Twenty-seven St. Joseph High School students in the 10th through 12th grades have undergone training to become Extraordinary Ministers of Communion (EMC) in the Catholic Church. EMCs assist a priest or deacon in the distribution of Holy Communion during religious services. Up until last year at St. Joseph, these duties were normally performed by adults. After pastor Father John Connell and Associate Pastor Father Daniel Wendel arrived at St.Joseph in 2023, they felt students should take a more active part in the school's weekly Masses.
Volunteers were sought to undergo training conducted by Father Wendel and high school religion teacher Phyllis Eubanks. A handful of students took part. At the start of this school year, there are four times that number of students who have stepped forward. "These young adults represent the future leaders of our church," Ms. Eubanks said. "They're showing by their actions how to live out their Catholic faith and are encouraging others to do so."