What is a Mass Intention? It is a time honored Catholic tradition to have Masses said for a particular person and to provide Mass Cards to comfort relatives, friends and loved ones. We do this because our Catholic faith is centered on Mass and the Eucharist is where we come together for healing, forgiveness, and renewal in Christ. From the very beginnings of the Church, it was customary for the faithful to donate the bread and wine to be used in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. In time, offerings of money were substituted for the actual bread and wine. Money given in excess of what was necessary for the procuring of the bread and wine was used to assist the poor and, eventually, to support the clergy. Thus, is became customary for the priest to accept a “stipend” from the faithful in return for remembering a specific intention in the celebration of a Mass.
All Mass Intentions are voluntary offerings, since the Holy Eucharist is the universal prayer of all the church. The typical offering is ten dollars. The Code of Canon Law notes that the petitioner also benefits: “Christ’s faithful who make an offering so that Mass can be celebrated for their intention contribute to the good of the Church, and by that offering they share in the Church’s concern for the support of its ministers and its activities.” (Canon 946).
Canon law also states:
*The only obligation on the part of the priest is that the Mass intention be satisfied. This information– the date when the Mass intention was satisfied– should be recorded and kept on file for future reference.
*There is no obligation to announce the intention publicly before or during the Mass at any time, or in the Prayers of the Faithful.
*However, for the comfort of the living, and to give our parish family the opportunity to join their prayers to that of the Mass intention, the intention is announced publicly: 1) in a monthly schedule on the bulletin board in the church vestibule and 2) in a printable format on the parish website in the “Mass Intentions” section for those who wish to print it out.
In the past, the intention was announced from the altar before Mass; however, in light of the confusion and frustration caused by inadvertent omissions and incorrect intentions being announced, all Mass intentions will be announced publicly in the manner listed above. Thank you for your patience and your cooperation.