I suspect many a Catholic high school would have Mass every day if a priest was willing to travel to the school to do so. At least where I live most Catholic schools are associated with religious orders. And even then the students are lucky to have religious on the staff, let alone a priest available to say Mass every day.
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Cursillista_Jim
Guest
While having a communion service on Sunday when a priest is available or daily as a matter of convenience seems inappropriate to me, I do think there are a few instances where they are appropriate. Our parish has daily morning mass including Saturday, a vigil mass, and three masses on Sunday. We have 1 priest. On his day off, a neighboring priest celebrates the morning mass. On those occasions when another priest is not available, a deacon has a communion service that includes the liturgy of the Word. I think that’s acceptable because the daily communicants (30 or so) would show up, having no way of knowing that a priest was unavailable. I attend Cursillo leaders school weekly and our priest and spiritual director celebrates mass. Occasionally, another priest substitutes for him and rarely one of the deacons who are part of the movement has a communion service because we show up a community to celebrate the Eucharist and it is the center of the movement and our lives.
Peace to all,
Jim
Peace to all,
Jim
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NewUlm1976_2000
Guest
Parents choose private, parachorial schools over public for the lower class sizes and calmer environment, though some students go only for sports (move to powerhouse school). Education is on their mind, and most schools have weekly masses but it comes down to resources, as in a post above. If communion services can fill the void between weekly masses that is more than acceptable.
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frommi
Guest
But again, regardless of the main reason you choose a catholic school…you can’t be shocked/surprised that the kids go to church.
Following further on your line of thought…I fail to see how a communion service is ‘less offensive to the senses’ than a full mass.
The only daily mass type communion service I could see making some sense would be one at a nursing home. I know that the priests can have a hard time getting out there to have mass even once a week…but that sort of falls under communion to the sick.
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NewUlm1976_2000
Guest
Catholic schools (at least in my region) have the reputation of being there for education, not religious indoctrination. Forced daily mass can easily be seen as that to many parents. Communion services keep the focus more on the reading, writing, and arthimitic than being just a cathisis school. You are correct that parents expect some religious, but it cannot be or precieved as too excessive or many parents will pull their students out.
With the communion service, it is then seen as a less formal presentation than a full daily mass, and less like any precieved indroctination to the parents who are not Catholic. Communion services with weekly mass is acceptable to most parents today to give them moral instruction, but not in a “in your face” Catholic conversion way.
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Lepanto
Guest
I thought the faith formation for the eternal souls of their children had something to do with it.
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NewUlm1976_2000
Guest
You might find that from a few parents, but not most of the parents who send their children to Catholic schools. I almost never hear that specific reason used.I thought the faith formation for the eternal souls of their children had something to do with it.
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Spiller
Guest
“…Schools such as Chaminade and Kellenberg Memorial High School in Uniondale say they conduct the brief Communion services because they lack the time to celebrate a Mass amid classes…”
Poppycock! You have 15 minutes for a communion service but not 30-40 minutes for a reverent Mass? Absolutely no way. And if you did, something is horribly screwed-up with your priorities…
Poppycock! You have 15 minutes for a communion service but not 30-40 minutes for a reverent Mass? Absolutely no way. And if you did, something is horribly screwed-up with your priorities…
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bilop
Guest
It’s even worse b/c you can do a perfectly reverent daily Mass in 15 min.
I’ve attended plenty of Sunday Masses, with singing, that were 30-35 mins. Take out the hymns, the Creed, use Eucharistic Prayer II and do a very short homily, and you can do Mass in 15 min.
God Bless
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Brendan
Guest
All that means is that the parents should to be educated on the importance and value of the Mass.
It does not mean that the school should not have Masses.
If there isn’t time, make time. There is no more important thing in all of creation than the Mass.
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Lepanto
Guest
Children who grow up not caring about their faith grow up to become parents who don’t care about their children’s faith.
This is exactly why I support home schooling.
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NewUlm1976_2000
Guest
Great topic for a thread in Apologetics.
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NewUlm1976_2000
Guest
You could, but it would also be rushed, leading to the expectations of a quick in-out in the minds of the children and youth. That stigma is put on Communion services instead as they are meant to be quicker anyways.
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Seatuck
Guest
I Love our Bishop. God Bless Bishop Murphy! He’s on a roll. He’s done quite a few things lately that really show superb sheperding.
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bilop
Guest
The issue is that there is no point to a communion service if there is a Sunday Mass available to the attendees. There is no need to receive the Eucharist daily. It is admirable, but should be in the context of the Mass.
Daily Mass is always much quicker than Sunday. People have to fit it in on their lunch hour or before work. In the old days, there would be no homily at all. I don’t see a problem with a 15-20 min daily Mass. The Mass I attend near work never exceeds 20-25 min. on days of obligation, with the Creed and full homily.
God Bless
God Bless
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
Most likely because 60% of the students are not Catholic or their parents are cultural Catholics and the sports programs and other programs are more important to them. Most likely 60 to 80% of the Staff is not Catholic. At least that is the case here.
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kristie_m
Guest
What’s funny is that our daily Mass is actually FASTER than these communion services. Our priests have short but sweet homilies, and only verse of one song is sung. When we put it in the hands of the laity, however, I’ve found the “reflections” go on for quite a while, and there is more music than with a daily Mass. Weird, but true!
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frommi
Guest
I can’t believe we’re on the topic of ‘length’ of mass/service…
What happened to it being God’s time?
What happened to it being God’s time?
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kristie_m
Guest
It only came up because one of the excuses of the school as to why they have Eucharistic prayer services is because they didn’t have time for a full Mass. I was just pointing out a contradiction…not saying that faster is better by any means.
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Joe_Kelley
Guest
The Emperor has no clothes on!!!- Status