Weekday mass?

[ImperialPhoenix]

I have a whole bunch of questions about mass, mainly the weekday variation. I know that I pass buy a cathedral everyday while commuting to college though I cant tell if it is a Catholic cathedral or not. Anyway here is my list of questions.

1. I know I cannot recive communion because I am not in a state of grace and not have been confurmed. If they do offer the Eucharist on a weekday service, what should I do? I know I can just simply just stand up and move to the side and let others go.
2. How long does a typical mass last?
3. Would attending a weekday mass cover a sunday mass?
4. Is it possible to attend a mass in a different parish? Related, do I have to register in a parish in order to attend mass?

Ill post up any more questions I may have.
Thanks

 

[marty1818]

ImperialPhoenix:

I have a whole bunch of questions about mass, mainly the weekday variation. I know that I pass buy a cathedral everyday while commuting to college though I cant tell if it is a Catholic cathedral or not. Anyway here is my list of questions.

1. I know I cannot recive communion because I am not in a state of grace and not have been confurmed. If they do offer the Eucharist on a weekday service, what should I do? I know I can just simply just stand up and move to the side and let others go.
2. How long does a typical mass last?
3. Would attending a weekday mass cover a sunday mass?
4. Is it possible to attend a mass in a different parish? Related, do I have to register in a parish in order to attend mass?

Ill post up any more questions I may have.
Thanks

Imperial,
1)Depending on the diocese, you may be able to go up to the priest with your arms crossed over your chest as an indication to only receive a blessing. This however varies from diocese to diocese so the priest may not know what you are doing. If this is not a practice in the diocese you can pray during communion in the pew as others receive, asking for spiritual communion.

2)A typical mass will probably last no longer than 30 minutes on a weekday. This varies depending on the homilist and his pace to celebrate the mass.

3)Attending a weekday mass does not cover a Sunday mass. You have an obligation to go to Sunday mass every weekend unless you have a serious reason for not being able to go.

4)You can attend a mass at whatever church you would like as long as it is Catholic in communion with Rome. You need not register to attend mass.

I hope this was helpful. You will be in my prayers.

matt

 

[Sir_Knight]

ImperialPhoenix:

… I know I cannot recive communion because I am not in a state of grace and not have been confurmed. If they do offer the Eucharist on a weekday service, what should I do? I know I can just simply just stand up and move to the side and let others go …

Most of your questions have already been answered and there isn’t much that anyone can add but let me make the following clarifications … *

*… I know I cannot recive communion because I am not in a state of grace and not have been confurmed … *

Being confirmed has nothing to do with receiving communion. In my parish, children prepare for communion in the second grade at around the age of 7 & 8 and are not confirmed until the seventh grade at around 12 or 13 years of age.

• … If they do offer the Eucharist on a weekday service … *

They WILL offer the Eucharist at a weekly mass. It is not a mass if communion isn’t offered.

• … I know I can just simply just stand up and move to the side and let others go … *

There you go. You’ve answered your own question. There are a variety of reasons why people might not be receiving communion ranging from being in a state of mortal sin to having eaten something just prior to mass and thereby not fulfilling the hour fast. Therefore, nobody should be judging you as to why you didn’t go up to receive communion.

marty1818:

… Depending on the diocese, you may be able to go up to the priest with your arms crossed over your chest as an indication to only receive a blessing. This however varies from diocese to diocese so the priest may not know what you are doing. If this is not a practice in the diocese you can pray during communion in the pew as others receive, asking for spiritual communion …

This is a very IMPORTANT point. in some churches, the normal way to approach for communion is with the arms crossed over the chest while in other churches that is an indication that the person does not want to receive communion but merely a blessing instead. Therefore, it is important to know what the custom is in that church – always check with a native before entering the jungle.

 

[axolotl]

Sir Knight:

Imperial Phoenix

*:
I know I cannot recive communion because I am not in a state of grace and not have been confirmed …*Being confirmed has nothing to do with receiving communion. In my parish, children prepare for communion in the second grade at around the age of 7 & 8 and are not confirmed until the seventh grade at around 12 or 13 years of age.

But Imperila Phoenix isn’t Catholic. He does need to be confirmed into the Catholic Church before he can make his First Communion. This is usually done at the same time.

 

[Sir_Knight]

It is USUALLY done at the same time but confirmation is not a requirement for communion – thus the reason for my statement.

 

[ames61]

I agree with the above. A spiritual communion, worthily done, can bring more graces than communion received not consiously aware of the graces available. Also it increases your hunger for the Eucharist, and the joy when you ultimately are able to receive.

For me daily mass can often be more spiritual than Sunday mass. Its sometimes easier to connect without my munchkins and the busyness of Sunday mass. Kind of barebones.

 

[ImperialPhoenix]

axolotl:

But Imperila Phoenix isn’t Catholic. He does need to be confirmed into the Catholic Church before he can make his First Communion. This is usually done at the same time.

Sir Knight:

It is USUALLY done at the same time but confirmation is not a requirement for communion -- thus the reason for my statement.

Hmm, I can ask an apologist to clarify this. Though in my situation, I was baptized Catholic but fallen out at a very young age.%between%

 

[chicago]

ImperialPhoenix:

Hmm, I can ask an apologist to clarify this. Though in my situation, I was baptized Catholic but fallen out at a very young age.%between%

Well, then, strictly speaking the only thing required to worthily receive is a good confession and righting one’s life. However, if you “dropped out” before receiving first confession and first communion, then I can see where (in discretion) a pastor may ask you to go through the RCIA program or something first to ensure that you have a proper understanding of what you’re getting back into.

 

[chicago]

3. Would attending a weekday mass cover a sunday mass?

As a further point of reflection, while a weekday Mass does not “cover” a Sunday Mass, if for whatever reason one did not make Sunday Mass, it woud be a worthy act of reparation to attend a weekday Mass.

 

[ImperialPhoenix]

chicago:

Well, then, strictly speaking the only thing required to worthily receive is a good confession and righting one’s life.

Rightining one’s life? How would I do that?

However, if you “dropped out” before receiving first confession and first communion, then I can see where (in discretion) a pastor may ask you to go through the RCIA program or something first to ensure that you have a proper understanding of what you’re getting back into.

Not to mention never been confurmed. I have looked into RCIA programs in my local area, though not very many churches have their own website. Though I am afraid that I wont sucseed in RCIA after hearing accounts from people whom were frustrated .

 

[chicago]

ImperialPhoenix:

Rightining one’s life? How would I do that?

I suppose it depends upon what the sins are. The best thing I can say in response to this question is “talk to a priest about it”, as he can offer you particular guidance to you particular circumstances. There may be nothing major that you have to worry much about at all. Just try to avoid sinning as best you can and amend your life in whatever way necessary. Obviously, if there’s something seriously wrong (let’s say you are a habitual bank robber to use a wild example), well then you’d have to work on changing that. I think that the most difficult typical challenge (but not by no means irreconcilable) would be if someone got married outside the Church. That marriage would probably need to be convalidated (made right/blessed). But, again, it is simply a matter of discussing with the priest how to go about things. In the words of Nike ads “Just do it!”

Not to mention never been confurmed. I have looked into RCIA programs in my local area, though not very many churches have their own website. Though I am afraid that I wont sucseed in RCIA after hearing accounts from people whom were frustrated .

Well, “not having been confirmed” really isn’t all that big of an obstacle. There are a lot of people who never were. It can be easily remedied if one desires it. And, as others have noted, it isn’t required for one to return to a practice of the faith and receive reconciliation or communion.

How is it that you are worried about “not succeeding”?

Also, it is not always strictly necessary to go through RCIA. It is a good idea and particular pastors might well insist upon it, but it is also possible that a priest could help you with private instruction, then lead you back into the faith that way. Considering that you were baptized Catholic, particularly, RCIA isn’t technically the most appropriate route for you to return. Though, realistically, it may well offer what you could need in coming to better understand the faith.

 

[ImperialPhoenix]

chicago:

Also, it is not always strictly necessary to go through RCIA. It is a good idea and particular pastors might well insist upon it, but it is also possible that a priest could help you with private instruction, then lead you back into the faith that way. Considering that you were baptized Catholic, particularly, RCIA isn’t technically the most appropriate route for you to return. Though, realistically, it may well offer what you could need in coming to better understand the faith.

I do agree on going to RCIA since I basicly do best in a classroom setting.Though I feel its more appropreate for me considering that I had never had the proper upbringing as a child and added to that, I oftenly consider myself a Non-Denominational Christian after I left agnostcism not to long ago.

Well, “not having been confirmed” really isn’t all that big of an obstacle. There are a lot of people who never were. It can be easily remedied if one desires it.

So having private instruction or attending RCIA would cover and perform confirmation? Since I do feel kind of disapointed in myself for missing out what my Catholic peers (whom are still in church or that I have meet that have been confurmed) have gone through.

How is it that you are worried about “not succeeding”?

Well, I have read accounts from other posters that they were eather fustrated with the instructor or have waited a long time (more than one year)

 

[NotWorthy]

How long is a typical weekday mass? As others have posted, usually less than 30 minutes. In my job, I’m able to attend daily masses all through the diocese depending on my job duties that day.

One Mass, in order to let people get to work by 7:00am, starts 7 minutes early and ends in about 15 minutes. No Homily, No sign of peace. No feeling of fulfillment in my soul. OK, maybe a little, but no thanks to the priest.

One Mass, because the priest has a question and answer session during the homily, last about 60-65 minutes. I almost had to leave early just to make a scheduled sales call.

Oh well, carry on, guys.

NotWorthy

 

[chicago]

ImperialPhoenix:

I do agree on going to RCIA since I basicly do best in a classroom setting.Though I feel its more appropreate for me considering that I had never had the proper upbringing as a child and added to that, I oftenly consider myself a Non-Denominational Christian after I left agnostcism not to long ago.

Exactly! That’s basically what I was getting at.

So having private instruction or attending RCIA would cover and perform confirmation? Since I do feel kind of disapointed in myself for missing out what my Catholic peers (whom are still in church or that I have meet that have been confurmed) have gone through.

Well, you’ll certainly want to get confirmed no matter when or via what process. But, yes, pretty much either working things out via RCIA or through private instruction could cover the instructional aspect of the faith. Most likely, a priest will want to send you through the RCIA program. But, techincally, he could agree to instruct you privately to lead up to reception of the Sacrament, if it were found preferable to both you and him. In fact, that is the way in which it was normally done until RCIA came about in recent decades.

I think that my primary point, however, is that if you were baptized and already understand the nature of the Eucharist and Reconciliation (particularly if you received them at all as a child), then you might not really have to view your lack of being confirmed as a time consuming obstacle to returning to a full practice of the faith.

Well, I have read accounts from other posters that they were eather fustrated with the instructor or have waited a long time (more than one year)

Ah. Well, sadly, instruction isn’t always all that it ought to be in some parishes’ programs. Like everything else, you’ll find people/parishes which might be better and some which might be worse. Perhaps someone could help you find a good place in your neck of the woods in that regard. The period of waiting and discernment is often difficult for people who have the longing to be fully incorporated into the Church. But those who have gone through it will usually tell you that it was quite worth the wait and that adhering to the process was worthwhile and helpful.

 

[Sir_Knight]

ImperialPhoenix:

… So having private instruction or attending RCIA would cover and perform confirmation? Since I do feel kind of disapointed in myself for missing out what my Catholic peers (whom are still in church or that I have meet that have been confurmed) have gone through …

Confirmation is normally done by the local bishop, or by a priest with bishop approval (this is usually the case if there are only a few people to be confirmed instead of an entire class). Normally formal RCIA instruction is required in order to be confirmed but I guess that private instruction would be sufficient if your local priest had no problem with it.

Also, let’s not mix apples & oranges. Confirmation is not required to receive communion. As I said above, in our parish school children are receiving communion in grade 2 and being confirmed in grade 7 clearly illustrating that confirmation is not needed prior to receiving communion.

If you have been baptized a Catholic, then the only thing needed to receive communion is to make a good confession. Since you’ve been away from the faith, you may need so formal or private instruction prior to making your first confession and first communion.

As others have said, it’s best to discuss these matters with your local priest.

 

[NewCatholicGirl]

I am a new Catholic and I did go through RCIA, and as you said it was frustrating at times but let me tell you it was very well worth it , I dont know of anything in the world I would trade up! My frustration was from some of the people in the class just doing it for other reasons, as to get married, etc. They did not take it seriously, hardly attended class, etc and got the same result as I who studied, came to every class. But what I came to realize is you will find this in all areas of life, people on another agenda, people reaping rewards without doing the time, you just have to trust the reason you are being drawn to the church, and there is a reason, trust me on this one. He has a plan for you!!! Jesus needs you for some reason for something, dont turn away!

Peace

 

[Steve-o]

Sir Knight:

If you have been baptized a Catholic, then the only thing needed to receive communion is to make a good confession. Since you’ve been away from the faith, you may need so formal or private instruction prior to making your first confession and first communion.

Is this true? If so, I fit the criteria (Baptized Catholic and I have made first confession). Where is this documented? BTW, I attended Daily Mass today and I was very comfortable with it, even though I was the only one of the 30-odd people who didn’t receive the Eucharist.

I was also a bit surprised when a woman came in and pretty much booted out another lady who was sitting in the pew with a “In Memory of” plaque on it. As it turns out, the priest gave a blessing to the family’s late patriarch, so I stopped looking over my shoulder (so to speak) in order to see who’s pew I was “stealing.” Is this normal, to be asked to vacate a pew that someone paid to have a plaque put in? The one I sat in had a living couple’s name inscribed on it, so I was waiting to see when would be given the heave-ho.