Applause after the last hymn...?

[JimR-OCDS]

Well, the quality is also appreciated

 

[TryingToBelieve]

So then was it really about showing appreciation that you volunteered to play or your ability?

. . . . My wife and I played before we had children and years later some couples told us they missed our playing. Some people applause because they appreciate the work that the volunteers do. We practiced and practiced our parts and it was nice to hear some applause after mass. We felt appreciated.

 

[MagdalenaRita]

My wife and I played before we had children and years later some couples told us they missed our playing. Some people applause because they appreciate the work that the volunteers do. We practiced and practiced our parts and it was nice to hear some applause after mass. We felt appreciated.

my comment was not about receiving applause to show our appreciation for playing but getting more applause than the next group that came later.

In other words, sometimes we do applaud because of the person’s ability, such as during the holidays at our parish, the choir puts in a lot of extra practice and so Father points that out and asks us to show our appreciation for their extra work that can be heard with an applause. He rarely does that any other time through out the year.

 

[TK421]

I’ve been in the choir as well as a regular person in the pews and I’m not really fond of the practice either way. It’s not a big deal but it just seems kind of tacky, plus it hyperinflates the purpose of an applause until the gesture seems meaningless.

The exception is if the priest or deacon has everybody give a round of applause for a special occasion. They lead the Mass so that seems legit.

 

[TryingToBelieve]

I guess I’m in the minority as it doesn’t bother me either way. I do say it is nice to feel appreciated when we were involved in the choir.

Anyway Peace to all

 

[tafan2]

All true. I suppose it bothers me a little bit. I do not understand the purpose of it at all. But it, admittedly, harmless

 

[tafan2]

If I think the choir did a particularly good job, I will go up and tell one if them after Mass. If I think a homily is particularly good, I will say so to the priest or deacon who gave it. At school masses, if a child does a good job of reading, I like to tell them or their teacher next time I am picking a kid up from school.

Lots of people make a mass “work”. Why applause just one group?

 

[Randolph]

Generally speaking, I find it undesirable. Choirs and musicians are there to assist in the worship, not to entertain us as applause tends to imply.

Well said. The Mass is a worshiping of God. Music and artistic performance amplify the Mass—not vise versa. Applause should be reserved for other worthy occasions. Compliments to individuals/groups should also be done in appropriate manners that don’t overwhelm the respect and reverence for God.

Applause after an Easter Mass happened spontaneously in my church once some years back. A short time later, our priest reminded the parishioners of the fact that the Mass is reserved for God. The applause since then stopped.

 

[Peeps]

Well…maybe if the instrumentalists, especially the organist and/or pianists, were PAID…the congregation wouldn’t feel the need to applaud.

I work full-time, and play piano/organ at several parishes as a sub. I am paid for subbing, but in my own parish, there is no pay for subs. That’s OK with me, because I do work full-time and make a good living wage. I’m definitely not starving. My parish playing is my ministry to my parish.

But I won’t play in a church outside of my parish unless I get paid. Many musicians ARE hungry, and don’t make a living wage, and the payment for Masses is their food, rent, and gas money, not their “fun” money or “retirement fund” money like it is for me. I refuse to undermine these musicians by playing for free.

And if anyone is wondering, yes, I DO donate a lot to the parishes where I play, in the form of time spent preparing for their Mass or worship service. I spend at least a couple of my off-work hours preparing for each church where I play, and I’m always at least 45 minutes early to any church so I can speak with the pastor/priest and run through anything that the cantor or choir needs to run. That time is more valuable to me, a full-time worker, than the money.

So perhaps if you disapprove of applause, go hand the musician a twenty.

 

[Rau]

Well…maybe if the instrumentalists, especially the organist and/or pianists, were PAID…the congregation wouldn’t feel the need to applaud.

I’d be fairly certain that issue is not on the minds of those applauding.

 

[LoveMercyGrace]

I too notice this at our parish. And yes it does bother me. clapping is not always after Mass has ended. there are a couple other habits, such as social hour directly following Mass, unaware that Jesus is there, instead of moving out to the social hall.
It does bother me and I think most of all it hurts our Lord.
I have no control over them. The priest probably could …a creative solution would be putting Georgian Chant over the speakers which may help to quiet the talking and draw others to God.
Lord have mercy on us

 

[JimR-OCDS]

They applaud because of the quality of the music, not the ability of an individual person performing in the group.

Bad quality no one applauds

 

[PetraG]

I don’t like applause at the end of Mass. Mass isn’t a performance; not by the musicians, not by the priests, not by anybody. It is a great single act of worship, the source and summit of the Christian life. Applause doesn’t fit.

Besides, the Mass may be over at the dismissal, but why assume the prayer is over? I think applause at the end discourages the idea of staying to make thanksgiving after Mass, which those who have the time to do so ought to be encouraged to do. Applause for the musicians (or the priest or the lectors or the altar servers or whoever, take your pick) when it is time to make thanksgiving to God seems out of place.

They applaud because of the quality of the music, not the ability of an individual person performing in the group.

Bad quality no one applauds

That must be why there is no applause after a Mass at the Vatican. The music isn’t good enough.

 

[Phemie]

I don’t care for applause for the choir but it beats the singing of “Happy Birthday” and applause for the Birthday boy or girl (who usually qualify for senior citizens’ discounts) that we’ve been getting before the Prayer after Communion more and more often lately.

 

[PetraG]

I don’t care for applause for the choir but it beats the singing of “Happy Birthday” and applause for the Birthday boy or girl (who usually qualify for senior citizens’ discounts) that we’ve been getting before the Prayer after Communion more and more often lately.

?!?!?!
Oh my.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

You’re gonna compare the Vatican to a parish Mass ? :crazy_face:

 

[Randolph]

I don’t care for applause for the choir but it beats the singing of “Happy Birthday” and applause for the Birthday boy or girl (who usually qualify for senior citizens’ discounts) that we’ve been getting before the Prayer after Communion more and more often lately.

I really hope what you just wrote was NOT true… But… hmmm…

 

[PetraG]

You’re gonna compare the Vatican to a parish Mass ? :crazy_face:

Well, yes, if you’re going to say that parishioners only applaud volunteer musicians if the music is good enough to please them.

I don’t like applause at Mass, but it is usually meant as a sign of appreciation, not as a positive “review” for performers. That would be even worse, since it would imply the people think the musicians are primarily there to please them. That’s just what we don’t need: that is, people who have to get applause for what they do at Mass or in the parish before they think they’re appreciated. People who want that should go find a bar with a tip jar. That’s a venue where applause is appropriate and is given in an amount commensurate with the quality of the performance.

Whether it is the Vatican or at a little church in the middle of nowhere, the Mass is the same Mass.

 

[Randolph]

And if anyone is wondering, yes, I DO donate a lot to the parishes where I play, in the form of time spent preparing for their Mass or worship service. I spend at least a couple of my off-work hours preparing for each church where I play, and I’m always at least 45 minutes early to any church so I can speak with the pastor/priest and run through anything that the cantor or choir needs to run. That time is more valuable to me, a full-time worker, than the money.

… So are thousands upon thousands of volunteers in the US who contribute their time, talents and money to the Church every day—especially on Sundays. We are talking the number even in millions throughout the world. I myself have led a weekly rosary prayers every Wednesday evening, have served as an Altar boy, and have chanted in the Schola in my church for over 20 years. I have always understood it as my humble contribution to the Church that I love, and to Christ who is my Lord and Savior. Furthermore, I have become a better catholic for doing so.

For sure, the Church greatly appreciates your time, talent, sacrifice and contribution. God rewards those who serve and love Him in His own time and in His own way.

 

[MagdalenaRita]

I don’t care for applause for the choir but it beats the singing of “Happy Birthday” and applause for the Birthday boy or girl (who usually qualify for senior citizens’ discounts) that we’ve been getting before the Prayer after Communion more and more often lately.

Randolph:

I really hope what you just wrote was NOT true… But… hmmm…

There is a parish not far from me that does happy birthday and happy anniversary applause before Mass is over every Sunday.