Serving and Reading and Hosts, Oh My!

[JimR-OCDS]

I am using the term correctly. my parish priest and numerous others refer to me as the MC. The bishop in my diocese is a nice person, but not the most “liturgically-savvy” person. it’s up to the pastors who is the MC.

Whenever I do the double duty, it is only because there is no one able or willing to do that task.

Do you ask others to help, or you just assume they don’t want to.

Jim

 

[Friend_Of_Rome]

For the daily Mass, no one else wants to. No one even offers. For weekend masses, it’s basically the same, but people who plan on doing things, sometimes don’t show up. Keep in mind this is not a weekly occurrence, maybe only twice per month.

I look for help, and ask if possible, but most times, no one is available.

 

[THurifer2]

I am using the term correctly. .

In my diocese MC is an official term with an official role. I just asked the director of Liturgy for my diocese and he said the term is used loosely in some places… Here it is an official diocesan title.

 

[Friend_Of_Rome]

Something tells me that my diocese is one of those places. As I said somewhere else, i really like our bishop, and he’s a very nice man, but he sometimes treads water a little left of center. however, my parish tries to hold on to the splendor of the past while still embracing the future and the present. Of course, the future is one without woman priests and liturgical dancers.

Check it out: www.dor.org

 

[THurifer2]

Something tells me that my diocese is one of those places. As I said somewhere else, i really like our bishop, and he’s a very nice man, but he sometimes treads water a little left of center. however, my parish tries to hold on to the splendor of the past while still embracing the future and the present. Of course, the future is one without woman priests and liturgical dancers.

Check it out: www.dor.org

WOW he has been your bishop for a VERY long time. He certainly has outlasted his entire chancery staff. 31 YEARS!!! wow. When he retires it will likely a VERY big deal. But based on his age that wont be for a few years.

 

[Friend_Of_Rome]

The rumor is that he is going to be asked to “retire” by the pope within the next five years.

 

[Phemie]

The rumor is that he is going to be asked to “retire” by the pope within the next five years.

Like all bishops & priests he has to submit his resignation at age 75.

The priest submits his resignation to his bishop who may ask him to stay on if he’s healthy enough to do so, in fact our last pastor was happy to stay on for a few more years.

AFAIK, Bishops submit their resignation to Rome and I don’t know if they are ever asked to extend their stay beyond that age.

 

[jmcrae]

For the daily Mass, no one else wants to. No one even offers.

Do you wait for them to offer, of their own accord? Or do you step up to the microphone five or ten minutes before Mass is to begin, and say, “If there are any EMHCs, readers, and altar servers present, would you please present yourself in the Sacristy to prepare for Mass with Father - preparation prayers are beginning immediately. Thank you.”

It seems strange that no one would come forward, if you are doing this.

 

[Friend_Of_Rome]

Do you wait for them to offer, of their own accord? Or do you step up to the microphone five or ten minutes before Mass is to begin, and say, “If there are any EMHCs, readers, and altar servers present, would you please present yourself in the Sacristy to prepare for Mass with Father - preparation prayers are beginning immediately. Thank you.”

It seems strange that no one would come forward, if you are doing this.

For daily Mass, it’s mostly old women over 80. there are a few younger people, and some college students too, but they’re all very timid and unsure of themselves.

It’s not really my place to make announcements like that. If one is needed, then the priest will make it.

 

[jmcrae]

For daily Mass, it’s mostly old women over 80. there are a few younger people, and some college students too, but they’re all very timid and unsure of themselves.

That’s probably why they aren’t coming forward without first being asked.

It’s not really my place to make announcements like that. If one is needed, then the priest will make it.

I thought you were the MC? Isn’t that the MC’s job?

 

[Friend_Of_Rome]

In my parish, MC-ing pertains to the Mass itself, and the Liturgy itself. Volunteers and helpers are led by our nun.

 

[jmcrae]

In my parish, MC-ing pertains to the Mass itself, and the Liturgy itself. Volunteers and helpers are led by our nun.

MC-ing applies to the Liturgy itself?

Just what does an “MC” do, exactly, in your neck of the woods? (I thought the MC was the pre-Mass and post-Mass announcements person.)

 

[John_Lilburne]

From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :

“110. If only one minister is present at a Mass with a congregation, that minister may exercise several different duties.”

Obviosly if, for example, an instituted lector was present, it would be wrong for an MC (who was not one) to do the reading (see GIRM 101).

But who should do the role of substituting for the instituted lector is the decision of the parish priest:

“107. The liturgical duties that are not proper to the priest or the deacon and are listed above (cf. nos. 100-106) may also be entrusted by a liturgical blessing or a temporary deputation to suitable lay persons chosen by the pastor or rector of the church. …”

It would be particularly unfortunate if an instituted lector was not present for Mass with a bishop, since it has in the Ceremonial of Bishops:

“31. … But in celebrations presided over by the bishop it is fitting that readers formally instituted proclaim the readings …”. (Ceremonial of Bishops, Liturgical Press, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1818-9, page 25).

Of course this does not mean that the bishop is prevented from celebrating Mass without an instituted lector, but he should do what he can to have one.

 

[Friend_Of_Rome]

MC-ing applies to the Liturgy itself?

Just what does an “MC” do, exactly, in your neck of the woods? (I thought the MC was the pre-Mass and post-Mass announcements person.)

I am in charge of the actual ceremonies. I catch the altar servers if they do something wrong, I relay messages between priests, I read if necessary etc. . . Maybe I’m stating the obvious, but MC stands for Master of Ceremonies. This entails making sure everything goes smoothly at Mass.

Thanks also for the GIRM clarification. That’s one book that I don’t think our nun has read lol.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I am in charge of the actual ceremonies. I catch the altar servers if they do something wrong, I relay messages between priests, I read if necessary etc. . . Maybe I’m stating the obvious, but MC stands for Master of Ceremonies. This entails making sure everything goes smoothly at Mass.

Thanks also for the GIRM clarification. That’s one book that I don’t think our nun has read lol.

May I ask, how is it you obtained this position?

Jim

 

[bpbasilphx]

I would think that your duties in any given mass are what the Celebrant directs you to do.

While it might be better to have roles shared, I can see how it might happen that it wouldn’t work out that way.

 

[Elizabeth2]

then what necessarily, does “Master of Ceremonies” denote? Would it simply mean that he is master of the ceremony and yet can’t actually partake in the actions?

I’ve no idea of the answer to your question, but it’s interesting to see that mine is not the only parish where there are such problems. You mentioned filling in for people who were missing. I think the best thing, something we are trying to do, is get better organized. If someone is designated to be a lector and can’t be at the Mass they should find a replacement from the roster, for instance. People should be held accountable for their ministry.

 

[Phemie]

I’ve no idea of the answer to your question, but it’s interesting to see that mine is not the only parish where there are such problems. You mentioned filling in for people who were missing. I think the best thing, something we are trying to do, is get better organized. If someone is designated to be a lector and can’t be at the Mass they should find a replacement from the roster, for instance. People should be held accountable for their ministry.

That is the understanding in our parish and most are very good at doing so. It’s not unusual for someone to approach me and say “I’m reading for Helen today” or “Anita can’t be here so I’ll fill in as EMHC”. But there are always a few who come in 5 minutes before Mass unaware that they are supposed to be reading – that in spite of the scheduled posted on the wall and their names posted in the bulletin the week before – or don’t show up at all.

Sometimes it’s just a memory lapse: I’ve sat oblivious while someone else took up the offerings in my stead – this in spite of being the one who made up both the schedule and the bulletin.

 

[Friend_Of_Rome]

Let’s see if I can remember all that I wanted to say.

First, I was given the role by 1. the pastor, 2. the parochial vicar, 3. the sacramental minister, and 4. by the people in charge of schedulign the volunteers. They say that it is a pre-pre-seminary lol.

Second, I would definately leap at the chance to better organize the parish. However, the people who are young and who volunteer are the ones who are organized and do, in fact show up. It is the elderly people who sometimes forget, or are too tired to get to church. We are one of the most organized parishes in the diocese, but we simply lack people who want to get up out of the pews and help out. We have a large assembly for our area, nearly 1000 families, I believe. However, most like to, as a friend said, “play worshipers.”

If there is anything I have forgotten, I will be sure to rectify my error as soon as I realize it. :coffeeread:

 

[Elizabeth2]

Let’s see if I can remember all that I wanted to say.

First, I was given the role by 1. the pastor, 2. the parochial vicar, 3. the sacramental minister, and 4. by the people in charge of schedulign the volunteers. They say that it is a pre-pre-seminary lol.

Second, I would definately leap at the chance to better organize the parish. However, the people who are young and who volunteer are the ones who are organized and do, in fact show up. It is the elderly people who sometimes forget, or are too tired to get to church. We are one of the most organized parishes in the diocese, but we simply lack people who want to get up out of the pews and help out. We have a large assembly for our area, nearly 1000 families, I believe. However, most like to, as a friend said, “play worshipers.”

If there is anything I have forgotten, I will be sure to rectify my error as soon as I realize it. :coffeeread:

Yes well forgetting can be a problem as you get older, we call it “having a senior moment”. A lot of our congregation are elderly too (including me, at least getting there). Sometimes people like a personal invitation. As Catholics, especially the elderly, we have been pampered. In the old days the priest did everything, all we had to do was show up. I joined the choir because someone asked me to. When I joined I said “I’ll join but I don’t want to lead the singing.” “Oh no” my friend told me, “you won’t have to do that.” Guess what. “I’ve had to on occasion.” But it’s a small parish and the funny thing is, when it came to doing it I was ready. It’s too bad that people don’t realize what a joy it is to serve.