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Know What You Should Do at Mass and Why [barf alert---Freep this pastor!]
Church of the Holy Family bulletin, Diocese of Richmond ^ | Fr. Tom Quinlan

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.


TOPICS: Activism; Catholic
KEYWORDS: catholiclist
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To: RobbyS
Already did with no comment. It speaks for itself.
81 posted on 01/24/2003 10:42:30 PM PST by Antoninus
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To: Gophack
LOL I always said that my younger son had 2 speeds, hyper and comatose, I made him sit on my lap until he was about 6. My grandson is still fidgity and restless in Church (he's 6) and he makes sure not to sit by me because I give him "The Eye" and he hates that.
82 posted on 01/24/2003 11:17:38 PM PST by tiki
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To: Gophack
I don't think so because I went to a meeting this week to train as a substitute Eucharistic minister to the homebound. Some of the terminology has changed. The sister called it meal and sacrifice. And now they're supposed to be called ministers of the Most Holy Communion. We got a book to read and I haven't read it yet.
83 posted on 01/24/2003 11:27:10 PM PST by tiki
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To: TotusTuus
OMG! Is that the one where the mother drives across town in the middle of the night with a ladder on the roof of her car, complete with the red hankie at the end signaling an oversized load, to her grown son's home while he is sleeping and crawls commando style through his second story bedroom window just to hold him while he slept?

True story.

The lay woman in charge of religious education at our parish used that book to instruct us in the sacrament of baptism at a required class for the parents of those to be baptised. She read the parents that book to show us about God's love (or something like that). Think she just might be a little loose with her orthodoxy? (We also got to pray to a candle and watch her pour water to show us what great symbols these are - nothing from scripture, or any orthodox church source in reference. Just her own blathering.)

84 posted on 01/25/2003 6:18:53 AM PST by Snuffington
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To: ArrogantBustard
My faith just barely survived my time in the diocese of Richmond also. They told us in RCIA that it wasn't a sin to miss Mass, it just wasn't a good idea. I soon decided that my time was better spent doing something else and became an Easter and Christmas Catholic. When we moved to another diocese it shocked the socks off of me when I attended a dignified, reverent N.O., the priest said it was a sin to miss Mass and that artificial contraception was a sin. I can thank the diocese of Richmond for turning me into an orthodox Catholic, having experienced a real Am-church.
85 posted on 01/25/2003 7:24:56 AM PST by k omalley
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To: Snuffington
She read the parents that book to show us about God's love (or something like that).

Did little Snuffy - you don't mind me treating you as a small child, no? - not learn the lesson well enough? For your next assignment, you must read "The Giving Tree". This is more advanced. Written for the Confirmation. We trust you will comply.

In real life, the woman in the book would be considered, what, disturbed? That picture, the detail of the red hankie, still makes me pee my pants with laughter.

86 posted on 01/25/2003 12:24:41 PM PST by TotusTuus
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To: tiki
The sister called it meal and sacrifice. And now they're supposed to be called ministers of the Most Holy Communion.

I hear this dumbed down, feel good language at my own parish. I think the liberal lingo (and frame of mind) is pretty widespread. I'm trying to find an orthodox parish within reasonable distance, no luck so far.

87 posted on 01/25/2003 12:47:59 PM PST by american colleen (some days it's tough...)
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To: Polycarp
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 ...

10 minutes! Must be a quickie Mass.

88 posted on 01/25/2003 2:30:05 PM PST by Dusty Rose
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To: TotusTuus
In real life, the woman in the book would be considered, what, disturbed?

In real life, the religious educator in our parish would be considered disturbed. It's only in the sheltered life a modern Catholic parish that we're forced to take her seriously. Creepy children's books and all.

89 posted on 01/25/2003 2:45:11 PM PST by Snuffington
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To: B Knotts
Where I attend we have Eucharistic Ministers and, because of this, it makes it possible for all to have the opportunity to recieve from the cup. Two priests distribute the Hosts and two Eucharistic Ministers hold the chalices at each Mass. On some occasions 2 priests may not be available, so one distributes Communion, but we still have 2 Eucharistic Ministers for the chalices.

Eucharistic Ministers have been commissioned in our diocese for our local hospital. The hospital chaplain, a priest, will generally make the initial visits to the Catholics. At that time he may give Communion after confession and/or annointing. The Eucharistic Ministers make daily visits to pray and give Communion to patients who request this. No way could the chaplain visit all patients everyday. By the way, there is extensive training and the EMs need to write papers on the meaning of the Eucharist and personal belief in the Divine Presence.
90 posted on 01/25/2003 2:50:18 PM PST by Dusty Rose
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To: Dusty Rose
10 minutes! Must be a quickie Mass.

Probably skips the Confetior. I hate that. But then again, since there is no such thing as sin, there's no need to make a public confession, right?
91 posted on 01/25/2003 3:42:12 PM PST by Antoninus
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To: k omalley
That which does not kill my faith makes it stronger...

OBTW, that's "with no obvious end in sight", back in #73.

92 posted on 01/26/2003 12:20:54 PM PST by ArrogantBustard
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To: heyheyhey
Saving this list. V's wife.
93 posted on 01/26/2003 12:43:19 PM PST by ventana ((I live in the Empire State))
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To: Antoninus
Probably skips the Confetior

This is so weird! My parish priest skipped it today. He said "we will skip the confetior because we are allowed to since we are recognizing the confirmation class of 2003" --- or something like that. Aside of the fact that it is one of my favorite parts of the Mass (even if it is in English) it just doesn't seem right. We are called to confess our sins in church to/with our brothers and sisters, are we not?

I thought you could only skip it if you were doing a "sprinkling" instead of the confetior.

The poor confirmation kids were called to the altar to pick up a silly looking "student" bible reminiscent of the "good news for modern man" one I got in the 70s. Too bad the CCD nun didn't ask for my opinion in choosing which one to buy! ;-)

94 posted on 01/26/2003 12:57:57 PM PST by american colleen
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To: VermiciousKnid
If anyone asked me (and of course, no one has), I'd say bring back the altar rail & let the priest handle it himself.

I'll second that!

95 posted on 01/27/2003 7:09:21 AM PST by al_c
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To: american colleen
My parish priest skipped it today. He said "we will skip the confetior

This is skipped a lot. I thought it was required, but what do I know.
96 posted on 01/27/2003 7:11:49 AM PST by Desdemona
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To: al_c
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.

Come out of her. :-)

97 posted on 01/27/2003 7:21:04 AM PST by Invincibly Ignorant (Kum Ba ya)
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To: Invincibly Ignorant
Come out of her. :-)

LOL! How did you find your way into this thread?

Come back home, Steven. ;o)

98 posted on 01/27/2003 7:50:56 AM PST by al_c
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