R
robwar
Guest
Usually, there are announcements in the beginning about saving pews and generally it is discouraged or forbidden. Speak to your priest or head usher before hand about this issues.
- Status
M
Moore11
Guest
Nope. There are games on Christmas day and those people are in Church. I love football and watch many many college and NFL games but yet I have an hour to spend with my Creator every week.
The game of football itself probably increases attendance in many denominations as it is quite an apt parallel to faith.
T
TheRealJuliane
Guest
I have never heard such an announcement in the 20 years I’ve been back at church. It’s a rather gauche thing to do, but
rather have them come than not come.
P
PaulinVA
Guest
People do not come to Mass regularly because they do not believe, they think some wrong has been done to them by a Priest or parishioner, or they think that the Church has lost it’s moral standing to tell anyone what to do.
So, nothing said at one Mass is going to remove that perceived wrong. You can’t cause them to believe at one visit.
The Church has an image problem. You can’t discount that.
So, nothing said at one Mass is going to remove that perceived wrong. You can’t cause them to believe at one visit.
The Church has an image problem. You can’t discount that.
A
Allegra
Guest
If they like to sing, get them in the choir.
E
EasterJoy
Guest
Although it is well-known that many people only attend Mass on major holidays, it is impossible to know who among the unfamiliar faces is a regular Mass-goer who simply attends somewhere else most of the time (but is at your parish because of family or better music or who knows what), who is a fellow parishioner bumping up attendance because they go once or twice or so every month but of course do not miss Christmas, who is a believer who only goes once or twice or a few extra over that a year, and who is only and definitely only darkening the door of a Catholic Church because it will please his mother or grandmother. Honestly, I think those who put their spears aside to please the matriarchs and patriarchs of the family are to be commended, as they are willing to be charitable instead of having to have their own way.
The parish I grew up in always had a big crowd because our pastor kept having a true Mass at Midnight long after the neighboring parishes did. He always said that Christmas was about nothing if not about hospitality and the truth that there is usually far more in front of you than meets the eye. If you want a seat, be there early, but be hospitable. He thought God could be trusted to do the rest, if the regulars didn’t put on a sour face and louse it up.
The parish I grew up in always had a big crowd because our pastor kept having a true Mass at Midnight long after the neighboring parishes did. He always said that Christmas was about nothing if not about hospitality and the truth that there is usually far more in front of you than meets the eye. If you want a seat, be there early, but be hospitable. He thought God could be trusted to do the rest, if the regulars didn’t put on a sour face and louse it up.
R
Richard320
Guest
That’s great!!
S
StJudePray4Me
Guest
I would say to just talk to them about your experiences at Mass. Like, “Fr. So and So said the most interesting thing at Mass today” or “I saw (mutual friend) at Mass today,” or “you should hear the children’s choir, they are sounding so great”…I have found that when I talk about Mass positively, people eventually start asking open ended questions about it, and will start to open up about why they don’t attend regularly… Which gives me the opportunity to maybe change their minds.
I love the poster who said their parish pulled out all the stops to make Christmas Mass beautiful and moving… reminding people how lovely the Mass is a great idea. Also, I think a gift of “Rediscovering Catholicism” made available in the lobby would be nice.
Lastly, I think somewhere in the homily should be a mention that we are all always welcomed. No matter how long we may have been gone or why, we are all welcomed at the table.
I tear up whenever we sing “Here I Am, Lord,” at the part that says “I weep for love of them, they turn away. I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.”. I think we should remember that sentiment when we might be tempted to roll our eyes or sigh heavily at the person sitting in “our pew” or who doesn’t know all the responses, etc.
I love the poster who said their parish pulled out all the stops to make Christmas Mass beautiful and moving… reminding people how lovely the Mass is a great idea. Also, I think a gift of “Rediscovering Catholicism” made available in the lobby would be nice.
Lastly, I think somewhere in the homily should be a mention that we are all always welcomed. No matter how long we may have been gone or why, we are all welcomed at the table.
I tear up whenever we sing “Here I Am, Lord,” at the part that says “I weep for love of them, they turn away. I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.”. I think we should remember that sentiment when we might be tempted to roll our eyes or sigh heavily at the person sitting in “our pew” or who doesn’t know all the responses, etc.
J
johnsmith2025
Guest
I wouldn’t. For one thing, if they wanted to go to church more than just on these holidays, they would already be doing so – they wouldn’t need someone to prompt them.
And second, people don’t like being told how to live their life – it’s like telling a smoker not to smoke or a junk food junkie not to eat junk food; it never goes down well.
And it’s not just with church that people are like this, it’s with several things, like sports. Some people choose the Superbowl as the one football game a year to watch – does this mean we should be trying to get them to watch more football in the fall? No – if they wanted to watch more, they would do it on their own.
I suppose going to church for Christmas and not any other time is better than never going at all. At least it’s SOME effort — many people don’t even put in the effort for Christmas nor any other day.
But it’s nice that you are concerned for them. You get an “A” for a big heart.
C
cmscms
Guest
I think the only thing you can really do is pray for them and attend church regularly yourself. If asked 'Can’t you miss mass just this once, be firm and say ‘No because I take my religion seriously and would never want to spend a whole week without seeing Jesus.’
I personally am TOTALLY agains making mass fun so people will go. Mass is fulfilling a commitment to our Lord. People are either willing to do that or they are not. It is like saying ‘How can I get a kid to do their school work, I know I will make it fun and get them to colour’. Well colouring only goes so far in teaching reading, writing and arithmatic and there are times in life kids don’t want to do things but they have to. Same with mass. It is not always fun for me to plan my whole weekend around mass, I have live in places where the only available church had a not good priest, but I go regardless. That is because I was fortunate enough to be blessed with the gift of faith and I take my baptisim and confirmation vows seriously.
The best I can do is ask to Holy Spirit to give others the same gift
I remember having a boyfriend who wanted us to invite everyone to church and then brunch. He though that would be a good way of getting others to start going to mass. I found that offensive. I don’t want my Sunday obligation to become social time. It is my time to be serious about God
CM
I personally am TOTALLY agains making mass fun so people will go. Mass is fulfilling a commitment to our Lord. People are either willing to do that or they are not. It is like saying ‘How can I get a kid to do their school work, I know I will make it fun and get them to colour’. Well colouring only goes so far in teaching reading, writing and arithmatic and there are times in life kids don’t want to do things but they have to. Same with mass. It is not always fun for me to plan my whole weekend around mass, I have live in places where the only available church had a not good priest, but I go regardless. That is because I was fortunate enough to be blessed with the gift of faith and I take my baptisim and confirmation vows seriously.
The best I can do is ask to Holy Spirit to give others the same gift
I remember having a boyfriend who wanted us to invite everyone to church and then brunch. He though that would be a good way of getting others to start going to mass. I found that offensive. I don’t want my Sunday obligation to become social time. It is my time to be serious about God
CM
S
StJudePray4Me
Guest
I think we were suggesting not to make Mass “fun” per se…rather, to just make the Christmas Mass beautiful and inspiring as possible. I know I personally enjoy, and get more out of, a Mass that has lovely music and an interesting homily. One that pulls out all the stops, with incense and candles and more sung responses than usual. At Christmas and Easter, I really love a special Mass befitting the importance of the Feast we celebrate that day.
I cant be the only person who attends Mass faithfully, but really gets emotional at Christmas and Easter, can I? I just think if occasional Mass-goers got that special feeling, that emotional connection, it might rekindle a fire in them.
G
GangGreen
Guest
I would love if the priests in my church did something like that. I feel like they don’t want to make a point about it as to not offend anyone.
M
Moore11
Guest
I dont feel like they should offend anyone but I do think you have a large number of people that you could act as a “Father” and tell them to come to dinner more often…
I dont understand the hesitancy not to say anything to scare people away. I mean they are already NOT coming…
R
robwar
Guest
Well, I have seen it announced ahead of times in more than one parish. This prevents people from holding up valuble space when the Church is filling up. If people want to sit together, they should come together and early, not have someone come super early, put coats and other things down in an effort to block a pew for late arriving family and friends.I have never heard such an announcement in the 20 years I’ve been back at church. It’s a rather gauche thing to do, but
Sorry you don’t agree with that but, I’ve seen it announced as well as usher prevent people from “saving” pews.
T
TheRealJuliane
Guest
No, I meant that saving the row is a gauche thing to do, not the announcement not to save rows. I knew I had written that in an unclear manner but when I went back, it was too late to fix it. I think it would be good to announce that ahead of time but I’m not sure it would make much difference. These are the Catholics who only come 2 x a year and their families, may not even be Catholic. It’s like a performance to them. A free concert.
But in the end, I’d still rather have them come than not come. After all, if they are there in front of Jesus, the Holy Spirit might just draw them back…
R
robwar
Guest
I understand, usually it is up to the ushers to enforce something like this. I’ve seen no saving announced before hand and it is up to the ushers to enforce this which I’ve seen done. thanks for the clarification again and peace.No, I meant that saving the row is a gauche thing to do, not the announcement not to save rows. I knew I had written that in an unclear manner but when I went back, it was too late to fix it. I think it would be good to announce that ahead of time but I’m not sure it would make much difference. These are the Catholics who only come 2 x a year and their families, may not even be Catholic. It’s like a performance to them. A free concert.
But in the end, I’d still rather have them come than not come. After all, if they are there in front of Jesus, the Holy Spirit might just draw them back…
N
Nan_S
Guest
This year the Christmas and Easter Catholics will be easy to spot. They’ll be the ones saying, “And also with you” when the regulars are saying “And with your Spirit.”
If you hear folks near you parroting the old responses, immediately after Mass is over invite them to come back next Sunday.
If you hear folks near you parroting the old responses, immediately after Mass is over invite them to come back next Sunday.
G
Gordon_Sims
Guest
There were quite a few of them last year. One family clearly hadn’t been there in a while because they thought the new responses were quite a hoot and they spent the entire Mass loudly making fun of them. I’m hoping it’s not quite as bad this year.
T
TheRealJuliane
Guest
You know, I go to Mass every Sunday but if I’m not paying as much attention as I should be, I still sometimes respond the “old” way…Especially on “It is right and just.” That one snags me frequently. So that person to your right might just have had a wandering mind and may not be a C & E Catholic!
S
sharmin
Guest
I was one such Catholic. My advice would be to greet everyone with a smile and a warm hello. Move over and offer them your seat if need be. Invite their children to some children’s events if the situation presents itself.
- Status