Posted on 01/23/2003 11:51:59 AM PST by Polycarp
Know What You Should Do at Mass and Why
Many parishes have a Miss Manners section which is O.K., but what we need is a Miss Know-Why-You’re-Doing-What-You-Should-Do at Mass, because of the theology it signifies. It is not a local whim!
1. Everyone in this parish should receive a piece of the consecrated Bread, and drink from the common cup. Jesus (not the Church) instituted the Mass in ratione coenae (in the nature of a meal), not in the form of a snack. Nine hundred years of host ("What’s that?" Jesus would say.) history does not excuse us from the twofold facet of communing as Jesus intended and the Bible handed on.
2. People who enter the building, which their presence in Faith will make into a church, should reach into the Baptismal Font and bless themselves, educating their children to do the same. This applies to the innumerable latecomers. Incidentally, if you are ten minutes late (look at your watch in the parking lot), go to another Mass. Missing the three Bible readings manifests your misunderstanding of what Mass is: Word and Meal.
3. Do not leave early. The priest should always be the first one out of the church. If you have prescheduled appointments, reschedule your Mass. Last week I confronted three people leaving early. And one of them, to add insult to injury, had blessed herself on the way out–a meaningless, pietistic gesture.
4. Do not bring any games, toys, Cheerios, etc., to the church building. Little children belong in the nursery, and younger children at the Liturgy of the Word. If you have uncontrollable children, consult psychiatrist listings, or arrange with your life-sharing spouse to go to separate Liturgies until control is restored in the family (which is usually the problem). There are a few exceptions–autistic children, et similia, who are more than welcome.
5. When the cantor introduces the service, answer the "Good Morning" or "Good Evening". That’s the cue to stop conversation. In our parish, the older people seem to be the chief offenders. When the cantor leads the singing, or the lector is reading, they are presiding at that part of the Mass. Look at them and pay attention to them. The overall presider is the presbyter (Priest), but not the only one. Notice that when the cantor is leading the Hallelujah how the priest turns and faces him/her, an acknowledgement of presidency.
6. When there is a lull, it is not a signal to start chattering. I have noticed it before the first reading, at the presentation of gifts, and even during Holy Communion! However, the chattering, laughing, howling, and conversation before the cantor signals the beginning of the service is highly encouraged.
7. When it is time to sing, everyone sing. When it is time to be silent, everyone should be quiet. The Mass has ups and downs built into it. You should have ups and downs in your moods, singing, and actions.
8. Do not be a hostgrabber. Put both hands out for the Eucharistic minister (ordained or not) to place in your hand. Say "amen" loudly so all around you can hear. Look at the Body and Blood as you receive it.n No looking at the priest, or closing your eyes, and certainly not making the sign of the Cross, genuflecting, or other meaningless actions. You blessed yourself in the Baptismal Font at the beginning of Mass, and before the opening Prayer–that's enough.
More later.
I need to increase my blood pressure meds ping!
Huh? Consult a psychiatrist?! Sorry ... I'll keep bringing Cheerios.
8. Do not be a hostgrabber. Put both hands out for the Eucharistic minister (ordained or not) to place in your hand. Say "amen" loudly so all around you can hear. Look at the Body and Blood as you receive it.n No looking at the priest, or closing your eyes, and certainly not making the sign of the Cross, genuflecting, or other meaningless actions. You blessed yourself in the Baptismal Font at the beginning of Mass, and before the opening Prayer–that's enough.
So all can hear? "Let not your right hand know what the other is doing." Sign of the Cross and genuflecting meaningless? Whatever.
Wow ... this priest needs a swift "get-off-your-high-horse" kick in the arse.
FWIW ... I'll agree with him on the others.
We have a crying room for children who are crying -- it should be used. (and people who come late for mass or sit in the crying room so they can sneak out shouldn't give us harried moms dirty looks because our 1 year old is making noise IN the crying room).
EWTN's website said that it is wholly unnecessary to cross yourself after receiving the Eucharist, because you have received the ultimate blessing, the body and blood of Jesus Christ. It is a hard habit to get out of, but their explanation made a lot of sense to me and I have been trying to refrain. With regards to genuflecting, etc ... the re-iteration from the Bishops was to deeply bow prior to receiving Communion, but people who choose to kneel are fine (as long as it doesn't create a hazard). Personally, I miss the communion rails, but a deep bow is appropriate, I believe.
People have become lazy during Mass. It's as if they go because they have to, and cut corners when they can. If this priest is having problems in his parish, I commend him for addressing them. I wish our parish priest had addressed some of the problems that were, thank the Lord, fixed after the Bishop's meeting (mostly that had to do with EMs).
Just my opinion ....
Bishop Sullivan is a national leader of the religious community's involvement in the work of justice and peace. He is the Bishop-President of Pax Christi USA, the national Catholic peace movement.
Bishop Sullivan serves on the boards of Christian Children's Fund based in Richmond; the Churches' Center for Theology and Public Policy in Washington, D.C.; the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy; the Catholic Committee of Appalachia; and numerous diocesan boards. He has been on the board of the National Catholic Office for Persons with Disabilities and on the Administrative Board of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Bishop's Coat of Arms: The coat of arms of Bishop Sullivan contains the lions and the stag from the Sullivan coat of arms of Ireland, but is differenced to make the coat of arms personal. The Trefoil between the Sullivan lions is taken from the coat of arms of Bishop Russell, whom Bishop Sullivan assisted as Auxiliary. The group of trees identifies the Vanderloo family of the Bishop's Mother. The dexter implement contains the arms of the See.
Motto: "To Unite All in Christ". The motto is derived from the prayer of Jesus Christ for unity at the Last Supper: "That all may be one, even as thou, Father, in me and I in thee; that they may also be one in us, that the world may believe that you have sent me" (John 17:21).
Bishop Sullivan's e-mail can be found here
Well, at least he doesn't own poodles.
OBTW, the DDR has a serious 'priest shortage'. Gee, I wonder: "Why"?
*ahem* EEMs :-)
As described:
Using the church's official sources, James Akin explains the do's and don'ts of Catholic worship clearly and concisely in Mass Confusion. Thousands of parishioners and their priests find this book invaluable. This book distill answers form a mountain of liturgical documents and silences personal misrepresentations of the Church's liturgical law."Mass Confusion" is available at the catholic.com bookstore
Wow. Missed that on the first go-round. Kooky Quinlan hasn't learnt a thing. It's called "Reverence", Father. It applies any time you're in Church, before the Blessed Sacrament.
I wonder where the Tabernacle is hidden. It certainly isn't behind the Altar, where it belongs. That's reserved for his highness' throne.
Not the ugliest Sanctuary I've ever seen, but close.
Missing the three Bible readings manifests your misunderstanding of what Mass is: Word and Meal.
Fr. Quinlan, have you ever heard the term "Holy Sacrifice of the Mass"?
Fritz Peterson, "Mike, I will trade you my wife Marilyn and my kids for your wife Susanne and your kids."
Mike Kekich, "Ok, Fritz. You can have my wife Susanne and my damn kids and I will take your wife Marilyn and your kids - just as long as you toss in a case of "Red Man Chewing Tobacco."
And the "deal" was, um, consummated and Bowie Kuhn did enter a grand funk as the glorious spring was railroaded...<>
Actually reading the article again I think it's a joke, especially the hooting and hollering before mass, or maybe he was being fastecious (I can't spell today, pregnancy hormones).
Still, many of the points are valid. I have a toddler who can't sit still for Mass, and when I take him to the crying room, I'm constantly chasing and shhhing him. Because child care is hit or miss in our parish, we decided to simply go to Mass at different times. My husband usually takes our older kids to an earlier mass, and I go later, so one of us stays home with the 20 month old.
There are some well-behaved young, young children at Mass, but I don't think you can expect kids under 3, and some under 5, to sit still and quietly for an hour. Our oldest is the exception -- she would sit on my lap or color quietly from age 2 on, but my second would fidget (and still does at age 6!) and we didn't bring her regularly until she was 4. I think our youngest is the same way!
Anyway, just my observation. I am glad that the bishop's are attempting to straighten things out, and they seemed to address some of the problems with laziness on the part of the priests as well and the EEMs :-)
God bless!
...and certainly not making the sign of the Cross, genuflecting, or other meaningless actions.
Another Catholic almost stumbling and falling into Biblical truth.
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