Collecting Tithes - Can I do that?

[TikiTokiguy]

I went to Mass this evening. I was asked if I wanted to help them pass the baskets to collect the offerings. I told the guy I was not officially Catholic and didn’t think I could. He said I could. I told him I’d rather not since I’m not officially Catholic.

Could I have helped pass the baskets even though I’m not Catholic? Besides taking the Holey Body and Blood, can I do all other things that Catholics do at Mass? Once they asked me to take something up, or maybe it was passing the basket. I told her again, I’m not officially Catholic and would rather not.

 

[Chatter163]

Yes, you could certainly help take up the collection. There is nothing sacramental about that. The fact that you were asked suggests that the ushers have noticed you coming regularly. It is a good sign and a nice way to become involved in the parish, so that after you become Catholic you will already have strong ties to the parish.

 

[cecilia97]

I went to Mass this evening. I was asked if I wanted to help them pass the baskets to collect the offerings. I told the guy I was not officially Catholic and didn’t think I could. He said I could. I told him I’d rather not since I’m not officially Catholic.

Could I have helped pass the baskets even though I’m not Catholic? Besides taking the Holey Body and Blood, can I do all other things that Catholics do at Mass? Once they asked me to take something up, or maybe it was passing the basket. I told her again, I’m not officially Catholic and would rather not.

She may have been asking if you would take up the wine, hosts (bread), or collection basket during what we call the Offertory. This is when you typically see two or three people walk up the main aisle toward the altar with things in their hands. It symbolizes that the community is offering these gifts to be used during the Mass. After the priest takes the items, he may bless the people, then they bow to show reverence toward the altar, and then they return to their seats.

You may do this as a non-Catholic if you are asked, but you may not know when to leave your seat, so I can see that might be stressful for you. If you do take up the offerings, remember to bow at the end to show reverence for the altar.

It’s perfectly all right to say you’re not comfortable doing any of these things. I’m Catholic and I’ve said that in the past.

 

[MarkThompson]

The above answers are correct. About the only thing you might plausibly get asked to do which you cannot is to do one of the readings (in certain cases, with the permission of the bishop, a non-Catholic can do a reading, but not ordinarily).

Of course, you’re entirely within your rights to decline to do something like help with the collection. Explaining that you’re not Catholic should give a perfectly good indication of why you might feel uncomfortable or out of place.

 

[TikiTokiguy]

The above answers are correct. About the only thing you might plausibly get asked to do which you cannot is to do one of the readings (in certain cases, with the permission of the bishop, a non-Catholic can do a reading, but not ordinarily).

Hmm, I actually would not mind reading. I think I read good and project my voice above average.

 

[TikiTokiguy]

She may have been asking if you would take up the wine, hosts (bread), or collection basket during what we call the Offertory. This is when you typically see two or three people walk up the main aisle toward the altar with things in their hands. It symbolizes that the community is offering these gifts to be used during the Mass. After the priest takes the items, he may bless the people, then they bow to show reverence toward the altar, and then they return to their seats.

You may do this as a non-Catholic if you are asked, but you may not know when to leave your seat, so I can see that might be stressful for you. If you do take up the offerings, remember to bow at the end to show reverence for the altar.

Exactly. I’m still learning the order of the Mass. For a newbie there is a lot to it. And it changes through out the year. I would love to participate but I definitely don’t want to do something wrong. Now if they explain exactly what I’m supposed to do, I would then do it.
I’m honored they would ask me to help and hope I can help in the near future.

The Catholic Church is truly the peoples church. I see the Mass and think of all the Mass’s in history and how this Mass today might have been similar to the ones in past, hundreds of years ago.

Is the Mass similar to the Mass during King Charlemagne’s time? What about Justinian the Great and his time?

 

[cecilia97]

Exactly. I’m still learning the order of the Mass. For a newbie there is a lot to it. And it changes through out the year. I would love to participate but I definitely don’t want to do something wrong. Now if they explain exactly what I’m supposed to do, I would then do it.
I’m honored they would ask me to help and hope I can help in the near future.

The Catholic Church is truly the peoples church. I see the Mass and think of all the Mass’s in history and how this Mass today might have been similar to the ones in past, hundreds of years ago.

Is the Mass similar to the Mass during King Charlemagne’s time? What about Justinian the Great and his time?

Actually, the order of the Mass is the same every Sunday except for a very few special celebrations. The readings and psalm are different. You’ll get where you understand everything that’s going on, don’t worry. We’re just glad you’re visiting!

I think during Charlemagne the Mass was in Latin, but the major parts were the same…liturgy of the word and liturgy of the Eucharist, with the exact same words of consecration over the bread and wine, which become the Body and Blood of Our Lord…the same words Jesus spoke at the Last Supper.

I don’t know about Justinian, but the earliest Christian liturgies also included the Eucharist, so that has not changed.

And, yes, there is a Mass going on somewhere at every second of the day! It’s amazing! Plus, the saints and angels in heaven are celebrating with us, so in a way, the Mass transcends space and time.