Why would a priest skip the creed?

[toknowservelove]

I recently moved from St. Louis to my home town in Iowa, which is smaller with fewer choices for mass. At the church I have been attending I have noticed that Father seems to have an aversion to saying the creed–any creed. He often does a baptism instead, but skips the part of the rite where we and the parents express belief in the tenets of faith. What finally got me was when he skipped the creed at Christmas mass–no baptism, no anything–right from homily to prayers of the faithful. Am I missing something or is this incorrect? And why would a priest skip the creed? What is the possible reasoning behind it?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I recently moved from St. Louis to my home town in Iowa, which is smaller with fewer choices for mass. At the church I have been attending I have noticed that Father seems to have an aversion to saying the creed–any creed. He often does a baptism instead, but skips the part of the rite where we and the parents express belief in the tenets of faith. What finally got me was when he skipped the creed at Christmas mass–no baptism, no anything–right from homily to prayers of the faithful. Am I missing something or is this incorrect? And why would a priest skip the creed? What is the possible reasoning behind it?

No, he seems to be missing something.

 

[baltobetsy]

1. He forgot
2. A misguided attempt to save time
3. He’s having a crisis of faith
4. He no longer believes and wants to make a statement

Why don’t you ask him?

Betsy

 

[MusicMan]

1. He forgot

Would give the benefit of the doubt the first time.

1. A misguided attempt to save time

After that would probably draw this conclusion.

Why don’t you ask him?

Always a wise course of action.

 

[Phemie]

I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that he omitted the responsorial Creed during a baptism! Did he dispense other parts of the Rite also? I’d say he’s trying to save time.

It’s interesting. We had 3 baptisms on Sunday and I knew Fr. was concerned that it would take too long since our Mass is at 10 and then he has to drive 45 minutes to the Mission to celebrate their Mass at 12 and the weather was bad with blowing snow. He mentioned skipping the first and second reading and only reading the Gospel (yes, I cringed at the thought) but in the end we did all readings, Intercessions and the Litany. While we sang “Baptized in Water”, the children were taken to be dressed after the presentation of the white garment and then brought back for the presentation of the Light and the Ephpheta Rite. Mass was only 65 minutes. Fr. prayed the EP as reverently as he always does and didn’t rush anything.

 

[benedictgal]

Here is what the General Instruction on the Roman Missal (GIRM) notes:

The Profession of Faith

1. The purpose of the Symbolum or Profession of Faith, or Creed, is that the whole gathered people may respond to the word of God proclaimed in the readings taken from Sacred Scripture and explained in the homily and that they may also call to mind and confess the great mysteries of the faith by reciting the rule of faith in a formula approved for liturgical use, before these mysteries are celebrated in the Eucharist.

1. The Creed is to be sung or said by the priest together with the people on Sundays and Solemnities. It may be said also at particular celebrations of a more solemn character.

If it is sung, it is begun by the priest or, if this is appropriate, by a cantor or by the choir. It is sung, however, either by all together or by the people alternating with the choir.

If not sung, it is to be recited by all together or by two parts of the assembly responding one to the other

I hope this reference helps.

 

[toknowservelove]

Thanks for your replys.

As a socially inept person, how do I go about asking him? Do I just mention something after mass on the way out? Call and ask over the phone? Or would you suggest setting up a meeting? I’m really not good in confrontational situations, and sometimes I make things that shouldn’t be confrontational, like this, seem that way because I’m nervous and sort of blurt stuff out.

 

[baltobetsy]

Thanks for your replys.

As a socially inept person, how do I go about asking him? Do I just mention something after mass on the way out? Call and ask over the phone? Or would you suggest setting up a meeting? I’m really not good in confrontational situations, and sometimes I make things that shouldn’t be confrontational, like this, seem that way because I’m nervous and sort of blurt stuff out.

Ask your question in a respectful, friendly way after Mass one day. “Hi, Father. I’m kind of new in this area, and I noticed you do something different from the way I’m accustomed to it. Where I came from we said the Creed every week, but I notice we don’t say it here. Can you help me understand why?” Then, whatever he says, thank him and wish him a good day. That way, you won’t get labeled a troublemaker from the start.

Betsy