The subject matter this week is Mass intentions and how they are handled when requests are made through our parish.
There is evidence that specific and general intentions were offered from the early days of the church as the Eucharist was celebrated. Tertullian (200) wrote that he offered "prayers and sacrifices" for a deceased one's spouse on the anniversary of their death. Historically, the faithful have given a monetary gift for a specific intention that normally is given to the priest for his support and as a means for the person asking for a "Mass Intention" to make a sacrifice. Please note that since it is a "gift" there is no requirement to give anything for a Mass intention. Neither the Church nor the priest is "charging" for the Mass to be offered for that intention.
The challenge for our parish is to try to satisfy the many requests we get for Mass intentions for living or deceased persons or for specific needs. While we want to try to satisfy requests for a certain date for the death anniversary of a person or a birthday remembrance for a person who has died or is deceased (or a wedding anniversary of a living couple), we have to allow for other Masses to be said by a variety of people who ask for them. We may have to send some of those intentions to other priests in Arkansas who are needy for intentions for the daily Masses they celebrate. The Church also says that we MUST send Mass intentions off if that can't be said in a timely manner (within four months of when they are requested) especially when it is offered for the happy repose of someone's soul. Death anniversaries might be the exception to this. If more than one "anniversary" is requested, we can do both intentions at that one Mass and the priest can only accept one donation with the other being sent to the Diocesan Clergy Welfare Fund which supports our sick and retired priests. Gina, our parish secretary will not be able to tell you when the Mass being requested will be offered (except if it is for an anniversary or birthday) or even if it will be offered here if multiple Masses are being requested. Finally, our diocese has approved $10 as a suggested gift for a Mass intention though more or less can be given for that intention. If you want to give let's say $50 and have 5 Masses for the same person, then expect that some of those may have to be sent (with the corresponding monetary gift) to other priests.
I am impressed that so many Masses are requested at our parish. It speaks to and about those who recognize the spiritual benefits that are afforded to those for whom Masses are being offered. We ask your patience and understanding as we try to satisfy the requests that are made here.
There is evidence that specific and general intentions were offered from the early days of the church as the Eucharist was celebrated. Tertullian (200) wrote that he offered "prayers and sacrifices" for a deceased one's spouse on the anniversary of their death. Historically, the faithful have given a monetary gift for a specific intention that normally is given to the priest for his support and as a means for the person asking for a "Mass Intention" to make a sacrifice. Please note that since it is a "gift" there is no requirement to give anything for a Mass intention. Neither the Church nor the priest is "charging" for the Mass to be offered for that intention.
The challenge for our parish is to try to satisfy the many requests we get for Mass intentions for living or deceased persons or for specific needs. While we want to try to satisfy requests for a certain date for the death anniversary of a person or a birthday remembrance for a person who has died or is deceased (or a wedding anniversary of a living couple), we have to allow for other Masses to be said by a variety of people who ask for them. We may have to send some of those intentions to other priests in Arkansas who are needy for intentions for the daily Masses they celebrate. The Church also says that we MUST send Mass intentions off if that can't be said in a timely manner (within four months of when they are requested) especially when it is offered for the happy repose of someone's soul. Death anniversaries might be the exception to this. If more than one "anniversary" is requested, we can do both intentions at that one Mass and the priest can only accept one donation with the other being sent to the Diocesan Clergy Welfare Fund which supports our sick and retired priests. Gina, our parish secretary will not be able to tell you when the Mass being requested will be offered (except if it is for an anniversary or birthday) or even if it will be offered here if multiple Masses are being requested. Finally, our diocese has approved $10 as a suggested gift for a Mass intention though more or less can be given for that intention. If you want to give let's say $50 and have 5 Masses for the same person, then expect that some of those may have to be sent (with the corresponding monetary gift) to other priests.
I am impressed that so many Masses are requested at our parish. It speaks to and about those who recognize the spiritual benefits that are afforded to those for whom Masses are being offered. We ask your patience and understanding as we try to satisfy the requests that are made here.