How to get a communion service started in my local church?

[Rykell]

I like the idea very much for this reason. In my parish, the faithful voted to keep a late mass time, and our priest has been very faithful to celebrating daily mass. Most of these folks are elderly and have the luxury of attending later.

However, wouldn’t it be wonderful if the working people could spend a few minutes in Church and receive the Eucharist? I believe they would be spiritually strengthened by more frequent reception, and a brief visit to the Blessed Sacrament. This early hour might be welcomed by them, especially if the priest is committed to a funeral mass or daily liturgy at a later time.

When we consider that Holy Communion is often brought to the sick who cannot attend a liturgy, why not offer it to those who long to be united with Jesus before beginning their daily work? EMHC’s bring the sacrament to the hospitals by special permission, so couldn’t one of these be designated to work in rotation early in the morning, say 6:30 or 7 am? I have seen a young man drive in front of the church and just spend a few minutes in prayer. For his sake, and others like him, my heart leapt at the idea, for I never thought of this before.

OP, why not bring this to your next Pastoral Council meeting and let the idea gel a bit.

 

[cue]

However, wouldn’t it be wonderful if the working people could spend a few minutes in Church and receive the Eucharist? I believe they would be spiritually strengthened by more frequent reception, and a brief visit to the Blessed Sacrament.

Yes, it would be a very wonderful thing. Nonetheless, Jesus gave us something even better, the Mass. Here we have the opportunity to do all of the above and join ourselves to the offering of Christ’s Body and Blood to the Father. We need to try to bring about the situation where all have the opportunity to come to Mass rather than trying to find ways around the Mass. Nothing can replace the Mass and anything that tries to will always be lacking–despite how good it is, it will always be lacking when compared with the Mass. Rykell, your intention and desires are very good and deserve to be pursued, but your answer is a quick fix and not a solution and we need a solution–we need the Mass.

 

[Rykell]

I did not mean for it to be a quick fix or a replacement for the mass, Cue. I hope you read my words carefully, that our priest already says mass daily, but it is not available for the working class, and this by request of most parishioners who prefer the later time frame. The suggestion was only for them, since our priest will not be offering two daily masses. I’m not sure he is even permitted to do so, unless there is a funeral?

Actually, I’m in agreement with you. And I think it’s wonderful that you are a seminarian! God bless you!

 

[cue]

I am sorry if I misunderstood you. My impression was that you were suggesting a Communion service earlier in the day for those who cannot make it to the Mass later in the day. Is the correct?

 

[Rykell]

I am sorry if I misunderstood you. My impression was that you were suggesting a Communion service earlier in the day for those who cannot make it to the Mass later in the day. Is the correct?

Yes, the working people were outnumbered in the census. If the mass was offered in the earlier hour of the day, I’m sure they would be there, since they requested it. But if the pastor has to accommodate the majority and offer mass for them at the later hour, would it be wrong to have a communion service for the early crowd? Especially since it is my understanding that Father cannot offer two daily masses. Being a seminarian, maybe you know the rules on this.

Truly, it is a lesser good, but better for them to receive the Eucharist than to have nothing at all, no?

Thanks.

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

I know there could be other factors such as sharing the priest with other parishes or ministries, but if your priest has only the one parish and is not infirm I think you have a very strong case of malfeasance to take the bishop. A priest’s duties are to teach, rule, and sanctify, and if he has people asking him for sacraments he is fully capable but unwilling to give he is neglected a huge portion of his responsibility.

 

[cue]

Redemptionis Sacramentum says this:

1. 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.

And Ecclesiae de mysterio in Article 7:

§ 1. In some places in the absence of priests or deacons,(90) non-ordained members of the faithful lead Sunday celebrations. In many instances, much good derives for the local community from this useful and delicate service when it is discharged in accordance with the spirit and the specific norms issued by the competent ecclesiastical authority.(91) A special mandate of the Bishop is necessary for the non-ordained members of the faithful to lead such celebrations. This mandate should contain specific instructions with regard to the term of applicability, the place and conditions in which it is operative, as well as indicate the priest responsible for overseeing these celebrations.

We clearly agree that receiving Communion is a good thing. The issue arises when lay extraordinary ministers become ordinarily used. The quote from Ecclesiae de mysterio describes how limited and controlled these celebration should be on Sundays, not even to mention weekdays.

 

[MusicMan]

I think everyone here, including the OP, are in agreement that Daily Mass is the appropriate scenario and the best situation.

However, it is clear that the OP’s priest is unwilling to celebrate Daily Mass. Could we focus on what recourses are available to her, both in trying to get Daily Mass instituted in her parish and in the interim?

My suggestion was Morning Prayer. No one commented on it. Is this a viable option?

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

My suggestion was Morning Prayer. No one commented on it. Is this a viable option?

I think that is certainly a viable option because it is a) gathering for the liturgy of the Church and b) if popular enough, shows the priest that a core of people would be committed to attending his daily Mass. Since what little we know of the priest stinks of some seriously flawed attitudes, though, praying the Office should be done in such a way that the priest does not feel threatened by the “protesters.”

On the negative side of the issue, I’d like to second those who’ve said a communion service simply isn’t an option for daily use - the legislation involved makes it clear that communion services are for “Sunday celebrations in the absence of a priest” and even then only if the parishioners could not have reasonable recourse to Mass in a different parish. I’ve known my fair share of priests covering multiple parishes who regularly scheduled communion services for the parish at which they wouldn’t be saying daily Mass, but this practice is not in line with the Church’s regulations.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

If the reason the priest isn’t offering daily Mass because there aren’t enough people who would attend, what makes you think that they’d attend a communion service instead?

Jim

 

[Titus]

Has anyone asked if this priest has other responsibilities, possibly involving daily mass? He might not want to take time out of his schedule for a mass no-one will attend. Much as I sympathise with the OP (i love daily mass) but perhaps there is a simpler explanation than character flaws?

 

[John_Lilburne]

Perhaps the priest or bishop would find the Code fo Canon Law more persuasive:

“Can. 918 It is most strongly recommended that the faithful receive holy communion in the course of a eucharistic celebration. If, however, for good reason they ask for it apart from the Mass, it is to be administered to them, observing the liturgical rites.”
(The Code of Canon Law: New revised English Translation, HarperCollins Liturgical, 1997, ISBN 000599375X.)

Another translation, from vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM :
“Can. 918 It is highly recommended that the faithful receive holy communion during the eucharistic celebration itself. It is to be administered outside the Mass, however, to those who request it for a just cause, with the liturgical rites being observed.”

Is the priest refusing requests? Do those requesting have “good reason” or “just cause”?

 

[MusicMan]

Since what little we know of the priest stinks of some seriously flawed attitudes, though, praying the Office should be done in such a way that the priest does not feel threatened by the “protesters.”

Quite frankly, that’s just too bad if he feels threatened, now isn’t it?

If you can get 20 people to show up for Morning Prayer, you’re in business.

 

[Caesar]

I dont see the point. As long as your church has a weekly Mass, there should be no such thing as a communion service. Although I am cold to the entire idea whatsoever- the administration of Holy Communion should require at least the presence of a priest.

 

[MusicMan]

The point is that they want Daily Mass and their priest won’t celebrate it for them. They don’t know what they can do instead to receive the Eucharist more regularly than once a week. I hate to speak on anyone’s behalf, but it seems like the OP would find Daily Mass to be the ultimate solution to the issue, although she and her fellow parishoners are frustrated enough to pursue a communion service as a recourse.

Rather than attack the OP for wanting a communion service, we should all be making positive suggestions on how she can get her priest to institute Daily Mass in their parish. She doesn’t appear to really want a communion service, she just thinks that’s the only choice they have.

Those of you who have expressed upset or outrage with the OP may wish to reread the OP and consider the propriety of your responses. This isn’t someone lay person or EMHC trying to skirt the rules and take priestly power for themselves. This is an instance where a priest is skirting the rules and refusing to exercise his priestly powers for the good of his faithful. Be upset with the priest, not the OP.

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

Quite frankly, that’s just too bad if he feels threatened, now isn’t it?

If you can get 20 people to show up for Morning Prayer, you’re in business.

That is just too bad for him, but if you corner the dog he’s probably going to bite, not lick. In other words, it would be “his fault” but that still wouldn’t get you any closer to him agreeing to a Mass.

 

[cue]

She doesn’t appear to really want a communion service, she just thinks that’s the only choice they have.

MusicMan, I am not sure if you are speaking to me or not, but I am very sorry if I gave the impression that I was attacking the OPoster. That is not my intention at all. I am emphasizing and trying to explain why a Communion service is not an option. The OP, well as many of the subsequent posters, sees this as an option. I am trying to explain why the Church says that it is not

I am not responding to the OP’s question, but addressing one of her assumptions.

If we agree that the Mass is the real solution, our action needs to be in fostering priestly vocations (who want to celebrate the Sacraments). Give or take details, the problems seem to be with the priest and not the poster. A lack priests (and priests who act like priests) is a lack of celebrations of Sacraments and that is a depravity anda real tradegy. There is just no way around that fact. We can just try to make sure that depravity never occurs.

 

[kleary]

Before I say anything-

Maybe I have become too immersed in “Traditional Catholicism” here.

Isn’t it mandatory for a priest to offer the Holy Sacrifice every day?

Obviously it seems that is not the case here.

I am under the impression that a priest MUST offer Holy Mass every day, no matter what- even if there is no congregation. Maybe this is a “pre Vatican II thing”

Ken

 

[lak611]

Before I say anything-

Maybe I have become too immersed in “Traditional Catholicism” here.

Isn’t it mandatory for a priest to offer the Holy Sacrifice every day?

Obviously it seems that is not the case here.

I am under the impression that a priest MUST offer Holy Mass every day, no matter what- even if there is no congregation. Maybe this is a “pre Vatican II thing”

Ken

The OP’s priest is offering one daily Mass, but it is at a time that is not conducive to working people (too late in the day). There are more retirees in the parish who voted for a later Mass.

 

[maryjk]

The OP’s priest is offering one daily Mass, but it is at a time that is not conducive to working people (too late in the day). There are more retirees in the parish who voted for a later Mass.

Holly3278:

I highly doubt that my priest would want to have daily Mass. I also know of a church that does have daily communion service. I think I approached my priest about daily Mass before and he said that not enough people would attend for him to do it.

Rykell:

I like the idea very much for this reason. In my parish, the faithful voted to keep a late mass time, and our priest has been very faithful to celebrating daily mass. Most of these folks are elderly and have the luxury of attending later.

The OP’s priest is not offering daily mass. Rykell’s priest is. The OP wants daily mass but will settle for a Communion Service.

Holly, you need to sit down with the Priest and find out why he is not offering Daily Mass. If there is a good reason, like he tried it before and had two people show up, maybe you need to show that more will come now. If he will not talk to you about it, you should go over his head to the Bishop.

We had a similar problem. One day a week, Monday, we don’t have daily Mass. We have one priest and he does 4 masses on Sunday, but does not have daily Mass on Monday.

Some people asked for a Communion Service. He said that the Deacon had to agree to be there and that others had to sign up to help. If that happened, he would approve it. The Deacon is there, and others are there to help. It is now on the regular schedule.