Disappointed at Mass Today

[TimothyH]

You need to better understand that the Mass actually ends as soon as the priest processes out and at that point we can all beat feet if we want to.

We have actually already been dismissed after the blessing and the dismissal from the priest.

“The Mass is ended, go in peace glorifying the Lord by your life”

This is the bottom line.

The OP has unrealistic expectations about what people should and should not do. His expectations are based on a lack of understanding about the Mass.

OP isn’t even Catholic yet and would presume to lecture. His place is to sit quietly and ask questions.

Some of the people rushing out are bringing the Eucharist to the homebound. Others are committed adorers who will return later in the day for adoration. Some have been there for two or three Masses serving in various ministries. Others go to daily Mass and have nothing to be ashamed of.

-Tim-

 

[mattp0625]

I am a non-Catholic Christian, contemplating Catholicism. I attend mass with my Catholic wife, and kids.

The last song today was a moving one about being at the cross, and it took me there. Before the song is over there is a mass exodus, people leaving, not singing, etc. and I feel like I am among almost a whole congregation that is disengaged.

This is pretty common, even at other parishes I have been to. If the Catholic Church is “the church”, why does it not feel like it?

Can’t ever recall this in the Baptist church I attended.

I understand your point, out of respect for the church and the worship, everyone should stay until it has ended. Some people are too goal oriented and are focusing on the next part of their day, thinking they’ve done their duty. Some of it is due to poor catechesis.

That said, I strongly recommend that you do not base your faith decisions on a feeling that you had or on the actions of other people. I do recommend you base your decision on the highest form of truth.

The Catholic Church is the only church that is traceable to first century Israel and the apostles of Christ. The actions of others has no bearing on that.

Fellowship is great, but fellowship is not the only goal as with many Protestant or nondenominational congregations. There is something much deeper happening at the Catholic mass.

That said, I recommend you search out places of pilgrimage. Find a Catholic shrine, such as the National Shrine of Divine Mercy, or a special novena mass, or healing mass, or a conference, or retreat, or a ministry group. Maybe read the Imitation of Christ or the Diaries of Saint Faustina.

There are plenty of ways to find holy places and resources to strengthen your faith. It takes a little effort but it’s worth it.

 

[Modern_Revert]

Our parish is blessed with a fabulous music ministry, and as a congregation, we sing every last verse!

Nonetheless, after Mass, the priest exits the altar around verse three to go outside and greet people as they leave the church. Ours is a very welcoming parish

 

[Gorgias]

What is variable from one Catholic church to another, is what the priest does who leaves before everybody else? Does he stand there greeting everybody? Or, as some priests in nearby churches do, they go back to their little room and just take off their vestments – in one case the priest even closes the door to that room, so as to conceal his rudeness towards the parishioners (which is my opinion – I can’t say which is worse, disrobing in sight of or out of the sight of the departing parishioners – WHAT’S HIS HURRY?)

Before you diss your priest, be willing to consider that there might be more to it than ‘rudeness’. How much time does your priest have before his next Mass? Where’s his next Mass – at the same building, or across town?

Does he have a chance to grab a cup of coffee, or even a bite of breakfast, between Masses?

Before you presume he’s being rude, take the time to ask whether he’s running a marathon every Sunday morning…

 

[WillyAL]

The last song today was a moving one about being at the cross, and it took me there. Before the song is over there is a mass exodus

The situation was similar at my parish today, only they were leaving right after receiving Holy Communion, not bothering to return to their seats. I would guess that at least 1/4 of the congregation ducked out before the priest had returned to his chair.

OP isn’t even Catholic yet and would presume to lecture.

He’s doing no such thing. It appears that you’re just a touch sensitive about a very common Catholic practice.

 

[WillyAL]

Our priests do not recess until the last verse of the final hymn.

Well, that’s just asking for people to duck out.

Our priest has usually made it to the back of the church by the end of the second verse of the final hymn. Consequently, those who are there at the beginning of the hymn are usually still there at the end.