According to an old tradition, Catholics may offer a contribution to a priest and request an intention for a particular Mass (canon 945-946). This custom invites the faithful into a deeper celebration of the Eucharist by uniting their sacrifice with that of Christ. It also helps compensate the church's minister for his work. Because of the latter reason, the contribution is called a "stipend." In affluent countries the stipend is inadequate and the priest receives a salary. In poor countries priests cannot support themselves without the Mass stipend.

Catholic Church law used to forbid cremation, but it now makes allowance for the practice. The church recommends that the bodies of the faithful be buried, but it permits cremation if the reasons for choosing that method are not contrary to Christian teaching. Viewing the body of the deceased naturally recalls the person's deeds of kindness and testimony of faith. It brings to mind our belief that the human body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and the heir to glory at that the resurrection of the dead. Because of the reverence owed the body, the Catholic Church still prefers its burial at the time of death. When cremation is chosen, the remains merit the same respect accorded to the body. They deserve a worthy vessel and a respectful means of transport.

Some parishes display a book of the names of the dead. The book keeps an informal record of members who have died and can be put on public view to help the living remember the dead. The Catholic Church requires every parish to maintain a register of deaths. After each funeral, the name of the deceased is to be inscribed in this parish register. This register is usually kept in the parish office, where it serves as a reference book. Every parish is obliged to keep one.

The oil of the sick is used for the sacrament in the Catholic Church. Traditionally this oil is olive oil, but any vegetable oil will suffice. The bishop blesses fresh oil each year; in case of necessity, any priest may bless the oil for this sacrament. In the distant past lay people anointed the sick, but today only a priest or bishop may administer this sacrament.

This sick were anointed even at the time of Christ. In Mark 6:13, Jesus sent the disciples out to anoint the sick. James 5:14 urges the sick to send for the elders of the church for an anointing. The custom of anointing the sick continued, but for several hundred years only the dying were anointed. The priest prayed for their forgiveness and anointed them on seven different parts of the body.

A catechumen is an unbaptized person preparing for baptism, confirmation, and communion. A catechumen is an apprentice—someone who is learning about the faith from those more experienced at it while practicing the faith to the extent possible. The word looks plural, but it is singular. A "catechumenate" is a group of catechumens; it is also the word for their formation.

Catechumens range in age. Some are adults; others are as young as children preparing for first communion. If Catholic parents want their infant to be baptized, the child does not become a catechumen first. A person becomes a catechumen by participation in the rite of acceptance into the order of catechumens.

The rite of acceptance into the order of catechumens establishes a relationship between unbaptized persons and the church. Candidates express their intention to become members, and the church accepts them as catechumens. The ceremony may take place several times a year at a weekend Mass. Ideally, it begins outside the church. The priest for the Mass usually presides, but a deacon may do so.

The celebrant greets everyone and recalls the religious experience of the candidates. As they and their sponsors step forward. He asks the candidates their names and two questions about what they are seeking and why. The sponsors and assembly express their willingness to help the candidates find and follow Christ. The celebrant prays.

If you are interested in joining the Catholic Church, you'll hear about something called "RCIA." The initials stand for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the book ministers use to guide you through the stages and steps of church membership.

If you've never been baptized, and you are old enough to read this, you begin your preparation with the precatechumenate. During this time you have some spiritual conversation about God and the Church.

Once you decide to follow Jesus Christ, you celebrate the rite of acceptance into the order of catechumens. As a catechumen, you are considered a member of the Church in a broad sense. Unmarried catechumens may have a Catholic wedding; deceased catechumens may have a Catholic funeral.

Chrism is the most special of all the oils used for Catholic sacraments and rituals. Traditionally, it is olive oil enhanced with balsam, a perfume. Today, other oils and perfumes may be used, especially in regions where the traditional ingredients are difficult to obtain. No matter the formula, chrism should have a pleasing aroma.

Chrism is the oil used for the three sacraments that may be received only once in a lifetime: baptism, confirmation, and ordination to the priesthood. It carries a strong association with the Holy Spirit, who consecrates the faithful for service according to the sacrament they receive.

At Mass in some parishes, people hold hands while they pray the Lord's Prayer and raise them while proclaiming "for the kingdom." The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) is silent on this point, so there is no official universal legislation on the custom. Decisions about this gesture are made locally.

The origins of this custom are not clear. There is little evidence for it prior to Vatican II. It may have developed during the 1960s when we struggled to overcome racism and strengthen unity. The Lord's Prayer seemed an appropriate time to join hands because it is one of the few texts prayed aloud by everyone at Mass in the first person plural. The Eucharistic prayer is in the first person plural, but the priest recites it alone. "Lord, I am not worthy" is prayed by everyone, but in the first person singular.

At the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the bread, wine, and offerings for the church and the poor are brought to the altar. Sometimes the bread and wine are placed on the credence table before Mass. In this case, a minister brings them to the altar at the preparation of the gifts. More commonly the bread and wine are placed near the door of the church before Mass. They may be brought up in procession to the altar. The procession should include just these primary symbols.

Gifts are brought up in procession by “the faithful,” who hand them to the priest or deacon (General Instruction of the Roman Missal 73). After handing them over, some people make the sign of the cross, genuflect, bow, or do none of the above. The GIRM gives no instructions about what to do. It would be most appropriate if those who bring up the gifts made a profound bow to the altar just before returning to their places.

The offertory chant is sung at Mass while the gifts of bread and wine are brought to the altar. In parishes it sometimes has another name; it may be called the offertory hymn or the song during the preparation of the gifts. After the prayer of the faithful, as everyone sits, the offertory chant begins, and it continues at least until the gifts are placed on the altar. The music accompanies the ritual action of preparing the gifts. It differs from like the responsorial psalm or the "Holy, Holy," which demand full attention and accompany nothing else.