Daily Mass in Rectory

[VFA]

I am concerned about the trend in the innercity to have Mass held in small out of the way places in the Rectory. I feel like we are fast becoming an underground church. Church doors are locked and no sign is posted as to where Mass is held. Due to my schedule, I will attempt to go to daily Mass outside of my Parish (which also has Mass held in a small room in Rectory and no posting except in bulletin, I have talked to my pastor about this after I have chased after people trying to get into church). In these trying times, people need a place to go in a crisis, may want to return to the church, etc., only to find the doors locked or be led to some back room, is just too intimadating. Our small room has the AC blowing on you, hot in the winter, crowed with no place to kneel, chit chat goes on before and after Mass, no access to the Blessed Sacrement, etc. I am aware of the cost of utilities and vandals, but could the church have one door opened for one hour?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

VFA:

I am concerned about the trend in the innercity to have Mass held in small out of the way places in the Rectory. I feel like we are fast becoming an underground church. Church doors are locked and no sign is posted as to where Mass is held. Due to my schedule, I will attempt to go to daily Mass outside of my Parish (which also has Mass held in a small room in Rectory and no posting except in bulletin, I have talked to my pastor about this after I have chased after people trying to get into church). In these trying times, people need a place to go in a crisis, may want to return to the church, etc., only to find the doors locked or be led to some back room, is just too intimadating. Our small room has the AC blowing on you, hot in the winter, crowed with no place to kneel, chit chat goes on before and after Mass, no access to the Blessed Sacrement, etc. I am aware of the cost of utilities and vandals, but could the church have one door opened for one hour?

You might speak with another priest about the requirements of Canon Law. Without looking at it. I believe that it states that any church where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved must be opened to the faithful at least a certain number of hours each day.

 

[Servulus]

Br. Rich SFO:

. . .the requirements of Canon Law . . . any church where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved must be opened to the faithful at least a certain number of hours each day.

Exactly right! The relevant Canon is:

“Can. 937 Unless there is a grave reason to the contrary, the church in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved is to be open to the faithful for at least some hours every day so that they can pray before the Most Blessed Sacrament.”

In addition, there is also a canon regarding the location of the celebration of Mass:

“Can. 932 §1. The eucharistic celebration is to be carried out in a sacred place unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise; in such a case the celebration must be done in a decent place.”

While the rectory may be a nice place, it may not meet the requirement, especially if the reason is more one of convenience than necessity.

Hope that helps.

 

[VFA]

Thank you Fr. Rich & Servulus for your (name removed by moderator)ut, I will add these to my arsenal when I reaproach my pastor and the priest from the Office of Divine Worship from our diocease. The Pastor cited the cost and the other mentioned vandals, but that he would take my concerns to the ArchBishop and the Deaneries.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

VFA:

Thank you Fr. Rich & Servulus for your (name removed by moderator)ut, I will add these to my arsenal when I reaproach my pastor and the priest from the Office of Divine Worship from our diocease. The Pastor cited the cost and the other mentioned vandals, but that he would take my concerns to the ArchBishop and the Deaneries.

By the way I’m not a priest. Remember that the pastor is the person responsible for the safe keeping of the Blessed Sacrament. If there is a real and clear danger to the Blessed Sacrament then he has a an obligation not to open the church. I would of course assume that he would discuss the matter with the diocese if this were the case.

 

[Timidity]

Maybe could ask the pastor what you can do to help get the church opened up. Maybe if you volunteered your time to be in there while it was open to make sure nothing bad happened, he would be delighted.

Then again, maybe not. But you never know until you try.