Q: Thank you for all your responses. I value your explanations.
Regarding issues and hospitality before Liturgy officially starts and ends. I presently experience:
- Being greeted by “hospitality ministers” as I enter Church.
- The reading of parish announcements before Mass
- A reading of a canned summary of the “themes” of the Mass of the Day and lastly
- Being asked to stand and greet my neighbors around me. Then the Entrance Song is announced. Additionally, 1-4 has been preceded by instrumental prelude music which sometimes actually promotes a prayerful environment.
It is my position that if the Introductory Rites are celebrated properly they are to prepare us to celebrate the Mass, and the above is unnecessary.
I do understand that the Announcements are provided for in the Missal as after the Prayer after Communion. The Pastor does not like this to be done and so puts the announcements before Mass, even though all the information is in the printed Sunday bulletin and online.
After the Closing Song, all break into loud conversation, as if the sacred environment was never present and we are not in the presence of the Eucharist in the tabernacle (which we are). There is coffee and fellowship always in the basement after Liturgy.
Is there support for these things, including “hospitality ministers,” anywhere in liturgical documents? It makes the environment less conducive to prayer and more focus on us than on God and the reason we come to offer the sacrifice of the Mass.
Sincerely, with thanks.
==
A: 1) The USCCB’s Introduction to the Order of Mass no. 23 urges that people be ‘made welcome by representatives of the community and acknowledged informally by their neighbors.” All communities are different, and all those entering through the church doors are unique. Some would like to enter in isolation; others feel rejected if no one welcomes them. In my parish, we have so many doors that we don’t have enough greeters to receive those arriving. In general, I think it’s a good practice for one or more persons to be at the doors to greet people. These volunteers can answer visitors’ questions, and they can help the regulars feel connected. This is all purely cultural, but I think it’s good for hospitality ministers to greet faithful parishioners by name and to be ready to assist visitors.
2) Parish announcements belong after the Prayer after Communion. They are to be brief.
3) GIRM 31, 50 and 124 allow for an introduction to the Mass after the sign of the cross and greeting—not before. It allows it, but does not require it. In my view, it’s not necessary.
4) The value of in-pew introductions changes according to a parish’s personality. Again, this is cultural, but in general, I like the idea of having the songleader invite people to say hello to others in their pew just before the opening hymn. It gives them permission to say hello to someone with whom they’ll be sharing common worship.
To your point, the introductory rites will indeed gather people into one through song, dialogues, silence, and praise. But careful attention to the arrival of people at church may enhance their full, conscious, and active participation in the rites.
Regarding the loud conversation after the closing song, I was pastor of a parish once where that was also the custom. It somehow fit the personality of the parish, so I let it go. Conversation by itself shows no disrespect to the tabernacle. However, if other members wish to remain for private prayer, then the practice would profitably be reevaluated.
Attention to other worshipers does not exclude attention to God. One may enhance the other. Jesus gave two great commandments, not just one.
View All Blog Posts | Explore Books | Submit a Blog Question | Share Post via Email