Masses being cancelled

[phil19034]

Exactly I have been looking to see, how to you partake in a Mass held privately? There is no host to take. At least not for the parishioner, in my case. My Parish has began private Mass as ordered by the Bishop. I can’t find any answers in paragraphs of the GIRM I can find. I also want to pray for an indulgence. IDK

A “public mass” is a mass that is a “regularly scheduled” mass of the Parish, Chapel, monastery, etc which is open to the public.

A “private mass” is any mass that doesn’t fit the above.

Unofficially, there are two kinds of private Masses

1. a non-regularly scheduled Mass that is prayed in a public place (like a Church, stadium, etc.)
2. a non-regularly scheduled Mass (or regularly scheduled Mass) that is performed in a non-public place. For example: a private home, rectory chapel, monastery, or even in a Church during “closed hours”

At private Masses, if the priest has enough Hosts for others in attendance, He may distribute Communion. However, if he doesn’t have enough, he doesn’t have to distribute.

All PUBLIC masses at the parishes are essentially being changed to private Masses. The priests are either inside the Church celebrating a private mass or they are celebrating the private Mass in a private chapel.

For example: the local priest in the Territorial Parish I live in is quarantined. However, his rectory has a private Mass Chapel. So he’s celebrating all the Masses by himself inside the Rectory.

He’s still offering the Mass for the faithful, he’s still praying the mass for our intentions, etc.

God Bless

 

[HomeschoolDad]

HomeschoolDad:

I had to Google this.

I’d never heard of a “Catholic gap”, either (and it wasn’t me whom you’re quoting!!!). I have heard of separate civil and religious ceremonies in the Soviet bloc, back in the day, however…

That is what we had. For about three hours, I was married outside the Church!

Actually the state ceremony was very nice, very dignified. It would have reminded you very much of the picture of Soviet “wedding palaces”, though we married after the fall of the People’s Republic.

 

[Phemie]

I’d never heard of a “Catholic gap”, either (and it wasn’t me whom you’re quoting!!!). I have heard of separate civil and religious ceremonies in the Soviet bloc, back in the day, however…

Separate civil and religious ceremonies are the norm in France, Switzerland, and several other European countries. The civil marriage must, by law, be celebrated first, and the priest will require a copy of the civil marriage certificate before he’ll celebrate the religious marriage.

As for the Catholic gap, well our home was wedding central for my best friend’s daughter’s wedding last August. Beds were full for a week.

It was a mixed-marriage, no Mass, at 2 p.m. The reception wasn’t until 7 p.m., so the wedding party went off to get pictures and everyone else went home to do their thing until the time of the reception. We came home and bbq’d and eventually the bride’s parents and one of her sisters with her family came back to our house for supper. There was lots of finger food at the dance reception, but they had made it clear it wouldn’t be a dinner. That’s how things are done in my area.

The next day we hosted the gift opening in our home.

 

[babochka]

Gorgias:

I’d never heard of a “Catholic gap”, either (and it wasn’t me whom you’re quoting!!!). I have heard of separate civil and religious ceremonies in the Soviet bloc, back in the day, however…

Separate civil and religious ceremonies are the norm in France, Switzerland, and several other European countries. The civil marriage must, by law, be celebrated first, and the priest will require a copy of the civil marriage certificate before he’ll celebrate the religious marriage.

As for the Catholic gap, well our home was wedding central for my best friend’s daughter’s wedding last August. Beds were full for a week.

It was a mixed-marriage, no Mass, at 2 p.m. The reception wasn’t until 7 p.m., so the wedding party went off to get pictures and everyone else went home to do their thing until the time of the reception. We came home and bbq’d and eventually the bride’s parents and one of her sisters with her family came back to our house for supper. There was lots of finger food at the dance reception, but they had made it clear it wouldn’t be a dinner. That’s how things are done in my area.

The next day we hosted the gift opening in our home.

That sounds like such a sane way to do things.

 

[pnewton]

I do not object to accommodations being made by bishops. I strongly resent this being done by governors and mayors, as it directly contradicts the First Amendment, which must not be suspended. “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” - Franklin.

Americans have lost their collective minds, in my opinion, going beyond common sense measures to steps that will have a longer, more devastating effect on the nation, if allowed to continue for long.

 

[Gorgias]

I do not object to accommodations being made by bishops. I strongly resent this being done by governors and mayors, as it directly contradicts the First Amendment, which must not be suspended. “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” - Franklin.

This question was raised in another thread, a day or two ago. I would disagree that this is what we’re seeing. Civil authorities are restricting “public gatherings”, and that falls within the scope of their duty and authority.

On the other hand, bishops – who are attempting to follow legitimate civil regulation – are deciding to cancel Masses (or hold them in a way that meets civil requirements).

No first amendment problem there.

Americans have lost their collective minds, in my opinion, going beyond common sense measures to steps that will have a longer, more devastating effect on the nation, if allowed to continue for long.

Health care leaders are telling us that they’re expecting to become overwhelmed in hospitals over the next few weeks. These “beyond common sense measures” aren’t meant for any other reason besides attempting to weather that storm. Folks who think that the current measures are extreme seem to be missing that point, IMHO.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I am actually mad rn. Our diocese in the uk hasn’t waived anything and all our schools are still open. I don’t feel like our government or church is protecting us we are just expected to go about our business or else. let us just get Coronavirus and/or go to hell for not attending mass. Had it today. Totally had it

First of all - you’re pregnant if I remember correctly. Feel free to stay away from Mass. You have a legitimate reason to do so.

Seocnd of all - anybody who feels a legitimate health concern about going to Mass has a reasonable basis to skip it. No priest is going to insist that you go on Sunday or go to Hell in the middle of this mess. Those of us who are well established in the Catholic faith often make decisions to stay home from Sunday Mass on much less dire basis than coronavirus concerns, and it’s fine as long as it’s a reasonable basis.

Third of all - take responsibility for yourself, don’t ever rely on institutions to protect you. God helps those who help themselves.

 

[pnewton]

Folks who think that the current measures are extreme seem to be missing that point, IMHO.

Obviously we disagree on most everything here. That being said, I am not one who is facing unemployment, nor will any of these measures effect me outside of not being able to receive communion. But toilet paper? You can’t convince me of the sanity of the American people this week. The fact that the steps change daily without any chance for current steps to be evaluated reduces my faith in those in authority.

I would feel better if equal steps were being made to raise the capacity of the healthcare system, as well as keep production of products at 100%.

 

[Phemie]

Obviously we disagree on most everything here. That being said, I am not one who is facing unemployment, nor will any of these measures effect me outside of not being able to receive communion. But toilet paper? You can’t convince me of the sanity of the American people this week.

OK, I’ll give you that the run on toilet paper was insane. They asked us to prepare for 2 weeks of quarantine with a respiratory virus, a month to be on the safe side, not 18 months of cholera epidemic. Picking up frozen meals, frozen veggies, non-perishables and stocking up on lentils, barley, rice, and quinoa, and a gallon of bleach might have made a lot more sense.

That said, we still need to consider every single person as a carrier and act accordingly. It’s the only way to protect the most vulnerable, thus preventing overwhelming the medical system and ending up with the situation we see in Italy where, to give those most likely to survive the disease a fighting chance, those over 80 are only provided with palliative care and allowed to die untreated.

 

[TC3033]

A Catholic wedding is usually part of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Sure, I don’t know if I’d say usually anymore though. It’s getting less and less common.

It’s just a wedding, and to them, that’s all it is.

It’s more than “Just a Wedding”. It’s bearing witness to two Christians entering into the sacrament of marriage. I’m sorry you feel it’s “just a wedding”.

I was Sacramentally married in the Catholic Church 16 years ago, but my wife and I both did not want communion. I guess you’d call our Catholic wedding…just a wedding?

It’s more of a social event to them, than it is anything else.

HIGHLY Disagree (see above)

there is much food to be had, two whole meals and then some, and more liquor than you can shake a stick at. It’s just a big celebration, and nobody does it better than the Poles.

Through my American goggles, my head was spinning. Maybe it’s just how I was raised, but “just showing up” at a wedding, even if you were no more than a fellow parishioner, just wasn’t done. We weren’t snobby people, we were too poor to be snobby. Again, maybe it’s just how I was raised. I haven’t been to all that many weddings, but any I have ever been to, I was either expressly invited, or there was just an “open invitation” to a group of relatives and/or friends. I never said “oh, so-and-so is getting married, I think I’ll go”.

So then you agree, it’s more of a social-geographical thing and not a Catholic vs. Non-Catholic thing.

Everything you’re talking about with expressed invitation, etc… happens with Catholic weddings too. At our Catholic wedding we sent out invitations and asked for RSVPs…so we knew how much food and beverage to have on hand.

It’s pretty standard custom in the US, no matter the faith background.

 

[pnewton]

OK, I’ll give you that the run on toilet paper was insane. They asked us to prepare for 2 weeks of quarantine

I think the insanity was that thinking preparing for two weeks of quarantine meant everyone would be quarantined. Universal quarantine is not what anyone recommended, nor is it possible in today’s society. Another great depression will also kill people, as it did last time.

 

[Phemie]

Phemie:

OK, I’ll give you that the run on toilet paper was insane. They asked us to prepare for 2 weeks of quarantine

I think the insanity was that thinking preparing for two weeks of quarantine meant everyone would be quarantined. Universal quarantine is not what anyone recommended, nor is it possible in today’s society. Another great depression will also kill people, as it did last time.

Since we don’t know who is infected, we should all assume that at some point we’ll be in contact with someone who is and we’ll end up having to isolate ourselves for 2 weeks.

I’m sure that when the young adults went to their community college class in my small town last week, they never considered the possibility that they would be contacted by Public Health on Monday and told to isolate themselves for 14 days because someone in one of their classes had tested positive for COVID 19.

 

[pnewton]

Exactly. They were contacted. They quarantined. Furthermore, they were contacted by workers that they themselves were not quarantined, and remained available to do their job. They will have stuff at home to quarantine themselves because of those workers who remain to make and distribute goods, the refinery workers that still make the gas and diesel and the drivers that deliver it.

 

[Phemie]

My point is that because this virus can be transmitted for days before the carrier becomes symptomatic we should all expect to be exposed at some point and prepare accordingly.

 

[Gorgias]

Obviously we disagree on most everything here.

LOL!

(Isn’t that the whole point of an Internet forum, though?)

But toilet paper? You can’t convince me of the sanity of the American people this week.

Sure; the reactions of many have been excessive. You were commenting about the government’s restrictions, though, weren’t you? “First Amendment violations” and all that?

OK, I’ll give you that the run on toilet paper was insane. They asked us to prepare for 2 weeks of quarantine with a respiratory virus, a month to be on the safe side, not 18 months of cholera epidemic.

LOL! Yeah, I still say that, one day soon, folks are gonna wake up and go, “now what in the world am I gonna do with all that TP?!?!?”

I think the insanity was that thinking preparing for two weeks of quarantine meant everyone would be quarantined. Universal quarantine is not what anyone recommended, nor is it possible in today’s society.

Yeah, but isn’t “social distancing”, especially within the home, a mini-quarantine of a sort?

 

[Phemie]

LOL! Yeah, I still say that, one day soon, folks are gonna wake up and go, “now what in the world am I gonna do with all that TP?!?!?”

Their kids will use the last of it sometime in 2030.

 

[tafan2]

LOL! Yeah, I still say that, one day soon, folks are gonna wake up and go, “now what in the world am I gonna do with all that TP?!?!?”

Could be an epidemic of homes getting TP’d by kids in a few months.

 

[adamhovey1988]

Melkite church near me, has cancelled Sunday Divine Liturgy, but has not cancelled all weekly services.

 

[Phemie]

As of this morning, Mass in our diocese is cancelled indefinitely. Recommendation to open the Church for private devotions at the normal times. Chrism Mass will be just the priests from the three parishes in the Cathedral city.

https://rcchurch.com/uploads/COVID19%20Letter.pdf

 

[pnewton]

Yes, but it is not the only way. I have only been within six feet of one other person besides family, and that happened at my house? The AC guy reached out his hand to shake at the door. Hey, no biggie for me. I just went on through the conversation, did not touch a thing, and washed my hands. I also disinfected the places he went. I got the work done, he got paid, and we kept safe from transmission.

I know this stuff is tricky, but it is not magic. I have dealt with easily spread pathogens before.

I could safely attend Mass, but then I can do that and maintain a little distance. In fact, I am going to volunteer in case the priest wants to have a Mass streamed or something.