Communion After Mass?

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I am trying to write a letter to our Pastor but am having trouble because of my dismay at what has taken place. Please let me explain:

Yesterday the “new folk group” sang from the side of the altar. Lots of clapping and cheering, as you would expect. After the last song and the priest had left the altar, I knelt in thanksgiving as I always do and ask God to forgive us for our disrespect as the Church is always filled with people visiting, etc at point. There seemed to be a little more commotion than usual so I looked up and there the organist was giving communion to the members of the folk group. Mass was over. Some of the people about to recieve were chatting with other people while they waited their turn. I prayed that I had to get out of here (find a new parish), but I feel like Jesus is asking me to wait with Him and suffer this humiliation.

I know I must protest, but can some one help me find the words?
 
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kmmd:
I am trying to write a letter to our Pastor but am having trouble because of my dismay at what has taken place. Please let me explain:

Yesterday the “new folk group” sang from the side of the altar. Lots of clapping and cheering, as you would expect. After the last song and the priest had left the altar, I knelt in thanksgiving as I always do and ask God to forgive us for our disrespect as the Church is always filled with people visiting, etc at point. There seemed to be a little more commotion than usual so I looked up and there the organist was giving communion to the members of the folk group. Mass was over. Some of the people about to recieve were chatting with other people while they waited their turn. I prayed that I had to get out of here (find a new parish), but I feel like Jesus is asking me to wait with Him and suffer this humiliation.

I know I must protest, but can some one help me find the words?
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First you have to ask why this happened. The Pastor may not be aware. Since the group was “new” they may not have been sure when to go up for Communion. Sometimes they are first and then the Communion song begins, at other parishes they are last. The music director needs to make it clear that the same honor due the Blessed Sacrament during Mass is expected after Mass and that they are to receive Holy Communion during the Mass.
 
What about the sick who are not able to attend Mass and have the Body and Blood taken to them? Apart from those you describe not being sick, how does their partaking after Mass differ from the former?

John.
 
From what I understand, it is not technically wrong for them to receive Communion outside of Mass (in fact, canon law allows that the faithful may approach and request Communion once a day, with or without a Mass. The faithful may receive a second time during the day *only *during a Mass.).

What is wrong here however is the irreverence that seems to be displayed. If it is truly a serious problem to have them receive during the Mass itself (such as my cathedral parish’s organist) then they should be taken to a quieter location after Mass and properly reminded (before Mass I would hope) of what they are choosing to partake in. Many people, myself included, when not in our “normal” setting have a greater tendency to become distracted (especially if our neighbor wants to talk…). In those cases, a brief word from someone is enough to remind me and bring me back where I need to be.

If you are going to write the pastor, I would focus on the irreverence issue, and just make a couple of suggestions, such as: “Perhaps if the band, and the person who is to distribute Communion to them, could be reminded of the sacredness of the Eucharist before Mass, then those who are receiving would be able to receive Holy Communion more prayerfully, and be more open to accepting the graces that God wishes to give them in the sacrament.”

Do not be confrontational. Just point out what you have observed, why you are concerned, and one or two general suggestions (and why you thought of them).

I have discovered that whenever you start asking people to follow the rules of the Church, they respond better if you couch it in statements that relate the obedience of the rule to a better, deeper personal relationship with God – such is our time. With many people today, these types of suggestions and comments work better when they show the person why it matters to *them *and to their spiritual life. I wish simply stating the rules were enough, or that people would be able to accept the rules and then discern the reasons behind the rules – but it ain’t so today. It’s all about “me”. 😦

+veritas+
 
The new folk group are beside the Altar!
To me it seems that if they are beside the Altar they could be ministered to first before any singing starts. Really they have no reason for postponing reception of Holy Communion. If they wish to join the regular congregation for reception then an instrumental could be played whilst the choir line up to receive.

I could begin to understand the situation if the choir were up in the old style choir loft at the back of the Church. Here at our Parish the organist plays whilst the choir go down to receive then they return and sing. In some Parishes Holy Communion is brought to the choir in the choir loft by a Priest or an EMHC. Again all receive before any singing.

Whilst it may be permissable it damages the concept of Communion if they postpone their reception until after Mass and highlights difference and promotes a slight hint at disunity. It also usurps the scheme of importance.
Reception of Christ’s body can wait till were finished our singing??? :confused:

Doesn’t sit right wth me, but there again it is my personal opinion!!

God Bless
 
I agree with Fergal. I don’t really see any reason why someone who is AT Mass should not receive communion DURING Mass! I’ve been in many parishes where the choir comes down from the choir loft to receive first, then returns to sing while the rest of the congregation receives.
 
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prodromos:
What about the sick who are not able to attend Mass and have the Body and Blood taken to them? Apart from those you describe not being sick, how does their partaking after Mass differ from the former?

John.
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The other difference is thay were at Mass. Why didn’t they receive during Holy Communion?
 
Considering that the GIRM has the Communion hymn starting as the priest receives, and it continues often through the entire distribution of Communion, I can understand why they did not receive at the beginning of distribution. But they certainly could have at the end.
 
From time to time schedules get confused, someone forgets the choir etc. I have also had occasions when someone has trouble swallowing so will receive after mass with a glass of water.

However it should be done with proper dignity. I would, as a minimum, recite the *Confiteor *and the Our Father before administering Communion.
 
At times, we have assigned a special minister to go to the music group so they could receive and still keep the music going. There have been times, however, when we have forgotten someone inadvertantly and that person has been to shy to speak up. They usually come to the Tabernacle right after Mass and I give them Communion.

Deacon Tony SFO
 
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