Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are lay people who, after having received special training and having been commissioned by the Archbishop, serve the parish by distributing the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass. They are referred to as "extraordinary ministers" because the ordinary minister of the sacrament of Communion is the priest or deacon. They also bring the Eucharist to the sick and homebound. EMoHCs are usually scheduled to serve at Mass once or twice per month, according to their preference and availability.