It is the practice of our Catholic faith community to pray for the faithful departed. At Masses which have been designated, we can commend our deceased loved one to God’s care in a special way. When a request is made that a deceased loved one be remembered at a Mass, those making the request are informed of the date and time. The priest presider incorporates the intention as his own special intention(s) at that Mass.
PRIEST REMEMBERS YOUR INTENTION
The New Prague Area Catholic Community, with three sites of worship, publishes a list of the priests’ Mass intentions in our weekly parish bulletin. In a large parish such as ours, there are several possible situations which could force a change of plans for remembering a scheduled special intention. Such situations could include a funeral, the illness of a priest, communion services without a priest, etc. and can cause the intention to be rescheduled. The rescheduled intention will be celebrated as close to the previously scheduled date as possible.
PLEASE NOTE
There can develop a theological misunderstanding about a Mass stipend being given for a “special intention.” Some might wrongly think that special personal favors have been “bought” by giving a Mass stipend regardless of other persons with their own intentions who are participating in the same Mass. Christian understanding would not have us view stipends as in some way “controlling” the spiritual benefits of the Mass for some intentions and not for others. We want all parishioners to know that the intentions of everyone in the assembly at a Mass are joined together with the intentions of the priest at all Masses.
SPECIAL INTENTION
How then is the Mass intention for your loved one special? It is special in that the priest remembers the intention of those who have made a special request with the Mass stipend as his own particular intention during the Mass which has been designated.
A PRAISEWORTHY PRACTICE
The practice of requesting special intentions and giving Mass stipends is praiseworthy when properly understood.
All money generated by Mass stipends belongs to the parish. They are NOT given to the priest unless the presiding priest is a retired guest priest.