Teaching about the Roles of Catholics and NonCatholics in Mass at a Catholic School

[Noted_Touch]

Hello to all. I am new here but I have been accessing information from Catholic Answers for years, but not until now have I felt the need to reach out for help.

As a Catechist and as a Religion Teacher in a Roman Catholic school, I am being confronted by both Catholic and non-Catholic teachers and students about ‘why I only allow Catholic students to read in the Mass.’
I have just returned to the school setting as a Religion after 16 years, evwn though I have worked solely in the CCD program and served as an organist in my parish for almost 40 years.

I am startled that such a confrontation about non-Catholic not being allowed. I am told that they were allowed to participate before I arrived in August 2017. I had developed a Unit to meet the need for active participation through teaching about things seen, heard, and said in Mass, I must now include the topic “Appreciation of the Mass” in more detail to answer specific questions.

In our school, we have only 19% of our student population as Roman Catholic and 50% of the staff are baptized Catholics, 35% of those baptized Catholics are either inactive or involved in activities in non-Catholic churches - and thus not actively practicing their faiths. In respect to the 81% of our student population, many of the children have come from homes of parents who were once Roman Catholics, but have chosen to worship elsewhere and thus their children are not receiving the sacraments. This is a Catholic school which is connected to a Catholic church.

How to I work in this setting? I feel that teaching the faith, teaching facts and introducing the children and the families to daily lifestyle practices that may awaken 'truth; without condemnation I am putting together my plan for the 2018/2018 school year at this time

I have just completed the 2017/2018 school year and CCD year.
Any advice would be welcome.

 

[DignumEtJustum]

Perhaps some research into the Mass of the Catechumens and the Mass of the Faithful might be a place to start.

I’ll add it’s not been uncommon for me to see non-Catholics assist in the music of the Mass.

In the Ordinary Form of the Mass, the reader is essentially taking on what in the past was only a Clerical role in reciting biblical passages to the congregation so it only makes sense that the person doing this be Catholic.

 

[QwertyGirl]

I don’t know what official rules are. However, I have opinion on what they should be.

At a recent wedding, the monsignor at our parish allowed anyone to participate in reading, bring up the gifts, etc. as long as they believed in what they were presenting. They didnt’t have to be in good standing with the Church or Catholic, at all.

I believe this is the correct attitude. There is no need to exclude people because they aren’t Catholic or don’t believe everything about Church teaching. Why would they? I don’t think Jesus would exclude them at all.

The Catholic Church is a great one for saying it is universal and talking about communion all the time, but then does things to give the impression it is so exclusive. It is a turn-off to many and leads them to not really want any engagement in it. Think of the people you may touch and actually bring into the Church by allowing them to participate by reading, etc. Such a missed opportunity to only allow Catholics to do that.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

Here, all of the school children are required to participate in the Mass and given appropriate parts to do when it is their class’s turn to lead - and many non-Catholic children will end up doing readings. They’re properly taught about not receiving Communion. It’s been a good opportunity for evangelization, and I believe you would be hard pressed to find a more reverent group of students.

 

[1ke]

I am being confronted by both Catholic and non-Catholic teachers and students about ‘why I only allow Catholic students to read in the Mass.’

Um, becuase it’s a liturgical role that Catholics can fill, and non-Catholics cannot.

Keep teaching the truth!

I think you are on the right track. They have had poor instruction up to now, so changes are bound to be uncomfortable.

 

[1ke]

. I had developed a Unit to meet the need for active participation through teaching about things seen, heard, and said in Mass, I must now include the topic “Appreciation of the Mass” in more detail to answer specific questions.

Perhaps study the DIRECTORY FOR THE APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES AND NORMS ON ECUMENISM with the students, particularly no. 13. A non-Catholic reader requires permission from the bishop.

1. The reading of Scripture during a Eucharistic celebration in the Catholic Church is to be done by members of that Church. On exceptional occasions and for a just cause, the Bishop of the diocese may permit a member of another Church or ecclesial Community to take on the task of reader.

Perhaps studying Ecclesia de Eucharistia also.

 

[Noted_Touch]

Thank you so much for your responses. I am excited as I plan for the new year. I must add that I have all students participate in things such as the Stations of the Cross, the choir, etc., but in the Readings, gift bearers and as altar servers - I only use Catholics. I will review the recommendations. Since my joining the school staff, I have had several children from non-practicing Catholics ask to join our parish’s CCD program. A few who were not active, asked their parents to bring me their birth certificates and the families will have them become active in the CCD program.
My archbishop has told me to focus on creating a better CCD program as only 19% of the children in my CCD program attend Catholic schools - just as only 19% of our children in our school are Roman Catholic.
It is imperative that I plan well for both programs so that we can meet the needs of families better, My priest has encouraged me to do fundraisers to assist in helping parents ‘finance’ Catholic education. What do you all advise in this matter of funding Catholic education for Catholic families or even giving assistance to families?

In a recent NCEA Conference, I have learned that persons who did not receive a Catholic education are more vulnerable for leaving the Church. What do you think?

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I’ll add it’s not been uncommon for me to see non-Catholics assist in the music of the Mass.

This has been my experience too. The organist my church had for decades when I was a child was not a Catholic. He worked for several area churches, Catholic and non-Catholic. He did a good job.

However, I agree with Dignum et Justum that reading Scripture in the context of the Mass is a function that used to be reserved for clerics and has only relatively recently been allowed for Catholic laity. Moreover, the Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism states that reading is normally to be done by a Catholic, and a non-Catholic is only permitted to read “on exceptional occasions and for a just cause” and further suggests that the bishop would have to permit this. I would presume an “exceptional occasion” might be something like an ecumenical service or a funeral.

Source here:
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-wor...rals/non-catholic-readers-at-funeral-mass.cfm

Edited to add, I see after I posted that 1ke beat me to it

So you can tell these folks hat you’re just following the rules with respect to having only Catholics read. Then you can perhaps find some other role for the non-Catholics to participate, such as singing in the choir, or acting as ushers.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

In a recent NCEA Conference, I have learned that persons who did not receive a Catholic education are more vulnerable for leaving the Church. What do you think?

I think a lot depends on the quality of the Catholic education they received, and also whether their parents at home reinforced what they were learning in school or just ignored it. I will say however that having a Catholic education involving daily Catholic activities with good memories attached (fun, friends, etc.) is more likely to encourage someone to stay in the Church, or return to the Church after they have been “away”, than if they just have a nodding acquaintance with the Church from showing up for an hour on Sunday.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

At a recent wedding, the monsignor at our parish allowed anyone to participate in reading, bring up the gifts, etc. as long as they believed in what they were presenting. They didnt’t have to be in good standing with the Church or Catholic, at all.

A wedding (or a funeral) may well be one of those “extraordinary” situations where the bishop gives permission for a number of things that are not normally permitted in the daily Mass.

As for inclusivity, Mass is open to all people to come and participate from the pew, as much as they like. We also have had non-Catholics frequently in the music ministry and I have seen them serve as ushers (my own Protestant husband was asked to help take up a collection once because they were short a man). There is no need to have non-Catholics participating as readers specifically in order to make them feel included or have them be part of a Mass.

I don’t buy the viewpoint that we have to just let everybody do everything they want including receive Communion, read etc. or we’re being big bad old mean exclusive Catholic Church. Some functions, especially the ones historically reserved for clergy and only recently opened to laypeople, are best reserved for those who are faithful Catholics.

 

[BartholomewB]

From time we time we see threads about lectors who deliberately change the wording of the reading, usually for reasons of political correctness, such as “sisters and brothers” instead of “brothers and sisters”, and sometimes with a smirk of self-congratulation as they do it. I would rather have the readings done correctly by a proclaimed atheist or heretic or Calvinist, than done incorrectly by a duly qualified Catholic whose only purpose is to show off to their buddies by committing deliberate mistakes.

 

[Phemie]

While being a reader and altar server should be reserved for Catholics, I see no reason to exclude non-Catholics from being gift bearers.

In any parish you’ll have families with parents in a mixed-marriage and we don’t exclude the non-Catholic spouse from bringing up the offerings. In my case for many years my non-Catholic spouse was the one earning the money I was putting in the collection plate.

 

[TC3033]

I have seen them serve as ushers (my own Protestant husband was asked to help take up a collection once because they were short a man).

In any parish you’ll have families with parents in a mixed-marriage and we don’t exclude the non-Catholic spouse from bringing up the offerings. In my case for many years my non-Catholic spouse was the one earning the money I was putting in the collection plate.

Where my wife is a member, ushers and gift bearers must be confirmed Catholics. I ended up finding that out when I was looking to volunteer.

I’m sure depending where you’re at YMMV.

 

[Phemie]

Tis_Bearself:

I have seen them serve as ushers (my own Protestant husband was asked to help take up a collection once because they were short a man).

In any parish you’ll have families with parents in a mixed-marriage and we don’t exclude the non-Catholic spouse from bringing up the offerings. In my case for many years my non-Catholic spouse was the one earning the money I was putting in the collection plate.

Where my wife is a member, ushers and gift bearers must be confirmed Catholics. I ended up finding that out when I was looking to volunteer.

I’m sure depending where you’re at YMMV.

That actually makes me sad. My non-Catholic spouse’s earnings even paid for the bread we used for Communion in one parish since I baked it from our own flour. The thought that he wouldn’t be allowed to present what his salary had paid for is disheartening.

 

[az4faith]

So how do the ushers verify this when they ask someone just before Mass begins to bring the gifts up? Does the parish actually have a “gift bearers” ministry where everyone is on record as being a confirmed Catholic? In my opinion, this borders on ridiculousness.

 

[TC3033]

Ya, my wife and I actually get a bit of a chuckle when she starts going into my wallet for collection.

So how do the ushers verify this when they ask someone just before Mass begins to bring the gifts up? Does the parish actually have a “gift bearers” ministry where everyone is on record as being a confirmed Catholic? In my opinion, this borders on ridiculousness.

@az4faith No clue on asking someone right before Mass…if that’s even a thing

Yes, they do have an “usher/gift bearer” volunteer ministry which is listed on their website; the page states you need to be “a registered parishioner who has received the sacrament of confirmation”. From that my assumption was that yes, they actually have a record of all ushers / gift bearers as being a confirmed Catholic. I didn’t go any further on the volunteering after I read the rule.

 

[bassmansteiny]

Not sure what the rules are for non practicing Catholics, I would think probably not a good idea for non practicing adults to read during the Mass. However having the non practicing children read, there could be a positive to that. It may plant the seed for them to come into full union with the Catholic Church. It is not unheard of for a kid/young adult to want to become Catholic when there parents are fallen away Catholics or even not Catholic at all. Just a thought.

 

[az4faith]

Most parishes I’ve attended ask someone to bear the gifts just before Mass begins, usually as they’re walking in the door for Mass. I’ve been asked to do this many times this way. Does this mean that no one under confirmation age can bring up the gifts?

 

[TC3033]

Most parishes I’ve attended ask someone to bear the gifts just before Mass begins, usually as they’re walking in the door for Mass

I’ve noticed that the list of usher/gift bearers is in the bulletin every week (so last Sunday had the volunteers for next Sunday listed). My guess is if you can’t make it you need to find a replacement or the parish does it…?

Does this mean that no one under confirmation age can bring up the gifts?

Apparently that’s a no. I don’t think I’ve ever noticed anyone that young do it. Seems like it’s usually the same 4-6 guys on the rotation, but I know they’ve asked for more volunteers.

 

[Phemie]

We have families bring up the offerings as often as we can. We don’t ask if mom or dad is Catholic.