Volunteering in a Parish, handling Christmas

[Tis_Bearself]

I would note that if they registered a non-Catholic, they would probably make a note that the person is not a Catholic, as that would affect the types of ministries the person could participate in.

A pastor might be fine with the non-Catholic being an usher, since the duties do not involve teaching the faith to anyone or doing any function limited to Catholics.
But obviously, the non-Catholic could not be a CCD teacher, a Confirmation sponsor, or an EMHC because you would need to be a Catholic to carry out the duties.

 

[TheLittleLady]

That is up to the pastor. Each pastor who comes in is like a new “corporate manager” and can determine who goes in the mailing list database and who does not.

 

[TheLittleLady]

Exactly. The two most popular programs in the US are Parish Soft and Parish Data Services. Things like “Sex, Marital Status, Religion, Occupation, etc.” have menu options. I can tell you at a click how many Baptist or Non-Denom members we have

 

[lilypadrees]

I love the atmosphere non-denom churches. I’ve met many nice people in them.

 

[LAR]

My Catholi"c p protectant family arranges dinner around mass and church services

 

[LAR]

No misses anything…we compromise

 

[Anne1964]

We have had a non-Catholic usher at my parish for years. His wife is Catholic and a member of the parish. Really depends on the pastor.

I see nothing wrong with taking time to attend services at your church.

 

[ConfusedLucy]

Your wife’s parish seems unusual in this regard. Mixed denominational marriages are pretty common these days. I really hope you find an arrangement for Christmas services that works for you.

 

[TC3033]

Your wife’s parish seems unusual in this regard. Mixed denominational marriages are pretty common these days. I really hope you find an arrangement for Christmas services that works for you.

That’s what I hear…anyways, I need to come clean a little bit… My wife and I just realized that Christmas Eve is Sunday…not Saturday…pretty embarrasing. Reason being, the day that the entire family can get together is Saturday, since that’s usually Christmas Eve, we had that in our mind the whole time…

Christmas Eve is easy now… We’re going to the regular Sunday Mass at 10 am then 3pm Christmas Eve service a few blocks away I’m welcome to communion…no biggie. That actually works better for us than going to 4:15pm (when everyone else is going…at multiple parishes). We get an extra hour to get ready for the Christmas Eve party with those of her family that can make it that night.

 

[Horton]

Just an FYI (because it is causing confusion). Your wife must fulfill the Sunday obligation and the Christmas obligation. Meaning she must attend two Masses. The Sunday Mass at 10:00 fulfills that obligation but not for Christmas, she’ll have to attend a second Mass either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

I too struggle with how your parish works regarding non Catholics. I’ve been a member of three parishes and none of them treated non Catholics this way.

 

[phil19034]

TC3033:

Catholics: Is it allowed for NC’s to be ushers at Mass

Ultimately, that’s going to be up to the pastor of the parish. Different priests are likely to approach it differently. I can see a priest allowing it (since an usher is not really a liturgical role). But I can see a pastor not allowing it (because he wants all those who are in any way, shape, or form helping out during Mass to be practicing Catholics in good standing). His decision should be respected, even if you don’t personally agree.

Catholics: Would you be offended if a NC family member left a family Christmas get together in order to attend a service from their faith background

I wouldn’t be offended at all. Just as I would expect the same courtesy if the roles were reversed and I was slipping out to go to Mass.

I think Joe answers it best here, but I’m going to add a few comments:

1. I’m Catholic and I would guess that most priests would prefer to use Catholics, but some might make an exception if they don’t have enough volunteers.

Keep in mind, that some parishes actually have non-Catholic musicians playing/singing at mass, when they can’t find enough Catholics.

So basically, I would imagine that father is going to prefer to fill positions like ushers and musicians with Catholics first.

1. I totally agree with Joe here. I would find nothing wrong with this because I would expect the same in a reversed situation. THE ONLY TIME I can see some Catholics getting upset is: (1) if they are Catholic in name only and really secularists who don’t like devout Christians or (2) are extremely disapproving of a Catholic leaving the Catholic Church for Protestantism and wanting to attend a protestant service.

But in general, very few practicing Catholic would ever have a problem with this. I imaging really the only Catholics who would have an issue here are NOT in good standing with the Church.

God speed and Merry Christmas!

 

[TheLittleLady]

Then your wife and kids can fulfil their Christmas obligatin later on Christmas day.

No 2-for-1 this year. Two holy days, two masses.