“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 Holy Trinity Catholic Church?” This is a common question, especially after the death of a loved one.

A Commendable Practice

It is a commendable practice to offer a Mass or several Masses for a person who is deceased. This is an ancient practice of the Catholic Church.  A Mass may be 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.

For specific questions regarding Mass Intentions, please feel free to call the parish office at 318-221-5990.

A Gift from God

Every Mass is a wonderful gift from 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 make present 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”).

Policy and Guidelines

The policy of Holy Trinity Catholic Church for Mass Intentions is issued so that our parish practices for Mass Intentions and Mass Offerings maintains conformity with the universal law of the Church and the “General Policy for Mass Intentions” of the Diocese of Shreveport (January 1992).  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 Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

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.

Guidelines

1. 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 arise for which a person wishes to request a Mass Intention; for example, the death of a loved one, or an impending surgery, etc.  At Holy Trinity Catholic Church, the Masses with Collective Mass Intentions are normally the Saturday 4:00 pm Mass.

2. At Holy Trinity Catholic Church, many people request Mass Intentions.  In consideration of the needs of the parish and of others interested in having a Mass Intention, an individual can request a maximum of five (5) Masses on specific dates for any particular person or need per calendar year.  Additional Mass Intentions will be scheduled, based on the needs of the parish. They may be included with Collective Mass Intentions or may be sent to a priest of another parish (or in the missions) who will be able to satisfy the request in a timely manner.  If the specific date and time is already taken, a different time must be chosen.

3. A Mass Intention can only be requested for a Mass that will be celebrated within twelve (12) months from the date of the request.

4. Mass Intentions (and Sanctuary Lights memorials), together with the suggested donations, are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

5. The date of a Mass Intention is subject to change.

6. Generally, one Mass intention is made per Mass. Certain weekend Masses may include multiple intentions.

7. At this time, the suggested offering is $5.00 per Mass.  A Mass Offering may be more than the suggested offering and it may be less, if the person requesting the Mass is not in the financial position to make the customary Mass Offering.

8. Mass Intentions (scheduled at least three weeks before the Mass) are published in our bulletin.

9. Though the Mass Intention need not be announced at the Mass, the priest, if possible, will announce the Mass Intention within the context of that Mass.

10. 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).

11. The name of the person(s) requesting the Mass is not listed in the bulletin or announced at Mass.

For specific questions regarding Mass Intentions, please feel free to call the parish office at 318-221-5990.