Q: Paul, One of my biggest frustrations is that people like to sit in the back half of the church even though there are plenty of spaces available in the front. In various parishes, we’ve tried different strategies. In one church we left the back half of the church lights off, but people still would sit in the last pew in the dark. My current parish doesn’t offer this option as we have a Rube Goldberg style of wiring. But we can keep some of the lights in the back half of the church off.  I believe if we roped off the back pews as someone suggested from parish council, the people would just throw the rope aside and sit there anyway. 

Despite an occasional invitation once or twice a year, including making a comparison with the last supper where the disciples were gathered around the table, I haven’t had much success.

Do you have any ideas of what might work? This is an issue both for daily Mass as well as Sunday Eucharist. 

Thanks for being a key resource on matters liturgical  

==

A: This is part of a bigger issue. Like you, I lament the practice. Some people even arrive early to get the back pews. Yet I also know when I visit another church for Mass, I do not always choose a place in front. I have to make it a conscious choice. I suspect it’s something cultural we face more in the US. Roping off pews just makes people angry and doesn’t build communion. Shutting off lights may encourage more people to sit in the dark if they already prefer anonymity. It’s better to appeal to the heart of these good people who are including Mass in their routine.

The bigger issue is full, conscious, active participation in general. Many congregations do not sing well. Many members let electronic devices distract them. Many sit so far away from others that they can exchange peace only by waving rather than touching. Some sit by the tabernacle so they can focus on the reserved sacrament rather than the sacrifice of the Mass. Some pray the rosary during the eucharistic prayer when the missal expects them to pay full attention to its words. Even musicians and servers can be found visiting with one another during Mass instead of giving full attention to every moment. Many people leave church after or during communion. We won’t fix one part of this without addressing the whole package.

I’m sure the US Bishops have a pulse on what Catholics need, but I’d like a new eucharistic revival that would focus on participation rather than adoration.

View All Blog Posts | Explore Books | Submit a Blog Question | Share Post via Email