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H_Opey
Guest
Our Church has decided to have a simple play IN the Church right before the Mass is celebrated. Have you ever heard of this? What are your thoughts? 
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
H Opey:
That would be permitted if there is a 15 to 20 minute separation between the end of the play and the beginning of Mass. It would also require the removal of the Blessed Sacrament from the tabernacle if present in the church for the duration of the play. The tabernacle lamp should be put out and the door opened so everyone understands the Blessed Sacrament is not present. The Blessed Sacrament might be set in another room and some people should stay with Him for the time He is there. Being returned to the tabernacle before Mass begins.Our Church has decided to have a simple play IN the Church right before the Mass is celebrated. Have you ever heard of this? What are your thoughts?
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Dr.Bombay
Guest
H Opey:
Or something.
Sounds precious. Anything that encourages tittering and applause inside a church is to be highly commended. I believe Blessed John XXIII wrote that.Our Church has decided to have a simple play IN the Church right before the Mass is celebrated. Have you ever heard of this? What are your thoughts?
Or something.
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netmilsmom
Guest
Br. Rich SFO:
Some of us may need it.
Do you have a source for that?
Some of us may need it.
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Joe_Kelley
Guest
H Opey:
It sounds a lot better than having it as an accompanyment to the Gospel reading, which is not as rare as it should be.Our Church has decided to have a simple play IN the Church right before the Mass is celebrated. Have you ever heard of this? What are your thoughts?
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jslup5
Guest
We have done this for years and I don’t remember any of our priest removing the blessed sacrament. (and we have gone through 3 different priest doing this.) Is this something we need to bring up?
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paramedicgirl
Guest
Joe Kelley:
A children’s Christmas play to accompany the reading of the gospel is what our church has done for several years. Earlier this year, I asked Father if we could move it to the parish hall, since it was not appropriate to be held during Mass, and he said there would not be a play during Mass anymore. It seems he just needed a little support to be able to take a stand against the well- wishing, do-gooders who have no idea that entertainment should not be part of the liturgy.
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
If you think about it. This is the basis in large busy churches for moving the tabernacle to a eucharistic chapel outside of the main body of the church. When the tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament is present an atmosphere of reverence and quiet should be maintained. If the church is going to be used as an auditorium or theater the Blessed Sacrament should not remain.
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netmilsmom
Guest
Br. Rich SFO:
A Christmas play can be done to honor Our Lord as well.
In my parish, before the Holy Mass, an older boy is picked to read the Christmas Gospel. Costumed children, walk in and stand before the Altar. Singing is only traditional Christmas songs by a children’s choir with flute and Oboe (how cool is that). No child says a word, dances or claps. They all bow to the Tabernacle before processing out.
A Christmas play can be done to honor Our Lord as well.
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paramedicgirl
Guest
Br. Rich SFO:
At least in the chapel, no one talks out loud, but right after Mass, the main church erupts into a not so dull roar that disrupts the focus of the very few who go to pray before the Blessed Sacrament after Mass. You would think people would have more respect and not shout above the din when others are praying.
That is exactly why our priest will not move our Tabernacle to the front altar. He says it is better to keep it in the side chapel, because of the noise in the main church. He wants to protect the Blessed Sacrament from this abuse, and rightly so.
At least in the chapel, no one talks out loud, but right after Mass, the main church erupts into a not so dull roar that disrupts the focus of the very few who go to pray before the Blessed Sacrament after Mass. You would think people would have more respect and not shout above the din when others are praying.
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aixia
Guest
When I was a kid, we did a Nativity play on Christmas Eve before Mass. On Easter, it was a Passion play before Mass. (Though I don’t remember when exactly the play was done, it could have been at the Vigil Mass, but it also could have been on Easter Sunday.) All peopled by various aged children from the CCD classes and “directed” by the CDD teachers. Now, I don’t think there was a tabernacle in the sanctuary as this was a multi-denominational chapel on an Air Force base, but even if there was one there, I don’t recall a change happening. There was never a complaint as long as the chapel existed. (The base is gone now.) There was a short break in between the play and Mass, but you kind of have to have that anyway to allow the children to meet back up with their parents.
Even at the “civilian” parish we went to after that one, there was still a Nativity play and Christmas carols before Christmas Eve Mass. I can’t imagine a Christmas Mass without the carols beforehand or a Nativity play/living Nativity scene. What better way to teach children about the Nativity than to have them walk through it themselves? Besides, we’re supposed to be thinking about Jesus’ birth on that day, so why not watch it unfold while we prepare ourselves for the Mass?
Even at the “civilian” parish we went to after that one, there was still a Nativity play and Christmas carols before Christmas Eve Mass. I can’t imagine a Christmas Mass without the carols beforehand or a Nativity play/living Nativity scene. What better way to teach children about the Nativity than to have them walk through it themselves? Besides, we’re supposed to be thinking about Jesus’ birth on that day, so why not watch it unfold while we prepare ourselves for the Mass?
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netmilsmom
Guest
In my parish, Holy Mass begins every event. Our lives still surround our parish. No one would think of having a meeting or celebration without Holy Mass before.
Our Main is not party central. The Nativity Play is done with music, reading the Gospel and nothing else.
I agree with you. Those children that participate are taught that they are doing it for Our Lord to see. This is where “Suffer the Little Children to come onto me.” really comes into play. Those Angels, Archangels and Shepherds (BTW, this year my daughter will be the first female Shepherd in the history of the parish. As our Pastor stated, even Shepherds need wives!) know what it is about. It’s not about them, it’s about the Birth of Our Lord. They are smiling as they perform for Him.
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paramedicgirl
Guest
It’s good you have experienced these plays before the Mass, and not during. That’s a fitting time for them. I still prefer to see them in the parish hall, though, rather than in the church.
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aixia
Guest
I agree. During Mass would be a bit weird and would be distracting. But beforehand shouldn’t be a problem. It’s all part of preparing yourself for what’s to come in my opinion.
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H_Opey
Guest
Can children today distinguish between WORSHIP and ENTERTAINMENT? They are cute, but are we all missing the point? Can’t it be an enjoyable experience without the entertainment (play) in the Church where the Blessed Sacrament is?
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netmilsmom
Guest
H Opey:
When our Nativty procession starts, before Holy Mass they are walking up for GOD. This is not a party nor a dance. They walk up and stand. If it was an “All Singing, All Dancing” play, it would be in the social hall.
Stating that no one should ever be in costume for Holy Mass is going a little far. What about the Knights of Columbus?
Mine can. Maybe it’s because we are in an Historically Catholic Church. When they are in the Main, it is not a social time, no waving, no handholding, no talking except to Our Lord.
When our Nativty procession starts, before Holy Mass they are walking up for GOD. This is not a party nor a dance. They walk up and stand. If it was an “All Singing, All Dancing” play, it would be in the social hall.
Stating that no one should ever be in costume for Holy Mass is going a little far. What about the Knights of Columbus?
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slewi
Guest
Yes, but why should we move the Lord from his central location in the church to accomodate something that shouldn’t be happening in the first place?
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paramedicgirl
Guest
netmil(name removed by moderator):
netmil(name removed by moderator), I think I would love your church! You are so blessed!
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TableServant
Guest
Ah, I am so looking forward to our new multi-use building opening. It is now finishing construction with a beautiful stage, basketball nets that fold up to the ceiling, etc. At that point, there won’t even be discussion of having the play in the church.
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netmilsmom
Guest
I AM!netmil(name removed by moderator), I think I would love your church! You are so blessed!
If you are ever going to be in Detroit, PM me and we’ll take you there.
Or if you are ever in Montreal, our Associate Pastor was just transfered to the Cyril and Methodius there. I know it will soon be the same.
Pity you’re on the other side of the country! I think Fr. Eugene will need some support.
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