Are movies appropriate during the Homily?

[Goblin_Taters]

Last night I went to a 6 p.m. Mass at a local parish. The church was filled with people, and I had to stand in the back of the church. In any case, the priest began the homily by relating the Gospel and the readings to present life circumstances. Then, he transitioned to a plea for the people to support the construction of a new cathedral (and cathedral parish) in the diocese. He mentioned that a movie would shortly be shown on the construction of the new cathedral. The movie screen was already set up on the right side of the sanctuary.

The lights were dimmed and what would go on to be a 15 minute movie presentation hosted by the bishop was presented. The bishop basically addressed concerns of consolidating parishes and the funds needed to go into the construction of a new cathedral and parish. In the movie he promoted the construction of the new cathedral and parish as demographically superior to the present situation of churches, and he spoke of the sacramental benefits that would transpire across generations.

Perhaps it was just me, but I felt that a movie during the homily (even one concerning diocesean affairs) was not entirely appropriate. For me it broke the flow of worship and made me feel more a part of a corporate organization than the Catholic Church. I came to Mass to pray, not to hear the pleas of the bishop (however justified). Why not have the movie in the church hall, after Mass, and give people free coffee and doughnuts as they watch it? Even if they had presented it after “The Mass has ended” would to me have seemed more appropriate.

Am I over-reacting? Is there some limitation to what should happen during the homily?

 

[brotherhrolf]

No. This is an old complaint. I can remember my mother being furious that our pastor in 1960 did not give a sermon (terminology of the time) but rather spent the entire time haranguing the parish for money with which to build our new school. This went on for a year until “something” happened and Father was transferred to another parish. Congregations weren’t quite so vocal back then but I’m sure the movers and shakers of the parish got to the Archbishop.

It would have better been shown after Communion.

 

[NewGuyInChurch]

No that is not the time for that at all! Even when we have our remembrance day mass (2006 was on a Sunday), they show a short movie clip, but it is AFTER mass had ended and certainly not during the homily!

 

[puzzleannie]

there are times when a communication from the bishop is directed to be read by the priests in addition to or instead of the homily for a particular day. if this message is in the form of a video so be it. it is entirely licit and proper.

 

[NewGuyInChurch]

there are times when a communication from the bishop is directed to be read by the priests in addition to or instead of the homily for a particular day. if this message is in the form of a video so be it. it is entirely licit and proper.

I could see it if the message was actually focused on worship somehow… or on an important religous event… but to ask for money to build a school? It’s an important cause but it seems out of place to me. Do you know off-hand if there is actually an official, written directive on this?

Thanks

 

[dranzal]

Down here in south Fl every year they play a video put out by the archdiocese for the “ABCD” which means Arch Bishop charity drive I think. They did this last week.

 

[rr1213]

Depends on the movie. I heard that the new one on Luther is pretty good.

It doesn’t seem to me that showing a movie during the homily would serve the function of the homily that well. I suppose that under certain circumstances it might. I mean, if your text is the Passion, and you wanted to show portions of that movie to demonstrate a little something of what our Saviour went through…perhaps. Probably not, but perhaps.

 

[Michael_Welter]

So those who say that this is not appropriate, is this your opinion, or do you have some Church document that you can referrence? The reason I ask is this: I run our parish Audio/Visual Ministry, and it’s my responsibility to enable this kind of technology. I also have (name removed by moderator)ut on when these video clips will be shown. If it’s not allowed during, or following, the homily, I would like to have some documented support before telling our Pastoral Coordinator that we can’t do it.

 

[NewGuyInChurch]

So those who say that this is not appropriate, is this your opinion, or do you have some Church document that you can referrence? The reason I ask is this: I run our parish Audio/Visual Ministry, and it’s my responsibility to enable this kind of technology. I also have (name removed by moderator)ut on when these video clips will be shown. If it’s not allowed during, or following, the homily, I would like to have some documented support before telling our Pastoral Coordinator that we can’t do it.

When you say that, what exactly do you mean? Are you watching a video clip instead of the homily every Sunday? Are yos howing clips to go along with homily? I don’t think there are any Church Documents that deal specifically with showing movies during the homily (that I know of), but depending on the content, the reasons and how often you’re doing it, it shouldn’t be too hard to figure out if it’s a good idea or not…

 

[Michael_Welter]

We just moved into our new church building in August, with new video capabilities that we never had before. No, we haven’t been showing video clips during the homily. But if it’s wrong, I want to be prepared when it comes up to say no. If it’s OK, then fine.

 

[Hastrman]

They can read a letter from the bishop, so why not a video letter?

 

[NewGuyInChurch]

We just moved into our new church building in August, with new video capabilities that we never had before. No, we haven’t been showing video clips during the homily. But if it’s wrong, I want to be prepared when it comes up to say no. If it’s OK, then fine.

I understand – in that case I still stand by what I said before, but once again that’s just my own opinion

 

[NewGuyInChurch]

They can read a letter from the bishop, so why not a video letter?

If that’s what the video is, then why not show it after Mass had ended? You can do that for a letter, video or whatever. For me it’s not a question of being permitted to do it, it’s a question of showing the right amount of reverence for what the Mass is.

 

[Michael_Welter]

If that’s what the video is, then why not show it after Mass had ended? You can do that for a letter, video or whatever. For me it’s not a question of being permitted to do it, it’s a question of showing the right amount of reverence for what the Mass is.

I agree. The homily is supposed to be a teaching based on the readings. However, it is usually justified that saying that it is not part of the homily, it is shown immediately after the homily.