Unconsecrated hosts were "sharing" the same table as donuts & coffee

[whatevergirl]

*I have had this gnawing feeling and thought I’d post the question here to gain your thoughts.

First–per the title, let me say…I’m ASSUMING these were not consecrated hosts.

Let me preface by saying that my family and I joined a new parish. By new, it is **really **new to the Diocese. Mass was initially taking place at a funeral home, I guess their lease was up, and now we rent space in a storefront. I have grown to feel very at home at this parish, mass is very reverent, and the priests here make everyone feel welcome. That said, my husband had to work, so the kids and I went to mass on Sunday morning. There is normally one greeter, holding the door, handing out missals. We took one, said hello, and proceeded to walk to our seats.

As we were walking by the ‘donut table,’ (this is a small storefront ‘shop’ for lack of a better word, until the church for us is built, so it’s close quarters right now) there was a ‘plate’ of what I’m assuming was unconsecrated hosts sitting on the same table. (Hoping they were not consecrated ) My son commented on it to me, when we sat down. I noticed it, but didn’t want to talk about it, before mass…to me, that is a quiet time for prayer.

But, something seemed really strange about that. Should I say something? Was it placed there by mistake? We have no tabernacle right now, so, not sure why it was laying there on the donut table. It seemed irreverent…but, I can’t imagine it was intentional. The priests who preside over these masses are so awesome, I don’t want to think that it was a sloppy intention.

But****, if we see this again, would you say something, if you were in my shoes? I normally don’t notice a lot when I’m heading into mass, but it was hard to miss. If the hosts were unconsecrated, which I’m “assuming” they were, is that a big deal that they were laying “around” like that? *

 

[puzzleannie]

Without seeing the layout of the space my assumptions would be 1) you were expected to pick up an unconsecrated host and place it in another bowl if you intended to receive communion (but where was the other bowl, and did they even anounce this?) or 2) somebody preparing for Mass set the bowl of hosts down and forget where (this would be me) or 3) this is the only place they have to put the gifts before they are brought forward at the offertory, and they had not yet put the wine carage there. In any case it is not appropriate at all to have the donuts on the same table, because of exactly the confusion you experienced. The can get a TV tray table if they are short of space, or bring out the donuts after Mass. Not easy in tight space but it can be done with a little planning, I would definitely speak to the priest.

we have a new parish currently holding Mass at a country club, and I have heard some strange stories about that space as well.

 

[whatevergirl]

Without seeing the layout of the space my assumptions would be 1) you were expected to pick up an unconsecrated host and place it in another bowl if you intended to receive communion (but where was the other bowl, and did they even anounce this?) or 2) somebody preparing for Mass set the bowl of hosts down and forget where (this would be me) or 3) this is the only place they have to put the gifts before they are brought forward at the offertory, and they had not yet put the wine carage there. In any case it is not appropriate at all to have the donuts on the same table, because of exactly the confusion you experienced. The can get a TV tray table if they are short of space, or bring out the donuts after Mass. Not easy in tight space but it can be done with a little planning, I would definitely speak to the priest.

we have a new parish currently holding Mass at a country club, and I have heard some strange stories about that space as well.

*Yes, it’s not the ideal space, BUT, until we can raise enough fund to build our church…it’ll have to do. It works, I guess. It’s funny, we attended a very beautiful/ornate church last year, before joining this one…but mass lacked reverence, I felt like we were at a Christian rock concert, not a mass, etc. I could go on and on, God bless those priests, but for some reason, at that parish, they seemed to let the music minister run things, not them. That said, even in the meager surroundings we have here, it’s worth it!

I am thinking #3. Yes, I’m glad that you decided to reply. I am thinking of donating a small wooden table, for the gifts. I think that might help, and the other problem is, I’m afraid the hosts are going to spill everywhere. That wouldn’t be good. There is a small wooden table behind a tall beam, behind the ‘altar.’ So, there is a place for the Eucharist, after Communion, but not in prep for the gifts to be carried up.

I can imagine older priest, if I come to him. He will say…well, do you have a solution? lol I know him well enough now, and I can say yes…here’s a table, Father! (whipping it out from behind my back) lol I don’t want to seem insulting, but I think that they need a designated place for the gifts…not sharing the table with donuts. :nope:*

 

[choy]

i’m curious if unconcentrated hosts would require any kind of care or respect? i’m thinking its just bread at this point

 

[whatevergirl]

i’m curious if unconcentrated hosts would require any kind of care or respect? i’m thinking its just bread at this point

*Yes, that is what I was wondering also. But, again I’m assuming they were unconscrated. I didn’t turn my head back around to the back, to see what happened to them once we took our seats. I mean, why on earth would CONSECRATED hosts be sitting back there? Except to say, that we just started mass here a few weeks ago, and are still getting acclimated. I don’t imagine any irreverence was intentional, or involved even, BUT…on some level, if a lay person sees this, why would the priest permit it, you know? That is what ran through my head, and I’m FAR from a stickler for these things. But, couldn’t miss it. I am thinking it’s what annie said…just no place to put it.

I am wondering since we don’t have a tabernacle, where DO the consecrated hosts go, after mass? *

 

[EasterJoy]

It is impossible to imagine that the hosts had been consecrated at that point. If the place the parish gathers for Mass has no tabernacle, then it is probably of practical importance that no or very few extras be consecrated, since they’d have to be consumed on the spot, like any of the Precious Blood that remains after everyone has received, or else the priest would have to take them to another parish, to be kept in their tabernacle and used there. He wouldn’t want more than he knew would fit in his pyx, at any rate. There is also the problem of where to reserve the Blessed Sacrament during “coffee and donuts”. Someone with an employed pyx in their pocket usualy doesn’t just carry on as if it is not there. So assuming that he wants to be socially available after Mass, the priest might want to have so few extra that consumption prior to the purification of the vessels won’t be any problem.

Before consecration, it is just ordinary bread. In fact, a friend of mine brought me a Latino confection (Mexican, I think) in which dulce le leche is sandwiched between two unconsecrated hosts. If you go to a church in Latin America, you won’t find a lack of reverence for the Blessed Sacrament. though. They understand, that’s all.

 

[ljubim]

Similar thing with my family… every Christmas/New Years we break oplatek, which is like the hosts but in big rectangles with nativity scenes on it.

Actually no respect is necessary for an unconsecrated host, besides keeping it clean I guess at my church they’re usually on the back table by the door as well.

 

[kage_ar]

Unconsecrated hosts are bread - that is all. They have to sit somewhere before the trek up the isle during mass They come in the mail to your Parish in big plastic bags and are stored (stored in the freezer maybe, right by the ice maker and the office workers’ Lean Cuisine dinners).

Donating a table is a lovely and generous idea.

 

[whatevergirl]

*ha! Along with the table, might have to donate a small frig. The hosts shouldn’t be in the same frig as lean cuisines. Seriously, that is not right!

Perhaps, because we are in such an odd setting for right now, things are just naturally going to stand out, as opposed to if we were in a parish. For example, in the funeral home chapel, they had a separate area for donuts…separate room, actually. There was just more room, so maybe it’s just what it is, for right now. And of course in a church, I have never seen this. Come to think of it, this might be the first parish that puts such a high emphasis on donuts after mass. *

 

[kage_ar]

• Come to think of it, this might be the first parish that puts such a high emphasis on donuts after mass. *

Nooo, here there have been near riots when the donuts ran out. Donuts after Mass is in Canon Law somewhere…

 

[Mrs_Sally]

• The hosts shouldn’t be in the same frig as lean cuisines. Seriously, that is not right!

Unconsecrated hosts are fine there. There is nothing too special about them before consecration. Our DRE keeps a jar of them (it looks like a candy jar) in her office. She uses them to give the kids practice on receiving communion.

Remember before consecration they are just bread (or ironed flour paste according to my mother!)

 

[dancny]

Wasn’t it from Trent, or maybe Chalcedon where the Fathers said “Thou shalt have donughts after mass”?

Seriously though, unconsecrated hosts can be stored just about anywhere. If you have the space the more respect for what they will** be is good, but I have seen the big plastic bag sitting in desk drawers and refridgerators. It is just bread.

 

[puzzleannie]

Wasn’t it from Trent, or maybe Chalcedon where the Fathers said “Thou shalt have donughts after mass”?

.

what is that in Latin?

in climates like OP’s and mine, damp and hot, the hosts (and wine) should be refrigerated, and probably that is what the priest does, keeps them in his home and just brings what is needed for Mass. I am concerned with where the Blessed Sacrament is kept, is there a tabernacle? Probably not if this is a shared space, in which case the priest probably also takes them home or to another chapel.

But the bread and wine should of course be kept clean as people will be consuming them (can’t be too careful in flu season, either).

 

[choy]

on a somewhat related and unrelated note:

i know of a convent in the Philippines where the nuns sell cookies made from the sheet where they cut the hosts from

and i did know of a priest who gave some unconsecrated hosts to kids to snack on. this was way back and it was sort of a private family gathering (the kids are nieces, nephews). although i couldn’t bring myself to just snack on it when offered one.

 

[EasterJoy]

…i couldn’t bring myself to just snack on it when offered one.

its more irresistible with the dulce le leche…mmmmm…:yup:

 

[whatevergirl]

I know that it is ‘only’ bread…but, I guess it just seemed ‘off’ being on the table like that…but, again, it’s because the facility is not fully equipped yet, since we just moved there. Thanks for all who participated…donuts after mass is part of Canon Law.

 

[Phemie]

on a somewhat related and unrelated note:

i know of a convent in the Philippines where the nuns sell cookies made from the sheet where they cut the hosts from

and i did know of a priest who gave some unconsecrated hosts to kids to snack on. this was way back and it was sort of a private family gathering (the kids are nieces, nephews). although i couldn’t bring myself to just snack on it when offered one.

You can buy hosts & hosts scraps in most convenience stores in the province next to mine. People eat them for snacks. The packaging actually says “Host scraps”.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I know that it is ‘only’ bread…but, I guess it just seemed ‘off’ being on the table like that…but, again, it’s because the facility is not fully equipped yet, since we just moved there. Thanks for all who participated…donuts after mass is part of Canon Law.

I am sorry but what is “off” about it? There is nothing special about them and there is no requirement that they be treated in any special way.

I would find it very “off” if they were being treated in any speical manner.

 

[MercyMia]

Yes, as far as I know the unconsecrated bread is just that…bread. It is an odd imagery to think of the hosts as being on a donut table though. I mean if they are consecrated that is just a whole other story and a total abuse. But I am going on your assumption that they were not yet consecrated.
God bless your reverence for the Eucharist… It is always better to be on the side of caution than to be too relaxed. I am sure Jesus is happy to know you have his back, especially when so many in the world neglect and abuse the Eucharist.

 

[kage_ar]

You can buy hosts & hosts scraps in most convenience stores in the province next to mine. People eat them for snacks. The packaging actually says “Host scraps”.

Hosts are the last thing I would think of as a tasty snack - flour and water.