Ministries and mass obligation

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angell1

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if you are performing a ministry at the same time as the mass, it would still fulfil the obligation, correct?

I mean things like, greeter, usher, lector, choir, where you would be inside the church during mass, there is no need to go to another mass just to sit in the pew is there? I’m asking because our choir director needs a few extra people to sing at mass tomorrow because a number of the regular members are either away or going to midnight mass and don’t want to go twice, I’ve never sung for mass before, I’m usually only part of the concert choir.

anyways, just wanted to clear it up. hope you all have a blessed Christmas
 
Yes Such a Mass fulfills your obligation.

I know some people LIKE to attend another Mass where they don’t have a special ministerial role but that is purely a personal preference.

There is no requirement --or even encouragement-- to attend a second Mass just because one had to play a special role during another Mass.
 
angell1 said:
if you are performing a ministry at the same time as the mass, it would still fulfil the obligation, correct?

I mean things like, greeter, usher, lector, choir, where you would be inside the church during mass, there is no need to go to another mass just to sit in the pew is there? I’m asking because our choir director needs a few extra people to sing at mass tomorrow because a number of the regular members are either away or going to midnight mass and don’t want to go twice, I’ve never sung for mass before, I’m usually only part of the concert choir.

anyways, just wanted to clear it up. hope you all have a blessed Christmas
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Of course, if you’re singing in the choir you are attending Mass.

That fulfills your obligation for Mass for that day: always.

Fulfilling the obligation has nothing to do with where you happen to be seated. As long as you are attending the Mass, that is completely sufficient.
 
FrDavid96 said:
Of course, if you’re singing in the choir you are attending Mass.

That fulfills your obligation for Mass for that day: always.

Fulfilling the obligation has nothing to do with where you happen to be seated. As long as you are attending the Mass, that is completely sufficient.
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ok, I figured, just wanted to double check.

i think something like children’s liturgy of the word may pose more of a challenge because you are required to leave for a significant portion of the mass, but i could be wrong
 
angell1 said:
ok, I figured, just wanted to double check.

i think something like children’s liturgy of the word may pose more of a challenge because you are required to leave for a significant portion of the mass, but i could be wrong
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No, those who leave to teach the children during the Children’s LOW are not required to attend another Mass. That is not a problem. They come back after the priest’s homily and are there for the entire Liturgy of the Eucharist.
 
angell1 said:
ok, I figured, just wanted to double check.

i think something like children’s liturgy of the word may pose more of a challenge because you are required to leave for a significant portion of the mass, but i could be wrong
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Right.
I do an RCIA “breaking open the word” requiring us to leave with the catechumens after the homily.
Obligation un-met. I will attend the Mass prior in most cases. (I am also part of the choir and that is a great way to fully participate in the Mass).
 
goout said:
Right.
I do an RCIA “breaking open the word” requiring us to leave with the catechumens after the homily.
Obligation un-met. I will attend the Mass prior in most cases. (I am also part of the choir and that is a great way to fully participate in the Mass).
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Agreed for Breaking Open the Word.

Of course Breaking Open the Word is meant to be an alternative to Mass rather than part of the Mass for those who don’t actually have an obligation to attend Mass yet.

There is much debate over whether it really is what it intends to be, but Children’s Liturgy of the Word is supposed to actually be a Liturgy of the Word which is part of a Mass. .
 
SMHW said:
Agreed for Breaking Open the Word.

Of course Breaking Open the Word is meant to be an alternative to Mass rather than part of the Mass for those who don’t actually have an obligation to attend Mass yet.

There is much debate over whether it really is what it intends to be, but Children’s Liturgy of the Word is supposed to actually be a Liturgy of the Word which is part of a Mass. .
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For the catechumen, BOTW is the high point of Mass until they are in communion. For the catechist it it does not fulfill the Mass.

Our Childrren’s liturgy of the word takes them out right before the readings and brings em back right after the homily. I’m not a huge fan, I’d rather have the kids at Mass.
 
goout said:
For the catechumen, BOTW is the high point of Mass until they are in communion. For the catechist it it does not fulfill the Mass.

Our Childrren’s liturgy of the word takes them out right before the readings and brings em back right after the homily. I’m not a huge fan, I’d rather have the kids at Mass.
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If done properly, as a true Liturgy of the Word rather than craft time, it can be beneficial to both the younger kids who get things explained in a more basic language and to the parents who can pay attention to Father or the Deacon without having to deal with the fidgets from kids bored to tears by readings and a homily that are way over their heads.

Several years ago the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops put out a document re. the Liturgy of the Word with children. In it they made it clear it was only to be used occasionally; for kids from about 4 years of age until they had received their First Communion; the children were free to attend, or not, even if it was part of their catechetical program; they were to return before the Offertory; and if a pencil or crayon came into play someone had it all wrong.

This has still not stopped some parishes from dismissing all the children and using that time to teach their Catechetics program, even their Confirmation preparation, and not bringing them back until after Communion under the pretext that it’s the only time the parents will bring them. My suspicion is that it’s to force the parents to actually come to Mass.
 
angell1 said:
if you are performing a ministry at the same time as the mass, it would still fulfil the obligation, correct?

I mean things like, greeter, usher, lector, choir, where you would be inside the church during mass, there is no need to go to another mass just to sit in the pew is there? I’m asking because our choir director needs a few extra people to sing at mass tomorrow because a number of the regular members are either away or going to midnight mass and don’t want to go twice, I’ve never sung for mass before, I’m usually only part of the concert choir.

anyways, just wanted to clear it up. hope you all have a blessed Christmas
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If you’re there, you’re there: it doesn’t matter in what capacity.
 
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