Apologetics prior to Mass

[4christ]

We have volunteered to head our church’s evangelization team and we want to reach
the luke warm Catholics in the pews. Would it be liturgically inappropriate to have
a Catholic CD playing a 3-5 min track ten minutes before each Mass begins? Our thought is that it would help to prepare hearts for the Holy Mass (rather than chatting and browsing the bulletins)& help to plant some seeds. If anyone has done this in their parish, we would love suggestions of what you used and what did and didn’t work. If it’s liturgically incorrect…we need to know that as well. Thank you for your time and God bless.

 

[GRATEFULONEjim]

I am going to say that it would be inappropriate. When people first arrive at Church, they like to kneel and say their prayers. I for one do not like distractions while doing this. Our music group often uses this time as “practice” which makes it difficult to focus on my prayers.

 

[Sirach2]

I am going to say that it would be inappropriate. When people first arrive at Church, they like to kneel and say their prayers. I for one do not like distractions while doing this. Our music group often uses this time as “practice” which makes it difficult to focus on my prayers.

I agree with you. The organist uses nearly 15 minutes to play all of the hymns used at mass that day - nonstop. It is very distracting and annoying. It does not allow the silence many need to pray the rosary or such devotion.

OTOH, the OP is calling for 3-5 minutes, which might be acceptable and even welcome.

 

[Ophelia23]

I am going to agree with the previous poster that it is inappropriate.

The intention is fantastic, and I sincerely applaud you and your group for it. However, you are talking about a shared space with cold, lukewarm, and passionate Catholics alike. The time before Mass is intended for quiet reflection, and you would be intruding on the prayer time of others to reach some.

It is a real challenge to reach those of our brethren who are uninspired to come to gatherings outside of Mass. But perhaps you could focus on that instead? Maybe try and put together something with free food (that always brings people in…) immediately after Mass with Apologetics. Call it Theology at the Table or something. It can be learning and friendship over an inexpensive (but free to the attendee, or maybe with a “suggested” donation) lunch. Just an idea.

 

[GRATEFULONEjim]

I agree with you. The organist uses nearly 15 minutes to play all of the hymns used at mass that day - nonstop. It is very distracting and annoying. It does not allow the silence many need to pray the rosary or such devotion.

OTOH, the OP is calling for 3-5 minutes, which might be acceptable and even welcome.

Possibly play the track right before or after the announcements but prior to the opening hymn… But…Be ready for some backlash… Some of today’s Catholics don’t like to have it put in their face what they are not conforming to.:knight2:

 

[4christ]

Thanks to all of you for your help. I have to agree that I am more concerned about upsetting those who are already quietly meditating prior to Mass as they are the last people I want to offend.
I really like the suggestion of something directly following Mass with free food. We have
doughnut Sunday once a month with a great turnout but it is quite noisy with all of the little ones running around…but definitely a starting point! Thanks for getting my wheels turning and for the encouragement as well.

 

[quiet52]

I think any efforts to provide “pre-Mass catechesis” wouldn’t reach the lukewarm in faith, because (generalizing here) they are the ones who do not come early, or even regularly. The people who come early are usually the more fervent in faith, who want to pray before Mass.

Maybe you can schedule a 30-minute discussion in a conference room, after monthly donuts?

 

[Elizium23]

It sounds as if this program is aimed at a captive audience, gathered to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and receive the sacrament of the Eucharist. Not only will you fail to reach people who don’t come to Mass, but you risk alienating those who do fulfill their obligation but, for whatever reason, don’t want to be subjected to this program during the time they would be spending in prayer and preparation.

Our organist spent 5-10 minutes in prelude when he was working here. I consider that an appopriate use of time before Mass. Our Family Catechesis programs meet once a month after Mass in the church building, probably because the group is so large that our social hall could not hold them. Since it is after Mass, those who want to participate in the liturgy may leave and it does not impinge on their time. This also seems appropriate to me.

If your parish wants to form an apologetics program, I suggest that they start a regular weekly meeting somewhere on the parish grounds in a meeting room. Others can be invited to the sessions. It would be an excellent opportunity for someone in the parish to lead and facilitate faith sharing, and it would be good for the parishioners to enjoy spiritual growth during the week as a community. If you wish to target those who are lukewarm, you may consider a budget for free food, or giveaways, or some other “bait” to invite people in. And pray always for those who choose not to attend.

It is difficult indeed to get lukewarm people to participate in the life of their parish, but I think the best solution for that is for the parish to have a life. I am not kidding, if I go to a church and see that there is nothing but a Sunday liturgy and little opportunity to get involved as a volunteer, I seriously wonder whether I am in the right place.

 

[Sirach2]

I may have misunderstood your meaning, OP. When you mentioned a Catholic CD playing a 3-5 minute track, my mind pictured a musical CD, rather than a tract containing apologetics. My opinion would be changed, in that case. If it is music, fine for that short time period. But if it is a teaching episode - no. It would not be accepted by the majority of parishioners.

 

[Boulder257]

I am going to say that it would be inappropriate. When people first arrive at Church, they like to kneel and say their prayers. I for one do not like distractions while doing this. Our music group often uses this time as “practice” which makes it difficult to focus on my prayers.

Same exact thing happens in our parish. I tend to echo these sentiments.