Q:  When there are more than two deacons at a Mass at the cathedral, what postures do they take during the eucharistic prayer?  The two deacons at the altar kneel from the epiclesis to the memorial acclamation, but what about the others?  Do they kneel from the Sanctus to the Amen as the people do? A:  There is no legislation on this. Some dioceses have expressed a preference. Others have not. Personally, I think it’s better for deacons in pews away from the sanctuary to assume the postures of the rest of the assembly. GIRM 43 refers to what postures …

Q:  For the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) there are three books/registers that our diocese requires parishes to maintain: the Register of Catechumens, the Book of the Elect, and a book for recording the names of baptized Christians who have been received into full communion in the Catholic Church.  Our question is, is it  just the name and date in each separate book? A:  This is a canonical question, not a liturgical one, so my expertise is limited. I don’t see much legislation pertaining to the specifics of what should be recorded. You could consult Canon 877 §1 …

Last week the following was added to www.paulturner.org Two new blog posts. A new book was added to the books page – “Whose Mass Is It?“ – http://paulturner.org/books/ The homilies for Pentecost in both English and Español:  http://paulturner.org/homilies-year-b-2015/ The scores for the Royals’ pre-game activities:  http://paulturner.org/pre-game-grades/

Q:  I am interested in printing copies of your article from Catholic Practice 1997 entitled- The Death of the Last Rites. Would this be possible? A:  Yes. The articles on my web site are there for the taking. There is no cost. Thanks for asking.

Q:  In places where the Ascension is celebrated on a Thursday, the first reading on the Seventh Sunday of Easter is about the election of Matthias to replace Judas. In the New American Bible, Acts 1:23 gives the name of the other candidate as Joseph, but the Lectionary for Mass, which uses the same translation in the United States, says his name is Judas. Why is there a discrepancy? A:  There are times when the vocabulary in the lectionary’s version of the NAB has been changed from the published bible, usually for some liturgical reason. For example, the Lord’s Prayer …

The following was added this week to www.paulturner.org: “My Sacrifice and Yours” – a workshop for National Association of Pastoral Musicians, Scranton Chapter, on May 11. A blog post about reverencing the altar. The homily for the Memorial Mass for Lucas Turner. The homilies for Ascension Sunday in both English and Español:  http://paulturner.org/homilies-year-b-2015/ The scores for the Royals’ pre-game activities for the game on May 15:  http://paulturner.org/pre-game-grades/

Q:  At our parish, cantors and lectors bow to the altar on their way to the ambo, but not on their way back to their original places. It is felt that reverencing the altar twice is redundant. What would you say is correct? A:  The Ceremonial of Bishops #72 says, “A deep bow is made to the altar by all who enter the sanctuary (chancel), leave it, or pass before the altar.”  The way I read that, it would be preferable for the ministers to bow to the altar on entering and again on leaving the sanctuary.

The following was added this week to www.paulturner.org: The scores for the Royals’ pre-game activities for the game on April 30:  http://paulturner.org/pre-game-grades/ The homilies for the Fifth Sunday of Easter in both English and Español – text and audio:  http://paulturner.org/homilies-year-b-2015/ A workshop given for Deacon aspirants at Conception Abby:  http://paulturner.org/workshops/  

Q:  A Catholic bride and Methodist Groom are seeking marriage. The priest has denied allowing them to be married within the Mass and has assigned a Deacon to perform the rite outside of Mass. They have requested a priest and a Mass, as both parties have large numbers of Catholics in their families. Is it permissible for the priest to deny them the celebration of a Mass and ask a Deacon to fill in instead? They feel that since they both aren’t Catholic, that the priest is “ducking out” of his responsibilities to witness a sacramental marriage.   Any help is …

The following was added this week to www.paulturner.org: The scores and explanation for Royals’ pre-game activities for the game on April 20:  http://paulturner.org/pre-game-grades/ The homilies for the Fourth Sunday of Easter in both English and Español – text and audio:  http://paulturner.org/homilies-year-b-2015/ A workshop given for the Chicago Diocese Peace and Justice Office at Dominican University:  http://paulturner.org/past-talks/