Services of the Word with distribution of Holy Communion

I was led during this morning's blogging "fix" to this post about what here in England we call "Services of the Word with distribution of Holy Communion".

In my own parish, we have one of these services during the week on the parish priest's day off, and most week days when he is away from the parish. The format is almost identical to the Mass, but without the Eucharistic Prayer - so I am sure that most parishioners who attend have a sense of it being "Mass". I concur entirely with the description of the confusions that can occur as a result.

The articulation of concerns expressed in this post is excellent and measured, and I concur entirely with the use of a celebration of the Divine Office as an alternative to what is practically a "dry Mass". This could take place, of course, as part of a time of Eucharistic Adoration, particularly if the celebration takes place on a Sunday.