St. Vivian Online Discussion Forum: Communion Service

Thread initiated by Greg Hogg on 6/12/05.

I just had a conversation with another parishioner who stated it would be acceptable, in the future when our 5-parish cluster had only one or two priests, to have Communion Services instead of Eucharist/Mass on Sunday.

I was just wondering what others are thinking about this.

For myself, communion services are alright but the Eucharist/Mass is essential and at the heart of my worship and Christian life. Jesus only gave a couple commands and one was "Do this in memory of me."

What do you think about just having communion services and not the Eucharist/Mass?

 

I think you are right in believing that the Eucharist/Mass is essential to fostering good christian life. When there are fewer priests, the church will have a rough time holding the faithful together. Communion services will help to some extent, but, will not fill a basic need that people have to connect with the mystery of Jesus' death and resurrection that we experience when present at Mass.

It may be that in a few years, unless the church changes some of it's outdated rules and practices, you may have to seek out the places where Eucharist will be held and you may find yourself attending a mass only once a month or less.

The question in my mind is, not Eucharist/Mass vs Communion Service, but, how does the Church fufill it's mission of proclaiming the message of Jesus' love and hope? How does the Church reach out to those in need spiritually? What can the People of God do to further the real work of the Church when they feel the leadership of the Church is failing them?

It will be interesting to see what other responses you may receive to your question.

 

By: Charles Burst on 6/18/05

 

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