Using Mass to Sell Merchandise

[Moyle]

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Yes, there is a huge difference. The Church itself is a consecrated place, indeed, the most sacred of all spaces. The hall is not, even if it has been blessed.

Not all parish churches are consecrated. Not by a long shot. In fact, far, far more are not consecrated then are consecrated. Most have been blessed but not consecrated.

 

[FrDavid96]

Not all parish churches are consecrated. Not by a long shot. In fact, far, far more are not consecrated then are consecrated. Most have been blessed but not consecrated.

Regardless of which word we use, or which ritual was employed, that doesn’t change the fact that the difference between the hall and the church proper is extremely significant.

 

[Donna_Mc]

Huge difference between Parish Hall and the back of the Church, at the back of the pews.

We had this at our parish not too long ago, this was to help Chirstians in the Holy Land. The merchandise was sold in the church hall after the Mass though.

 

[Moyle]

Regardless of which word we use, or which ritual was employed, that doesn’t change the fact that the difference between the hall and the church proper is extremely significant.

HUGE difference between a consecrated space and a blessed space. It’s not simply semantics.

 

[eelpis]

Turn over the back-pews and see what the Church is saying. Get the money-collectors out of the temple.

If anyone is asking you, What would Jesus do? Say to them, turn over tables and make a mess!

 

[FrDavid96]

HUGE difference between a consecrated space and a blessed space. It’s not simply semantics.

You are missing the fact that there is a huge difference between the hall and the church. That’s the point. That’s what the post is about.

It is just plain silly to say that if the church has been “blessed” rather than “consecrated” somehow that mitigates the practice of selling anything in the church, whether Mass is happening at the moment or not.

Whether or not those particular sales are appropriate in the church have nothing to do with the ritual that was employed when it was dedicated.

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

Allowing items, even religious items to be sold in church, during the mass is wrong and should be brought to the attention of the bishop. There is nothing wrong having a table set up in the foyer of the church for items to be sold before and after the mass. But to have a table set up in the church itself, by the pews and to sell during the sacrifice of the mass is sacrilegious. Whoever allowed this showed extremely poor judgment at best. The focus of the mass is the reenactment of the sacrifice of Calvary and participating in the Eucharist. Not selling items, no matter what the cause.
Prayers & blessings
Deacon Ed B

 

[DrWeed]

I am going to write to Cardinal Arinze’s staff for a definitive answer on this. In the mean time, I will finish up documenting (with page numbers, etc.) all the saints I can find who interpreted John 2 to mean that commerce in church is unacceptable. If and when I get a reply from the Vatican, I’ll take a copy of their letter, specific citations from the saints and a print-out of some of the opinions voiced here and take them to the priest so he can mull them over for awhile. If that doesn’t do the trick, then I will turn him into the bishop. I believe in being thoroughly prepared, especially since our bishop has a bad track record of taking the wrong side in bigger disputes than this. I will keep everyone here posted when something happens…thanks for all your help.

– Steve