Not sure where to post this...really silly question

[Truth_Faith13]

How do you know who the Priest is?

I went to Mass last weekend and wanted to ask the Priest about RCIA. There was one chap who I think is a priest but isn’t the main one (can you have two in one church?) - Ive seen him do last rites for a patient and a homily or can deacons do these things too?

The person I thought was the Priest (he did the homily last weekend) was very busy after the service so instead of disturbing him, I went to ask a lady who was volunteering in the shop. She didn’t know anything about RCIA (or even what it was…maybe we don’t have it in the UK?) but confused me when she said "oh is Fr here…I haven’t seen him)

I know I should have just asked someone, but they all seemed busy, it was all mostly new to me in an unfamiliar place so I sheepishly went home. I’m going back tomorrow but Im now wondering if the Priest was there at all last weekend.

So in amongst my ramblings, how do you tell whose who in a Catholic Church?

Thank you

 

[1ke]

The pastor is over the parish. Yes, there may be associates at that parish and also deacons.

After Mass is a difficult time to get a priest’s attention. I suggest you call the office and ask for the pastor, make an appointment, and talk to him in person or by phone on a day other than Sunday.

The pastor should be listed on the website, in the Sunday bulletin, or simply call and inquire.

 

[jmcrae]

How do you know who the Priest is?

I went to Mass last weekend and wanted to ask the Priest about RCIA. There was one chap who I think is a priest but isn’t the main one (can you have two in one church?) - Ive seen him do last rites for a patient and a homily or can deacons do these things too?

The person I thought was the Priest (he did the homily last weekend) was very busy after the service so instead of disturbing him, I went to ask a lady who was volunteering in the shop. She didn’t know anything about RCIA (or even what it was…maybe we don’t have it in the UK?) but confused me when she said "oh is Fr here…I haven’t seen him)

I know I should have just asked someone, but they all seemed busy, it was all mostly new to me in an unfamiliar place so I sheepishly went home. I’m going back tomorrow but Im now wondering if the Priest was there at all last weekend.

So in amongst my ramblings, how do you tell whose who in a Catholic Church?

Thank you

There should have been a news bulletin handed out after Mass. The priest’s name would be at the top of the page. Typically he would be listed as “Pastor.”

The best way to get his attention is to make an appointment to see him in his office. Mention to the appointment secretary that you are interested in becoming Catholic, and want to ask him about the procedure.

 

[Catholic1954]

How do you know who the Priest is?

I went to Mass last weekend and wanted to ask the Priest about RCIA. There was one chap who I think is a priest but isn’t the main one (can you have two in one church?) - Ive seen him do last rites for a patient and a homily or can deacons do these things too?

The person I thought was the Priest (he did the homily last weekend) was very busy after the service so instead of disturbing him, I went to ask a lady who was volunteering in the shop. She didn’t know anything about RCIA (or even what it was…maybe we don’t have it in the UK?) but confused me when she said "oh is Fr here…I haven’t seen him)

I know I should have just asked someone, but they all seemed busy, it was all mostly new to me in an unfamiliar place so I sheepishly went home. I’m going back tomorrow but Im now wondering if the Priest was there at all last weekend.

So in amongst my ramblings, how do you tell whose who in a Catholic Church?

Thank you

When you attend Mass, the man at the altar, facing the people, is the priest. He will be wearing colored vestments, usually green, but sometimes white, red, purple and on big occasions, gold. If there is a deacon, he will be standing to the side of the altar or behind the priest. The deacon is ordained clergy; he can do whatever a priest does, but say Mass and hear confessions; you can very likely hear him give the homily or read the gospel. The priest is in charge of the entire parish; the best way to meet him is to call the office and make an appointment. Let him know that you are interested in the RCIA and bring your questions, issues and concerns.

 

[BartholomewB]

So in amongst my ramblings, how do you tell whose who in a Catholic Church?

Thank you

The term “pastor” is not used in the Catholic Church outside the United States. In the UK, and as far as I know in all other English-speaking countries, the correct term is “parish priest”. There may be more than one priest in a parish, and you can address your query to any one of them.

Every diocese has a website and you ought to be able to find a full list of the clergy in every parish in the diocese. If you’re not sure which diocese you’re in, the place to start would be the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, link here:

cbcew.org.uk/

Good luck!

 

[paperwight66]

The term “pastor” is not used in the Catholic Church outside the United States. In the UK, and as far as I know in all other English-speaking countries, the correct term is “parish priest”. There may be more than one priest in a parish, and you can address your query to any one of them.

Every diocese has a website and you ought to be able to find a full list of the clergy in every parish in the diocese. If you’re not sure which diocese you’re in, the place to start would be the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, link here:

cbcew.org.uk/

Good luck!

I’m so glad you posted this, as using the term ‘Pastor’ in the UK would cause confusion. It’s generally associated with Pentecostal churches over here.

I’m a bit taken aback that the bookshop lady didn’t know what RCIA is, though, as we definitely have it in the UK. Perhaps that particular parish uses a supposedly more user-friendly term that some parishes have adopted like ‘Come and See’.

OP, welcome!

 

[OurLadysServant]

How do you know who the Priest is?

I went to Mass last weekend and wanted to ask the Priest about RCIA. There was one chap who I think is a priest but isn’t the main one (can you have two in one church?) - Ive seen him do last rites for a patient and a homily or can deacons do these things too?

The person I thought was the Priest (he did the homily last weekend) was very busy after the service so instead of disturbing him, I went to ask a lady who was volunteering in the shop. She didn’t know anything about RCIA (or even what it was…maybe we don’t have it in the UK?) but confused me when she said "oh is Fr here…I haven’t seen him)

I know I should have just asked someone, but they all seemed busy, it was all mostly new to me in an unfamiliar place so I sheepishly went home. I’m going back tomorrow but Im now wondering if the Priest was there at all last weekend.

So in amongst my ramblings, how do you tell whose who in a Catholic Church?

Thank you

Go online, you will find the email and phone number of your local priest.
Ring or email him your questions
He.will tell you what to do

 

[Elizium23]

facing the people

Sometimes.

 

[Robyn_p]

How do you know who the Priest is?

I went to Mass last weekend and wanted to ask the Priest about RCIA. There was one chap who I think is a priest but isn’t the main one (can you have two in one church?) - Ive seen him do last rites for a patient and a homily or can deacons do these things too?

The person I thought was the Priest (he did the homily last weekend) was very busy after the service so instead of disturbing him, I went to ask a lady who was volunteering in the shop. She didn’t know anything about RCIA (or even what it was…maybe we don’t have it in the UK?) but confused me when she said "oh is Fr here…I haven’t seen him)

I know I should have just asked someone, but they all seemed busy, it was all mostly new to me in an unfamiliar place so I sheepishly went home. I’m going back tomorrow but Im now wondering if the Priest was there at all last weekend.

So in amongst my ramblings, how do you tell whose who in a Catholic Church?

Thank you

Oh I’m sure he was there if you attended a Mass. Can’t have Mass without a priest.

The easiest way to tell who’s who is to look for who goes behind the altar to consecrate the Eucharist. Only a priest can do that. Also, only deacons wear a sash that goes diagonally across their chest. So if you see that, you’re looking at a deacon. The priest will usually be wearing colored vestments of some sort. Different colors depending on the season.

The priest also sits in a big chair up front. It’s usually to the side of the altar. If the deacon is there then he will be to the side of the priest, usually in a smaller chair.

Good luck tomorrow and hope you’re able to talk to the priest this time.

 

[SMHW]

Also, only deacons wear a sash that goes diagonally across their chest. So if you see that, you’re looking at a deacon.

True, but a deacon might be wearing a dalmatic over his alb and stole. It probably would not be easy for someone unfamiliar with those vestments to tell a chasuble from a dalmatic.

 

[1ke]

The term “pastor” is not used in the Catholic Church outside the United States.

The term pastor is the correct term employed by the universal Church in canon law, in both Latin and English

Can. 515 — § 1. Paroecia est certa communitas christifidelium in Ecclesia particulari stabiliter constituta, cuius cura pastoralis, sub auctoritate Episcopi dioecesani, committitur parocho, qua proprio eiusdem pastori.

Can. 515 §1. A parish is a certain community of the Christian faithful stably constituted in a particular church, whose pastoral care is entrusted to a pastor.

Pastor is an actual office in church law. There may be one or many priests in any given parish, but omly one would have been installed in the office pastor. “Parish priest” and “pastor” are not synonyms.

 

[paperwight66]

The term pastor is the correct term employed by the universal Church in canon law, in both Latin and English

Pastor is an actual office in church law. There may be one or many priests in any given parish, but omly one would have been installed in the office pastor. “Parish priest” and “pastor” are not synonyms.

Sorry, 1ke, regardless of what it says in canon law, we are talking about real church life in the UK here. The poster is in the UK, the term Parish Priest is what is used in the UK to denote the main priest in a parish.

 

[Truth_Faith13]

Thanks all!

The parish priest/pastor was there today…he def wasn’t there last week. The chap that sat to the side of him (and the other priest last week) must be a deacon then but he was in green…I can’t remember if he had a sash.

The Priest was saying goodbye to everyone so I quickly asked if they had RCIA, which they do in October. I said I would email him (I’m sure he is a busy man and there was a huge queue behind me)

Another question…why don’t Catholics (or most who attend mass) sing? A few people were but not many?

 

[1ke]

Another question…why don’t Catholics (or most who attend mass) sing? A few people were but not many?

Most who attended THAT mass.we cannot answer why people didn’t sing.

I don’t believe this is something that can be generalized the world over. People sing in my parish. People sing in most churches I have been to around the world, but certainly there is great variation from place to place.

 

[Truth_Faith13]

Most who attended THAT mass.we cannot answer why people didn’t sing.

I don’t believe this is something that can be generalized the world over. People sing in my parish. People sing in most churches I have been to around the world, but certainly there is great variation from place to place.

Oh absolutely there is variation! I would say that Americans are probably better than us English

I’m used to people not singing in churches but that’s been in old cof e country churches where there is only 4 in attendance or weddings etc where not everyone is Christian or if people don’t know the hymn.

However to be in a church with 150 (ish) people who are there to worship (mostly) and most not to sing was strange. I guess I’ve just grown too accustomed to the evangelical church I used to attend where everyone sang with such enthusiasm and passion. Ive been to other mass in the area and they were the same.

 

[pnewton]

Another question…why don’t Catholics (or most who attend mass) sing? A few people were but not many?

I love it! Kudos for going from some simple question to one that is a really hornets nest of opinion and emotion!

On another note, I love to hear the differences in the way we speak. Two nations divided by a common tongue, indeed!

FYI - I am an RCIA Catholic myself, with two children who also entered through RCIA.

 

[ProVobis]

On another note, I love to hear the differences in the way we speak. Two nations divided by a common tongue, indeed!

There are books on that subject. Throw in Australia and some of the other English-speaking countries and you have a “common” language with people not understanding one another.

And yet the Church tolerates it as one of its main “vernaculars” probably to translate from for people in those areas, such as Nigeria with its 240 true vernaculars.

 

[Truth_Faith13]

I love it! Kudos for going from some simple question to one that is a really hornets nest of opinion and emotion!

On another note, I love to hear the differences in the way we speak. Two nations divided by a common tongue, indeed!

FYI - I am an RCIA Catholic myself, with two children who also entered through RCIA.

Oooh apologies I didn’t realise it was an emotive topic! I was just going on an observation I had made!

What were you before Catholic if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[jmcrae]

Oooh apologies I didn’t realise it was an emotive topic! I was just going on an observation I had made!

Many years ago, and for several centuries at the time, it was the custom that only the choir and the Altar servers gave the responses, both sung and spoken.

Some families are still getting used to the changes, and are still very suspicious of choirs that want people to sing along, since it was very ingrained in them for centuries that they were to be seen but not heard at Sunday Mass.

Of course, now we are encouraged to “active, conscious participation at Mass” (Vatican II, I forget which document) but there are those who think Vatican II was a nice old man’s personal opinions, and not really intended to be the law of the Church.

Hence, the emotional reactions.

 

[ProVobis]

Many years ago, and for several centuries at the time, it was the custom that only the choir and the Altar servers gave the responses, both sung and spoken.

Of course, if you wanted to sing, you would join the choir. At my parish, it seemed half the congregation WAS the choir. As far as I know, there were no restrictions on who could join, as long as you turned out for the practices. Singing extended to more than the Mass time, if you wanted to sing, that is.

Actually, it was challenging to be a server to have to recite the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar while the choir was singing the Introit. While personally I liked this challenge, I think the intent was to simplify this. Much of the congregation probably didn’t know what to do; instructions were non-existent and THAT was the problem IMO.