I Beleive

[JReducation]

Given the size of my parish,approx1300 at every Mass.Even though we are blessed to have two priests,it would take an inordinate amount of time to dispense the HolyCommunion to that number of people. times that by five Masses,the priests would be even more stretched than they already are!

That happens in many places. You’ll have a very large congregation, but only one priest available. I know one parish that has five priests, but only one available for each mass. The rectory is not on the same campus as the parish. The rectory is five miles down the road. You don’t have a priest waiting in the wings until communion time. Every mass has a deacon.

We used to run a parish. There were eight brothers, but only one was a priest. There were seven masses and the Church held 800. Every mass was full, which meant that we had to hire priests for Sundays. We had a local Catholic college that had many priests who did not have a parish assignment, so we hired them to help on Sundays. However, the seven brothers who are not priests, including the superior and parish administrator, distributed Holy Communion along with four secular deacons.

The superior brought in four secular deacons, because we don’t allow our men to be priests unless we need a priest for the community. All of our brothers are theologians, but only 1 in 20 is a priest. Priests are usually borrowed from other places or we use permanent deacons when we need a cleric.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

 

[ProVobis]

That happens in many places. You’ll have a very large congregation, but only one priest available.

Where are these places, may I ask? Statistics keep showing a decline in total Mass attendance percentage and a growing number of ex- and non-practicing-Catholics.

I know around my area, they have reduced the number of Masses gradually in the last 30-40 years. Where they used to have 7 English Masses on Sunday morning, now they have 3 tops. They have even reduced the Saturday vigil Masses to one. So yeah, you’re no doubt going to have more at each Mass. Only the Spanish Masses are really gaining in attendance.

 

[GraceDK]

I like to know if you,s feel the same way. That only , priest should Give out the Holy Eucharist itand not Lay people,the only way I would receive,is if they were wearing white Gloves,but I,am still receiveing it from the priest, if I have to I will go to the Ile that the priest is givng it out before I let an ordinnary. Amen

There are different levels to these considerations. You might be afraid that some of the Holy Eucharist may get dropped or spilled if it passes more hands… This consideration I can understand.

You say you wont let an ordinary … give you eucharist or he should wear white gloves. But Jesus touched lepers and he said to the one’s whose feet he had washed: you are clean.
Its Christ’s righteousness that has been given to us. We are all not worthy to receive anything… or do you suggest that you should put a white glove into your mouth… or is your neighbour dirtier than you?

 

[larsont7]

@johnthebaptist1 - I also choose to receive Our Lord in the Eucharist by either a priest or deacon, mainly b/c I want someone with consecrated hands holding the Host. If you want to avoid having to make that choice, you can attend an EF Mass (if one is available), and this will never be an issue. True, sometimes the wait to receive Holy Communion may be longer without the extra EMEs, but I use the extra time to prepare myself for reception of the Most Blessed Sacrament (good things come to those who wait).

 

[JReducation]

Where are these places, may I ask? Statistics keep showing a decline in total Mass attendance percentage and a growing number of ex- and non-practicing-Catholics.

I know around my area, they have reduced the number of Masses gradually in the last 30-40 years. Where they used to have 7 English Masses on Sunday morning, now they have 3 tops. They have even reduced the Saturday vigil Masses to one. So yeah, you’re no doubt going to have more at each Mass. Only the Spanish Masses are really gaining in attendance.

You’ll find that with population shifts, the greater concentration of Catholics is in urban centers and in immigrant communities.

@johnthebaptist1 - I also choose to receive Our Lord in the Eucharist by **either a priest or deacon, mainly b/c I want someone with consecrated hands **holding the Host. If you want to avoid having to make that choice, you can attend an EF Mass (if one is available), and this will never be an issue. True, sometimes the wait to receive Holy Communion may be longer without the extra EMEs, but I use the extra time to prepare myself for reception of the Most Blessed Sacrament (good things come to those who wait).

The hands of the deacon are not consecrated. This is a mistaken belief that consecrated hands touch the host. That is not the law in the Catholic Church. The law in the Catholic Church is that the hands of the ordained are the ordinary hands to touch the Eucharist. Not every ordained man has consecrated hands. Did you know that? The hands of the priest are consecrated so that he can conffect the Eucharist, not so that he can distribute the Eucharist.

Fraternally,

Br.JR, FFV

 

[stanncie]

Where are these places, may I ask? Statistics keep showing a decline in total Mass attendance percentage and a growing number of ex- and non-practicing-Catholics.

I know around my area, they have reduced the number of Masses gradually in the last 30-40 years. Where they used to have 7 English Masses on Sunday morning, now they have 3 tops. They have even reduced the Saturday vigil Masses to one. So yeah, you’re no doubt going to have more at each Mass. Only the Spanish Masses are really gaining in attendance.

You answered your own question My parish has 4 spanish masses held at the main temple that holds 2000 people and one english mass at the chapel that usually only around 20-30 people attend.

 

[iloveangels]

Where are these places, may I ask? Statistics keep showing a decline in total Mass attendance percentage and a growing number of ex- and non-practicing-Catholics.

I know around my area, they have reduced the number of Masses gradually in the last 30-40 years. Where they used to have 7 English Masses on Sunday morning, now they have 3 tops. They have even reduced the Saturday vigil Masses to one. So yeah, you’re no doubt going to have more at each Mass. Only the Spanish Masses are really gaining in attendance.

I think it also might depend on what part of the country you live in, ProVobis. Parts of the country that aren’t getting as many immigrants (aka the northeastern parts) have seen the Catholic population drop off dramatically in the past 40 years.

 

[JReducation]

We really have to pay attention to how the Catholic population has shifted. An interesting phenomenon in the USA is that Catholicism has always been stronger among immigrants. Catholics came here long before the American Rebellion, mostly from England and Scotland.

However, it was not Lord Baltimore and his people who kept Catholicism alive in the USA. It was each new generation of immigrants. The English and Scottish Catholics melted away and blended with the mainstream middle class and wealthy. They were replaced by Irish Catholics, later Eastern European Catholics, then Italian Catholics, the Hispanic Catholics and now Haitian and Vietnamese Catholics. The Catholic Church in the USA has always been upheld by the immigrant. It’s no surprise that the parishes that serve immigrants are bursting at the seems.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

 

[iloveangels]

We really have to pay attention to how the Catholic population has shifted. An interesting phenomenon in the USA is that Catholicism has always been stronger among immigrants. Catholics came here long before the American Rebellion, mostly from England and Scotland.

However, it was not Lord Baltimore and his people who kept Catholicism alive in the USA. It was each new generation of immigrants. The English and Scottish Catholics melted away and blended with the mainstream middle class and wealthy. They were replaced by Irish Catholics, later Eastern European Catholics, then Italian Catholics, the Hispanic Catholics and now Haitian and Vietnamese Catholics. The Catholic Church in the USA has always been upheld by the immigrant. It’s no surprise that the parishes that serve immigrants are bursting at the seems.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

Yup, and it’s why I’m always the odd one out. I’m conscious of the immigrant factor. My family is 100% British, Protestant and American for 400 years. Colonial. Both sides. I’m some kind of a throwback or something.

 

[JReducation]

Yup, and it’s why I’m always the odd one out. I’m conscious of the immigrant factor. My family is 100% British, Protestant and American for 400 years. Colonial. Both sides. I’m some kind of a throwback or something.

You’re a relic. LOL

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Where are these places, may I ask? Statistics keep showing a decline in total Mass attendance percentage and a growing number of ex- and non-practicing-Catholics.

I know around my area, they have reduced the number of Masses gradually in the last 30-40 years. Where they used to have 7 English Masses on Sunday morning, now they have 3 tops. They have even reduced the Saturday vigil Masses to one. So yeah, you’re no doubt going to have more at each Mass. Only the Spanish Masses are really gaining in attendance.

Well…we have 1300 families (and growing) and only one priest…no deacon. So yes…EMHC’s are necessary right now.

We need the priest for the Masses and the sacraments. I can’t see dragging out Sunday Masses until 4pm just so we can have only a priest distribute. I would rather see him doing the things only he can do…such as reconciliation…we have times available twice a week and they are usually very full…

We should always pray for vocations…

 

[iloveangels]

You’re a relic. LOL

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

Allright, Br JR.

Let’s leave my age out of it.

 

[LegoGE1947]

Allright, Br JR.

Let’s leave my age out of it.

I wouldn’t say I was old but I applied for the job as cook at the last supper and was not hired because they were “seeking other applicants”

 

[Oneofthewomen]

You’re a relic. LOL

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

Allright, Br JR.

Let’s leave my age out of it.

I wouldn’t say I was old but I applied for the job as cook at the last supper and was not hired because they were “seeking other applicants”

Thank you all for making me spit coffee all over my screen!!
And for giving me a great chuckle to start my day!!

 

[LegoGE1947]

Thank you all for making me spit coffee all over my screen!!
And for giving me a great chuckle to start my day!!

GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY! (Make sure you tip the waitress on your way out!) Talking about airline food-- What’s UP with that?****

 

[iloveangels]

I wouldn’t say I was old but I applied for the job as cook at the last supper and was not hired because they were “seeking other applicants”

That’s okay, as long as they weren’t seeking other “younger” applicants.

 

[JReducation]

I wouldn’t say I was old but I applied for the job as cook at the last supper and was not hired because they were “seeking other applicants”

That’s because you misread the ad, turkey. It said,

WANTED: Gentle cook for nice Rabbi from Nazareth and a few friends.

You read

WANTED: Gentile cook for nice Rabbie from Nazareth and a few friends.

This happens when people of certain age don’t wear their reading glasses.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

 

[iloveangels]

That’s because you misread the ad, turkey. It said,

WANTED: Gentle cook for nice Rabbi from Nazareth and a few friends.

You read

WANTED: Gentile cook for nice Rabbie from Nazareth and a few friends.

This happens when people of certain age don’t wear their reading glasses.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

 

[LegoGE1947]

But I’m a Gentle Gentile! and I thought the dinner was for a nice RABBIT and a few friends! Thought maybe it was Bugs Bunny and that he’d give me an autograph.