Documentation

Managing Masses

Plan and celebrate individual Mass liturgies in your parish.

Overview

The Masses module helps you create and manage individual Mass celebrations throughout the liturgical year. Whether it's a Sunday Mass, daily Mass, Holy Day celebration, or special liturgy, this module tracks all the details needed for reverent and well-prepared celebrations.

Note: This documentation covers creating and managing individual Mass celebrations. For recurring Mass schedules, see Mass Scheduling. For tracking Mass intention requests, see Mass Intentions.

What is a Mass Record?

A Mass record in Outward Sign represents a single celebration of the Eucharist and includes:

  • Basic Information - Date, time, location, type
  • Liturgical Context - Liturgical calendar link, readings, season
  • Ministers - Presider, deacon, homilist, other liturgical roles
  • Petitions - Prayer of the Faithful intentions
  • Mass Intentions - People or intentions for which the Mass is offered
  • Notes - Special instructions or circumstances

Creating a Mass Record

Step 1: Basic Information

1. Navigate to Masses in the sidebar

2. Click New Mass or Create Mass

3. Enter basic details:

- Date - Day the Mass will be celebrated

- Time - Start time for the Mass

- Type - Sunday Mass, Daily Mass, Holy Day, Special Celebration

- Language - English, Spanish, Latin, or Bilingual

- Location - Which church, chapel, or worship space

- Status - Planning, Scheduled, Active, Completed, Cancelled

Step 2: Liturgical Context

Link the Mass to the liturgical calendar:

1. Link to Liturgical Calendar Event (recommended)

- Search for the liturgical day

- System automatically provides:

- Proper readings for the day

- Liturgical season (Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, Easter)

- Liturgical color (green, white, red, purple, rose)

- Solemnity, feast, or memorial designation

2. Without Liturgical Link

- Manually enter readings

- Manually note season and color

Step 3: Ministers

Assign those serving in the liturgy:

1. Presider - Priest or deacon celebrating the Mass (required)

2. Deacon - Assisting deacon (if applicable)

3. Homilist - Who will preach (if different from presider)

4. Lectors - Readers for scripture passages

5. Altar Servers - Those serving at the altar

6. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion - Communion ministers

7. Cantor/Music Minister - Those leading music

8. Ushers - Hospitality and collection ministers

9. Sacristan - Person preparing sacristy and vessels

Step 4: Readings and Petitions

#### Readings

If linked to liturgical calendar, readings auto-populate. Otherwise, add:

1. First Reading - Old Testament reading (or Acts during Easter)

2. Responsorial Psalm - Psalm response

3. Second Reading - New Testament reading (Sundays and solemnities)

4. Gospel Acclamation - Alleluia or Gospel verse

5. Gospel - Gospel reading (required)

#### Petitions (Prayer of the Faithful)

Add General Intercessions:

1. Select from petition templates

2. Customize for specific parish needs

3. Include any Mass intentions

4. Add special prayers for current events

Step 5: Mass Intentions

Link Mass intentions to this Mass:

1. Select existing Mass intention requests

2. Or create new intention directly:

- Who the Mass is offered for

- Requested by whom

- Any stipend received

Note: For detailed Mass intention management, see Mass Intentions documentation.

Step 6: Notes and Special Instructions

Add any additional information:

  • Special music selections
  • Liturgical variations or adaptations
  • Family or community circumstances
  • Reminders for presider
  • Coordination notes with other staff

Printing Mass Materials

Presider's Script

Generate materials for the celebrating priest or deacon:

1. Open the Mass record

2. Click Print View or Download PDF

3. Script includes:

- Mass date, time, and location

- Liturgical season and color

- All scripture readings with citations

- Responsorial psalm

- Petitions (Prayer of the Faithful)

- Mass intentions (who the Mass is offered for)

- Special notes or instructions

- Names of all assigned ministers

Bulletin Announcement

Export Mass information for parish publications:

  • Date and time
  • Special liturgical observances
  • Presider name
  • Mass intentions (if published)
  • Any special music or guests

Types of Masses

Sunday Mass

Regular Sunday Eucharistic celebrations:

  • Links to Sunday readings (Year A, B, or C)
  • Full complement of ministers
  • Typically 60-75 minutes
  • May include children's liturgy of the word
  • Often includes parish announcements

Daily Mass

Weekday Mass celebrations:

  • Links to daily readings
  • Simpler liturgy
  • Fewer ministers required
  • Typically 30-45 minutes
  • More intimate community

Holy Days of Obligation

Special solemnities requiring attendance:

  • Christmas, Epiphany, Ascension, etc.
  • Links to proper readings
  • May require multiple Mass times
  • Plan for larger attendance
  • Special music and decorations

Special Liturgies

  • First Friday Mass - Devotion to Sacred Heart
  • First Saturday Mass - Marian devotion
  • School Mass - For parish school community
  • Healing Mass - With sacrament of anointing
  • Penance Service with Mass - During Advent/Lent

Common Scenarios

Planning Sunday Masses

1. Saturday (Week Before)

- Review next Sunday's liturgical calendar

- Create Mass records for all Sunday Masses

- Link to liturgical calendar for readings

2. Early in Week

- Assign presiders (if not already assigned)

- Assign lectors, EMHCs, servers

- Confirm cantor and musicians

- Add any Mass intentions

3. Mid-Week

- Finalize petitions

- Add special announcements if needed

- Print presider scripts

4. Saturday

- Final confirmation with all ministers

- Ensure sacristy is prepared

- Post Mass intention announcements

Holy Day Planning

When a Holy Day approaches:

1. Check diocesan calendar for obligation status

2. Create Mass records for multiple times if needed:

- Vigil Mass (evening before)

- Morning Mass

- Noon Mass

- Evening Mass

3. Assign presiders for each Mass

4. Coordinate with school or other parish groups

5. Publicize schedule to parish

Funeral Mass

When scheduling a funeral Mass:

1. Create funeral record in Funerals module

2. Create associated Mass record

3. Link Mass to funeral

4. Coordinate with funeral home

5. Assign presider (usually pastor or assigned priest)

6. Select appropriate readings with family

7. Prepare special petitions

8. Note any cultural or family customs

Special Event Mass

For parish-wide celebrations (anniversary, dedication, etc.):

1. Create Mass with appropriate type

2. Link to liturgical calendar or note special occasion

3. Plan enhanced music program

4. Assign additional ministers if needed

5. Coordinate special elements (processions, symbols)

6. Prepare extra copies of script

7. Plan for larger attendance

Mass Status Workflow

Planning

  • Mass is scheduled but details not finalized
  • Readings may not be selected
  • Ministers not yet assigned
  • Initial creation phase

Scheduled

  • All details confirmed
  • Ministers assigned
  • Readings finalized
  • Ready for celebration

Active

  • Mass is currently being celebrated
  • Rarely used (brief status)

Completed

  • Mass has been celebrated
  • Archive for records
  • Used for reporting
  • Mass intentions marked fulfilled

Cancelled

  • Mass will not be celebrated
  • Note reason in notes field
  • Notify any assigned ministers
  • Reschedule Mass intentions if applicable

Best Practices

Preparation

  • Plan Ahead - Create Mass records 2-4 weeks in advance
  • Link to Calendar - Always link to liturgical calendar when possible
  • Assign Early - Give ministers adequate notice (1-2 weeks minimum)
  • Print Scripts - Have presider script printed 24 hours before
  • Confirm Ministers - Send reminders 1 week and 1 day before

Liturgical Accuracy

  • Follow Calendar - Use proper readings for the day
  • Check Variations - Note when options exist (multiple readings, memorial days)
  • Seasonal Elements - Document special seasonal practices
  • Cultural Considerations - Note bilingual or multicultural needs

Record Keeping

  • Complete Records - Fill in all relevant fields
  • Update Status - Mark completed after celebration
  • Archive Annually - Keep records for parish archives
  • Track Patterns - Note which Masses have best attendance

Communication

  • Bulletin - Publish Mass schedule weekly
  • Website - Keep online calendar updated
  • Reminders - Send minister reminders automatically (if available)
  • Changes - Communicate any schedule changes promptly

Integration with Other Modules

Funerals Module

Funeral records automatically link to Mass records:

  • Funeral Mass intention pre-populated
  • Presider from funeral carries to Mass
  • Readings selected with family appear in Mass script

Mass Intentions Module

Mass intentions link to specific Masses:

  • View intentions when viewing Mass
  • Intentions appear on printed scripts
  • When Mass completed, intentions marked fulfilled

Mass Scheduling

Generate recurring Masses from templates:

  • Create templates for regular schedule
  • Generate months of Masses at once
  • Assign default presiders and locations
  • See Mass Scheduling for details

Calendar

All Masses appear on parish calendar:

  • View Mass schedule in calendar format
  • Export to external calendar apps
  • See Masses alongside other parish events

Liturgical Calendar

Link to universal liturgical calendar:

  • Automatic reading assignments
  • Liturgical season and color
  • Solemnity/feast/memorial designation
  • Helps ensure liturgical accuracy

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How far in advance should I create Mass records?

A: For regular Sunday/daily Masses, 2-4 weeks is typical. For Holy Days, plan as soon as the date is known (months in advance).

Q: What if the scheduled presider is unavailable?

A: Simply edit the Mass record and assign a different presider. Notify affected parties of the change.

Q: Can I create multiple Masses at once?

A: Yes, use the Mass Scheduling system to generate recurring Masses from templates. See Mass Scheduling.

Q: What if readings are different from what shows in the liturgical calendar?

A: You can manually override readings for special circumstances (votive Mass, Mass for special need, etc.).

Q: How do I handle bilingual Masses?

A: Set the language to "Bilingual" and note in the description or notes which parts are in which language.

Q: Should I create a Mass record for every Sunday Mass?

A: Yes, especially if you assign ministers, track intentions, or need printed scripts. If your parish uses Mass Scheduling, this can be automated.

Q: What's the difference between a Mass record and a Mass intention?

A: A Mass record represents the celebration itself (when, where, who celebrates). A Mass intention is a specific prayer or remembrance linked to that Mass.

Q: Can I edit a Mass after it's been celebrated?

A: Yes, you can edit for accuracy of records, but the Mass status should remain "Completed."

Related Features

Need Help?

Contact your parish administrator or visit outwardsign.church for support.