May a priest leave out the Gloria or the Nicene Creed at Mass when he has
five weekend Masses to say and no help? This what a priest in another State
told me when I asked him about these omissions.
You might remind the priest that the Second Vatican Council clearly teaches: "Regulation of the sacred liturgy depends solely on the authority of the Church, that is, on the Apostolic See and, as laws may determine, on the Bishop..." Therefore, absolutely no other person, not even a priest, may add, remove, or change any thing in the liturgy on his own authority." What you describe is a liturgical abuse and should be reported to the appropriate Bishop. If you are only a visitor there, however, I would leave the reporting to the regular parishioners, if I were you.
Reprinted from August 27, 1999
Why do some Catholic churches in some dioceses not have kneelers? Are kneelers necessary in churches?
The rubrics for the entire Latin or Western Rite of the Catholic Church require that the faithful present at Mass kneel during the consecration. In the United States, the rubrics for our country, approved by the U.S. Bishops and the Holy See, in addition prescribe that the faithful at Mass kneel from after the "Holy, Holy, Holy" to the beginning of the Lord's Prayer. In the Diocese of Lincoln it is also prescribed that the faithful at Mass kneel from after the 'Lamb of God" to the reposing of the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle. Kneelers obviously facilitate kneeling, but strictly speaking they are not necessary, since people could kneel on the floor. Kneelers are also useful, but not absolutely necessary, for people who are making visits to our Lord in the reserved Eucharist or assisting at various devotional practices such as Benediction with the Blessed
Reprinted from July 30, 1999
Is it permitted for a priest to wear black vestments on Good Friday and at
funeral Masses?
In the present liturgical dispositions of the Latin Rite, red is the color of the vestments worn on Good Friday, to remind us of the precious Blood of the Savior shed to take away our sins on that day. For funeral or "requiem Masses," however, the priest has the option of wearing white, violet, or black vestments. Licit exceptions to all these regulations, however, are enjoyed by groups that have the permission of the Holy See to use the old liturgy from 1962.
Reprinted from October 22, 1999
Where can I find the rules for intercommunion with non-Catholics. This can
be a source of pain and misunderstanding for all.
Every "liturgy aid" or "missalette" printed in the United States has a very clear explanation of the discipline and laws of the Catholic Church about these matters somewhere in it (often in the inside of the front or back cover). There is also something of an explanation of these matters printed there too. This is printed there by order of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States. I would also strongly recommend you read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, numbers 1398-1401 and numbers 820-822. Also, your parish priest will be able to answer some of your questions in these matters. The Holy Eucharist is a sign, among many other things, of a basic unity of faith, which, unfortunately, cannot be placed authentically where such unity does not exist.
Reprinted from September 10, 1999
Is it all right for Catholics to attend a daily Mass if they do not or cannot
go on Sunday?
Attending daily Mass is very commendable and should be encouraged. However, one cannot substitute the attendance at daily Mass for the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays or holy days of obligation. If one is legitimately impeded from attending Sunday Mass, of course, it would be a very suitable act of devotion to attend Mass on another day, but it would not be required under pain of sin. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, numbers 1166; 1167; 2168-2183.
Reprinted from April 2, 1999
What should the people in the congregation do when they are blessed with incense
during a Mass?
Sometimes at a solemn Mass one or two of the ministers at the altar, usually acolytes, will incense the congregation at the offertory (the preparation of the gifts). The people should stand reverently when this is done. A slight head bow to the incensing minister at the end of the incensation is also called for.
Reprinted from April 2, 1999