Mass Intentions

To the Editor:

When I would request Mass be offered for my brother-in-law Carlo at my parish of St. Clement and St. Michael’s, Carlo’s sister Rose would always be sure to attend. Rose would say, “Msgr. Nick, thank you. When you celebrate Mass I genuinely feel that the sacrifice has been offered for my loved ones.”

Msgr. Nicholas J. Soares, our pastor, customarily mentions the name of the deceased reverently, lovingly and with several repeat phrasings during appropriate parts of the Mass. By doing so, he enables us to closely experience the love and presence of the soul of those for whom the Mass was dedicated. 

I travel quite a bit and attend Masses in churches from Maine to Florida. The Mass intentions are mentioned in the bulletin, before Mass commences or at the beginning of Mass. It is rare to hear the name of the person for whom the Mass is intended mentioned again.

In our parish, relatives of the deceased are keyed in joyful expectation to attend to the names of their loved ones called up so dearly. When a loved one’s name is mentioned throughout the Mass I believe it encourages people to more readily offer Mass for their loved ones, but perhaps more importantly, in doing so one more acutely realizes the meaning of the prayers and becomes more aware of the blessings of the Lord. Not only does this small gesture more fully actualize respect for those who have passed, but the act of repetition creates a felt refrain that assists us spiritually and cohesively as members of the Church. 

Nancy P. Fama-Clark

Staten Island