Mass in private homes

Document Title

Mass in private homes, parties in the rectory
Question from on 06-22-2007:
In our Sunday bulletin we parishioners were advised that our parish had been divided into six zones. If we parishioners were interested in hosting a weekday mass for our zone, our addresss will be posted in the bulletin. If we want to attend mass at a host's house, we are to call the host and tell them how many people are in our party so they can get enough folding chairs from the church. Hosts are signed up from June through August. After Sunday mass, hosts have risen to the ambo to tell how wonderful it was to have Mass in their home.

I have no idea why this is going on since our large church can certainly accomodate the weekday mass crowd. My guess is it is a prelude to a fundraiser. Is that a reason to offer mass in the home? Also, our former pastor built an outside alter which was not completed before he was transfered, but it was his intent to hold mass outdoors. Is it permissible to offer mass anywhere other than in the church provided the space is adequate? I don't want to be a busy body, but it makes me uncomfortable and I do want to know whether I have a duty to bring this to the attention of the bishop or anyone else, if it is not appropriate.

So while I'm at it, here's another thing that makes me uncomfortable. The pastor invited everyone to bring the last of their Christmas holiday goodies to the rectory for a parish wide party and lots of people went. Yet our church has an adequate dining hall. What's wrong with this picture?

The pastor is a personable kind of guy who means well, but...

Thanks. God Bless.


Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 06-26-2007:
This practice of Masses in various homes is suprising in today's era with the prevalence of lawsuits. I know that in my parish, we are constantly concerned about safety, environment, and abuse issues. It seems like using private homes as places for official functions is just opening the door to problems.

That aside, canon 932, §1 states: "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." That is the norm. You'll have to decide whether your situation calls for Mass to be celebrated in private homes. I would imagine that the people's homes are decent.

I don't see a problem with having a party in the rectory.

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