Christmas Mass

[jediliz]

Stonez,

The sunday obligation (sunday morning mass) would only cover the 4th sunday of Advent. You have to get to Mass for Christmas.

This is only the second time that I can remember that 4th Sunday of Advent AND Christmas Eve fell on the same day.

 

[Mommyof02green]

Can you imagine starting ‘Christ-mass’ day without mass!!

How rubbish would that be!

Even a normal Sunday without mass (ie going on Sat night) feels empty!

How much more so for the biggest day of the year. What possible excuse is there? Who works all day long on Christmas day and is Catholic?

Peace and God Bless!

I was reading a book to my son about “Santa” where he came from and how different areas have viewed “Santa” over the years. The book also explained some of the names that are associated with “Santa”. It also tried to explain why “Santa” is associated with Christmas. The book starting with it called the first santa St. Nicholas, it explain who he was etc.

The book, also, stated that word Christmas came from the old English Chistes Maesse, or “Christ’s Mass”.

The book also mentions that the first “people” to give gift at Christmas were the 3 magi that gave gifts to Christ. The book also explains what the gifts were and what they mean. It also explains that “Christ” means anointed or savior.

I’m sure that that this doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone here. What surprised me about the book was that my son checked it out from his School’s Library. (He goes to a public school).

I asked him what made him pick out this book? He said the pictures of the baby Jesus and pictures of the “pope”. He didn’t know that the pictures were actually of St. Nicholas until I read the book to him.

 

[SMHW]

Stonez,

The sunday obligation (sunday morning mass) would only cover the 4th sunday of Advent. You have to get to Mass for Christmas.

This is only the second time that I can remember that 4th Sunday of Advent AND Christmas Eve fell on the same day.

…1978, 1989, 1995, 2006… next time in 2017

If you go back much further it wouldn’t have occurred to most people to go to Mass on Christmas Eve for Christmas. Although I’m told there were parishes back then that started
“Midnight” Mass somewhat earlier. My old pastor always complained that every year he’d get calls with people asking what time Midnight Mass would be held this year.

 

[Mommyof02green]

…1978, 1989, 1995, 2006… next time in 2017

If you go back much further it wouldn’t have occurred to most people to go to Mass on Christmas Eve for Christmas. Although I’m told there were parishes back then that started
“Midnight” Mass somewhat earlier. My old pastor always complained that every year he’d get calls with people asking what time Midnight Mass would be held this year.

I just laughed when I read that. I worked in the parish office for several years and it never failed as soon as December rolled around I would get calls asking, “What time is Midnight Mass?”

I used to complain all the time and say things like how stupid can these people be… It’s midnight Mass the time is Midnight! (Of course I never said that over the phone…I just said that when I was off the phone)

My pastor heard me say this one time, and he said, "You know some parish have what they call “Midnight Mass” but the Mass really starts at like 11:30 pm. So it’s not really a dumb question.”

Sure enough, when I looked around at some of the other parish in my area, I saw that some parishes really did have what they called “Midnight Mass” but the time was at 11:30 pm, or 11:45 pm or 10:30 pm.

My Grandparents are Lutheran, and they have what they call “Midnight Service” but it really starts at 10:30 pm

 

[CatholicSam]

I want to say “you ninkumpoop” but I will refrain. I am standing in a whole room of people who I invited to read your misinformed post. And we all agree…you must have no idea what it is like to work in the Healthcare profession I WORK THE WHOLE DAY CHRIATMAS DAY FROM 5 AM UNTIL 5PM. the entire dialysis world operates that way and you are talking about THOUSANDS of people. Nurses commonly work 12 hour shifts now. AND you live in london I live in an isolated town of 6000 people with ONE CHURCH!! AND ONE PRIEST. WE HAVE 2 Masses for sunday and 4 for x-mas eve. Saturday Mass starts 1/2 hour before I take scrubs off and head out the door. I am sure that there are thousands and thousands of people like me who without the grace of God would like to …never mind. Merry X-mas and remember…people like me get to take care of Jesus in the sick and infirmed on Christmas day.

Hey, I didn’t read the whole thread (sorry, being 9 months pregnant and running after a toddler don’t allow for time to read such lengthy threads), but I wanted to let you know that I’m an RN and I worked 12 hour shifts. And I was still able to go to Mass on Holy Days. But my church was just about 10 minutes from work and if I had all my duties squared away and left right on time, I could just get there for the evening Mass. I was working 7 am to 7 pm. So anyway, I just wanted to point out that I don’t think it’s a nonsensical idea to suggest people working 5 am to 5 pm might just be able to catch Mass on Christmas day. I would have loved the extra two hours in the evening to be able to at least eat dinner beforehand. I’m sorry your schedule and your church’s schedule don’t line up, but it’s definitely NOT far fetched for people working 12 hour shifts to be able to go to Mass on the same day. God bless.

By the way, aren’t you able to request to have a holiday off now and again? Are dialysis nurses not allowed to take vacations? If you really are a “deacon to be” how is that going to figure into your work schedule if you can’t go to Holy Day Masses?

 

[H_Opey]

You have not taken into account that some “midnight” services start at 11:30 with singing (they call it caroling) THEN the mass starting at 12am. That is REALLY confusing.

 

[SMHW]

You have not taken into account that some “midnight” services start at 11:30 with singing (they call it caroling) THEN the mass starting at 12am. That is REALLY confusing.

I sing in the choir so actually I would get a little miffed when my pastor said that 12:00 midnight was the time to start. He could have said that Mass begins at midnight but there were readings and carols starting at 11:30. If he didn’t like us he should have just said so!

(Actually I doubt he took many such calls himself anyways. I suspect the job fell to our secretary and she probably did tell callers about the lessons and carols.)

 

[puzzleannie]

the requirements in your diocese and the schedule for your parish will undoubtedly be available on the diocesan and parish websites and in your parish bulletin, or you could just make your plans for Sunday Mass as usual and Christmas Mass as usual.

 

[dympnha]

I hope nobody takes offense but I’ve seen questions like this before on CA and it leaves me mystified. It seems like American Catholics are always looking for the barest minimum they have to do.

Someone is always asking if they can skip a Mass for whatever reason. I have to say that when I was a Protestant in my childhood I never heard anybody nitpicking about getting out of going to a Sunday service. We seemed to have lost our zeal somewhere and I have no idea how we can get it back. Where is our passion? Where is our burning love?

 

[SMHW]

I hope nobody takes offense but I’ve seen questions like this before on CA and it leaves me mystified. It seems like American Catholics are always looking for the barest minimum they have to do.

Someone is always asking if they can skip a Mass for whatever reason. I have to say that when I was a Protestant in my childhood I never heard anybody nitpicking about getting out of going to a Sunday service. We seemed to have lost our zeal somewhere and I have no idea how we can get it back. Where is our passion? Where is our burning love?

I have wondered the same thing.

But I chose to believe that the majority of the people asking such questions are either 1) looking for the correct information to pass along to a friend/family member or 2) trying to avoid feelings of ill will between themselves and non-Mass-attending family members who consider the Catholic’s attendance at Mass to be a major imposition on the family’s time.

Those in the second category may want to attend Mass but if Mass attendance is not an obligation they may decide family harmony is the greater good.

 

[Lion]

I am a parish music director…I have more masses than my parish priests who split them up.(I am in St. Louis, so we are not experiencing a dire shortage like other diocese)

Here’s my Christmas Weekend schedule

Sunday the 24th:

8:30 AM 10:00 AM and Noon

Play another place at 4 PM vigil (while another group plays at my parish)

Then to dinner with other Catholic musicians who are as close to me as my family because I have to have holiday dinners with them because of weekends like this Christmas weekend.

Then back to my parish for a 10:30 PM mass (choir starts at 10) Please do NOT criticize the earlier time. THANK GOD for the earlier time…because I’m not quite done…

Monday Christmas morning…back to my parish for an 8:30 and a 10 AM

By then, I’m a little “massed” out…

It’s exhausting and emotionally draining. So whoever asked about someone working on Christmas? I AM!!!

By the time I am done on Christmas morning, I’m so wiped out that I can’t really enjoy family.

…and by the way although I will not hear you, thank you (just in case no one says this to you!!) Also, your family will enjoy you and your prescence… maybe keep that in mind?! Good luck friend!!!

 

[Lion]

Be thankful that your parish does not have a Midnight Mass!

It is people like you that help make the special liturgies so great for the rest of us.

Feel free to take Tuesday off.

LOL… how gracious of you
… but hey, what about the mad materialistic shopping opportunities???

 

[Lion]

I hope nobody takes offense but I’ve seen questions like this before on CA and it leaves me mystified. It seems like American Catholics are always looking for the barest minimum they have to do.

Someone is always asking if they can skip a Mass for whatever reason. I have to say that when I was a Protestant in my childhood I never heard anybody nitpicking about getting out of going to a Sunday service. We seemed to have lost our zeal somewhere and I have no idea how we can get it back. Where is our passion? Where is our burning love?

yep… all of a sudden i cant get my usual spot in the church… the “1 or 2 times a year” people are crowding me out… dropping $100-200 in the collection basket (out of guilt?). It used to tick me off, but you know what? They haven’t switched to something else… I simply pray for them that they recognize the spark God is sending them at that particular Mass. I read a lot of posts where people offer prayers (a wonderful thing) for non-Catholics, but i think we also need to pray for luke-warm Catholics.

 

[tee_eff_em]

That is correct attending any Mass before Midnight on Sunday the 24th fulfills the Sunday or Christmas obligation. However “two for the price of one” does not apply. If you attend one Mass on the evening of the 24th for your Sunday obligation you must return for another Mass either later on the 24th or on Christmas day for the Christmas obligation.

I know it is pharisaical(sp?) to ask, and I fully intend to assist at least one Mass for each of the 4th Sunday of Advent and the Nativity of Our Lord, but why does not “two for the price of one” apply? A plain reading of the law seems to say it does?

tee

 

[palmas85]

I hope nobody takes offense but I’ve seen questions like this before on CA and it leaves me mystified. It seems like American Catholics are always looking for the barest minimum they have to do.

Someone is always asking if they can skip a Mass for whatever reason. I have to say that when I was a Protestant in my childhood I never heard anybody nitpicking about getting out of going to a Sunday service. We seemed to have lost our zeal somewhere and I have no idea how we can get it back. Where is our passion? Where is our burning love?

Have you seen the Barney blessing on You Tube? That is where a lot of the burning love has gone. That is where the passion is. Mocking the Sacraments and making jokes about the faith. Plenty of time for that yes siree, plenty of time for that.

After seeing the Barney blessing and hearing the joyful shout of Thanks be to Barney instead of thanks be to God, I really came close to giving up. I just don’t think there is much hope left.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I know it is pharisaical(sp?) to ask, and I fully intend to assist at least one Mass for each of the 4th Sunday of Advent and the Nativity of Our Lord, but why does not “two for the price of one” apply? A plain reading of the law seems to say it does?

tee

One obligation = one Mass

Two different obligations (Sunday and Christmas) = two different Masses.

 

[netmilsmom]

I hope nobody takes offense but I’ve seen questions like this before on CA and it leaves me mystified. It seems like American Catholics are always looking for the barest minimum they have to do.

Someone is always asking if they can skip a Mass for whatever reason. I have to say that when I was a Protestant in my childhood I never heard anybody nitpicking about getting out of going to a Sunday service. We seemed to have lost our zeal somewhere and I have no idea how we can get it back. Where is our passion? Where is our burning love?

For me it’s not skipping but rather missing.
I am going to be at the 4:30 Sunday because I am volunteering to work with the children for the Nativity. My younger daughter wanted to be choir so we will be there the whole mass.
Christmas Day, the girls sing again in the regular children’s choir. Two masses seems like I am covered.
If I was not, I would have no problem going to the 9:30am on Sunday. I just wanted to know.

 

[Digitonomy]

One obligation = one Mass

Two different obligations (Sunday and Christmas) = two different Masses.

If that is the case (which in some form it probably is), where can I find a canon excusing me from the obligation of attending mass twice last year, when Christmas was on Sunday?

 

[CRW]

If that is the case (which in some form it probably is), where can I find a canon excusing me from the obligation of attending mass twice last year, when Christmas was on Sunday?

When Christmas falls on a Sunday, the feast day of Christmas is celebrated. From the Saturday Vigil, Midnight Mass, fist Mass of the day etc. This year, the Holy Day of Obligation falls on a Monday. Hence, Christmas celebrations commence on Monday.

 

[JMJDevotee]

A Holy day Vigil Mass cannot take place before 4PM in the US and a Mass at Midnight cannot be a Vigil Mass, it is Midnight Mass. Midnight Mass cannot take place before Midnight either.

I just have to smile when I’m told by someone we are having our “Midnight Mass” at 10 PM! OK.

My priest is having our “Midnight Mass” @ 10 as well. I just don’t understand how priests can change this little tradition. To me if you feel free to change a little “t”, then you may try to change a big “T”. How do you fight this movement??

Pax Vobsicm