No Daily Masses

[philothea]

In searching for areas to possibly buy a new house in, I have looked into many parishes.

I am rather perplexed at one parish, that has three priests and two deacons, and is in a very populous area.... and has not a single daily mass (except holy days).

Maybe I misunderstand, but wouldn't priests [i]want[/i] to offer a daily mass? Even if hardly anyone shows up? Isn't it important for.... everything?

Edited July 25, 2005 by philothea

[ofpheritup]

[quote name='philothea' date='Jul 24 2005, 07:02 PM']I am rather perplexed at one parish, that has three priests and two deacons, and is in a very populous area.... and has not a single daily mass (except holy days).

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Scary isn't it? Have you asked them why? I would love to know what answer they give you.

[kateri05]

yea i don't GET priests like that. i'm like, what are you in this business for buddy?

[Guest Eremite]

That's weird. The old Polish parish that I grew up in is staffed by one priest, and it has daily Mass (and another Polish Mass on Wednesdays).

Mass and confession. The two most important duties a priest has on a day to day basis.

[cappie]

It has been the constant teaching of the Church that daily Mass should be celebrated in each church where there is a resident priest. The Code of Canon Law does not make it compulsory but the intent is that there would have to be a serious reason not to celebrate. The Popes have certainly encouraged it as set out in just 2 quotes from Paul VI and John Paul II

Canon Law
Can. 904 Remembering always that in the mystery of the eucharistic Sacrifice the work of redemption is continually being carried out, priests are to celebrate frequently. Indeed, daily celebration is earnestly recommended, because, even if it should not be possible to have the faithful present, it is an action of Christ and of the Church in which priests fulfil their principal role.

MYSTERIUM FIDEI
ENCYCLICAL OF POPE PAUL VI
ON THE HOLY EUCHARIST
SEPTEMBER 3, 1965


Both Sacrifice and Sacrament Highlighted
5. These words highlight both the sacrifice, which pertains to the essence of the [b]Mass that is celebrated daily[/b], and the sacrament in which those who participate in it through holy Communion eat the flesh of Christ and drink the blood of Christ, and thus receive grace, which is the beginning of eternal life, and the "medicine of immortality" according to Our Lord's words: "The man who eats my flesh and drinks my blood enjoys eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." (2)

No Mass is "Private"
32. It is also only fitting for us to recall the conclusion that can be drawn from this about "the public and social nature of each and every Mass." (28) For each and every Mass is not something private, even if a priest celebrates it privately; instead, it is an act of Christ and of the Church. In offering this sacrifice, the Church learns to offer herself as a sacrifice for all and she applies the unique and infinite redemptive power of the sacrifice of the Cross to the salvation of the whole world. For every Mass that is celebrated is being offered not just for the salvation of certain people, but also for the salvation of the whole world. The conclusion from this is that even though active participation by many faithful is of its very nature particularly fitting when Mass is celebrated, still there is no reason to criticize but rather only to approve a Mass that a priest celebrates privately for a good reason in accordance with the regulations and legitimate traditions of the Church, even when only a server to make the responses is present. For such a Mass brings a rich and abundant treasure of special graces to help the priest himself, the faithful, the whole Church and the whole world toward salvation—and this same abundance of graces is not gained through mere reception of Holy Communion.
33. And so, We recommend from a paternal and solicitous heart that priests, who constitute Our greatest joy and Our crown in the Lord, be mindful of the power they have received from the bishop who ordained them—the power of offering sacrifice to God and of celebrating Mass for the living and for the dead in the name of the Lord. (79) [b]We recommend that they celebrate Mass daily in a worthy and devout fashion[/b], so that they themselves and the rest of the faithful may enjoy the benefits that flow in such abundance from the Sacrifice of the Cross. In doing so, they will also be making a great contribution toward the salvation of mankind.


ADDRESS OF POPE JOHN PAUL II
TO THE CLERGY OF ROME
Thursday, 13 February 1997

The priest’s continuing formation is a way to keep alive in us the gift and mystery of our vocation. It is a gift that infinitely surpasses us and is a mystery of divine choice: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide” (Jn 15:16). We must be grateful to God for the gift of our vocation and express this gratitude in our ministerial service, which is concretely the daily offering of our life. Our Eucharist is at the origin and centre of all this: [b]daily Mass which is the most important moment of our day and the centre of our life,[/b] for in celebrating it, we touch the heart of the mystery of salvation in which our priesthood is rooted and our ministerial service nourished.

[kateri05]

oh but they might have more important things to do like plan for the next liturgy committee meeting, or parish finance council or community building or their local interfaith organization. they're just too busy for daily mass, thats for old fashioned catholics.













sigh. sometimes american just makes me sad

[MilesChristi]

I've never encountered a Roman Catholic church that didn't offer at least one daily Holy Mass.

Very strange...

[philothea]

Thanks, Cappie (and everyone). I am glad it's not just me that thinks this is wrong.

Schedule [url="http://www.cdop.org/about_us/facility_detail.cfm?facility_code=1482&link_back="]here[/url], if you're interested. Loads of Sunday masses... nothing during the week.

I haven't asked them why. I only went to the church once, years ago, and the building was closed. But it's the only parish covering a large area of Peoria... so this eliminates a lot of potential houses!

[the_rev]

[quote name='kateri05' date='Jul 24 2005, 09:32 PM']oh but they might have more important things to do like plan for the next liturgy committee meeting, or parish finance council or community building or their local interfaith organization.  they're just too busy for daily mass, thats for old fashioned catholics. 
sigh.  sometimes american just makes me sad
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Maybe their out on the golf course!

[Birgitta Noel]

Philothea,

Are you talking about St. Vincent de Paul? I know they have a daily mass cause a number of my friends attend it....

[Birgitta Noel]

Ok, maybe I'm lying. I'll email them and see what the deal is. They USED to have daily mass. Masstimes.org indicates that they have daily mass at 6:30a and 8:00a...

Peoria also isn't that big of a city! There are numerous daily masses all within a 15min drive of wherever you live!

[philothea]

All I know is there isn't one on the diocese schedule. It seems really strange!

[kateri05]

oh you should really call the parish then cuz those diocese schedules are shady : seriously, speaking as someone who works for the Church, they are really bad about updating websites for things like that! lol

[Birgitta Noel]

I wouldn't trust the dioecesan schedule. It could just be a typo. The holy day sched is strikingly familiar to the daily mass schedule (minus the pm mass) so that would be my guess....

I taught CCD there for three years and it was a solid parish. The priests that were there then are gone now and I haven't met the new ones....

[ofpheritup]

This is my mother's fault : she made me read when I was growing up.

Now I think that all priests should be like St. John Vianney (or at least try to be).

[CatholicAndFanatical]

This is the problem

Canon Law only 'suggests' it, not requires it.

Here in America there are some Priests that if given an option, wouldnt do what is right but rather what is easiest.

sad case indeed.

[cmotherofpirl]

I have never seen a Catholic church without daily Mass.

[Paladin D]

If I were a priest, I would offer mass 6 days of the week (have one day off to relax [b]and[/b] work on other things concerning the parish).

[zabbazooey]

It's the diocese website. If you look at any of the other parishes, none of them offer daily mass, either. I say call the church and find out for yourself...

[Lil Red]

[quote name='kateri05' date='Jul 24 2005, 09:23 PM']oh you should really call the parish then cuz those diocese schedules are shady :  seriously, speaking as someone who works for the Church, they are really bad about updating websites for things like that! lol
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amen to that! our's is like 6 months behind!