Mass at the beach? - Page 2

newyorkcatholic · #16 May 5, '12, 5:43 pm

Can't believe these answers! Masses said in times of war or persecution obviously cannot said in proper places, so they are exceptions.

But altars and churches are consecration for a reason. Mass on the beach, outside of war or persecution, sounds just awful.

The Church gives us sacred art, consecrated buildings with consecrated altars with relics, and so much more, and we should use it.

For Mass. Person/group prayer, not liturgical, is fine anywhere almost.

LegoGE1947 · #17 May 5, '12, 5:59 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by po18guy

Since they are known to be "rather" anti-Catholic, maybe this is a chance to gain back some ground.

I was not aware that Calvary Chapel was anti-Catholic. In my early years as a Protestant there was a music group called the Maranatha Singers that originated from Calvary Chapel that sang some classic contemporary (at the time) hymns.

White Peony · #18 May 5, '12, 6:40 pm

Sounds interesting... Mass on the beach.

I have gone to an outdoor Mass so it shouldn't be a problem.

**po18guy** · #19 May 5, '12, 6:44 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by LegoGE1947

I was not aware that Calvary Chapel was anti-Catholic. In my early years as a Protestant there was a music group called the Maranatha Singers that originated from Calvary Chapel that sang some classic contemporary (at the time) hymns.

They may have moderated a bit, but what material I have seen, from the Catholic perspective, had a clear bias to it.

**po18guy** · #20 May 5, '12, 6:46 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by newyorkcatholic

Can't believe these answers! Masses said in times of war or persecution obviously cannot said in proper places, so they are exceptions.

But altars and churches are consecration for a reason. Mass on the beach, outside of war or persecution, sounds just awful.

The Church gives us sacred art, consecrated buildings with consecrated altars with relics, and so much more, and we should use it.

For Mass. Person/group prayer, not liturgical, is fine anywhere almost.

This is why I am thinking it needs to be structured like a retreat. If the beach is a half-mile from the parish, it is awfully hard to justify this. If there is no parish nearby, OK then. But otherwise, it should be a day at the beach followed by mass in the parish.

SMHW · #21 May 5, '12, 8:39 pm

It's been 30+ years but I've been to Mass at the beach. It was for a retreat "reunion". (I did not go on the retreat but some of my friends did.)

newyorkcatholic · #22 May 5, '12, 9:08 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by po18guy

This is why I am thinking it needs to be structured like a retreat. If the beach is a half-mile from the parish, it is awfully hard to justify this. If there is no parish nearby, OK then. But otherwise, it should be a day at the beach followed by mass in the parish.

I agree. There needs to be a real reason.

Saying "God made the beach too" makes a mockery of Catholicism. God made everything and I don't need priests or Mass at all to pray to Him, but we Catholics know its not so simple.

DhuAlQarnayn · #23 May 5, '12, 10:02 pm

There are dozens of masses said outdoors every week all over the country. If you are in an area where there is no church, or for special events, the mass may be said outside. Many parishes that are close to national parks celebrate masses outdoors in the parks for hikers. I agree that if the parish church is just down the road from the beach, then -- unless it is a large festival which will attract more people than the church will hold -- the mass should be in church, but many places are hours from the nearest church.

Also note that if it is just a group of friends which happens to include a priest, rather than a public gathering, then the priest may say mass wherever he likes.

dixieagle · #24 May 6, '12, 8:41 am

This is an excellent discussion of the question:

http://catholicexchange.com/does-mas...d-in-a-church/

In sum, Mass should, generally speaking, be said in a church, if possible. That said, there are exceptions (beyond the battlefield, natural disaster scenarios):

"Similarly, if a priest is on some outdoor excursion, far from buildings of any kind, he may celebrate Mass outside in an appropriate place. Before his election to the papacy, John Paul II frequently led groups of Polish teenagers on camping and hiking trips, and every morning they would find a clean, level rock or tree stump upon which he celebrated the Eucharist for them."

superamazingman · #25 May 6, '12, 8:47 am

If there is a church within a reasonable distance where Mass could be offered by your group and priest, or even attend Mass with another priest, that is vastly preferred. Mass should only be celebrated outside a church with grave necessity, or with a dispensation from the bishop.

Canon law specifies that if there is a sacred space available (ie, a church or oratory [chapel]), Mass should be celebrated there, instead of somewhere else.

LegoGE1947 · #26 May 6, '12, 9:27 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by newyorkcatholic

I agree. There needs to be a real reason.

Saying "God made the beach too" makes a mockery of Catholicism. God made everything and I don't need priests or Mass at all to pray to Him, but we Catholics know its not so simple.

Your post is typical of Protestantism And yes I agree with you. The idea that God makes everything and I don't need priests or Mass to pray to him, is just ideotic. You can pray to God anywhere but the way God set it up is there are certain places set aside for public worship. Also they say that their buildings are NOT where God lives, just buildings that have been consecrated to worship God. One preacher said "This building could just as well be used for a rock concert." (referring to the building in which their ecclesiastical community was meeting)

ZxM · #27 May 6, '12, 1:53 pm

roadsend · #28 May 6, '12, 2:35 pm

From Canon Law:

Can. 932 §1 The eucharistic celebration is to be carried out in a sacred place, unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise; in which case the celebration must be in a fitting place.

§2 The eucharistic Sacrifice must be carried out at an altar that is dedicated or blessed. Outside a sacred place an appropriate table may be used, but always with an altar cloth and a corporal.

Kielbasi · #29 May 6, '12, 4:50 pm

Pittsburgh doesn't have beaches, but we do have Kennywood Park, a large amusement park just outside of town.

Kennywood, as part of its yearly promotional days, has a Polish Day, a Slovak Day, an Italian Day and days for other ethnic groups that have settled in the region.

As part of each of those special promotions, there is usually Mass held right in the park, sometimes presided over by the bishop.

If its ok to have mass in an amusement park, I can't see the problem with the beach.

superamazingman · #30 May 6, '12, 5:08 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by newyorkcatholic

Can't believe these answers! Masses said in times of war or persecution obviously cannot said in proper places, so they are exceptions.

Exactly! Next thing you know, they'll say you don't need an alb during Mass because none of those priests wore them in battle-field Masses.

Or that camo chusables are now acceptable for ordinary time.