Regarding Intincting One's own Host:     Holy Communion must be handed to the communicant.    As Pope John Paul II reminds us, Jesus said to "Take and eat" and to "Take and drink".  Not even a Eucharistic Minister should ever self-communicate, unless presiding at a Paraliturgy.       Thus, no one may take the chalice from the altar or from a communion table in order to self communicate the Precious Blood, nor may anyone intinct his/her own Host.

Regarding Saying "Amen"?    The Hebrew word "Amen", means "I truly believe," "Yes it is!"     After the minister says: "The Body of Christ," the communicant says loudly "Amen".    This is a loud affirmation of faith in what the communicant is receiving, viz., namely the Body and the Blood of Christ.    This affirmation clearly points out that the communicant does believe that "Yes! This is Jesus," and through this Gift the communicant is becoming ever more deeply immersed into being the Body of Christ in the world today.      By this Gift, we become the hands of Christ in the world today, His feet, His voice, His love, His service, etc.

After the minister says: "The Blood of Christ," the communicant again affirms his/her faith by saying "Amen".     Then the communicant takes the cup and drinks a small portion of the Most Precious Blood of Christ.

Regarding What to Do After Receiving Holy Communion?      The communicant after receiving should return to his/her place and spend some time talking intimately with Jesus.    Then the communicant should rejoin his/her brothers and sisters in singing the Communion Processional.     Finally, after all have communicated, all should sit and spend some time in silence talking intimately with Jesus.      Jesus is present for at least eight to ten minutes, possibly as long as fifteen minutes, after receiving Him in Holy Communion.     How do we treat that Sacred Presence?     Do we rush to turn on the radio and forget Him?     Do we start arguing with someone outside church or on our way home with Him within us?      Do we rush from the church the moment we receive Him and forget Who is there in us?      Exactly how do we acknowledge His Presence?     Or do we forget?

Regarding an Allergy to Gluton?     Anyone with a gluton allergy should receive only the Most Precious Blood.    Special hosts may also be ordered for such a person.   Anyone with this medical problem should talk to the pastor.

Regarding Becoming an Eucharistic Minister?   Any Fully Initiated Catholic --- having received Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion --- whether male or female, age 16 and above, provided he/she can receive Holy Communion is invited and encouraged to become a Eucharistic Minister.    Youth are also very much encouraged to volunteer to serve in this ministry to their peers and to the community.

Special training is provided regularly throughout the year.   The only requirement is that all fulfilling this ministry try to develop a deep love and devotion for the Presence of Christ Jesus in His Sacrament of His Body and Blood.    Also, if a minister should fail and sin, as we human beings as descendants of Adam tend to do from time to time, he/she must receive the Lord's forgiveness and reconciliation in confession before fulfilling this ministry the next time he/she is assigned.      If you cannot get to confession during normal hours, please ask the first priest you meet to hear your confession so you can fulfill your ministry.

Regarding Bringing Holy Communion to the Sick?    The ritual for the Anointing and Care of the Sick highly recommends and encourages family members to bring Holy Communion to their sick family member (nos. # 34, 43,73).    What a gift this is to the sick person and to the whole family!   You can bring Jesus to your ill beloved, and so be a source of blessing and grace to him/her.    What an expression of gratitude and love to that person for all he/she has done and been for you.     

The only requirement is that you yourself be able to receive the Holy Eucharist, and that you generally follow the guidelines provided, and that you speak with the pastor or any priest before hand.    Usually one of the priest will go first to offer an opportunity for receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick.

If the ill family member is suffering from throat cancer or any illness that causes problems with swallowing food or has an allergy to gluton, provided the ill person can swallow liquids, you are encouraged to talk with the pastor or any priest and make arrangements to have some Precious Blood immediately after Mass to take to the ill person.   We have a special pyx for that purpose.
 
As you know from participating in Mass whether on Sunday or a weekday, those taking Holy Communion to the Sick are called forth before the Final Blessing at Mass and are blessed and sent forth in the name of our parish family to take Holy Communion to the ill.   Before Mass merely write the ill person's name on a slip of paper and put this with the pyx.   Before the Final Blessing, Presider will call you forth, hand you the pyx, and send you forth with a blessing in the name of our parish family. 

There is one footnote regarding bring Holy Communion to the sick: viz. if the ill person is not able to receive, you may not keep the Most Blessed Sacrament with you or in your home, nor may you consume the Sacred Host.   Rather, you must immediately return to the Church and return the Sacred Host to the Tabernacle.    If some of the Precious Blood remains, It should be consumed by the minister and the vessel purified (no. # 74).