Communion services

[Usige]

Would the community gather simply to pray? Would Morning or Evening Prayer alone bring them out? Experience tells us ‘no’. It seems they fail to understand that we don’t go to Mass to get Communion but to worship and thank God, with and through his Son, Jesus Christ. Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ at that time is a wonderful gift, but it should not be the reason we go to Mass.

That is the unfortunate reality. Too many people see Mass as the stuff leading up to the Eucharist. Something to fill the time until they get their reward. I sometimes wonder how many people think the Mass is like a presentation for a timeshare property. “Well just sit here for an hour and listen to their blather so I can get the freebie at the end.”

I often wish they would offer morning and evening prayer and then move mass to lunch time. It might help reinforce that Mass is a continuation of a cycle of prayer throughout the day.

 

[Phemie]

Do the say, or can you make any inferences, regarding the reason for this preference. People coming to prefer this exhibits the precise danger of excessively authorizing such services. Btw, I cringed and crossed myself at the reference to “Mass” in your above “prefer this Mass.”

I wrote “Some people have come to prefer this to Mass.”

Some of the reasons I’ve heard is that there are more lay people involved. That’s true, since ur Ritual strongly suggests having a different person lead the Communion Rite and that’s generally what we we do. So we have the leader of prayer, 3 readers and at least one EMHC leading the Communion Rite.

Also that there is more for the assembly to do (particularly in the Canadian rite), that the ‘songs are better’. That often the person’s ‘homily’ is better than Father’s ever is.

I know that some of the leaders of prayer go to a homiletic website and download a ‘reflection’ to read when it’s their Sunday to lead. When it’s my turn, I opt for a silent reflection after the reading of the Gospel.

 

[JustCath]

I wrote “Some people have come to prefer this to Mass.”

Some of the reasons I’ve heard is that there are more lay people involved. That’s true, since ur Ritual strongly suggests having a different person lead the Communion Rite and that’s generally what we we do. So we have the leader of prayer, 3 readers and at least one EMHC leading the Communion Rite.

Also that there is more for the assembly to do (particularly in the Canadian rite), that the ‘songs are better’. That often the person’s ‘homily’ is better than Father’s ever is.

I know that some of the leaders of prayer go to a homiletic website and download a ‘reflection’ to read when it’s their Sunday to lead. When it’s my turn, I opt for a silent reflection after the reading of the Gospel.

I apologize about the misquote. I somehow read right over that “to.”

 

[dshix]

If these services are required there is no Sunday obligation. You have no obligation to do the impossible.

When we have these in my parish it means there is no Mass being celebrated within 300 miles, that’s how far we are from the nearest parish with a priest.

Now, in the town where I lived before, I belonged to a ‘Catholic Community’ rather than to a parish; this ‘community’, yet too small for the Bishop to erect a personal parish, was language based.

Whenever there was no French speaking priest to celebrate Sunday Mass they had a Celebration of the Word with Communion, that in spite of the fact that 100% of those in attendance could speak and understand English and 90% of them had to drive past at least one if not 5 or 6 churches to attend said Celebration. That never sat well with me. If I was not on the roster to read, I simply didn’t go. My children and I would attend Mass in one of the several parishes near us. If I was on the roster for that Sunday I would still attend Mass with my children on Saturday and then go to the Celebration of the Word alone on Sunday morning.

The problem in Canada is that originally, when these services started being promoted, at least one regional Bishops Conference put out a ritual book that, in it’s ‘notes’ said that it was more important to worship as a community on Sunday than to attend Mass. It strongly discouraged going to Mass in another parish in favour of missing Mass and worshiping with your fellow parishioners. The National ritual has corrected that but when you’ve had that mindset for 20-25 years it’s hard to get rid of it.

You took what I said entirely out of context. I was talking about people who think that when they go to Mass on Sunday, the Mass itself is only a surrounding ceremony for Communion. This is false. The Mass is the greatest prayer, the Communion is OPTIONAL. People weren’t even allowed to receive daily communion in the old days.

 

[JustCath]

The problem in Canada is that originally, when these services started being promoted, at least one regional Bishops Conference put out a ritual book that, in it’s ‘notes’ said that it was more important to worship as a community on Sunday than to attend Mass. It strongly discouraged going to Mass in another parish in favour of missing Mass and worshiping with your fellow parishioners. The National ritual has corrected that but when you’ve had that mindset for 20-25 years it’s hard to get rid of it.

Thank you for posting this Phemie. We all must be vigilant to call the powers that be on such errors, particularly in light of Pope Benedict XVI statements about abuses of the “media council” slipping in which were never intended by the “Fathers’ Council.” The notion that it is “more important to worship as a community on Sunday than to attend Mass” encourages violation of the 3rd Commandment and I expect such teaching is heretical.

Pope Benedict XVI has been wonderful. Hopefully his parting words will make it a priority of his successor to eradicate the errors and abuses that has ran rampant out of the “media council” and clearly assert and shine forth the fruits of the “Fathers’ Council.”

 

[CB_Catholic]

That is the unfortunate reality. Too many people see Mass as the stuff leading up to the Eucharist. Something to fill the time until they get their reward. I sometimes wonder how many people think the Mass is like a presentation for a timeshare property. “Well just sit here for an hour and listen to their blather so I can get the freebie at the end.”

I often wish they would offer morning and evening prayer and then move mass to lunch time. It might help reinforce that Mass is a continuation of a cycle of prayer throughout the day.

This is the problem: too many assumptions about people’s motives are being made here. Have many people have said that the reason they go to Mass is to fill up their time until they get their reward? Have they actually said that they just sit there for an hour and listen to blather so they they can get the freebie at the end? How many have said it? Did it ever occur to some posters here that people love Christ so much that they want to participate in the Sacred Mysteries as often as the Church provides for it, and that they love Jesus just as much as anyone else here does? It might not be “by the book” to have Communion Services during the week, but that is no reason to ascribe false motives to people who want to receive Communion daily. Surely we can be more charitable toward our brothers and sisters in Christ than this.

I don’t see any “reality” here.

 

[dshix]

This is the problem: too many assumptions about people’s motives are being made here. Have many people have said that the reason they go to Mass is to fill up their time until they get their reward? Have they actually said that they just sit there for an hour and listen to blather so they they can get the freebie at the end? How many have said it?

Actions speak louder than words. When I see person walk into mass five minutes before communion and receive, then walk straight back out, I know for a fact that they don’t care for the Mass, they only care for Communion (and they are committing a grave sin to boot). I’m not sure what you don’t understand.

Did it ever occur to some posters here that people love Christ so much that they want to participate in the Sacred Mysteries as often as the Church provides for it, and that they love Jesus just as much as anyone else here does?

Did it ever occur to you that people DO NOT have a right to receive Communion, and that it is a very great privilege? Did it occur to you that since it is a privilege, it should be given at the proper times in the proper way?

It might not be “by the book” to have Communion Services during the week, but that is no reason to ascribe false motives to people who want to receive Communion daily. Surely we can be more charitable toward our brothers and sisters in Christ than this.

I don’t see any “reality” here.

No one has ascribed false motives to people who receive communion at Communion services outside of Mass on a weekday. I’m not exactly sure what you read that suggested that.

 

[jmjconder]

There was a time in the Catholic Church history where the lines to Confession were long and the lines to Holy Communion were short.

Is the opposite not true today? And does this add to the practice of Communion Services?

My wish is not to criticize my Mother Church…I only wish to understand some of the common practices like this topic.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Actions speak louder than words. When I see person walk into mass five minutes before communion and receive, then walk straight back out, I know for a fact that they don’t care for the Mass, they only care for Communion (and they are committing a grave sin to boot). I’m not sure what you don’t understand.

Did it ever occur to you that people DO NOT have a right to receive Communion, and that it is a very great privilege? Did it occur to you that since it is a privilege, it should be given at the proper times in the proper way?

No one has ascribed false motives to people who receive communion at Communion services outside of Mass on a weekday. I’m not exactly sure what you read that suggested that.

Here is the problem: the discussion has deteriorated from discussing too many Communion Services to attributing thoughts and attitudes to people without actually knowing what is on their mind. I’m not going to repeat what the poster wrote, I did it in my post. There is a lack of charity in talking about other people in a derogatory manner, especially if one has no clue at all what is in the mind and heart of another person unless that person tells them. The ONLY one who knows is God. The motives of the other people are not ascertainable, therefore attributing anything about their desire to attend Communion services is false. That is what I don’t understand. How does one know what people are thinking and what their motives are without them telling you?

And no, actions do not always speak louder than words. Sometimes they do, sometimes they are misinterpreted, and one never should ascribe grave sin to anyone unless they know positively that what they have done is gravely sinful. Which is not the case in what you describe. God is the judge of that. You have your own business to attend to.

It is never a good idea to pass a judgment on anyone without knowing the facts. There was no reason to criticize people at all. None. The discussion could have gone on fine without this sort of thing. We don’t need it.

I am not going to follow this thread any more. Have at it.

 

[MrTheosis]

A friend of mine has absolutely no chance to attend Mass during the week because of his work and there is no Mass here locally on Saturdays. He mentioned this to his pastor and the pastor encouraged him to conduct a solo communion service just for himself each night.

Just around midnight on his way home he stops at his parish and conducts the communion service inside the church on a decommissioned side altar. No one else is around and no one else knows except for the pastor, his parochial vicar and me.

At first I thought this sounded a bit odd, and it certainly has the potential for abuse. On the other hand my friend reads the daily readings, reads a bit from the Early Church Fathers in place of a “reflection”, follows the ritual to a T and takes communion. He has been doing this 5-6 times per week for almost 6 years. Quite a gift from what I can see.

While this certainly would not be right for many, I think my friend’s pastor was quite correct to make him such a generous offer.

 

[quiet52]

When a parish offers weekday Masses, the pastor might occasionally need to ask a deacon or approved lay person to lead a Communion service when he cannot make it. It is no easy matter for many within the congregation to make it to weekday Mass, and to arrive to the church to find the doors shuttered would be disconcerting.

A nearby parish offers early morning and 5 p.m. Masses every day. Last Wednesday evening, he announced that he was going to celebrate two funeral Masses the next day, and because he was unable to find priests to celebrate the regularly-scheduled Masses, Communion services would be offered. That particular parish is in the middle of a tourist area, and weekday Masses are well-attended. Just closing the doors would have upset and/or confused parishioners and visitors alike.

Catholics may not be “entitled” to receive Holy Communion, but what a tremendous opportuinity for spiritual nourishment it offers during this time of religious oppression and economic and moral struggle in our society. Thank you Jesus.

 

[jmjconder]

Once again…please do not criticize your parish or parish priest. I am only trying to understand this practice and how it came to be a common practice.

 

[PJM]

=jmjconder;10397192]I am confused on this topic.

Thought that Communion Services were offered in an emergency due the absence of a priest on Sundays. I was taught this only applies to very rural areas where a priest could not be substituted and the faithful could not attend another Sunday Mass.

Then there is this question of Communion Services during the week. I do not understand this practice. Do Catholics have a right to be offered the Holy Eucharist everyday day - or that matter on Sunday?

I was under the impression that the Church precepts did not include these two points.

I am not trying to criticize any Diocese…I am trying to understand this practice.

Your Understanding Reflects the MIND and HEART of the RCC.

This is an OFTEN ABUSED practice.

God Bless you,
pat/PJM

 

[dshix]

Here is the problem: the discussion has deteriorated from discussing too many Communion Services to attributing thoughts and attitudes to people without actually knowing what is on their mind. I’m not going to repeat what the poster wrote, I did it in my post. There is a lack of charity in talking about other people in a derogatory manner, especially if one has no clue at all what is in the mind and heart of another person unless that person tells them. The ONLY one who knows is God. The motives of the other people are not ascertainable, therefore attributing anything about their desire to attend Communion services is false. That is what I don’t understand. How does one know what people are thinking and what their motives are without them telling you?

And no, actions do not always speak louder than words. Sometimes they do, sometimes they are misinterpreted, and one never should ascribe grave sin to anyone unless they know positively that what they have done is gravely sinful. Which is not the case in what you describe. God is the judge of that. You have your own business to attend to.

It is never a good idea to pass a judgment on anyone without knowing the facts. There was no reason to criticize people at all. None. The discussion could have gone on fine without this sort of thing. We don’t need it.

I am not going to follow this thread any more. Have at it.

I thought I made it clear already, but I guess you didn’t perceive it. In my post, I was talking about receiving communion in the Mass, not communion services. In that light, read my post again.

 

[dshix]

A friend of mine has absolutely no chance to attend Mass during the week because of his work and there is no Mass here locally on Saturdays. He mentioned this to his pastor and the pastor encouraged him to conduct a solo communion service just for himself each night.

Just around midnight on his way home he stops at his parish and conducts the communion service inside the church on a decommissioned side altar. No one else is around and no one else knows except for the pastor, his parochial vicar and me.

At first I thought this sounded a bit odd, and it certainly has the potential for abuse. On the other hand my friend reads the daily readings, reads a bit from the Early Church Fathers in place of a “reflection”, follows the ritual to a T and takes communion. He has been doing this 5-6 times per week for almost 6 years. Quite a gift from what I can see.

While this certainly would not be right for many, I think my friend’s pastor was quite correct to make him such a generous offer.

That’s very interesting. I suppose with certain circumstances this might be permissible (in the case of your friend) but I think it is still stretching the rules for communion services. Sure, he can have a communion service if he never gets the Eucharist, but 5-6 times a week? That’s an abuse; he is using something which should be an extraordinary practice and making it an ordinary practice.

 

[dshix]

When a parish offers weekday Masses, the pastor might occasionally need to ask a deacon or approved lay person to lead a Communion service when he cannot make it. It is no easy matter for many within the congregation to make it to weekday Mass, and to arrive to the church to find the doors shuttered would be disconcerting.

A nearby parish offers early morning and 5 p.m. Masses every day. Last Wednesday evening, he announced that he was going to celebrate two funeral Masses the next day, and because he was unable to find priests to celebrate the regularly-scheduled Masses, Communion services would be offered. That particular parish is in the middle of a tourist area, and weekday Masses are well-attended. Just closing the doors would have upset and/or confused parishioners and visitors alike.

Catholics may not be “entitled” to receive Holy Communion, but what a tremendous opportuinity for spiritual nourishment it offers during this time of religious oppression and economic and moral struggle in our society. Thank you Jesus.

Read this:

[166.]
Likewise, especially if Holy Communion is distributed during such celebrations, the diocesan Bishop, to whose exclusive competence this matter pertains, must not easily grant permission for such celebrations to be held on weekdays, especially in places where it was possible or would be possible to have the celebration of Mass on the preceding or the following Sunday. Priests are therefore earnestly requested to celebrate Mass daily for the people in one of the churches entrusted to their care.

 

[friarpark]

Haven’t read the whole thread, but I’m assuming we are talking about Communion Services at a church and not for the home bound or at other palces where the elderly cannot get to Mass.

 

[dshix]

Haven’t read the whole thread, but I’m assuming we are talking about Communion Services at a church and not for the home bound or at other palces where the elderly cannot get to Mass.

Yes, we are, but we’ve gone on a slight tangent talking about how some people go to Mass late just to get communion.

 

[JustCath]

That’s very interesting. I suppose with certain circumstances this might be permissible (in the case of your friend) but I think it is still stretching the rules for communion services. Sure, he can have a communion service if he never gets the Eucharist, but 5-6 times a week? That’s an abuse; he is using something which should be an extraordinary practice and making it an ordinary practice.

You’re right–this is clearly an abuse. I read the regulations at the Vatican link someone else posted in this thread. The regs warn against and prohibit “stretching,” as you correctly identify this, throughout those regs.

Also, someone in this thread mentioned a “lay minister.” As far as I know, there is no such thing in the Catholic Church and such title is prohibited. (See sections 149 & 156–I think these are the correct sections–if not, I’m only off a paragraph or so). “Lay minister” implies a loftier position than “pastoral assistant” and a broader (and thus loftier) position than EMHC.

Many of the examples in this thread seem to smack of the “media council” abuses of which the Pope recently spoke. As vigilant Catholics, we have an obligation to speak up when we observe such abuses. Also, don’t be lulled into thinking “it must be ok because this is what has been done in my parish for years.” Thanks to the OP and others who have pointed out and questioned such abuses.

 

[MrTheosis]

That’s very interesting. I suppose with certain circumstances this might be permissible (in the case of your friend) but I think it is still stretching the rules for communion services. Sure, he can have a communion service if he never gets the Eucharist, but 5-6 times a week? That’s an abuse; he is using something which should be an extraordinary practice and making it an ordinary practice.

It’s not stretching the rules and it’s certainly not an “abuse” but I do agree, this is not the primary reason communion services exist. Nor should it typically be applied like this.

But in this case given my friend’s situation, his own trustworthiness and his own spiritual needs (as determined by his pastor) I think the pastor made a brilliant offer. The proof is in the pudding over the past 5+ years. I know it has done my friend a great deal of good. I suspect God would be quite pleased.