Mass in the Absence of a priest

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irelandsgirl

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Hi all,

As most of you may know, the Catholic Church in Ireland is no longer the vibrant hub that it once was, in fact, Mass numbers are declining at an astonishing rate, with most parishes having to cut at least one of their daily masses.

I like in a suburbian parish, where Mass attendances have declined over the last number of years.

In this parish, I am a Liturgical Minister - a role, I must say, I am very honoured to have.

We have two priests in our parish - one is elderly, the other in about his 50’s.

Last night a meeting was held whereby the PP, ran through with the Litigurical and Eucharistic Ministers, what a service without the priest would be like. He was very keen to stress that if this were to happen (and he thought it extremely unlikely), that it would only occur during the weekday Masses. Anyway, the run through was done and everyone was left wtih a great sense of confusion.

The Ministers of the Word were unsure as to how they would decide which one of the two Ministers would lead, and The Ministers of the Eucharist, felt a bit strange standing at the Altar leading the Lord’s Prayer.

I left the meeting, feeling quite bereft. It is so sad to see our Church going this way. The most important part of the Mass is the consecration and after that, in my opinion the receiving of the Holy Eucharist. Yet, at a service like this we do not get the former. This is of great sadness to me.

I presume in some UK and US churches practice like this is the norm and I was interested to know what those who have participated or witnessed such a service thought.

Apparently at at neighbouring parish they have such a service, so maybe I might go along and see it. I may feel better, when I see it actually occuring for REAL.

God Bless
 
There is no such thing as a Mass without a priest. Only a priest (or bishop) can confect the Holy Eucharist. If the service is using hosts that were consecrated earlier, then it is a communion service.

I wonder how easy it is for an American candidate of Irish ancestry to be admitted to a formation program in an Irish diocese… :hmmm:
 
Irelandsgirl-You are right, there are many Communion Services, especially during the week here in the U.S. On Sunday, there is also a “Sunday Celebration in Absence of a priest.” As Pentecost pointed out it is not a Mass. I have led both daily and Sunday services. You are right that this does not replace the Consecration. This does,however, give folks a chance to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus in the reserved Eucharist. In some cases those who are able, travel to another church. Those who are not able to hit the freeway or are just too far away can still receive Communion through these services. There are many permanent deacons in the U.S. but not so in Europe. The ministers assigned to this task should be trained and approved by the bishop. If all are qualified, they can take turns leading the services.

God bless, one of my neighbors is an Irish Nun, who is nearly 70 years old and still ministers full time in a women’s prison. I will mention your post to her.*
 
If there is no priest, there is no Mass. Period. There is a rite for Sunday communion services in the absence of a priest, and attendance lifts one Sunday Mass obligation only if there is no neighboring church offering Mass. In no circumstances may one parish have a Mass and a communion service on the same Sunday.

There is a rite for weekday communion services, so you need not worry about the proper role of the readers and the EMHCs, but many commentators feel it would be much better to foster vocations through the hunger for the Eucharist that will arise among the faithful when deprived of a Mass because there is no priest. I concur.
 
Personally, I think the church would be wiser to promote praying the Divine Office in community during the week and in the absense of a priest than these Communion Services.
 
Ireland’s girl simply used the wrong terminology for something that is quite normal in the Sates due to lack of priests. Those of you who argued that it is not a Mass, are right. It is called a Communion Service here in the United States. At Communion Services the liturgy is very similar to the Mass, but rather than a homily the minister gives a reflection, and the Eucharist is NOT CONSECRATED, but hosts from Sunday’s consecration are used. It is not ideal, but we must do what we must do. I guess the priest shortage is new to Ireland. The fact that there is still 2 priests in the parish is great compared to what we have here. At least her priests are trying to make sure that the community still comes together daily and can receive the Eucharist…very commendable!
http://www.smilieland.com/graphics2/schsme011.gif

Bob
 
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katherine2:
Personally, I think the church would be wiser to promote praying the Divine Office in community during the week and in the absense of a priest than these Communion Services.
Click to expand...
Actually that is one of the options for Communion services as well as for Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a priest.

The three main prescribed celebrations are:

Morning prayer with communion
Evening prayer with communion
and Liturgy of the Word with communion.

And I am pulling this information from this book:
catholicbkpub.com/ONLINE_CAT/DETAIL/b_detail.asp?IM_ISBN=0899420753

And you can read a little about it from the Archdiocese of Dubuque
arch.pvt.k12.ia.us/Worship/PDFs/BulletinInsert1.pdf
arch.pvt.k12.ia.us/Worship/PDFs/BulletinInsert2%20.pdf
 
Forgive me for the mixup of words, that I used…I always think of the Mass as something where the Body and Blood of Jesus is present not so much the whole priestly presence, but I take on board your points.

Thank you for all the replies.

Maybe, I just need time to get used to the whole idea - however, I can’t help but feel a bit bereft at the whole idea!
 
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irelandsgirl:
Forgive me for the mixup of words, that I used…I always think of the Mass as something where the Body and Blood of Jesus is present not so much the whole priestly presence, but I take on board your points.

Thank you for all the replies.

Maybe, I just need time to get used to the whole idea - however, I can’t help but feel a bit bereft at the whole idea!
Click to expand...
You feeling of bereftness is very appropriate, there is no fulfillment without the mass, and a communion service, as nice as it can be, is no substitute. That is why there needs to be prayer for vocations so that people are not denied a Mass in their area.
 
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irelandsgirl:
Forgive me for the mixup of words, that I used…I always think of the Mass as something where the Body and Blood of Jesus is present not so much the whole priestly presence, but I take on board your points.

Thank you for all the replies.

Maybe, I just need time to get used to the whole idea - however, I can’t help but feel a bit bereft at the whole idea!
Click to expand...
I can understand how you could feel this way. The bishops have to have a back up plan should the priest to people ratio decline even more. They have to do the best they can to continue to shephard their people. Some folks feel that God is testing the faithful and calling them to be personally involved in their faith. Learning their faith, volunteering to teach the faith to children, helping with the administration of their parishes. Priests could eventually travel around and say Mass at many different places, while the faithful handle the non-Sacramental duties. From what I have heard, some bishops are already planning this out.
 
Without a consecrated priest there is no mass. Simple!

Pray for priests and for religious!
 
Greetings!!
I am an American and I actually was forced to lead these “services” a number of times by myself. I couldn’t stand it. For one thing, my hands are not consecrated. I have no right to touch the Blessed Hosts. For another, just keep the churches closed if there are no priests around! It isn’t a horrible thing! Simply say “Folks, there are no priests available for Mass this Wednesday so we have to cancel”. It isn’t difficult!
Let me insist once more, I can’t stand it!
I was however very impressed when a young woman adamantly kneeled in front of me to receive from my unworthy hands. I couldn’t help but smile. I wanted to congratulate her. I was wishing everyone did that.
 
It is very sad that so many of our countries that have been a source of priests, like Ireland have fallen away from the church. Ask your priests if you can start perpetual adoration at your church, or at least adoration once a week, once a month, and pray seriously for vocations. I know that men are getting called, they just are not responding to God’s calling. I also know that Ireland is just breaking ground on diaconal ministry…deacons. For most areas of Ireland this is a total unknown area. Perhaps, this will help parishes like you that need ordained ministers. Deacons never replace priests but at least they can provide some of the sacraments like Baptism and Marriage. They also have the training and the ability then to preach. Keep praying!
 
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