Mass Offerings

Celebrating the Mass

This is a request for Mass, which the priest can choose to accept or not. We always endeavour to celebrate Masses on the day and at the time booked. There are rare circumstances in which a Mass intention is moved to a different day, for example if a funeral Mass replaces the usual Mass time. In that case, the Parish Office will notify you of the change.

Mass Stipend

The usual stipend for Mass is £10, but you can give any amount. The money goes to the priest, not the parish. A priest is not allowed employment. His income comes from the stipends he receives for the Masses he offers. He may only receive one Mass stipend a day.

Once you have booked your Mass, please either:

• Make an online donation (in the dropdown, please choose “Mass stipend”)
• Drop an envelope to the Presbytery (Dundee Street) with your name and the date of the Mass.

Thank you for your generosity.

Why have intentions at Mass?

The Mass makes present the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection. There is no greater prayer, because the Mass is the perfect offering of the Son of God to his Father. That prayer may be offered for a particular intention.

Is the Mass intention announced? Does it have to be?

The Mass intentions are usually published in the newsletter and announced at the beginning of Mass. However, you can ask for the Mass to be listed as “private intention” if you do not want any announcement.

Who can offer up an intention at Mass?

Any Catholic may offer up the Mass in which he or she participates for any good intention. Graces will accrue according to the intensity of your participation and your sincerity.

How is that different to the priest’s intention at Mass?

It is the priest who offers the sacrifice of the Mass. He acts ‘in persona Christi’ (‘in the person of Christ’), and so special graces may be obtained when he applies the Mass to a particular intention.

Why is there only one intention for each Mass?

The Mass has an infinite value so there is no limit to the number of intentions that can be offered. The priest offers Mass for the good of the whole Church and for a particular intention. Just like everyone else, he might also have his own personal and private intentions. However, the Mass is a sacred treasure and not a means of raising money, so the Church has very strict laws that restrict the priest to only accepting a single stipend for each Mass.

For whom can Mass be offered? Is it only for Catholics?

Mass can be offered for anyone, or any number of people, living or dead, with some exceptions. They do not have to be Catholics, but the offering must not cause scandal to the faithful, and it must not be for an intention that offends against Christian sentiment. You can also ask for Mass to be offered for a “private intention” if you do not want the recipient known.

For what is Mass commonly offered?

You might think of offering Mass when someone dies, and on their anniversary each year; on a birthday, to ask for God’s help in the year to come; when a friend or family member marries, or celebrates a particular milestone in life, or is going through a difficult time; or for any other intention.

Do I have to be present at the Mass?

No, when you arrange for Mass it is the priest who makes the offering. You might try to be present, though, to add your own prayers and your own offering of the same Mass for the intention you requested.

What happens to the stipend? How much is it?

Offering a stipend for a Mass intention is a way of contributing to the upkeep of your priest. It is a donation, but the diocese recommends £10. A priest’s salary each year (which is not a lot!) comes from Mass stipends, offerings for baptisms, weddings, funerals, and the Christmas and Easter collection.