Priest Refuses to Say a Mass

blondie7

Hi all

I run a Catholic youth organisation and i am after contacting the local priest to say our annual Mass, and he refused because its a Friday night (the night our group meets and the only night the kids are all free) he says he is too busy on Friday nights.

And i thought the Catholic Church were trying to encourage people back to mass. Im so annoyed over him and his attitude. Its priests like this that put people off going to Mass, i for one will not be attending his church again!

If i can get another priest from a different parish can he refuse to let me have the mass in the church?

Taltos

Maybe you need to consider your own attitude?
Hardly a good example to set for the young people. The priest was just being honest with you - clearly he has other items on for Friday that he cannot change.

Just because he is a priest and a servant of the church does not mean that he is obliged to drop everything anytime he is asked to host a special mass.
What about giving more notice, requesting a blessing at a different time or seeing if some other compromise could be reached?

blondie7

My attitude, he is the very priest who refused us a chaplain because he claimed we didnt need one. I gave him eight weeks notice and was told he goes out every Friday night. Not to mention it is the First Friday of the month and i thought most churches have mass on this night. So i thought i was being considerate actually!

Oh and by the way the organisation has been having masses there every year on a Friday night since 1994!

Taltos

blondie7 wrote: »

My attitude, he is the very priest who refused us a chaplain because he claimed we didnt need one. I gave him eight weeks notice and was told he goes out every Friday night. Not to mention it is the First Friday of the month and i thought most churches have mass on this night. So i thought i was being considerate actually!

Oh and by the way the organisation has been having masses there every year on a Friday night since 1994!

All of which would have been fantastic to have included in your first post OP. Leaving pertinent details out makes it difficult to really advise you.
Maybe take some time to work through your anger before reaching back out to him, never a good place to work from, immediately puts you on the back foot and the other person on the defensive and less likely to help you.

Just go through the points you have with me and ask him for any assistance he can offer - including allowing someone else to give the mass.

PDN

Perhaps one of the things that turns people away from the faith is having youth leaders who throw their rattle out of the pram when everybody else doesn't do things exactly at the time that suits them. The OP does come across as extremely immature.

gimmebroadband

PDN wrote: »

Perhaps one of the things that turns people away from the faith is having youth leaders who throw their rattle out of the pram when everybody else doesn't do things exactly at the time that suits them. The OP does come across as extremely immature.

With many priests being aged and very few vocations, the workload of priests have increased considerably. I know of some priests in my parish who visit the old and sick on the 1st Fridays of the month!

blondie7

PDN wrote: »

Perhaps one of the things that turns people away from the faith is having youth leaders who throw their rattle out of the pram when everybody else doesn't do things exactly at the time that suits them. The OP does come across as extremely immature.

Excuse me im not immature, we have this event every year and the kids look forward to it. Now im left having to cancel the event as the only evening we can have it is a Friday. The kids are going to be gutted, as they organise everything the only thing i have to do is book the Church and the Community Centre. They organise everything else. We also purchased a new vehicle that we want to get blessed and was hoping to have this done on the same evening but this cant be done now either.

I have contacted the priest again and asked him would it be possible to have another priest say the mass as ive found a priest from another parish who would be willing to do it. But the priest refuses to have the church opened as he would not be present.

My only other solution would be to have the mass in the community Centre but to be honest i wouldnt have a clue how to arrange this. Where would i source everything???

And im not throwing my rattle out of the pram im merely trying to organise a special mass that we have every year and this new priest thinks its ok to speak to people like there dirt. Ive never come across a priest with such an attitude in my life. I can understand why people have stopped going to his masses and have started going to a nearby parish instead, if this is the way he speaks to everyone.

And the question im looking for an answer to is can he prevent us from having the mass there if another priest is willing to say the mass for us?

Taltos

blondie7 wrote: »

And the question im looking for an answer to is can he prevent us from having the mass there if another priest is willing to say the mass for us?

OP - this is all coming across as very confrontational I am afraid.

I can understand his unwillingness to leave the church open while he is not there, with the way our society is now I would be terrified if I were him at what he could come back to.

However - there is NOTHING to prevent your alternate priest giving a mass in the community center.
In terms of what you need - ask this priest
Chances are he will bring the sacrament with him, he just may need a small table, or a space to prepare beforehand.

Who knows - this alternate priest may have some other ideas - if the weather is good you could even hold this mass outside.

Taltos

PDN wrote: »

Perhaps one of the things that turns people away from the faith is having folk who throw their rattle out of the pram when everybody else doesn't do things exactly at the time that suits them.

Fixed that for you
It is one of the many things but by no means the only thing.

alex73

blondie7 wrote: »

Excuse me im not immature, we have this event every year and the kids look forward to it. Now im left having to cancel the event as the only evening we can have it is a Friday. The kids are going to be gutted, as they organise everything the only thing i have to do is book the Church and the Community Centre. They organise everything else. We also purchased a new vehicle that we want to get blessed and was hoping to have this done on the same evening but this cant be done now either.

I have contacted the priest again and asked him would it be possible to have another priest say the mass as ive found a priest from another parish who would be willing to do it. But the priest refuses to have the church opened as he would not be present.

My only other solution would be to have the mass in the community Centre but to be honest i wouldnt have a clue how to arrange this. Where would i source everything???

And im not throwing my rattle out of the pram im merely trying to organise a special mass that we have every year and this new priest thinks its ok to speak to people like there dirt. Ive never come across a priest with such an attitude in my life. I can understand why people have stopped going to his masses and have started going to a nearby parish instead, if this is the way he speaks to everyone.

And the question im looking for an answer to is can he prevent us from having the mass there if another priest is willing to say the mass for us?

Where are you located, I can contact someone who may be able to say mass if you are near Dublin, Cork or Sligo?

Zombrex

blondie7 wrote: »

Excuse me im not immature, we have this event every year and the kids look forward to it. Now im left having to cancel the event as the only evening we can have it is a Friday. The kids are going to be gutted, as they organise everything the only thing i have to do is book the Church and the Community Centre. They organise everything else. We also purchased a new vehicle that we want to get blessed and was hoping to have this done on the same evening but this cant be done now either.

I have contacted the priest again and asked him would it be possible to have another priest say the mass as ive found a priest from another parish who would be willing to do it. But the priest refuses to have the church opened as he would not be present.

My only other solution would be to have the mass in the community Centre but to be honest i wouldnt have a clue how to arrange this. Where would i source everything???

And im not throwing my rattle out of the pram im merely trying to organise a special mass that we have every year and this new priest thinks its ok to speak to people like there dirt. Ive never come across a priest with such an attitude in my life. I can understand why people have stopped going to his masses and have started going to a nearby parish instead, if this is the way he speaks to everyone.

And the question im looking for an answer to is can he prevent us from having the mass there if another priest is willing to say the mass for us?

You can only have it on one day but you think it is unreasonable of the priest to be already be unavailable that day?

It seems the inflexibility of your own organisation is at a fault here, not the priest. Since you have a rigid time table it is some what silly to expect that others won't.

It reminds me of a friend of mine who wanted her 30th in another friend house (it is a large beautiful house) but was told that he couldn't accommodate her on the day she wanted. She was rather annoyed at this, I'm guessing cause she had assumed it would be a given, and asked could he move what he was doing around. He said no. He then asked her if she could move what she was doing around.

Without any hint of irony she said Of course not don't be stupid. She refused to even entertain the idea of moving her date, but had no issue at all expecting him to move his dates. In her head her party was much more important than anything he might be doing.

People always think the thing they are doing is the most important thing, but can't see how others would feel equally strong about their own.

Find another day that the priest can do the mass and then move your dates.

Morag

I don't think your expectations are wrong at all blondie7, esp as its a catholic youth group and you'd expect the local parish priest to be supportive.

ISAW

blondie7 wrote: »

Oh and by the way the organisation has been having masses there every year on a Friday night since 1994!

Some suggestions.

1. Get your group to turn up on Sunday. There is abound to be a Mass on.

2. Get one of the priests who was saying the masses every Friday since 1994 or another priest who is available to turn up Friday. I'm sure the priest that is busy will happily allow another priest who is available to say Mass there.

ISAW

blondie7 wrote: »

Excuse me im not immature, we have this event every year and the kids look forward to it. Now im left having to cancel the event as the only evening we can have it is a Friday. The kids are going to be gutted, as they organise everything the only thing i have to do is book the Church and the Community Centre. They organise everything else. We also purchased a new vehicle that we want to get blessed and was hoping to have this done on the same evening but this cant be done now either.

Why not have the event without the Mass and vehicle blessing?

I have contacted the priest again and asked him would it be possible to have another priest say the mass as ive found a priest from another parish who would be willing to do it. But the priest refuses to have the church opened as he would not be present.

What reason dose he give?
If it is insurance you surely have that covered?
Is it against a new policy e.g. Child Protection which requires the Priest or someone else to be present?
Is it the cost of heat/lights?
Whatever it is get a comprehensive list . I mean ask the priest that "other then you being there is ther any other reason why the Church can't be opened?"
Is he the Parish priest?
If he isn't go and ask the Parish Priest what the reason is?
So you must get the whole issue down to a complete list of reasons why the Mass cannot happen on that Friday.
After eliminating all policy and legal and cost considerations if the only reason left is that he is not present and you have already secured a Priest.


You come across as slightly arrogant so I suggest you don't threaten to come the heavy on this priest. Just calmly ask him if it seems reasonable to deny children the Sacraments
when you have another priest available?

If it is a question of just the building then Im sure he has no problem in another Priest using the Community centre.

My only other solution would be to have the mass in the community Centre but to be honest i wouldnt have a clue how to arrange this. Where would i source everything???

Your Priest who offered to say the Mass will tell you. You don't have to source anything much. He can supply hosts and wine and bring his own chalice and or suborium. Just tell him how many people will attend. Maybe a jug of water and a bowl and a towel for washing hands?

And im not throwing my rattle out of the pram im merely trying to organise a special mass that we have every year and this new priest thinks its ok to speak to people like there dirt. Ive never come across a priest with such an attitude in my life. I can understand why people have stopped going to his masses and have started going to a nearby parish instead, if this is the way he speaks to everyone.

Oh have some Charity.
The community center Mass seems the most reasonable answer. But do tell the priest that in advance and tell him you find his lack of charity unreasonable and you intend to bring it to the attention of the Bishop or Episcopal Vicar.

And the question I'm looking for an answer to is can he prevent us from having the mass there if another priest is willing to say the mass for us?

In the church if he is the parish priest - yes!

Otherwise

Can. 932 §1. The eucharistic celebration is to be carried out in a sacred place unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise; in such a case the celebration must be done in a decent place.

Which you have to do since the Church is denied.

§2. The eucharistic sacrifice must be carried out on a dedicated or blessed altar; outside a sacred place a suitable table can be used, always with a cloth and a corporal.

Which your backup Priest can tell you about.

Can. 903 A priest is to be permitted to celebrate even if the rector of the church does not know him, provided that either he presents a letter of introduction from his ordinary or superior, issued at least within the year, or it can be judged prudently that he is not impeded from celebrating.

Really applies to the church but if he is a Parish Priest in some diocese visiting Priests are bound to tell him. It is a matter of form that the Bishop issue the letter
Maybe you can in fact ask the Priest even though you don't see why it is necessary to lock the Church, you have arranged for a Mass in the community center and is he happy not to object to you having a Mass in the community center?

If he isn't happy then and I would suggest only then ask does he expect a visiting priest to supply a letter of introduction from his local ordinary as a matter of form under Can. 903?

If he expects such a letter make sure your backup guy has one.

To ascertain if your local Diocese has local rules you would have to name the Diocese or contact them yourself.

Ask the backup Priest if you have a case that it is unfair and whether you should go so far as to contact the Bishop or Vicar General or episcopal vicar because it seems that people are being denied a sacrament without a valid reason or whether you simply just need to contact the backup priests Bishop to supply the backup with a letter of introduction covering canon 903?

hotmail.com

What exactly is a Catholic Youth Organisation? What good is mass for the youth?

Fanny Cradock

hotmail.com wrote: »

What good is mass for the youth?

It's rather pointless asking rhetorical questions.

But on the off chance that you really can't imagine an answer, I suggest you pretend for a moment that you believe in a God worthy of your attention. Now ask your question.

hotmail.com

Fanny Cradock wrote: »

It's rather pointless asking rhetorical questions.

But on the off chance that you really can't imagine an answer, I suggest you pretend for a moment that you believe in a God worthy of your attention. Now ask your question.

But even if you believe in a god, what good is mass?

alex73

hotmail.com wrote: »

But even if you believe in a god, what good is mass?

<< Luke 22:19 >>

hotmail.com

alex73 wrote: »

<< Luke 22:19 >>

Can you not make your own mind up without quoting a bible reference?

alex73

hotmail.com wrote: »

Can you not make your own mind up without quoting a bible reference?

2 Thessalonians 3:6

Fanny Cradock

hotmail.com wrote: »

But even if you believe in a god, what good is mass?

Are you asking a question? Or is it that you're really only implying that being part of a religious community is without benefit? I have to ask for this clarification because of the nature of your posts on this forum.

Religious service is important - at least to my mind - for at least two reasons.

1) Because God is by definition worthy of our deepest attentions (not exactly easy, I admit)

2) Because it is good for us to be part of a faith community (something I know all too well) that is focused however imperfectly upon this same God.

Spacedog

forgive him

Fanny Cradock

hotmail.com wrote: »

Can you not make your own mind up without quoting a bible reference?

The Bible is central to Christianity. You are in the Christianity forum. If you don't like people quoting verses then I suggest you don't ask questions. Alternatively you can show yourself to the door thata way --->

One of the things we ask of posters is that they try their darnedest to leave the conversation stopping presuppositions at the door. Your blind and sweeping assertion stops debate. Read the charter. Stick by it.

Now let's see if we can't all tone down the belligerence a notch.

Amateurish

hotmail.com wrote: »

But even if you believe in a god, what good is mass?

At its most honest level, mass to me is acknowledging that somebody somewhere for some reason felt that I was worth dying for. Whether Jesus was the Son of God made man or a bipolar carpenter I feel that is worth 35 minutes a week, its carried me through some tough times.

hotmail.com

Amateurish wrote: »

At its most honest level, mass to me is acknowledging that somebody somewhere for some reason felt that I was worth dying for. Whether Jesus was the Son of God made man or a bipolar carpenter I feel that is worth 35 minutes a week, its carried me through some tough times.

And you physically have to go to a church for those 35 minutes? You can't do that at home?

hotmail.com

Fanny Cradock wrote: »

The Bible is central to Christianity. You are in the Christianity forum. If you don't like people quoting verses then I suggest you don't ask questions. Alternatively you can show yourself to the door thata way --->

One of the things we ask of posters is that they try their darnedest to leave the conversation stopping presuppositions at the door. Your blind and sweeping assertion stops debate. Read the charter. Stick by it.

Now let's see if we can't all tone down the belligerence a notch.

I get that the bible is important to Christians, but it's not above criticism and comment.

tfitzgerald

Get another priest to say the mass he will bring everything he needs with him . The priest That refused to say the mass and those like him are making it harder and harder tovstand up for the church

Amateurish

hotmail.com wrote: »

And you physically have to go to a church for those 35 minutes? You can't do that at home?

Of course I could do it at home but trying to minimise how much I have to do to acknowledge something is kinda missing the point. I give more time to making coffee everyday. 35 min ain't much.

ISAW

hotmail.com wrote: »

Can you not make your own mind up without quoting a bible reference?

Can you answer a question in any field without using any reference to any prior work or experience in that field?

ISAW

hotmail.com wrote: »

And you physically have to go to a church for those 35 minutes? You can't do that at home?

This depends on one's approach.
Muslims for example believe one should pray five times a day.
It is not essential for them to go to a Mosque or even to have Mosques.
Yet they still attend Mosques and build them.
It isn't essential but is central.

Now taking the Christian approach. Christians to different extents do/do not believe in Apostolic Succession or the sacrifice of the Mass or Transubstantiation so it would depend on the particular belief as to what the Mass is.

For "core" Christians ( Roman Catholics and associated groups in commune with them; ( over a billion) Orthodox and associated (400 million?) Anglicans and associated groups ( 100million?) and let us not go into a row about where you put certain denominations.

The point is for at least 1.5 billion the attendance at a church on Sunday is a central part of their practice.
When it comes to Roman Catholics in particular the Eucharist is considered to the the actual presence of God and for them is probably the central single core issue of their faith. This isn't to say Orthodox or Anglicans don't have similar beliefs but to use a rule of thumb Anglicans lean more towards the word and Orthodox to the Holy Spirit and RC to the body of Christ.

Do you not see how "do this in memory of me" or "follow me" which they believe were words spoken by Christ himself is significant to Christians?

ISAW

hotmail.com wrote: »

I get that the bible is important to Christians, but it's not above criticism and comment.

Maybe you are ignorant of the Mass Liturgy.
The "Mass" ( I assume the OP is Roman Catholic) isn't only about the Bible ( liturgy of the word)
The other part is called the Liturgy of the Eucharist
http://www.ourcatholicfaith.org/mass/eucharist.html