Mass intentions policy for Saint Mark parish

Mass intentions policy, Saint Mark (Shoreline) – page 1 of 3

Mass intentions policy

for Saint Mark parish

At each Mass we pray for the Church universally and locally, for the living

and the dead. On Sundays and holy days of obligation, at least one Mass is

offered by every pastor for the people of his parish.

The offering of a

Mass for a requested intention is a centuries-old tradition of the Church,

dating back to the first centuries of Her history - especially in prayers

offered for the deceased.

At the same time, the Church carefully regulates Mass stipends to ensure

that “any appearance of trafficking or trading is to be excluded entirely

from the offering for Masses”.

As such, there are careful limits placed on

stipends and Mass intentions, both by canon law and the particular law of

the Archdiocese of Seattle.

It is edifying that many of the faithful at Saint Mark parish seek to have

Masses offered, usually for the benefit of their beloved dead. In light of the

consistent interest in making Mass intentions widely available and aware of

the limited availability of Masses (in general, a priest may only celebrate no

more than two Masses a day and three Masses on Sundays)

, this policy has

been formed to assist in guaranteeing that a wide number of parishioners

can have an opportunity to request Mass intentions through the year.

Please note: The guiding principles for this policy are fairness and justice,

with the goal of making the rich tradition of offering Masses for specific

intentions available to as many as possible.

Though discernment has gone into the formation of these policies, not

every circumstance can be anticipated. This document may be edited as

need arises or circumstances dictate.

Code of Canon Law, 534

Ibid, 947

See Code of Canon Law¸945 and Many Gifts, One Spirit, ‘Priestly Ministry’, PM 48

See Code of Canon Law, 905 and Many Gifts, One Spirit, ‘Priestly Ministry’, Appendix A, Section I

Mass intentions policy, Saint Mark (Shoreline) – page 2 of 3

The following are the policies for Mass intentions at Saint Mark parish:

Stipends

• The amount for stipends for Masses are set by the ordinary (the

bishop or archbishop). In the Archdiocese of Seattle, no amount has

been set. While donations are encouraged as a sacrificial offering and

in support of the ministry of the parish (a common offering is

between $5-$10) there is no minimum stipend. Any donation is

welcome and will be gratefully received.

Requesting Mass intentions

• Mass intentions must be personally made to the parish office.

 This may be done by phone or in person – requests may

not be made electronically or through a proxy

o Mass intentions must be for one of the following:

 a specific person (living or deceased)

 a specific couple/group of people

 a general intention that applies to people living or

deceased.

o For purposes of privacy, Mass intentions will only name the

person, couple, group, or general intention.

• Mass intentions may only be requested within the current quarter/3-

month period. Intentions for the upcoming 3-month period may be

requested the month before that period begins:

 January-March – opens in December

 April-June – opens in March

 July-September – opens in June

 October-December – opens in September

Days and dates for Mass intentions

• Mass intention dates will be assigned by the parish office

o Dates are usually assigned at the time a request is made and are

shared immediately (or as soon as possible) with the person

making the request

Mass intentions policy, Saint Mark (Shoreline) – page 3 of 3

• If a specific date or days of the week is desired, it must be submitted

for approval at least a month before the desired date AND be

approved by the pastor or a staff member

o Requests for specific dates or days of the week are limited to a

maximum of four times in a calendar year

o These requests may include dates outside of the 3-month

period (ie, an anniversary of death, wedding, or other special

date or day)

• If a Mass intention is moved, reasonable effort will be made to notify

the person who made the request

Considerations to assist in fairness and Mass availability

• A maximum of 10 Mass intentions per household may be requested

in a 3-month period

o Requests made for specific dates/days (limit 4 annually) count

as part of the 10 intentions made within the 3-month period

even if the dates requested are outside of the 3-month period

• Major feasts and memorials (excluding solemnities and holy days of

obligation) may be requested once every three years

• Sundays, Holy Days of obligation, and their vigils are reserved to the

pastor for offering Masses pro populo (for the people of the parish)

and intentions of his choosing.

Special notes

• Unless explicitly requested otherwise, Mass intentions will be

published in the parish calendar (online and in the bulletin)

• Mass intention cards are available upon request for you to send,

artfully crafted & designed to share the Mass intention & date

assigned (if interested, please ask the parish office for details)