And you thought they wanted us washing vessels

At the direction of Pope Benedict XVI, extraordinary ministers of holy Communion will no longer be permitted to assist in the purification of the sacred vessels at Masses in the United States. [...]The U.S. bishops had asked the Vatican to extend an indult -- or church permission -- in effect since 2002 allowing extraordinary ministers of holy Communion to help cleanse the Communion cups and plates when there were not enough priests or deacons to do so. (CNS via ClosedCafeteria)

No word on whether it's still okay for the little old ladies of your parish to launder the linens. That might just bring them too close to the holy elements of the Eucharist, you know? I find it ironic that "washing vessels" is one of the examples outraged laity sometimes use for what they do when they're excluded from real parish responsibility. I'm also amused that the indult was extended in 2002; as a high-school sacristan, I was definitely purifying vessels (in a sacred, prayerful way, I like to think) as early as '96. Just the latest evidence of my own transgressive status . . .