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.
He did not tell their mothers to take them to a crying room.
The reason this "priest" has such an unruly parish is that neither he (nor his parishioners) believe in the Real Presence and in what transpires at Mass.
He just happened to write a letter demonstrating his position clearly.
The parishioners act on their unbelief.
King David was a red head!
Like I said, it could be worse, his "beloved" dogs could be poodles.
We all have our own "way of the cross," inferior by far to His, but we do carry one. It ain't easy. I feel for you. We had Cardinal Law, personally he was a lovely man and talked an orthodox talk, but he did not walk the walk. The dissent here would stun you.
I love that book! Also "I love you this much" -- the one with the mother and her son as he grows older and so does she.
The point is that Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers are supposed to be just that: extraordinary. Unfortunately, in the American Church they have become rather ordinary.
The Vatican has instructed that:
"Extraordinary ministers may distribute Holy Communion at eucharistic celebrations only when there are no ordained ministers present or when those ordained ministers present at a liturgical celebration are truly unable to distribute Holy Communion. They may also exercise this function at eucharistic celebrations where there are particularly large numbers of the faithful and which would be excessively prolonged because of an insufficient number of ordained ministers to distribute Holy Communion."
Unfortunately, this is not followed much in the U.S.
This seems to be the case at most parishes in the D/FW area. At my parish, we'd be there all day if the priest didn't have help.
Every Mass is extraordinarily crowded?
SD
Yep. :o(
We have thousands of people in our parish ... one of the largest in the diocese.
Odd ... when we first moved here, we looked for a small parish but couldn't find one near our home. We visited St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and immediately knew it was the right parish despite the large numbers.
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