Mass Intentions
What are mass intentions?
When a priest offers Holy Mass, he has three intentions:
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First, to offer the Mass reverently and validly in accord with the norms of the Church.
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Second, to offer the Mass in union with the whole Church and for the good of the whole Church.
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Third, to offer the Mass for a particular intention, such as "in honor of" or "in memory of" someone by name at a specific mass time on a specific date.
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Guidelines for Mass Intentions
1. Universal Church discipline as contained in canons 945 – 958 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law strictly regulates the offerings made for the celebration of Mass.
2. A Mass intention may be requested for a Mass for: a deceased loved one; a living person who is sick or suffering; a living person who is celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special moment in their life; in thanksgiving to God (including the Lord Jesus or the Holy Spirit); in thanksgiving for a prayer from a Blessed or a Saint; or for a prayer intention (so long as the intention does not contradict Church teaching).
3. A Mass intention may not be requested for a prayer intention that contradicts Catholic moral doctrine.
4. Lengthy intention listings cannot be published in the Bulletin and must be edited for the sake of brevity. Since the purpose of publishing the intention in the Bulletin is to notify the family and friends of the intention, we suggest the omission of middle initials, titles, etc. Each intention is limited to either two names or one group. Please be sure to indicate if the person for whom the Mass is requested is living or dead.
5. Requests will be honored on a first-come, first serve basis in the order in which the request is received at the Parish Office.
6. A $10 stipend, as determined by diocesan policy, is to accompany each Mass request. Intentions will not be recorded until the stipend is received. Canon Law requires that all stipends taken for Mass Intentions be said for the intention as designated.
7. Please note that Mass intentions may be requested for Sundays, most holiday and weekdays throughout the year. Mass intentions cannot be scheduled for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, or All Souls Day (November 2). One Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation must be scheduled for the intentions of our parishioners known as Pro Populo (For the People) as required by Canon Law. Scheduling of multiple ‘stipend’ intentions for one Mass is prohibited by Canon Law.
8. Announced Mass requests will be granted as close to the requested date and time as possible. If it is not possible to comply with the primary request, the next closest date and time will be scheduled. Unannounced Masses will be said in the order they are received but will take into consideration the nature of the request such as for someone who is facing a sudden gravity of illness, crisis for which immediate pray is needed. These will be determined by the discretion of the parish priests.
9. The schedule of Mass intentions is subject to change according to the Mass schedule and there is no promise that they will be said on the scheduled day due to priest illness, schedule change, diocesan obligation, etc. Attempt will be made to contact the concerned parties ahead of time, but that is not always possible.
10. Masses can be booked via email at tbalderas@lubbockolg.com.