Q: I’ve wondered recently what a parish can do to enhance Assembly participation at weddings and funerals. I realize that, most of the time, the Assembly is composed of Catholics and non-Catholics on these occasions, but even when the church is full of Catholics for a wedding or a funeral, it seems that the level of Assembly participation is diminished: muted responses and singing, hesitation with posture changes. I’m sure the difference in the ritual creates some uncertainty among well-practiced Catholics. And I honestly like the thought that an Assembly who are familiar with each other and who pray together regularly might have a stronger dynamic. But I’d love to find a way to promote an increased level of participation at these liturgies. Maybe just some well-chosen words encouraging Catholics who are present to lead with posture changes and to be generous with their voices? I wouldn’t want to be offensive, but I trust there are things Pastors, Liturgists, Cantors, Presiders and others involved in parish liturgy could do to promote fuller, more conscious and active participation at these liturgical celebrations.
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A: This is an insightful look at a genuine problem. Like you, I want those weddings and funerals to be positive experiences for everyone who comes, so we owe them good hospitality. And like you, I’ve found that some of the most faithful Catholics are not used to sitting in the front row. When they do, they experience some mild panic about when to stand and sit—without seeing others around them observing the postures.
Here at the cathedral we have at least two important people who help at these events. We have an adult server / sacristan, who acts as a kind of emcee guiding individual readers to the ambo and cuing other guests when it’s time for the procession of the gifts. We also use a cantor who, by standing at the mic, can sing or recite the people’s parts as needed to lead them all. Our server will also give helpful hand gestures to indicate to the people when they should stand or may be seated. With a smile on his face, he helps people feel more at home.