ptl@fluke.UUCP (Mike Andrews) (01/28/86)
*** Apparently we're having some problem at our site with news, so I'm *** *** reposting two articles that made a wild attempt at getting out of *** *** here last night. So if you receive these twice at your site ..., *** *** isn't modern science wonderful !? *** Hi, For those who've followed this short discussion, or for those interested, here's an instant replay --- In article <2630@cal-asd.fluke.UUCP> ptl@fluke.UUCP (Mike Andrews) writes: >>The Roman Catholic church doesn't consider the Mass to be killing >>Jesus again, only carrying out what Jesus said to do during the Last >>Supper account in Luke 22:17-20: "... Do this as a remembrance of me ..." In article <713@cylixd.UUCP> dave@cylixd.UUCP (Dave Kirby) writes: >I thought that would only refer to the Eucharist sacrament. Or does the >Mass revolve around the Lord's Supper, and thus is considered to be a >fulfillment of that command? The Eucharist is central to the Mass. Everything in the Mass leads up to, and follows from the Eucharist. Even in parishes where a priest can't be present for celebrating the Mass, a deacon or assigned person is provided with consecrated bread to distribute. When an ordained deacon is present, he will usually include everything done in a normal Mass except those things directly associated with the actual consecration as done only by a priest. As to how it's done in the mission fields, I'll need to find out. I do know these people may not see a priest for weeks or even months. And the consecrated bread wouldn't last that long - so I'll find out. God Bless, Mike Andrews -- ******************************************************************************* God says He is always with us, and will not leave us. ******************************************************************************* ARPA : fluke!ptl@uw-beaver.ARPA UUCP : {uw-beaver, sun, allegra, sb6, lbl-csam}!fluke!ptl
ptl@fluke.UUCP (Mike Andrews) (01/31/86)
Hi,
Talked to a priest about how the Eucharist is distributed in the
mission fields when a priest isn't available for weeks or even months.
He said that as the hosts are made of unleavened bread, they'll actually
last quite a while. So someone, say a deacon, would be able to distribute
Communion for some time. Should they run out of hosts before the priest
arrives, they'll generally have readings from the Bible.
For those unfamiliar with the Mass --- a normal Sunday Mass will include
singing, opening prayers, a reading from the Old Testament, followed
by a reading from the New Testament (but not the Gospels), then a
reading from one of the Gospels. The priest then speaks on the readings,
or on something important in the parish, the church in general, or the
local/world picture. Following this, the priest will consecrate the
bread and wine, which is later distributed. After Communion, the priest
or lector will have some closing remarks, usually having to do with
parish activities for the week, a final blessing is given and everyone
heads for the donuts and coffee, or the parking lot. Christians can be
viscious in the parking lot after services, so it's safer to head for
the donuts. Nothing better than sitting with hot chocolate in one hand
and donut in the other, talking with friends after Mass on a Sunday morning.
The Roman church follows what is called a three year cycle for the Gospel
readings - meaning that if someone went to Mass every Sunday for three years
straight, they'd literally hear all of the four Gospels read to them. Right
now we just entered into the third year of the cycle - reading from Luke and
John. John gets interspersed throughout all three years. Most large
parishes, and many small ones, have daily Mass besides. The Bible readings
each day are different. So, for those Roman Catholics who don't read
the Bible regularly, at least they'll hear it. :-)
God Bless,
Mike Andrews
P.S. But then you don't have to be Roman Catholic to attend Mass, you
don't even have to be Christian. And contrary to popular belief :-), we
do sing some songs written by Martin Luther, and many contemporary
songs. Most parishes have what's often referred to as a `guitar-Mass',
where songs that appeal more to younger people are sung; usually to
the accompanyment of guitars, piano, flute, even drums someplaces.
--
*******************************************************************************
God says He is always with us, and will never leave us.
*******************************************************************************
ARPA : fluke!ptl@uw-beaver.ARPA
UUCP : {uw-beaver, sun, allegra, sb6, lbl-csam}!fluke!ptl