Posture after Communion

Q: Why after receiving holy communion are we asked to return to our places and remain standing, other churches don't do this.

A: The following quote is taken from the Roman Missal, this is the book the priest uses at mass and is used by all Roman Catholic churches in the United States. "Communicants are encouraged to receive the consecrated bread in their hands, but may also receive communion on the tongue. After returning to their places, the people are encouraged to remain standing until everyone has received communion, but in many parishes the people immediately sit down or kneel for silent prayer. " The Catechism of the Catholic Church Part 1 Article 9 Paragraph 3 speaks of unity. Our Pastor ask that we express our common unity with the Blessed Sacrament through our common posture, by standing together after a brief prayer, until every member that is going to receive has received.

Catholics and Marriage

Q: I have a civil marriage but have faithfully been attending mass, can I receive holy communion.

A: The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that in order to receive Holy Communion we should be in a state of grace. That is we are not in a state of serious sin. Canon law 1056 states "a valid matrimonial contract cannot exist between the baptized without it being by that fact a sacrament." Canon 1108 states, "Only those marriages are valid which are contracted before the local ordinary, pastor, or a priest or deacon delegated by either of them" If the marriage is not a valid sacrament it is understood that the couple is in a state of serious sin and should refrain from receiving Holy Communion until such time as the marriage can be convalidated.

Mass Intentions

Why Does Father Not Read My Mass Intention on the Altar?

When a priest offers Holy Mass, he has three intentions: First, to offer the Mass reverently and validly in accord with the norms of the Church. Second, to offer the Mass in union with the whole Church and for the good of the whole church. Third, to offer the Mass for a particular person, such as the repose of the soul of someone who has died. The donation received for a mass intention is given to the priest as a stipend. This becomes a personal contract between the priest and the person requesting the intention. The priest offers this intention along with the other intentions dictated by the needs of the church. Since mass is intended for the universal church it cannot be offered for one individual alone. However the intentions for each mass are published in the church bulletin for the entire parish to see. The faithful, who give an offering that Mass be applied for their intention, contribute to the good of the Church and by their offering participate in its concern for the support of its ministers and works.