities:
3.1 Filing of Membership Information Form with the Secretariat.
3.2 Payment of Membership Fee, Annual Dues and other assessment to the EMHC. (Note: Cas-to-
Case Basis. Members who cannot afford the amount because of valid reasons may negotiate with the
President, Vice President, Secretary, and the Treasurer for considerations relative to the given
situation)
3.3 Attend assigned Sunday schedule and weekday Holy Masses and other religious activities like:
3.3.1 The ones stated at 1.5
3.3.2 The ones stated at 1.6
3.3.3 Good Friday Procession and other processions.
3.3.4 Abet-Abet Procession
3.3.5 May Flower Festival
3.3.6 Holy Rosary
3.3.7 Mama Mary’s Birthday, September 8
3.3.8 Simbang Gabi
3.3.9 Misa De Gallo
3.3.10 Christmas Day, December 25
3.3.11 Epiphany of Our Lord, 1st Sunday after New Year
3.3.12 Corpus Christi Sunday, our special feast
3.3.13 other special solemnities, feasts, and celebrations
3.4 Attend Regular Monthly Meeting every 4th Sunday of the month after the 9:00
AM Mass and Special meetings called by the President and other activities
promulgated by the EMHC.

3.5 Strict observance of the dress code during Holy Mass (White Barong Long
Sleeve, Black Pants (Slack), Black Leather Shoes and Black Socks and during
meetings (no short pants and slippers)

3.6 Extend outside services like:

3.6.1 Communion of the Sick (respective area)
3.6.2 Holy Masses in Barangay and Public/Private Schools (if notified)
3.6.3 Christ the King celebration in our Vicariate
3.6.4 Municipal/Provincial Liturgical Services

3.7 Observe punctuality at all times

3.8 EMHC who had served in an earlier Mass must wait for the incoming EMHC
and then serve once more if needed.
Section IV: Rights and Privileges of Membership

Except those who are declared in-active, all members

of the EMHC shall have the following rights and
privileges:
4.1 The right to vote and be voted upon to any
position or office of the Eucharistic Ministry.
4.2 The right to deliberate and be heard during
meetings of the Eucharistic Ministry.
4.3 The right to be informed of all matters pertaining
to the Eucharistic Ministry.
Section V: Forfeiture of Membership

Regular or Privileged members of the EMHC may be dropped from the roster of
members or declared in-active for any of the following reasons:

5.1 Failure to attend regular monthly meetings of the Eucharistic Ministry for three
consecutive months unless valid reason was given by the member.

5.1.1 Penalties for absences during the monthly meeting:

1st offense – P 100.00
2nd offense –P 200.00 + warning notice
3rd offense _ P 300.00 + said member be classified as an in-active member

5.1.2 All collected penalties for absences during the monthly meeting will go to the
general fund of the EMHC.
5.2 Failure to attend his assigned schedule on Sunday Masses
for 4 consecutive Sundays unless grave reasons was given by
the member.

5.2.1 Penalties for absences during Sunday Mass schedule:

1st offense – P50
2nd offense – P100
3rd offense – P150 + warning notice
4th offense – P200 and classified as an in active member

5.2.2 All collected penalties for absences on Sunday Mass

schedules can be used during meetings/activities of the EMHC.
5.3 Failure to pay his monthly dues and other assessments imposed by the
Eucharistic Ministry.

5.4 Failure to settle obligation or indebtedness to the Eucharistic Ministry

within 30 days upon receipt
of the notice of such indebtedness from the President or treasurer of the
EMHC.

5.5 Voluntary resignation from the EMHC.

5.6 Expulsion for cause by two –thirds vote of all members provided that
forfeiture shall have been received by the subject member and no appeal
is filed for its consideration within a period of one month after receipt of
such notice of forfeiture. Provide further that voluntary resignation may
not be accepted until the member concerned is properly cleared of all
monetary or proprietary liability to the EMHC if there is any.
Section VI; Entrance or Reactivation or Service Extension of
Members

6.1 Any member who was previously dropped from the

roster of members or declared inactive member maybe
reinstated upon filing of a written application for
reinstatement with the EMHC emphasizing compliance of the
requirements set for Section 3 of this article.

6.2 Services of members having reached the mandatory

retirable age of 60 could be extended subject to the
discretion of the EMHC Spiritual Director.
ARTICLE IV – FEES, DUES, MUTUAL AID PLAN, MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND SOCIAL OBLIGATIONS

Section I. Entrance or Reinstatement Fee

Each new or reinstated member shall pay an Entrance Fee of Three Hundred Pesos (PhP 300.00)
upon filing of the Membership Form or Application for Reinstatement Form as the case may be.

Section II: Regular Annual Dues

Each member shall pay the following amount:

P 600.00 - Regular Annual Dues ( if paid on installment basis P50/ month)
P 500.00 - Regular Annual Dues ( if paid on cash basis one time)
P 480.00 - Senior Citizen Regular Member ( installment basis P40/month)
P 400.00 - Senior Citizen Regular member ( if paid on cash basis one time)

Payment of Annual Dues will start on August 01 of the current year and ends on July 30 of the
following year.

The Annual Fund shall be spent in accordance with the budget presented and approved for the
current year of the General Assembly/Meeting or for urgent purposes that the President or the
body may approve.
Section III. Mutual Death Aid Plan

The Mutual Death Aid Plan shall henceforth be operated as follows:

3.1 Every member in active service shall pay Php 200.00 every time a regular
member dies, the total amount of which is given to the beneficiaries of the
deceased member

3.2 Every member in active service shall pay Php 100.00 every time an immediate
family member dies ( wife, children, father and mother) the total amount of
which is given to the member

3.3 Every member in active service shall pay Php 50.00 every time an extended
family member dies (father/ mother in- law, brother and sister), the total amount
of which is given to the member/beneficiaries.
3.4 In case of death of an active member, all members will attend to the
Prayer/Necrological Service.
3.5 Attendance to interment shall be compulsory to all members.
Section IV: Medical Assistance Fund

1. Every member in active service shall pay a Medical Assistance of

Php100.00 in case a member in active service is hospitalized due to
illness/accident/disease or will undergo an operation. Should there be
more than one receipient, the members in the active service will
again pay the same amount.
2. Medical assistance shall apply only to members in active service.

Section V: Payments

All payments shall be issued with the corresponding receipt/s for

accounting and auditing purposes.
ARTICLE V – OFFICERS

Section I. The officers of this organization are: President, Vice-president,

Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, two Business Managers, Public Information
Officer and two Sergeant- at- Arms.

Section II. Powers and Duties of the Officers

2 .1 The officers shall formulate policies as bases for the realization of the
goals of the ministry.

2.2 They shall exercise all the powers granted by the Constitution and By-
Laws of the ministry and do such act which are consistent with the law.

2.3 The duties and functions of the following officers are, to wit:
PRESIDENT – The President is the Chief Executive of the EMHC, as such shall:

1. Call and preside over meetings, order all payments authorized by the ministry, render a
message and report on the condition of the Ministry during meetings.
2. He shall appoint the members of the working committees with the advice and consent of the
officers.
3. He shall act as representatives of the ministry in meetings called by the Priests when the
ministry is one of those concerned.
4. Enforce all measures approved by majority of the members during the General Meeting.
5. Sign or authenticate all acts, proceedings, or orders of body.
6. As a presiding of the minstry, he has to:
a. Convene the meeting of the organization in accordance with the rules and see to it that it is
properly constituted.
b. Recognize the members entitled to the floor either to participate in deliberations or to submit
to the assembly any motion or matters for consideration.
c. Decide all points of order subject to appeal unless, when in doubt, he prefers to submit the
question to the decision of the body,
7. He is likewise authorized to appoint the Chairman of the Board of Election Inspectors during
elections.
VICE – PRESIDENT – The Vice-President succeeds the President in case of resignation,
death or incapacity of the latter as such:

1. He shall act as Presiding Officer in case of the President’s absence to discharge the
duties of the said office.
2. In case of resignation, disability, or death of the President, the Vice President shall
automatically be the President.
3. He shall perform such other duties as may be delegated to him by the President.

SECRETARY- The secretary shall be under the direction and supervision of the President,
as such shall:

1. Be the custodian of all administrative records such as the minutes of the meetings and
conferences.
2. Responsible in the recording and keeping of the minutes and proceedings of all
meetings of the ministry.
3. Writes communications, prepare reports, excerpts and resolutions for disposition.
4. Keeps and safeguards the important documents of the ministry
5. Perform such other duties as may be delegated to him by the President.
TREASURER – The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all funds and
properties of the EMHC, as such shall:

1. Collect all dues, issue corresponding receipts and deposits EMHC’s

money all funds and properties to a bank in the municipality.
2. Keep the money of the ministry, keep custody of all the properties
belonging to it, and be liable for any loss thereof.
3. Submit a complete report of financial statement of the ministry at
least once a year, or as deemed necessary.
4. Maintain an updated record showing names of all members of the
ministry with their respective payments and dues.
5. Disburse necessary funds to which are certified projects duly
approved by the President.
6. Perform such other duties as may be delegated to him by the
President.
AUDITOR – The Auditor shall be the Accountant and controller of the
funds of the EMHC, as such shall:

1. Examine and audit the books and the records of the Treasurer’s
financial reports.
2. Certify to the correctness of the financial report s and other
business transactions of the ministry.
3. Suspend or withhold payments of accounts incurred which are not
legally approved by the President/officers or not in accordance with
the policies of the ministry
4. Perform such other duties as may be delegated to him by the
President.
BUSINESS MANAGERS – The Business Managers shall be the implementing arm of the EMHC, as such shall:

1. Take charge of all business transactions of the ministry and attend to the preparation and
implementation of the EMHC’s programs, projects and activities.
2. Chair the mechanics of all social activities of the ministry and monitor the progress of the
implementation of the EMHC’s different undertakings
3. Perform such other duties as may be delegated to him by the President.

PRESS RELATION OFFICER – The Press Relation Officer shall be the Spokesman and the source of internal
information of the EMHC, as such shall:

1. Make necessary contacts with individuals and agencies deemed necessary in the realization of the
objectives and policies of the ministry.
2. Inform the members of all pertinent programs, projects and activities of the ministry and take charge
for the Publication and distribution of information materials.
3. Perform such other duties as may be delegated to him by the President.

SERGEANT- AT- ARMS – The Sergeant at Arms shall be the Peace Officers of the EMHC, as such shall:

1. Take charge of the peace and order in all activities of the ministry.
2. They shall perform such other duties as may be delegated to them by the President.

Section III. The Parish Priest/Spiritual Director shall act as consultant and adviser of the Ministry.
ARTICLE VI – EMHCs’ MEETING

Section 1. Regular Meeting

Regular meeting shall be held every 4th Sunday of the month at 10:00AM.

Section 2. Meetings of the ministry will be conducted in accordance with the accepted
parliamentary procedures and practices of any deliberatively body, which shall be:
a.) Opening Prayer
b.) Roll Call
c.) Reading and Approval of the previous meeting’s minutes
d.) Treasurer’s and Auditor’s financial reports
e.) Committee Reports
f.) New Business
g.) Other Matters
h.) Closing Prayer

Section 3 Meetings of the ministry shall be held in the church vicinity, or unless otherwise specified
in the calling of such purpose.
Section 4 The President shall call special meetings:

a.) when a written resolution is signed by majority, or

b.) when he believes that meeting is necessary.
Such call for a meeting will indicate the purpose and topic for
discussions as well as the time, date, and place of the meeting.

Section 5 Projects and Programs

All ministry activities, projects and programs shall be deliberated

upon and approved by the General Assembly of the Eucharistic
Ministers of Holy Communion before its implementation.
ARTICLE VII – ELECTIONS

Section 1 The election of the officers shall be held during the second week of July of their three-
year term, and assume office immediately following their induction.

Section 2 All elected officers will hold office for three (3) years and they may run for reelection.

Section 3 Any member of the ministry, can run for any office.

Section 4 Election shall be held in the vicinity of the church.

Section 5 Election shall be done by secret balloting.

Section 6 In case of tie, the term of office will be divided by two. Priority will be determined by
the tossing of coin by the Chairman of the Election Committee.

Section 7 The Board of Canvassers shall proclaim the elected officers after the canvassing.

Section 8. No candidate/s can run in more than one party and position. Violation of this provision
is outright disqualification from running the office he intends to.
ARTICLE VIII – PROPERTIES

Section 1. All/Any properties of the ministry must be turned over to the new set of EMHC officers immediately
upon assumption of office.

Section 2. Ministry property/ies can be used by any members, provided that it is / they are with
corresponding receipts.

Section 3. There shall be a Ministry Property Custodian who shall be designated by the incumbent President.

ARTICLE IX– AMENDMENTS

Section 1. The Constitution and By-Laws of this Ministry may be amended by the special meeting of the
General Assembly if it is deemed necessary. After which, it shall be presented to the General Assembly for
deliberations and approval.

ARTICLE X – AFFILIATION

Section 1. Recognizing the benefits that would be accrued to members who solidly unite as one national unit,
the Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) shall affiliate itself with any legitimate
union/associations.

Approved by the majority of the General Meeting this 23rd day of July, 2023 at Lingayen, Pangasinan,
Philippines
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) Officers

President: FERDINAND C. DE GUZMAN, Ed. D.

Vice President: SAMSKY D. AVILES
Secretary: ARNOLD F. BARTOLOME
Treasurer: EDUARDO E. URBANO
Auditor: GERRY G. REYES
P.I.O.:
Bus. Managers:
Sgt. At Arms
Members:

Consultants: Most Rev. Bishop Fidelis B. Layog, DD

Rev. Fr. Emil A. Soriano
Rev. Fr. Christian Joy DA Bataoil