14. MASS CARDS
Catholics pray for others, the living and
the dead, as a constant quality of prayer, in confident trust that
God hears our prayers, whether we are alone or with others. We
pray for the living and the dead as a spiritual work of mercy, linked
with our belief in the Communion of Saints, and because Christ told
us to pray always. (CCC 958, 1032, & see Part IV, "Christian Prayer.")
As our central worship, the Mass unites all our lives in prayer through Christ to the Father. On special occasions or in time of need, Catholics ask that a Mass, a privileged form of a gift of prayer from the whole Body of Christ, be dedicated for the good of a person living, or for the sake of a person who has died. This means that a Mass for that person or persons will be said by a priest. The Mass card may be sent to the person for whom the Mass will be said, or to the family of the deceased. You can obtain a Mass card in the parish office; the common donation, which goes to the parish, is $5.
15. DO YOU NEED A COPY OF YOUR BAPTISMAL
CERTIFICATE?
The church where you were baptized—or
received into the Catholic Church if baptized in another Christian
communion—is where your critical sacramental and other Church
records will be found, namely, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy
Orders, religious profession, and often, first Holy Communion. You
will need a copy, front and back, to enroll as a Catholic in a
Catholic school, and to celebrate sacraments after baptism, especially
first Holy Communion and Confirmation. You need a
fresh, up-to-date copy when you go to marry, to seek an annulment, and for
holy orders or religious profession. Your parish's secretary can
locate addresses for you if it is necessary for you to write elsewhere. For international records, if you do not have relatives who can
seek them out for you (usually much faster than going through
the institution), call the Archbishop's office and ask for assistance. St. Alphonsus will provide a certificate of your baptism or
reception into the Catholic Church for the asking; other parishes may ask
for a donation.
16. STIPENDS, STOLE FEES,
and personal gifts.
Spiritual ministry is never contingent upon remuneration. We do
not "charge" for sacraments and other spiritual services.
In the past, we were familiar with stipends or "stole fees" which were an important part of a cleric's income. However, the Church has changed its approach for priestly support. As provided by canon law, priests today receive a salary and other benefits geared toward their reasonable support. This is consistent with the Church's view of stewardship and sacrificial giving in the Body of Christ which is the parish.
The Church still encourages us to offer donations in accord with a family's means on the great events (such as weddings, baptisms, funerals) and other matters, but now these donations are to go to the parish that supports the pastoral care offered by the priest.
In addition, because of friendship or gratitude, one may always make a personal gift to a priest, but it is just that, a gift, never a requirement.
17. PHOTOGRAPHY IN CHURCH
Special occasions
usually call for photographs and videography. There is to be NO flash photography during Mass or other rituals, and there is to
be NO interference with the Mass or other rituals, for instance, moving to the front near the priest or into the sanctuary.
These
are common standards found in most churches.
You can take non-flash pictures using a higher speed film with existing light; you may take a videotape as long as you do not require auxiliary lighting. The staff would be very happy to help you find a suitable place from which to take your pictures. We encourage, in fact, that pictures be taken following Mass or other rituals, outside the Church, at a reception, or even in the Church—at this time, flash photography would be permitted.