Family Reunion Mass

[Kanda]

We went to my husband’s family reunion yesterday and a mass was held, seeing as how his great-uncle is a jesuit priest. I am a little concerned about how it went though, and would like your (name removed by moderator)ut/advice as to whether or not I should be concerned.

It was held outside. It began with a baptism. The baptism seemed to follow the usual format, except the baby was not annointed with any oil.

There were two short readings and no psalm. The first reading was from Genesis and the second was from Luke. The priest did not read the gospel selection. The readings were incorporated into the baptism ceremony.

Following the baptism was the liturgy of the eucharist. After the Our Father, the priest said that we would refrain from the sign of peace and do it after receiving communion.

Communion - it seemed like he used regular old grocery store wheat bread. Also, there were no cloths (what’s the fancy word?) for the precious blood to wipe the cup. Someone had to run and get a napkin. (This really struck me because nothing chaps my hide than less than 100% respect and awe for the body and blood of our Lord.)

Then we had our sign of peace. Then he did a special blessing on the parents of the baby that was baptized and one for a relative celebrating her 96th birthday. Then he said the mass was ended, go it peace.

Overall, it was very short and seemed to leave out a great deal. Please advise.

 

[jpjd]

You should ask the great-uncle, or maybe another member of the family. Just explain that there were parts of this Mass that seemed different than what you experience at your church, and go over each item. Let him explain to you.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

Was the reunion outside, at a park or pavilion in a park? That might have been why.

It would have been no big deal to annoint the baby, but is your husband’s uncle on the older side? He might have forgotten, or he might have forgotten his oils. As long as the water was poured with the correct formula, it should be good. However, THE BAPTISM NEEDS TO BE DULY RECORDED IN A PROPER PARISH SO THERE IS A PLACE TO GET THIS CHILD A BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE.

As for the day-old bread, can’t help you there. Why don’t you write him an email or send him a letter and ask him, as jpjd suggested.

My father’s side of the family just goes to the first or second Sunday Mass that weekend in the ancestral parish “down home” as extended family, as not everybody in the family is Catholic or has lapsed (getting up in the early morning at 8-ish to attend 9 AM Mass might ruin their fun). It fills up the middle section on both sides about 8 pews back. Attendance can be particuarly good if any Catholic mothers have something to hold over the heads of their adult children, or if the grandchildren are coerced. The priest mentions the whatever family name is used for the reason for that reunion, because there is a lot of interrelation there. Nobody has to stand up or anything. Besides, the uncles, great-uncles and nephews have spent the previous evening at the KC Hall, so they are a little under the weather. But it is in a parish church and under the usual conditions.

To my mind, it would be kind of neat to have a family reunion Mass, except other parishes in the area would have a sudden drop in attendance. But I think it might be a good witness to the lapsed and those whose denominiations teach Catholics do everything from cast magic spells to canabalize their young.

 

[Kanda]

It was held at a Catholic university, but outside at a picnic area on the grounds. I would love to ask the great-uncle priest, but he isn’t in this area often and I think my MIL would be offended if I asked how to get ahold of him. She is a church-going Catholic, but pretty much the whole family is, well, relaxed about religion. Most of them are of the attitude that showing up to mass is enough. I am afraid she would think I was criticizing her uncle and be offended. I really don’t want to cause any discord in the family.

I am sure that he baptism will be recorded properly. The father of te baby is an ex-priest, so he knows how those things are taken care of. I am sure that between him and the great-uncle priest it will be taken care of.

The great-uncle is on the older side. I don’t think he forgot about the oils though. This is the second baptism he has done at a family reunion. (He baptized the baby’s sister last year or the year before) No oils were used then either.

It really is nice to have a family mass. We have one every summer at family reunion. My husband’s family also rents a hall each Christmas and we have a family Christmas mass as well. My husband’s grandmother is one of 9 children, her brother is the priest. Out of her and her siblings and their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and people who have married in, there are about 150 people. I come from a very small family, so although overwhelming at first, this large family is so wonderful. I do enjoy the family masses. They are very special. I just had some questions about it, that’s all.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

I can’t see why your MIL would be offended. You don’t have to give her a reason for writing this great-uncle, simply that you would like to do so. For all she knows, your getting your Christmas card list together early. And seasoned citizens like to get friendly mail. Your letter would be a friendly inquiry. He’d probably be happy to get mail, and happier to answer your questions.

 

[Kanda]

I can’t see why your MIL would be offended. You don’t have to give her a reason for writing this great-uncle, simply that you would like to do so. For all she knows, your getting your Christmas card list together early. And seasoned citizens like to get friendly mail. Your letter would be a friendly inquiry. He’d probably be happy to get mail, and happier to answer your questions.

Thank you. You are right that he would probably like to recieve some mail. And you know, I probably should start working on my Christmas card list early.

 

[quiet52]

I attended a Jesuit university in the early 70s. In one of my theology classes one semester, the instructor (a Jesuit priest) would celebrate mass on the grass outside the chapel. We’d sit in a circle. He’d pass around a loaf of french bread, and we’d break off our own pieces. There were non-Catholics in the class who also received the Eucharist – to my recollection the priest never mentioned discerning our worthiness to receive. I was blessed to have a pastor a decade later who re-instructed me (properly) about the proper celebration of the mass.

It may be fruitless, or perhaps not, to discuss the irregularities of the mass with your great-uncle.

To me it’s sad when a priest chooses to ignore the richness of our liturgies. Chrism oil is used immediately after someone is baptized, if they’re not being confirmed. The priest prays: * God of power and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has freed you from sin and brought you to new life through water and the Holy Spirit. * and then anoints them with the oil, the “Chrism of salvation.”

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Section 1241: The anointing with sacred chrism, perfumed oil consecrated by the bishop, signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized, who has become a Christian, that is, one “anointed” by the Holy Spirit, incorporated into Christ who is anointed priest, prophet, and king.