Canon Law #1248 permits Catholics to fulfill their Sunday obligation by participating “in the evening of the preceding day”. In 1954, Pope Pius XII wrote the earliest hour for such a Mass could be 4:00. This “Anticipatory Mass” as it is properly called began as a way to provide a time for Catholics who were not able to attend on Sunday for reasons of employment and was discouraged as a “Mass of convenience.” (which obviously didn’t work).
Over a year ago, I began discussion with parish staff and parish leadership about the possibility of pushing back the start time for the Anticipatory Mass every Saturday. I was surprised when I was assigned here that Mass was so early on Saturdays as every assignment I’ve had in the past was scheduled at 5:00. With most weddings beginning at 1:30, having confessions at 3:00 and Mass at 4:00 was a lot crunched together.
Within a year of my arrival, I was basically the only priest assigned to Corpus Christi. Previously Fr. Mulvany was Pastor, but we also had the assistance of Monsignor Krische, who was staffed to assist for regular weekday and weekend Masses, Holy Days, confessions funerals, and more. Monsignor was paid a full salary to minister to Corpus Christi. Monsignors’ health quickly declined as he was not able to assist in any Church. Since that time, we have been blessed to have the assistance of Fr. Mike Stubbs, who is a retired priest and is willing to help here when he is available. We have contracted with him to do most Monday Masses so that I might take a day off, and he assists sometimes when I am blessed to go on retreat or take vacation. Since he also provides assistance in many other parishes in the Lawrence Deanery, in other parts of the Archdiocese and is Chaplain for Marriage Encounter weekends, he is only available if I contract with him many months ahead of time.
The primary reason for the change is two-fold.
1. We need more time for confessions every Saturday. The number of people seeking the beauty of confession has increased greatly in Lawrence as some of the previous times for confessions in Lawrence has decreased. I added a time for confessions every Wednesday evening at 6:00 with regular attendance, many times for more than an hour. But most Saturdays the line for confessions begins at 2:45 and while I try to begin before 3:00, even when I do, I could hear confessions up to 4:00. That would be the case if I would permit it, but I’ve asked for time to prayerfully prepare for the 4:00 Mass and at least 10 minutes to assure things are prepared accordingly. Beginning June 1, we will hear confessions every Saturday from 3:00 – 4:15, adding 25 more minutes every Saturday. I would encourage people not to show up for confessions 20 minutes before Saturday Mass as I will not hear confessions past 4:15.
2. We have also heard from many young families in our parish how much more convenient it would be for them if Mass was later on Saturday. The reality is that families are very occupied on Saturdays with birthday parties, athletics, dance, etc. and as one young mother told me recently, “this soccer mom is very happy to have another 30 minutes to rally the family to come to Church.” In an age when other obligations for families often are prioritized over Mass, if this slight change helps them to receive the Eucharist more frequently that is also a plus. It has also been mentioned that lake goers could also benefit from a little more time to come to Church.
We did take into consideration the many people who do not like to be out after dark during the winter months which might be the case with a 4:30 Mass, but we are hopeful they will still choose to attend a Saturday Mass at 4:30 or could switch to the 8:30 Mass Sunday morning if they so choose during those months.
So after careful consideration and prayer, our Pastoral Council, Parish Staff and other parish leadership decided last year that the Saturday Anticipatory Mass would change to 4:30 beginning June 1, 2024, which is the Feast of Corpus Christi, our patronal Feast Day.
You might also note the time for the Anticipatory Mass at St. Johns is also at 4:30. Also, in the past year, since Fr. Zimmerman is now the only priest at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center at KU, the Mass schedule there changes often, and during the summer months as well as during breaks in classes, there will be minimal masses celebrated on campus.
I am hopeful the change might encourage more people to join us and participate in our communal worship. Please take note and plan to join us for our parish Feast weekend events June 1 and 2, and help us celebrate our blessings as Catholics in West Lawrence.
God Bless,
