Unusual prayer at mass

[englishredrose]

In my opinion it would have been better to leave out homosexuality because we do not pray for straight people who help out in the parish… So simply just pray for all those who help out in the parish and the contribution they have made regardless of their sexuality. Next we be praying for short people as opposed to tall people. fat people to thin people. and dare I say it, white people as to black people. No need to single our make up unless of course the individual concerned have specifically requested it

 

[Ben_F]

Would a prayer singling out a political cause or promoting a political policy be an accepted prayer? Oh Lord we pray that Barrack Obama be defeated this year and that the new president through your guidance rescue us from our economic problems. Bless Mitt in his struggle to overcome the evil that is upon us. I don´t think so. Our prayers should be thanking the Lord for all those who have contributed to building the Church. If we single some group out, our prayer should be that they continue to grow in His love. God bless:thumbsup:

 

[Rainaldo]

I sense that you have prayed often about this issue?

You have no idea, RA.

 

[SMHW]

There was no “special” intention that was mentioned that could have related to that.

I only suggested this because in our parish the intention for which the Mass is offered is almost never spelled out as such. But it is usually included as an item in the prayers of the faithful. If someone pays the stipend gets the intention on the calendar then the Mass will be said…

 

[Gertabelle]

I don’t think you get what I’m saying at all.

Prayers for you, if acceptable.

I would be so GRATEFUL of your prayers! Good heavens, can’t we all use more? Thank you!

I will keep you in my prayers as well!

God bless you.

Gertie

 

[fastenatingguy]

Good point.

Phew! Writing prayers for the Prayers of the Faithful is hard work!

Slightly OT, but I agree with you.

We must have someone new doing this at our Basilica. For the last few months, each prayer request has this “format” that they use, which is written with a tone and an education level that only a PhD would understand. Actually, they are incredible “run on” sentences that all of my nuns from the 60’s would find ghastly! Each petition takes15 to 30 seconds to read (my guesstimate, don’t have a stopwatch).

Example: For all our political leaders, that they may _______________________ and so that_______________________ and ___________; for whenever __________________ and then ________________________ because. For this we pray “Lord, hear our prayer”

Anybody else experience this? For many years preceeding, most of the prayers were structured like the beatitudes. Maybe they wanted a change.

 

[nickybr38]

fastenatingguy:
Slightly OT, but I agree with you.

We must have someone new doing this at our Basilica. For the last few months, each prayer request has this “format” that they use, which is written with a tone and an education level that only a PhD would understand. Actually, they are incredible “run on” sentences that all of my nuns from the 60’s would find ghastly! Each petition takes15 to 30 seconds to read (my guesstimate, don’t have a stopwatch).

Example: For all our political leaders, that they may _______________________ and so that_______________________ and ___________; for whenever __________________ and then ________________________ because. For this we pray “Lord, hear our prayer”

Anybody else experience this? For many years preceeding, most of the prayers were structured like the beatitudes. Maybe they wanted a change.

Our parish is ridiculously by the book. The Prayers of the Faithful are THE prayers that the Missal suggests and that’s about it. We very rarely if EVER diverge from what’s in the book.

 

[Allegra]

I agree the prayer was inappropriate. It would have been better to say, “We pray for those who struggle with sexual sins, may they find the strength…” (Assuming that the intent actually was to pray for gay people and not to encourage sin.)

 

[mangy_dog]

Good point.

Phew! Writing prayers for the Prayers of the Faithful is hard work!

Exactly, you are so correct. That why the prayer of the faithful has to be so Catholic so that the intentions of the church are the same everywhere around the world.

It is hard work and the part that refers to the particular congregation has to be worded so that we don’t deliver an anti-catholic message while praying for someone.

 

[Lynarnett]

Yes, I do. But the Prayers Of The Faithful often specifically mention sinners (a wide range of sinners are specifically mentioned at every Mass I’ve ever attended) This thread claims that there are certain, specific sinners that should never be mentioned during Mass.

I know I said I wouldn’t respond to you any longer, but you are absolutely wrong that this thread claims any such thing, and shame on you for misquoting me. Reread the thread. The others have it right. This church was not praying for them, but thanking them. We are ALL sinners who faithfully serve the church. You have taken this thread completely wrong, and I suspect that you indeed have an agenda as well.

 

[Lynarnett]

This isn’t your usual parish I assume since you said you were visiting. Maybe there had been a series of ongoing problems prior to this, and the prayer was intended as a reminder to all to be charitable to those who struggle with this. If this was a regular occurrence then there may be cause for concern, but we don’t know that it is. My opinion is to assume good intentions until it is proved otherwise, and not worry about it.

Sorry, I disagree with you ( and I’m not worried about it). I am a convert from being a baptist for over 50 years. For me to “cross the Tiber” was not only monumental, but I’m still being shunned by many people because of it, I take this stuff seriously, and I’m very bothered by people who shrug this nonsense off and fail to understand the damage it can do to, yes, visitors. It was wrong to do.

 

[mangy_dog]

In your opinion, would it have better to not pray for them?

In your opinion, would it be better to be ambiguous about what is said in the mass.

 

[mangy_dog]

Ok.

Ok.

What I’ve learned on CAF today!

There are certain sinners who are not sinners like us. We should never mention those certain sinners, or pray for them, in the Prayer Of The Faithful during Mass.

Ok. what I’ve learned on …joice’s thread today!

There are certain rules of the catholic church that can be bent a little so as to be ambiguous and ambivalent about content and intent. We should never follow proper format that is appropriate for the prayer of the faithful and if I can’t do it and say it my way then I will become obtuse about what the CAF members are trying to tell me.