Mass Intentions
“What can we do to pray for a loved one, living or deceased, or how can we do something to honor or memorialize them at the Cathedral?” This is a common question for us, especially after the death of a loved one.
To have a Mass or several Masses offered for a person who is deceased is an ancient and commendable practice. A Mass is offered to pray for a person that he/she may be at peace in heaven. Since each Mass is of infinite value, requesting one or several Masses is of tremendous benefit for the person prayed for as well as for the family, knowing that their intention is joined with the prayer of the Church.
Every Mass is a wonderful gift of God to us. It is the center of the Church’s life, “the source and summit of the Christian life” because, in the celebration of the Mass, we are brought back to Jesus’ Last Supper, the first Mass celebrated. We consciously recall the love of God poured out for us in the life, death and resurrection of His only Son, Jesus Christ. At each Mass, all the intentions of all God’s people, both living and dead, are included. Yet, “in the established tradition of the Church, the faithful, moved by an ecclesial and religious sense, join to the Eucharistic sacrifice a kind of sacrifice of their own, as a way of taking part more intensely. They thus do their share to provide for the Church’s needs, especially the support of its ministers…” (Pope Paul VI, motu proprio “Firma in Traditione”)
This Policy for Mass Intentions is issued so that this parish’s practice of Mass Intentions and Mass Offerings will be in conformity with the universal law of the Church and the “General Policy for Mass Intentions” of the Diocese of Shreveport. Though no policy can fully address all the spiritual, theological and practical issues associated with Mass Intentions and Mass Offerings, the following will regulate all Mass Intentions requested at Our Lady of Perpetual Help for Masses:
- Anyone may request a Mass Intention for:
- a person who is living,
- a person who is deceased,
- members of a given family (not all names will be listed or mentioned from the altar),
- a special intention appropriate to the celebration of the Eucharist, e.g., World Peace, Vocations, Respect for Life, etc.
- The Church allows only one intention per Mass. In each parish, however, one or two Masses per week may have Collective Mass Intentions. The faithful are free to combine their intentions and offerings for the celebration of a single Mass, as long as they have been previously informed and have freely consented to combining their intention and offering with others in a single offering of Mass. The Collective Mass Intentions also accommodate the immediate needs that come up for which a person wishes to request a Mass Intention, for example, the death of a loved one, an impending surgery, etc.
- At this parish, many people request Mass Intentions. If a specific date and time is requested but already taken, a different time must be chosen.
- Mass Intentions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
- The date of a Mass Intention is subject to change.
- As per diocesan policy: The suggested offering is $5.00 per Mass.
- Mass Intentions (scheduled at least three weeks before the Mass) are usually published in our bulletin.
- Though the Mass Intention need not be announced at the Mass, the Intention will be included within the context of that Mass.
- The one requesting the Mass Intention may request that a card be sent to notify a person that the Intention has been requested and the date and time of the Mass (one card per intention).
If you have any questions regarding Mass Intentions, please feel free to call the church office
MEMORIAL GIVING
Memorial gifts are a meaningful way to honor the memory of a loved one. These gifts have a lasting impact on our community and allow Our Lady of Perpetual Help to continue our mission to make Holy Spirit-filled disciples for Christ.
Donors can call or stop by the church office or click the link below to make a gift online. We will notify the person or family as specified by the donor. Gift amounts are confidential.