Sunday Celebrations In the Absence of A Priest

In the event that a priest is unable to celebrate Mass in a particular parish, due to the shortage of priests, the local bishop may judge it necessary to provide for other Sunday celebrations in the absence of a priest, so that, in the best way possible, the weekly gathering of the faithful can be continued and the Christian tradition regarding Sunday preserved.

Either a deacon or appointed layperson can be entrusted with leading these celebrations. Sunday Celebrations include the following parts: Introductory Rites, singing of the Psalms, Liturgy of the Word; Act of Thanksgiving; Communion Rite, and Concluding Rite. While a Sunday Celebration is the Absence of a Priest (SCAP) is not a Mass, participation does fulfill our Sunday Obligation.