+ What is the purpose of "purchasing" Mass Intentions?

Though we often us the phrase, “to buy Masses for someone,” it is important to know that the Holy Mass is, of course, not purchased. This would be the sin of simony; that is, the sin of trafficking in holy things. Rather, because we believe the Mass makes present again the most effective and fruitful Sacrifice of Our Lord, we also believe that the graces of this Sacrifice can and should be applied to particular purposes, or intentions. We also believe that we can and should participate in this Sacrifice, and so the exercise of making an offering to participate in and apply the graces of this Sacrifice is a very commendable one. For more on this, we recommend watching the video produced by Rev. Andre Metrejean of Our Lady of Lourdes in Erath, which can be found here: https://www.ololcatholic.com/mass-intentions-explained

+ What is the difference between a "Mass Intention" and a "Mass Offering"?

These two phrases are often used interchangeably, but there is a distinction. A Mass Intention is, just as the name implies, a person or situation for which one is praying and, in this case, applying the graces of the Mass. Anyone, strictly speaking, who actively participates in the Mass can and should have one or many intentions for that Mass, and of course this is particularly true of the priest. The graces of any single Mass are infinite – though our participation is limited –and so there is no real limit on the intentions for which we can offer the Mass, provided they are in accord with God’s will. AMass Offering, on the other hand, is the offering made, in union with the Sacrifice, for a particular intention, and because the Church is very vigilant to ensure that a Mass is applied to the Intention for which an offering is given, it is often also called a Mass Intention. To make matters more confusing, there are limits on these Mass Offerings.

+ Why do these funds not go towards benefitting the Parish?

In addition to contributing one’s own sacrifice to the Sacrifice of the Mass, the Mass Offering is also a way we can “contribute to the good of the Church” and “share its concern to support its ministers and its works.” (Can. 946) We certainly cannot sell the holy things of the Church; on the other hand, “the laborer deserves his wages,” (Dt. 25:4; 1 Tim 5:18) and the Mass Offering has always been a way for the faithful to respond to St. Paul’s admonition to provide for the needs of the Church’s ministers (cf. 2 Thess 3:7-10; 1 Tim 5:17-18; 1 Cor. 9:9-14). For a long time, the freewill offering given to a priest made up a considerable portion of his income. As a matter of fact, this is still frequently true in poorer parts of the world.

+ Why is there a limit on the celebrant only receiving one stipent (Intention) per day?

When limited and regulated, Mass Offerings are indeed a legitimate contribution to a priest’s wages or other needs of the church, but it is not difficult to see how this exercise can be abused and easily devolve into a “trafficking or trading” of prayers, i.e. simony, or at least appear to be such. Considering that the priests of the Diocese of Lafayette already have an established income from the parish, the local regulation is that a priest can receive only one (1) five dollar ($5.00) stipend per day.As for any intentions received over and above what the priest can fulfill, they cannot remain within the parish, but must either be sent to other priests who can fulfill the intention (preferred) or be applied by the Diocese for some other fund but only under very restrictive conditions. Ideally, the priest would only accept those Intentions which he himself can fulfill; that is, only one per Mass.

+ Why so complicated? Why are these different methods of distribution for different days?

As is often the case, complication is the product of compromise. The clearest and simplest way to clarify this practice and free it from any semblance of abuse would indeed be to limit our acceptance of intentions to only one per Mass, and it is in fact our intention to gradually do so. However, because this is such a deeply ingrained practice in our community, and because our community has so recently lost many of our loved ones, it would be imprudent to radically change the practice now. Therefore, we will continue to disperse Mass Offerings, along with their Intentions, as we have always done. We also use a variety of methods to disburse these intentions. A more normal way would indeed be to use the method of group intentions, which transfers the offerings to other priests who will fulfill the intention by their celebration of Mass. However, if this method is too heavily used, there can arise some doubt as to how faithfully these intentions are fulfilled by these other priests. The method of a collective intention, which fulfills many intentions with one Mass and transfers the remaining offerings to the Diocese’s fund for needy parishes, becomes more sensible, even if we are limited to two such Masses for each of our parishes. It is helpful to note that our own St. Catherine’s is one of those parishes which benefits from this fund.

+ If my intention is grouped with other intentions, or if it is going to be fulfilled by a priest outside of the parish, is the celebrant still praying for my intention?

Yes! Again, while there are limits on the offering paid to a celebrant for the Mass, there are no limits on Mass Intentions. The celebrant still prayerfully reads through the list of names for an individual Mass and brings them with him in that celebration. As a matter of fact, prayers are always free! Anyone is invited to add any name to our prayer list. Even if our ability to print every name in the bulletin is limited, this list is frequently dispersed to our devoted prayer volunteers and to our pastor, who lift up these intentions at no cost.

+ Why is this being explained only now and not sooner?

In the course of a parish’s life, practices, habits, and devotions are frequently done without explanation, that is, simply because they have always been done. However; the current limitations on Masses, their attendance and their number, invites an opportunity for us to revisit and explain this practice.As more people realize that the offerings given for Mass Intentions do not go toward helping our own parish church; that having more than one Mass Offering/Mass Intention for a Mass is really an abuse of this otherwise commendable exercise; and that there are other ways of donating to the church in someone’s memory, we hope that this practice will be less frequently used.

+ I have someone whom I want the Church to pray for, but Mass Offerings have already been given for the days I would be interested i, and I don't feel comfortable with this practice of multiple intentions. What should I do?

Give us a call and we will happily add your loved one’s name to the prayer list. There is no charge for this service – we pray for free! We only ask that you keep us reasonably updated as the intention’s situation develops so we can update our prayer list accordingly.

+ I want to make a donation to the parish in someone;s memory, but now that I see that Mass Offerings do not go toward benefitting my parish, I's like another option. What are my choices?

There are a couple of options here. The parish is changing its policy regarding donations given for the sanctuary lamp. Understanding that these donations are not literally given to pay only for the cost of a candle but to help the church’s operating expense in general, there will no longer be a limit on the number of people who can give for the sanctuary lamp. With a standard gift of $5.00, their names will be printed in the bulletin (limit three names per gift) under the heading, “In Memory of Those in Whose Name a Donation has been Given, the Sanctuary Lamp burns for:”In this way, rather than there being a semblance of prayers being made in exchange for money, there is here simply recognition of a loved one for whom an offering is made, and this offering still stands in some connection with the sacrifice of the Mass. Of course, the pastor, and many of the parishioners, will still pray for the names listed, but only in gratitude for an offering made, not in exchange for it. Another option would be to contribute to a project within the parish in someone’s memory. While it may be tempting to go out yourself and purchase an item for the church’s use, say a holy image, or something for the Mass, it is always best to contact the office first to make sure there is actually a need for such an item and that it is appropriately chosen. The best option is to contact the parish first; we almost always have a running list of improvements that need to be made, and we are happy to find a way to inscribe your loved one’s name on those projects.