Sundays only, not on weekdays: Some parishes skipping mass

CEBU, Philippines - Reports have reached the head of the Archdiocese of Cebu that some parishes, especially those outside Metro Cebu, are not scheduling regular Masses on weekdays anymore.

This concern prompted Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma to impart a "fraternal reminder" to the clergy under the archdiocese on celebrating Masses not only every Sunday, which has been considered as the primordial holy day of obligation.

"It has come to my attention that a significant number of our faithful, especially in parishes outside Metro Cebu, are being deprived of the weekday Masses in parishes outside of the Metro Cebu area," said Palma on the circular letter dated June 15, 2016.

"Sad to note, there are some parish priests who have overstayed in the city and would return late in the week to their respective parishes," he lamented.

Stressing the importance of celebrating Mass daily, the 66-year-old prelate made reference to a specific provision in the canon law of the Catholic Church.

"...please be reminded of Canon # 906, which states, 'Remembering always that in the mystery of the Eucharistic sacrifice, the work of redemption is exercised continually, priests are to celebrate frequently; indeed, daily celebration is recommended earnestly since, even if the faithful cannot be present, it is the act of Christ and the Church in which priests fulfill their principal function'," part of the circular read.

Palma said officiating Masses every day "should be an expression of our (or every clergymen's) greatest privilege, identity and joy in our life as ministers of the Eucharist."

There are diocesan priests appointed in different parishes all over the archdiocese, which is composed of the entire civil province of Cebu and the islands of Mactan, Bantayan and Camotes. They are authorized to administer the Holy Sacraments including presiding Eucharistic celebrations for the faithful in their pastoral care.

Rural sentiments

The long-time secretary of St. Joseph the Worker in Barangay Don Juan Climaco, Toledo City, said the priests that were appointed at the parish had initially scheduled weekday Masses but the practice failed to last due to few Mass goers.  The present parish priest, Rev. Father Jose Arniel Mante, said he also found it impractical to celebrate a Mass without the participation of the faithful.

He wanted to emphasize that the religious and the laity cannot force their parishioners to attend the liturgical celebrations, be it set on weekends or weekdays.

Presently, regular Masses are held at the parish every Sunday morning while afternoon Masses on the same day are celebrated alternately in the mountain barangays.

Even if only a few come to hear Mass, Palma pointed out that celebrating it daily may move the Catholic faithful to make hearing Mass a daily practice.

"Even if only a few of your parishioners are considered as daily Mass goers, a regular weekday celebration of the Holy Eucharist would be a good inspiration and motivation for the rest of your parishioners to develop the habit of hearing Mass not just on Sundays and other Holy Days of obligation, Solemnities and relevant feast days," said Palma.

Mante said he is more than willing to heed the words of the archbishop.

He also stressed the importance of the involvement of the entire Catholic community, calling on every family to religiously observe Christian practices such as participating in Eucharistic celebrations. (FREEMAN)