Elderly Priest lost his place & forgot Consecration

[YADA]

Given the amount of traffic and speed zones throughout 101, an individual would be lucky to accomplish an average of 40 mph. And given that many of the costal communities may only have one Mass on Sunday, or the next town that has a church would be 1 or more hours away, most priests I would suspect would say that one had no further obligation. In addition to the time frames above, assuming this Mass was on a Sunday morning, one would have a hard time finding out where the next Catholic Church was, and would have to leave this one to go somewhere to even find a phone; then not knowing where to call, the problem begins to compound itself. Even if there was another Mass available within an hour’s drive from the parish in question, it could well be two hours before it could be located, everyone loaded into the car, and off down the road.

For example, it takes a good half hour to get from Seaside (which doesnt have a church) "HUH?!?!? it does - see below to Astoria, and then find the church. And that is without the half hour drive from St Peter the Fisherman south of Cannon Beach, and assumes flowing traffic. And from St. Peter’s it is a good hour to get to Tillamook…

First of all my comment was not implying that they should have proceeded in finding another Mass - if you show up at the church at the scheduled time and for reasons beyond your knowledge or control a Mass is not held - you have probably fullfilled your obligation…I myself failed to attend Mass while traveling when the parish changed the scheduled time and location of the Sunday Mass [it was their annual parish picnic at a local park combined with their mission church]. We could not stay longer and as we were traveling, it was not in our ability to find another town, church, and Mass - we did try - but had an obligation to get to that eveing some nearly 4 hour drive away …While I was tearful and distressed [my first missed mass or holy day in thirteen plus years… I knew that God understood that weI had done what we could …

While there may a stretch some where along the coast - as noted there are over a dozen along the coast line. So can there truly be 50 or 100 miles between churches on the Oregon Coast? I would believe this more likely in Eastern Oregon - yes, that could be a common problem. The poster was very vague as to location, as many parishes on the coast have more than one Sunday mass, especially during the tourist season…

And Seaside does have a Catholic parish as I noted in my post and a mission at the Arch Cape

Seaside
Our Lady of Victory
120 Oceanway, Seaside, OR 97138
503-738-6161 Fax 503-738-6182
email:olvoffice@seasurf.net
Mission - Arch Cape
St. Peter the Fisherman
79441 Hwy 100
Mail P.O. Box 29, Seaside, OR 97138
503-436-2876 Station: Jewell

It just sounded ‘not quite right’ on a variety of levels…that does not mean to say it was not as the OP presents…just that the post seemed strange as another poster also noted…

For traveling catholics: masstimes.org/dotnet/Default.aspx

and of course all Oregon Catholics keep this link handy for local [in state] travel archdpdx.org/parishes/cities-list.htm

 

[rosarywoman]

Wow. It never occurred to me how many and varied the comments would be to this simple and unintentional incident.

For clarification: Regarding finding another church, I said it would be 50-100 miles to find one in a ***larger city which had late afternoon or evening masses. *** OK everybody, the town in which this occurred is Rockaway Beach, Oregon and I was speaking about having to go east 100 miles into Portland to find a late afternoon or evening mass. You have to keep in mind that most rural churches only have one mass and most of them are around the same time: usually in the 9 to 11 am hours. So, we were at Rockaway at the 10 am (as best as I can recall their mass times) Mass and to go to Tillamook would have been 30 min and their mass would have been over by then as would any going north. As far as I can remember, there were no late afternoon or evening masses on the North Oregon Coast.

We weren’t on vacation, we lived there from 1980 to 1989. At the time the parish was in transition from having a full time priest to becoming a “mission” parish to be served by the church in Tillamook. That was the plan at one time, but at the time we moved away I think they were using ‘interim’ priests that were assigned there for 3-6 months (as best as I can remember) at a time. This happened in the late 1980’s.

My comment about being brave or stupid enough is because I would have felt very stupid to try to tell the priest that he missed the consecration…what if he didn’t understand…or just disagreed…or…whatever…I don’t know. I don’t even know how I would have gone up to the priest to say anything. I don’t remember if there were altar boys. I do remember looking around to see if anyone else registered what had just happened and yes, there were others looking around for confirmation, also.

I usually do what I did (keep quiet) and don’t like to make a scene or cause problems, and then try to take care of it later or just move forward from there. Which is exactly what we did. So, okay, angels don’t help, or we had trolls(???) or whatever…I just wondered what others had done in similar situations. This can’t have been the only priest to forget the consecration simply and honestly due to failing faculties and no other reasons.

 

[FrCorey]

He might need a assistant.
if he does not perform the rites properly,
the mass is invalid.

 

[palmas85]

Older Altar Boy, I also would like to know, what does your comment mean?

Often on these forums and similar ones, people will sometimes post stories that are total fabrications in what is an attempt to stir up a controversy or to get a particular point across. I didn’t say the story was fake, even if I personally believe that it is. I said something doesn’t seem right. The fact that the poster has now come back and modified the story somewhat, explaining things as it were, is also an indication in that direction.

But then again, I’m just an old altar boy and make mistakes often.

 

[otjm]

First of all my comment was not implying that they should have proceeded in finding another Mass - if you show up at the church at the scheduled time and for reasons beyond your knowledge or control a Mass is not held - you have probably fullfilled your obligation…I myself failed to attend Mass while traveling when the parish changed the scheduled time and location of the Sunday Mass [it was their annual parish picnic at a local park combined with their mission church]. We could not stay longer and as we were traveling, it was not in our ability to find another town, church, and Mass - we did try - but had an obligation to get to that eveing some nearly 4 hour drive away …While I was tearful and distressed [my first missed mass or holy day in thirteen plus years… I knew that God understood that weI had done what we could …

While there may a stretch some where along the coast - as noted there are over a dozen along the coast line. So can there truly be 50 or 100 miles between churches on the Oregon Coast? I would believe this more likely in Eastern Oregon - yes, that could be a common problem. The poster was very vague as to location, as many parishes on the coast have more than one Sunday mass, especially during the tourist season…

And Seaside does have a Catholic parish as I noted in my post and a mission at the Arch Cape

It just sounded ‘not quite right’ on a variety of levels…that does not mean to say it was not as the OP presents…just that the post seemed strange as another poster also noted…

For traveling catholics: MassTimes - Find a Catholic Mass - Home

and of course all Oregon Catholics keep this link handy for local [in state] travel archdpdx.org/parishes/cities-list.htm
I stand corrected. I always go to St. Peter the Fisherman.

and whether there are 50 to 100 miles, or simple an hour or more of driving behind someone towing a trailer, it takes about an hour to get from most of the churces to the next one. St Peter excepted; that is probably between 20 minutes and a half hour.

and the link does no good to someone on vacation with no computer (yeah, there really are one or two of us like that out there), and even less good if you have to go back home to get it,

 

[old_altar_boy]

Old Alter Boy what do you mean?

I meant it just doesn’t ring true. Palmas said it was maybe to stir up controversy and somebody else said maybe I meant to say it was a troll. The thing just doesn’t sound right at all. Thats it, it sounds fake.

I’ve been around a long time and I’ve never heard of a Priest omitting the consecration. NEVER.

 

[Cathryn]

II’ve been around a long time and I’ve never heard of a Priest omitting the consecration. NEVER.

I had a old priest years ago start to give the final blessing at the end of Mass, lost his train of thought, and started Mass again. One of the ushers stepped up, whispered in his ear and led him off. I think we all were in a bit of shock as far as “what do we do?” Thankfully, the usher stepped in and handled the problem.

 

[rosarywoman]

Dear Gentlepeople,

If you go back to the original post and look at it with my clarification post, you will see that the facts have not changed.

The incident, as I have told, happened just this way. I sincerely hope this does not happen to me again or to anyone else, but happen it did.

Perhaps those doubting and those calling me a liar, are the ones that are out to stir up controversy.

I can’t believe that people would accuse me of making this up. I had no idea that that was the way these forums work. I keep getting emails from catholic.com about how important these forums are and that they need donations to keep them going, and it’s a place that people of like mind can meet and discuss their faith, etc., but if this thread is an example of the average daily thread, I see no reason to keep them going. I came to be part of the ‘community’ that catholic.com is promoting through use of the forum. I certainly feel like I’ve been cast out rather than welcomed.

 

[wjp984]

Don’t feel unwelcome. Many people just like to argue. Even I do that at times on this forum. It is unfortunate that you feel you have been treated unjustly. Why don’t you say a prayer for those that you feel have offended you and that overall everyone gets along on the forum. Remember people have many different opinions and feel passionate about them so sometimes on these forums it can go a little to far. If you read through the threads enough you probably will probably will feel passionate about something and post and that post is lilkely to offend at least one person even though you don’t mean to. Overall, these threads are very informative and helpful.

 

[rosarywoman]

Dear wjp984,

Thank you for your kind reply. I am glad to hear from someone of ‘like-mind.’ I had already prayed for those folks and I am heartened that you suggested that. Thank you very much for being so kind. Have a great evening and weekend.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Wow. It never occurred to me how many and varied the comments would be to this simple and unintentional incident.

For clarification: Regarding finding another church, I said it would be 50-100 miles to find one in a ***larger city which had late afternoon or evening masses. ***OK everybody, the town in which this occurred is Rockaway Beach, Oregon and I was speaking about having to go east 100 miles into Portland to find a late afternoon or evening mass. You have to keep in mind that most rural churches only have one mass and most of them are around the same time: usually in the 9 to 11 am hours. So, we were at Rockaway at the 10 am (as best as I can recall their mass times) Mass and to go to Tillamook would have been 30 min and their mass would have been over by then as would any going north. As far as I can remember, there were no late afternoon or evening masses on the North Oregon Coast.

We weren’t on vacation, we lived there from 1980 to 1989. At the time the parish was in transition from having a full time priest to becoming a “mission” parish to be served by the church in Tillamook. That was the plan at one time, but at the time we moved away I think they were using ‘interim’ priests that were assigned there for 3-6 months (as best as I can remember) at a time. This happened in the late 1980’s.

My comment about being brave or stupid enough is because I would have felt very stupid to try to tell the priest that he missed the consecration…what if he didn’t understand…or just disagreed…or…whatever…I don’t know. I don’t even know how I would have gone up to the priest to say anything. I don’t remember if there were altar boys. I do remember looking around to see if anyone else registered what had just happened and yes, there were others looking around for confirmation, also.

I usually do what I did (keep quiet) and don’t like to make a scene or cause problems, and then try to take care of it later or just move forward from there. Which is exactly what we did. So, okay, angels don’t help, or we had trolls(???) or whatever…I just wondered what others had done in similar situations. This can’t have been the only priest to forget the consecration simply and honestly due to failing faculties and no other reasons.

If in a postition where I could either be certain of what I heard, or could quickly varify it with reasonable certainity, by asking a few around me. I would quietly get up and approach the foot of the Sanctuary. This should get the priests attention. and either he will come down, motion me up, or send an altar server. A simple “Father, you missed the words of Consecration”, should cause him to repeat the words conditionally and go on.

 

[SingtotheLord]

Dear Gentlepeople,

If you go back to the original post and look at it with my clarification post, you will see that the facts have not changed.

The incident, as I have told, happened just this way. I sincerely hope this does not happen to me again or to anyone else, but happen it did.

Perhaps those doubting and those calling me a liar, are the ones that are out to stir up controversy.

I can’t believe that people would accuse me of making this up. I had no idea that that was the way these forums work. I keep getting emails from catholic.com about how important these forums are and that they need donations to keep them going, and it’s a place that people of like mind can meet and discuss their faith, etc., but if this thread is an example of the average daily thread, I see no reason to keep them going. I came to be part of the ‘community’ that catholic.com is promoting through use of the forum. I certainly feel like I’ve been cast out rather than welcomed.

I, for one, believe you and know this can happen because it did at one of our Masses in North Carolina. Someone else also posted that it happened when they were at a Mass. I was not in attendance, but boy was it the talk of the parish for awhile.

The tone of some gentlepeople on here was not as kind as it should or could have been. I am sorry for that. Yes, pray for them! I’m trying hard to not judge people in the everyday world and I certainly don’t want to see people judging others here on the forum.

Not one person went forward to tell the priest when it did happen at our parish either. Some were stunned and at a loss to take action…others just went on as if it didn’t happen. I am at a point in my journey that I would have quietly asked one of the ministers to go up and tell Father and if they didn’t want to I would do it myself.

Pray for our priests! The priest in the above situtation now has Alzheimer’s and it is possible that this happened in the early stages.

Peace to you who was the OP. Keep posting and asking questions. Most on here are wonderful and prayerful and kind.

SingtotheLord
with praise and thanksgiving!
:harp: