Why I Attend Frequent Mass...
BROKEN ARROW — Last Fall, with the encouragement and assistance of lay volunteer Cathy Miller,
Eastern Oklahoma Catholic solicited and received dozens of testimonials from both laypeople and clergy sharing their personal observations about the impact of attending frequent or daily Mass.
We asked willing participants to tell us what motivates them to attend frequent or daily Mass, the spiritual benefits they have experienced, and the positive impacts it has had not only on them personally, but also on their families and their faith communities.
We have published several of these first-hand accounts in the
April/May print edition of Eastern Oklahoma Catholic. But there were so many more! What follows here, and over the next few weeks in the
EOCextra, are more of these personal reflections on the Mass from parishioners across the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma.
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“For me, daily Mass is a more intimate prayer experience of the holy Mass. With fewer distractions, allowing me a quieter and more personal encounter with Jesus. My spiritual growth has increased with the more frequent homilies (insights and reflections). Plus, the grace from receiving the holy Eucharist, the real presence of Christ, the Bread of Life, the Source and Summit of our faith.”
—Harry Hanig
Parishioner at St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Tulsa
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“I have attended daily Mass most everyday (Tuesday-Friday) since the churches opened up after being closed for Covid. I really missed my parish family during that time and even though we had to wear masks and keep distance from each other, it was so nice seeing my parish family for daily Mass. I’ve enjoyed getting to know more personally fellow attendees of daily Mass. (We usually have coffee and treats after Mass).”
—Janet Kessler
Parishioner at St. Cecelia, Claremore
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“I met my husband Jim at daily Mass about 50 years ago at St. Therese in Collinsville. Our Mass is the most powerful part of our faith. We are blessed to be able to offer our Mass and Communion both for the general intentions and for our personal ones. My prayers now are for our Pope and prelates, and my pastors and church families. No one prays alone. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, praying for and with us."
—Kay Limke
Parishioner at St. Therese in Collinsville
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“Almighty God bestows innumerable blessings on me every day, blessings for which I haven’t even asked. What is an appropriate way for me to show my gratitude? I choose to worship Him at daily Mass because I owe Him that, and more.
Participating in daily Mass provides the perfect occasion to fulfil part of my duty to God. Each Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is celebrated for four purposes: Adoration, Thanksgiving, Reparation, and Petition. Every time we participate at daily Mass, we offer all of these and more. I am grateful for the opportunity.”
—Annie Kirchner
Parishioner at Most Precious Blood, Tulsa