Between Introit and opening prayer

[Kathryn_Ann]

Hi, can anyone help me with the following please?

Are there any specific traditions, rules or recommendations regarding the following?

A-Before Mass begins, (between the Priest entering and the first prayer,) is there any tradition, ruling or recommendation on how many (if any) public service announcements are made by the Priest- such as greeting visitors from out of town, commenting on high school and college sports scores, updates on parish building plans, architectural details on new construction, special after- Mass visitors who will be taking up a collection, parking lot construction plans and the like?

B-Just before the final blessing and exit, before the final hymn, same basic question-, is there a tradition, rule or recommendation on how much time is reasonable to give to the task of thanking people, giving additional sports scores, explaining coffee hour plans, thanking the lectors, Sunday School teachers, cantors, volunteers, musicians, flower arrangers, and announcing church supper updates, etc?

C- Before Mass begins, Is it usual (or a good idea) for the Cantor be giving new instructions every other week on yet a new way to sing the Alleluia? Should these instructions take time away (delay the entrance at the usual time) of the Priest?

Your thoughts appreciated.

 

[Linusthe2nd]

Hi, can anyone help me with the following please?

Are there any specific traditions, rules or recommendations regarding the following?

A-Before Mass begins, (between the Priest entering and the first prayer,) is there any tradition, ruling or recommendation on how many (if any) public service announcements are made by the Priest- such as greeting visitors from out of town, commenting on high school and college sports scores, updates on parish building plans, architectural details on new construction, special after- Mass visitors who will be taking up a collection, parking lot construction plans and the like?

B-Just before the final blessing and exit, before the final hymn, same basic question-, is there a tradition, rule or recommendation on how much time is reasonable to give to the task of thanking people, giving additional sports scores, explaining coffee hour plans, thanking the lectors, Sunday School teachers, cantors, volunteers, musicians, flower arrangers, and announcing church supper updates, etc?

C- Before Mass begins, Is it usual (or a good idea) for the Cantor be giving new instructions every other week on yet a new way to sing the Alleluia? Should these instructions take time away (delay the entrance at the usual time) of the Priest?

Your thoughts appreciated.

It seems like pretty standard fair and I don’t think there is any official discipline against it. Perhaps some pastors overdo it a bit. If it grates on your nerves just offer it up as an act of penance, or for the sake of humility. And remember, your next pastor may be entirely different. But I’m sure the good man thinks he is being " pastoral, " so don’t give him grief over it. His life is hard enough you know. Try to be a help and not make waves unless something really out of line takes place.

 

[Kathryn_Ann]

It seems like pretty standard fair and I don’t think there is any official discipline against it. Perhaps some pastors overdo it a bit. If it grates on your nerves just offer it up as an act of penance, or for the sake of humility. And remember, your next pastor may be entirely different. But I’m sure the good man thinks he is being " pastoral, " so don’t give him grief over it. His life is hard enough you know. Try to be a help and not make waves unless something really out of line takes place.

Hi and thank you very much for your kind reply. It’s not my parish, however. I was out of town for several weeks and visiting another church, so I had never experienced anything quite like this.

 

[TrueLight]

Are we talking about a traditional Latin Mass here?

 

[Kathryn_Ann]

Are we talking about a traditional Latin Mass here?

No, not a Latin Mass.

 

[Elizium23]

There is no regulation whatsoever on what happens outside of the Mass. My parish chooses to give announcements right before the Entrance, and that is OK. It’s not liturgically prohibited, because it’s not liturgy. Announcements are liturgically permitted to be made after the Post-Communion Prayer and before the final blessing. They are to be brief, according to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.

It is not particularly wise for a choir to continually introduce unfamiliar Alleluias or other parts of the Mass that should be sung by the assembly. Now, it may just seem like there are many new ones, for instance, my parish is introducing a new chant-based missal, and we must learn all-new seasonal Alleluias throughout the year. Until we are familiar with some of them, this is going to seem like a lot of new work. But if they are introducing new music, then it is certainly wise to take a brief time right before Mass to rehearse them with the whole assembly, so that the people may easily sing. This is good practice, and I think it is pastorally sensitive even if it delays the beginning of Mass by a couple minutes, as long as it is done under the guidance and acceptance of the pastor.

 

[Rich_C]

Until I saw the serious replies, I thought this was satire, haha.

Sports scores?

 

[Kathryn_Ann]

Until I saw the serious replies, I thought this was satire, haha.

Sports scores?

(Note from OP) Not satire at all, but sadly true. Visiting from out of town, I experienced this and wondered if it’s unusual. Yes, sports scores, thank you’s, welcome to visitors, and church activities galore. All done in the kindest spirit…just so lengthy

 

[Elizium23]

Giving sports scores from the pulpit may seem like heresy but it is actually pastorally sensitive if you think about it. It takes very little time and it can really help the sports addicts who might otherwise shirk their sacred obligation or bring in a radio and listen to their earphones during the Mass… just as long as they are not constantly updated by a liturgical commentator during the Eucharistic Prayer…

 

[Kathryn_Ann]

Giving sports scores from the pulpit may seem like heresy but it is actually pastorally sensitive if you think about it. It takes very little time and it can really help the sports addicts who might otherwise shirk their sacred obligation or bring in a radio and listen to their earphones during the Mass… just as long as they are not constantly updated by a liturgical commentator during the Eucharistic Prayer…

(OP reply) This may be true. (And I do appreciate your humor here Yet being a visitor from out of town,it was just something new to me and seemed excessive. I do feel that it took more than a little time in this case, and it felt out of place for the sacredness of the setting. I feel that the sports scores and such might be better announced in the social hall during a coffee hour, and if that is not possible, just after the Blessing and before the final hymn.That might keep some from rushing out to the parking lot immediately after Holy Communion.

If there are additional things to mention, (coffee hour updates, rummage sale news, congratulating (or consoling) sports teams, etc.) the people would remember these details much better towards the end of the Mass. In many cases, much of the parish events and thanking volunteers and such is already in the parish bulletin. And if not, and if it can’t wait for coffee and donuts in the social hall, why not wait until after the blessing, towards the end of Mass, to go into all of this? Just my opinion, and I thank you very kindly for your reply.

 

[Elizium23]

As I mentioned above, the permitted place for brief announcements is after the Post-Communion prayer and before the final blessing.

Technically, it is also possible to make announcements after the final blessing, but that is not a really a logical place for them; they are better done before the Entrance hymn or after the Recessional; the former would catch more people because everyone will bolt and make noise during or after the Recessional hymn. So there you have three places announcements could be made, plus the fourth being in the social hall, which again won’t catch many people because not everyone socializes and nobody who doesn’t go to Mass comes just to eat donuts and coffee…

 

[Kathryn_Ann]

As I mentioned above, the permitted place for brief announcements is after the Post-Communion prayer and before the final blessing.

Technically, it is also possible to make announcements after the final blessing, but that is not a really a logical place for them; they are better done before the Entrance hymn or after the Recessional; the former would catch more people because everyone will bolt and make noise during or after the Recessional hymn. So there you have three places announcements could be made, plus the fourth being in the social hall, which again won’t catch many people because not everyone socializes and nobody who doesn’t go to Mass comes just to eat donuts and coffee…

Bless you, Dear Elizium 23. :knight1:Thank you for taking the time to reply. It was very helpful. I’m just concerned with the solemnity of Mass, the sacred attention to Our Lord being our focus. I’m sure that the Priest’s heart was in the right place, and I do feel that occasional announcements are all part of parish life. It’s just something I had not experienced, so I am grateful that you listed the places usually allowed for such announcements. That is very comforting to know.

I would have personally preferred any of these choices above. Instead, our minds and hearts had a brief uplifting moment during the first entrance hymn to settle into the sacred solemnity and joy of the Mass, when suddenly, somewhere very shortly afterward, our attention was diverted to sports scores and folksy conversations with out of towners, then building plans, church supper announcements and thoughts on the costs of expansion. I felt as if I was back at a protestant tent revival:frighten: or homecoming supper. I’m hoping this was not the usual fare for that particular parish.

As to these people you mention who don’t socialize, while I do understand that, I also feel that it’s not the purpose of the Mass to squeeze in social announcements, sports scores and fund raising for their benefit, once the Mass has begun. That is the purpose of the parish bulletin, parish wide emails:compcoff: if available, and, for those who don’t mind socializing at the proper time, in the social hall during the coffee and donuts hour. Thank goodness, this was a rare occasion while traveling. Most of the parishes I’ve had the honor of visiting all over the country are so beautifully in union with what I’ve come to love about the Catholic Church. As an adult convert, I am so in awe of how much “at home” one can feel wherever one travels as a Catholic.

And as to those who are making noise and bolting during the final hymn, that’s just impolite and I rarely see it. It may be “legal” to rush out after Holy Communion as some do, or before the Priest exits, but it’s not polite unless age, infirmity or volunteer duties make it necessary. It’s important to reverence and respect the Mass from start to finish, and take the Love of Christ out into the world. For that, I know I find great comfort in the Mass and all the beautiful traditions.

I believe these kinds of announcements are best made (if it can’t wait for any other time) after the final blessing and just before the last hymn. (It’s not polite to leave before the Priest leaves anyway, so he’d have a nice “captive” and joy filled audience just before the final hymn to bring us back down to earth with whatever news he deems vital to our souls.

Your reply was very helpful, and I thank you.:curtsey::flowers:

 

[Mrs_Sally]

This is not your parish and so not really your business. Even if this is the parish of a family member or friend who you may visit regularly, it is not your place to determine how much news is appropriate to share. Parishes are like families and get used to their own traditions. As a prior poster said also, this may be the current pastor’s decision, but the next priest may do things differently.

I agree that it would be unsettling to go from quiet private prayer to announcements to Mass; however, I have found that quite a few parishes do this. And in speaking to older friends, found that it has been common since the 1940s or so. Apparently printed bulletins and coffee hours were not as common back in the day, so all kinds of verbal announcements were made before Mass.

 

[Kathryn_Ann]

This is not your parish and so not really your business. Even if this is the parish of a family member or friend who you may visit regularly, it is not your place to determine how much news is appropriate to share. Parishes are like families and get used to their own traditions. As a prior poster said also, this may be the current pastor’s decision, but the next priest may do things differently.

I agree that it would be unsettling to go from quiet private prayer to announcements to Mass; however, I have found that quite a few parishes do this. And in speaking to older friends, found that it has been common since the 1940s or so. Apparently printed bulletins and coffee hours were not as common back in the day, so all kinds of verbal announcements were made before Mass.

vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_24021980_dominicae-
John Paul II,
Portion II of the Sacredness of the Eucharist and the Mass. It’s all our concern, whether we are only visiting a parish or not.:angel1: Magisterium, Holy Church, Catholic Tradition requires a certain beautiful unity in the Mass. Unlike many Protestant churches,:frighten: where a “pastor” may do just as he or she wishes at every turn, we are called to the Catholic traditions for a reason. :heaven: We are called to unity out of Christ’s love for all of us and His Sacrifice on the Cross. Remembering this, and also His Resurrection Power, all else pales in comparison. That is why we feel unsettled when the lengthy talk of sports, pot luck suppers and building plans is not timed properly and intrudes into the Mass itself.

You said it yourself, “it would be unsettling to go from quiet private prayer to announcements to Mass.” As to what is my “business” or not, I said not a word to anyone in that parish, and simply posted the question on this forum about the possibility of better timing for these announcements.

In the light of the words above from Pope John Paul II, and prior posts here which point out the Church’s preferences for the timing of these announcements, I’m glad to see that an emphasis on the sacredness and solemnity of the Mass is always to be our ideal focus. Anything less is, quite “unsettling,” indeed.

 

[odile53]

The correct place for brief announcements of interest to the people is before the final blessing, as others have noted. However, it was not always that way.

Back in the days of pre Vatican II, I recall that announcements were made between the Gospel and the homily. Frequently, these started with “your prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of so and so,” and then went on to announce meetings of various parish groups, and so forth. I don’t recall sports scores, that’s a little odd.

What happened A LOT, back then, was that the homily time got used to expound on the need for building fund support. That was really annoying: You got to hear the Epistle and Gospel repeated in English, and then the only other thing in English was an exhortation to dig deeper for the building fund???

Mom in particular got so disgusted by the incessant financial reports that she ended up dropping out of the Rosary and Altar Society.

I’m wondering how many other people who remember when the Mass in Latin was the only way Mass was celebrated recall those “homilies!”

 

[Cider]

Since this is posted in TC I’m going to answer as it pertains to the EF. I have only ever seen those types of announcements made by the priest just after the homily.

 

[Kathryn_Ann]

The correct place for brief announcements of interest to the people is before the final blessing, as others have noted. However, it was not always that way.

Back in the days of pre Vatican II, I recall that announcements were made between the Gospel and the homily. Frequently, these started with “your prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of so and so,” and then went on to announce meetings of various parish groups, and so forth. I don’t recall sports scores, that’s a little odd.

What happened A LOT, back then, was that the homily time got used to expound on the need for building fund support. That was really annoying: You got to hear the Epistle and Gospel repeated in English, and then the only other thing in English was an exhortation to dig deeper for the building fund???

Mom in particular got so disgusted by the incessant financial reports that she ended up dropping out of the Rosary and Altar Society.

I’m wondering how many other people who remember when the Mass in Latin was the only way Mass was celebrated recall those “homilies!”

Blessings to you, odile53, for a kind and courteous reply,

I’m so sorry to hear that your dear mother was so (understandably) upset that she left those Societies you mentioned above. As you and most here have mentioned, the proper and accepted time for the (one hopes BRIEF) parish announcements we’ve been discussing is usually just before the final blessing or final hymn or thereabouts, in case anyone is a stickler here.(Or just before the entrance/Introit, before the Mass begins, one has said.) We are not to suffer these things at other times, not because we are “above” such news, but because the focus of the Mass is the Holy Eucharist, with the Gospel and other readings, prayers and hymns helping us towards that focus, not on sports scores, building fund announcements, church suppers and other minutia. This is why we have rules, rubrics, traditions and a Magisterium which oversees all out of great love.