Mass Intentions & Stipends
Some parishioners have expressed misconceptions and questions about Mass intentions, so I am hoping this will clarify them.
It has been a longstanding tradition of the church to give a monetary offering (or stipend) to a priest for celebrating a Mass for the intention of the donor. In the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, the Mass stipend for a Mass is $5.00. Because I am a priest of the Diocese of Winona – Rochester, I am entitled to receive only one Mass intention per day – even if I celebrate more than one Mass in a day. This means I can offer only 365 Mass intentions in a year. Because of this limit, there are sometimes unoffered Mass intentions by the end of the year (December). Those unoffered Mass intentions are sent either to the Propagation of Faith office at the diocese or to any missions where they will be offered for the intentions of the donor.
Because the Church is universal, anyone can have the Mass intentions offered in any parish. As we proclaim in the Creed, we all belong to One Holy Catholic Church which is universal, and we should never forget that. In light of this, we do try to honor and give priority to the intentions of the member families of the parish, provided those intentions are submitted first.
When you offer Mass intentions, you are welcome to specify the dates you’d like to Cecylia (our church secretary). If the requested day is already filled in with a Mass intention, we will try to schedule your intention either on the following day or in another day within that week.
I hope this helps clear up any misunderstandings and questions you may have had regarding Mass intentions. If you still would like more clarification, you can call the pastor at 507-582-3321.
Fr. Swamy
It has been a longstanding tradition of the church to give a monetary offering (or stipend) to a priest for celebrating a Mass for the intention of the donor. In the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, the Mass stipend for a Mass is $5.00. Because I am a priest of the Diocese of Winona – Rochester, I am entitled to receive only one Mass intention per day – even if I celebrate more than one Mass in a day. This means I can offer only 365 Mass intentions in a year. Because of this limit, there are sometimes unoffered Mass intentions by the end of the year (December). Those unoffered Mass intentions are sent either to the Propagation of Faith office at the diocese or to any missions where they will be offered for the intentions of the donor.
Because the Church is universal, anyone can have the Mass intentions offered in any parish. As we proclaim in the Creed, we all belong to One Holy Catholic Church which is universal, and we should never forget that. In light of this, we do try to honor and give priority to the intentions of the member families of the parish, provided those intentions are submitted first.
When you offer Mass intentions, you are welcome to specify the dates you’d like to Cecylia (our church secretary). If the requested day is already filled in with a Mass intention, we will try to schedule your intention either on the following day or in another day within that week.
I hope this helps clear up any misunderstandings and questions you may have had regarding Mass intentions. If you still would like more clarification, you can call the pastor at 507-582-3321.
Fr. Swamy