St Thomas Chapel SSPX Carson City NV

St Thomas Chapel SSPX welcomes Christians and those who seek to connect to Christianity in the Carson City area.

We aim to make contact with and encourage others to join us in our life-changing Christian journey.

We are a friendly Christian community where we welcome others to join us in our worship and service to God.

Our vision is to make an impact for God, here in Carson City, Nevada by helping people understand the enriching messages of eternal hope given to us by Jesus Christ through His words and deeds.

Everyone is welcome, no matter your age, beliefs, or background. Come just as you are - we'd love to get to know you better.

 

Question: What if this is my first time in an SSPX chapel? Should I be worried about what I'm wearing?

Answer: Thank you for joining us today!

The Mass, the holiest and most important of the Church, is celebrated in this temple, truly a house of God. In light of this reality, we invite everyone to wear modest, respectful clothing that reflects the dignity of the One in whose image we are created. Casual attire, such as shorts, t-shirts, and sleeveless shirts are examples of inappropriate clothing. Following apostolic custom, we also ask women to wear a veil inside the church and we similarly ask men not to wear hats inside the church.

Question: Can I receive Communion? Do I have to kneel for communion and receive communion on the tongue? Should I say 'Amen' after having received communion?

Answer: The reception of Holy Communion is reserved for practicing Catholics in the state of grace.

Specifically, to receive Holy Communion: One must be a baptized and practicing Catholic, having made a good confession since the last committed mortal sin, if any, in order to be in the state of Grace, and one must not be a public sinner (living in sin with another, married outside the Church, etc.) One must observe at least one hour of Eucharistic fast (water and medicine do not break the fast). The most important requirement is to have a great desire to receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

You may humbly approach the Communion rail when the other parishioners do so. To receive Communion, close your eyes, open the mouth wide and extend your tongue smoothly and horizontally. Do not say ?Amen.? You might notice some parishioners who refrain from receiving Holy Communion, as there is no obligation to receive it daily, and there are many reasons people would choose to refrain, such as if they have not made a devout preparation. However, ?Live in a manner to be able to receive Communion every day!? (St. Augustine). After Mass has concluded, instead of leaving immediately, take some time to make a good prayer of thanksgiving to Our Lord for the gift of Himself in the Most Blessed Sacrament. You will notice other parishioners doing so as well.

Question: Are you different from our Catholic churches? What should I expect? What if I am confused?

Answer: We are a Catholic chapel in union with Rome that maintains the traditions proper to the Roman Rite of the Church.

We recognize that some aspects of this liturgy may be unfamiliar to you, such as the use of Latin or the priest facing the altar with the people.

We do these things in accordance with the rubrics and practices that were normative up until the time of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s.

Our priests and parishioners will be more than happy to help you with any questions you might have

Booklets are available to aid you in following and assisting in the Mass.

For more information, please visit the website of Angeluspress: https://angeluspress.org/booklet

Question: What are sacraments? Which ones do you offer here? Whom do I contact?

Answer: The seven sacraments are the central mysteries of Catholic life. Our churches are communities where regular attendance at Mass, as well as an ongoing formation, is standard.

For the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and marriage, you must be registered at this chapel for at least six months and meet with the pastor so you may become acquainted. These sacraments require preparation under the guidance of the pastor.

For sacramental emergencies and other questions regarding the sacraments, please see the bulletin for the pastor?s contact information.

Question: What specifically is different about your Mass? Is it the same as other Catholic churches?

Answer: The Mass celebrated in this church is the Mass of the Roman Rite, the traditional Latin Mass. Until 1969, when a New Mass was created, the liturgy was of apostolic origin. The traditional Latin Mass follows the tradition of Saint Peter, the first Pope, and has never undergone any essential change till the present time. Every gesture, every word has been weighed and measured with the assistance of the Holy Ghost for the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls.

Question: Why do you say Mass in Latin? Why not in the vernacular?

Answer: The Catholic Faith, which is so beautifully expressed in the Holy Mass, was spread by the Apostles and by the early Christian missionaries throughout the Roman Empire. The common language of the Western Roman Empire was Latin, and this became the liturgical language of our rite, the Roman Rite. It has been the consistent teaching of many popes that Latin has special qualities as a language of worship. The use of this ancient language is a safeguard against errors and heresies; it is not subject to constant changes but remains the same for all time. Latin is a symbol of the visible universality and unity of the Church that through the centuries has preserved the bond of unity with our common center, Rome. Latin, as the language of the Church, unites Catholics from all nations and all centuries.

Question: Why do you face the altar? Why not the people?

Answer: The Mass is celebrated facing toward the altar, the tabernacle, and the Cross, but not toward the congregation. The focus of all of our worship in the Holy Mass is toward God and Him alone. In all liturgical rites of the Church, including the Roman Rite, both the priest and the congregation have always faced the same direction, toward the East (ad orientem), toward the Lord who comes in glory. Together, the people face the same direction as the priest, who acts as a mediator between them and God.

Question: But I am lost when I come to Mass here. Can you give any advice?

Answer: Although the traditional Mass has a defined structure, it may seem unfamiliar at first. But don?t worry! This is a normal first reaction. There is an element of mystery here: the Mass communicates the unity, truth, goodness, and beauty of God on so many levels, not just with the spoken word. There are certainly printed Missals and booklets with translations you can follow. You might ask another friendly parishioner for some pointers later on; they will be glad to help you out. But at first, spend the time in prayer ? unite yourself in prayer to the Holy Mass, to Our Lord in the Sacrifice of Calvary and in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Perceive how discreetly and beautifully the Holy Ghost sanctifies souls through the liturgy in every aspect, and allow Him to sanctify you as well.

Question: Will I be welcome as a guest?

Answer: After Mass, you will see that traditional Catholics are family-oriented and like to socialize! Take some time to introduce yourself and your family to the priest, to meet some of the other parishioners and enjoy some refreshments. Most churches also have a nice bookstore where you can find some good spiritual reading and religious articles which you can have blessed.
 

Download St Thomas Chapel SSPX vCard with Mass Times

Click here to contact the church  

Download Coordinator Dr. Christopher Forman vCard

Click here to contact Dr. Christopher Forman  

Society of Saint Pius X  

https://fsspx.today/chapel/nv-carson-city/info/  

 

 

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The history of the SSPX, like the history of the Catholic Church, is a beautiful mystery. Both continue to flourish despite many setbacks and uncertainties. From its humble origins, the SSPX has grown exponentially and today proclaims the faith throughout the world.

Foundation

Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, in response to the repeated requests of young men interested in a traditional priestly formation, founded the Society of St. Pius X on November 1, 1970. He was 65 years old at the time, and had previously served the Catholic Church as apostolic delegate to French-speaking Africa, Archbishop of Dakar, and superior general of the Holy Ghost Fathers, a missionary order of priests. Eleven young men began their studies under the archbishop at a new seminary in Econe, Switzerland. The local bishop of Fribourg was convinced that this new seminary would bring great benefits to the Catholic Church and soon granted his official approval.

The purpose of this new priestly order was poorly understood, however, even by the leaders in Rome. Many thought that the old archbishop had turned against the pope because he only permitted the old Latin rite of the Mass at his seminary. On the contrary, Archbishop Lefebvre insisted that he respected and honored the Holy Father, and that he was only continuing an unbroken Catholic tradition: he loved the Tridentine Rite of the Mass and knew from experience how beneficial, even crucial, it was in forming holy priests. After all, the immemorial Roman Mass had never been suppressed, even though the Novus Ordo Missae had been introduced.

Opposition

Other modern tendencies which the archbishop opposed were ecumenism—a viewpoint which considered all religions as beneficial and valid—and collegiality—which insisted that the Church be ruled primarily by the democratic process and bishops’ conferences, limiting the power of the pope as sole head of the universal Church as well as each individual bishop’s autonomy within his own diocese. Archbishop Lefebvre’s strong stance on these issues did not please some of the Roman authorities who wanted only the new rite of Mass to flourish within a more liberal and modern Church.

Two apostolic visitors, therefore, conducted an official tour and inspection of the seminary at Econe in 1974. They were impressed with its high academic standards and the seminarians’ evident piety; their only complaint was that they did not see the new rite of the Mass being celebrated. They brought a positive report back to the pope.

Suppression

Despite this favorable review, Archbishop Lefebvre was soon called to Rome and was interviewed by three cardinals. A few weeks later, the new bishop of Fribourg suddenly suppressed the SSPX, May 6, 1975. Shocked, Archbishop Lefebvre issued an official appeal and asked for the reasons behind this drastic act. Neither Fribourg nor Rome responded. Additionally, in 1976 the archbishop was suspended ab ordinum collatione—from ordaining deacons and priests—and later a divinis—from all sacred functions, including saying Mass.

Confused by this abrupt suppression and inexplicable silence, the archbishop decided that he must continue to fulfill his duties as rector of the seminary at Econe; after all, he was convinced that canon law stipulated that no such suppression or suspension would take force while an official appeal was left unresolved, much less unanswered. He ordained priests that summer as normal. He also took his seminarians with him on pilgrimage to Rome as a sign of good faith.

Consecration of bishops

The SSPX, despite its apparent suppression, grew rapidly. New seminaries were opened in Germany, America, Argentina and Australia. Religious brothers, sisters, and lay third order members joined its swelling ranks; by 1987, the SSPX had spread its apostolate to every continent in the world.

Archbishop Lefebvre, after repeated but ultimately unfruitful negotiations with Rome, decided in 1988 to consecrate four new bishops to serve the SSPX and its faithful. In response, the pope issued a declaration of excommunication to the archbishop and these four new bishops. This greatly saddened the archbishop, but he firmly believed that he could not in good conscience have acted otherwise and was bound to provide for the preservation of the SSPX and its worldwide apostolate. Archbishop Lefebvre died just three years later on March 25, 1991.

Today

The SSPX continued its apostolate despite the death of its founder. In 1994, Bishop Bernard Fellay was elected superior general, a position which he still holds today. Notably, in the jubilee year 2000 he led all of his priests, religious, and seminarians on pilgrimage to Rome, hoping thereby to express love and respect for the Holy Father. Pope Benedict XVI later decided to free the traditional Roman Mass in a 2007 motu proprio entitled Summorum Pontificum and in 2009, lifted the “excommunications” issued against the four SSPX bishops.

Today, the Society of St. Pius X numbers over 600 priests and close to half a million faithful spread throughout the world and courageously continues its apostolic work.