Mass Intentions

MASS INTENTION POLICY 

Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church 

The practice of requesting a Mass to be offered for loved ones, living or deceased, is a beautiful and meaningful part of our Catholic tradition. St. Joseph Parish has only a certain amount of Mass intention opportunities. The following policies are being implemented in order to accommodate the numerous requests in a reasonable and fair manner. 

Please note the following guidelines for Mass intention requests: 

1. To ensure consistent and fair opportunity for all desiring an intention for a loved one or event, we 

can schedule no more than twelve (12) Masses per year with no more than two (2) scheduled for a weekend Mass from each donor/family or for an intention. 

2. Additional Masses may be requested and could be used to fill a vacant slot. Canon Law does not 

permit us to keep Mass intentions beyond those that we are able to schedule in a year's time (rolling calendar). A Mass intention may not be requested for a prayer intention that contradicts Catholic moral doctrine. 

3. Masses may only be scheduled six (6) months in advance from date of request. Note that the book 

for the next year will open in July of the current year. 

4. Requests will be honored on a first-come, first-serve basis in the order in which the request is 

received at the Parish Office. 

5. Mass requests will be granted as close to the requested date and time as possible. If it is not 

possible to comply with the primary request, the next closest date and time will be scheduled. 6. As a Parish we will make every effort to accommodate a Mass within 30 days of the passing of a 

loved one. One Mass time each month will be kept open so that the recently deceased can be remembered soon after their death. 

7. A $10 stipend, as determined by diocesan policy, is to accompany each Mass request before it can 

be recorded in the Mass Intention Book. 

8. Mass intentions may be requested for Sundays, most holidays and weekdays throughout the year. 9. One Mass every Sunday must be scheduled for the intentions of our parishioners known as "Pro 

Populo" (For the People) as required by Canon Law and diocesan statute. 

10. SPECIAL DAYS - Mass intentions cannot be scheduled for: 

o Holy Thursday, Easter, Christmas when the intentions are all "Pro Populo;" 

o Mothers' Day when the intentions will be "all mothers of the parish, living and 

deceased;" 

o Father's Day when the intention will be "all fathers of the parish, living and 

deceased;" 

o All Souls' Day (November 2) when the intention will be "All the faithful departed." 

11. If for an unforeseen circumstance a Mass cancellation occurs, the intention for the Mass will be 

rescheduled on the next available opening.