Distractions at Mass

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grampsc

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Our Parish is music intense, the organist is constantly playing something, other than during consecration, thanks be for that. Also after every Mass we have “brief announcements” which are never brief and the announcements can be found in the parish bulletin, how does one approach this with the pastor who seems to be a cheerleader for both?
 
I wish there was however, I went to the 9 this a.m. and thinking it was earlier and not as well attended it would be less musical, but that was not so, and the brief announcements followed.
I have tried Sat. at 5 but that is a guitar Mass, well a Mass at which they play the guitars and sing and sing and sing
 
Sunday mass without music?

MUSICAM SACRAM: INSTRUCTION ON MUSIC IN THE LITURGY
27. For the celebration of the Eucharist with the people, especially on Sundays and feast days, a form of sung Mass (Missa in cantu) is to be preferred as much as possible, even several times on the same day.

It’s the announcements that are the distraction.
 
grampsc said:
Our Parish is music intense, the organist is constantly playing something, other than during consecration, thanks be for that. Also after every Mass we have “brief announcements” which are never brief and the announcements can be found in the parish bulletin, how does one approach this with the pastor who seems to be a cheerleader for both?
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Boy, I know what you mean, just pure talk and talk and noise.
But what can you do?
Offer that as a sacrifice to God, for the sins of the world !!!
 
SUNG is the optimum word, organ music guitar music may be permitted but like all things in moderation, and yes the announcements too.
 
triumphguy said:
Sunday mass without music?

MUSICAM SACRAM: INSTRUCTION ON MUSIC IN THE LITURGY
27. For the celebration of the Eucharist with the people, especially on Sundays and feast days, a form of sung Mass (Missa in cantu) is to be preferred as much as possible, even several times on the same day.

It’s the announcements that are the distraction.
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SUNG is the optimum word “cantu”
 
I don’t have any advice for you, but if I was the pastor I’d tell you to suck it up. There is supposed to be music in Mass. Most people find that it helps them focus on the Mass. It doesn’t sound like they have a rock band in there or “spirit dancers”. Unless the organist is completely tone deaf, I can’t see a problem.
 
Lord, please help grampsc to find a new parish so he can have peace of mind during Mass time. It doesn’t sound like his Pastor will be changing things; but may grampsc discuss his feelings with his Pastor in case something can be done. Thank you, Lord, for hearing my prayer.
 
Allegra said:
I don’t have any advice for you, but if I was the pastor I’d tell you to suck it up. There is supposed to be music in Mass. Most people find that it helps them focus on the Mass. It doesn’t sound like they have a rock band in there or “spirit dancers”. Unless the organist is completely tone deaf, I can’t see a problem.
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Even in this age I would be surprised if any pastor told anyone to “suck it up”, unless they had the education of a rock and like a rock absorbed nothing resembling understanding, even if in acknowledging that understandting he differed. I don’t know where the idea of supposed music at Mass comes from, in modern thought it seems we have to have the distractiion of noise good bad or indifferent, but nowhere is there supposed to be music at Mass, voluntary only.
 
ready said:
Lord, please help grampsc to find a new parish so he can have peace of mind during Mass time. It doesn’t sound like his Pastor will be changing things; but may grampsc discuss his feelings with his Pastor in case something can be done. Thank you, Lord, for hearing my prayer.
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And my thanks to you for your prayer and understanding.
 
Our Parish is music intense, the organist is constantly playing something,

I can sympathize with that. Many years ago we went to a church with the choir in the front/right gesturing a little too much. We found it distracting plus they used children to read scripture. Unfortunately you couldn’t understand them and some just didn’t want to be there in front of people.

I suppose if you were strictly a God fearer and only went to church because it was an obligation you’d put up with all that attention whoring. We voted with our feet…and pocketbook.
 
grampsc said:
Our Parish is music intense, the organist is constantly playing something, other than during consecration, thanks be for that. Also after every Mass we have “brief announcements” which are never brief and the announcements can be found in the parish bulletin, how does one approach this with the pastor who seems to be a cheerleader for both?
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I would approach him in a friendly way. First, find something positive about the music, whether it’s the musicianship, choice of music, etc. If the musicianship and music is not to your liking, then focus on the dedication that these musicians are giving, saying how much you appreciate them being there and giving of their time as most Catholic churches don’t pay or pay very little. I find when you start out with something positive before giving a constructive criticism or voicing a concern, it makes the conversation go more smoothly and won’t make the other person feel like he/she has to be on the defense. BUT always be sincere about it, which is why you have to find something you actually do like or appreciate.

After that, just speak with the pastor your concern with how much music is being used during the mass and how, even though you may either like the music or appreciate what is being done, sometimes a little silence in between is also good. You may or may not get the answer that you want or expecting, but at least you voiced your concern in such a way that you won’t be looked at as a “trouble-maker” or a “pain-in-the-rear”, which I’ve heard priests talk about regarding certain parishioners in private conversations with them.

Who knows, he might appreciate your comments and will pay more attention to the amount of music being done or the length of announcements being made at the next mass.
 
Sarabande said:
I would approach him in a friendly way. First, find something positive about the music, whether it’s the musicianship, choice of music, etc. If the musicianship and music is not to your liking, then focus on the dedication that these musicians are giving, saying how much you appreciate them being there and giving of their time as most Catholic churches don’t pay or pay very little. I find when you start out with something positive before giving a constructive criticism or voicing a concern, it makes the conversation go more smoothly and won’t make the other person feel like he/she has to be on the defense. BUT always be sincere about it, which is why you have to find something you actually do like or appreciate.

After that, just speak with the pastor your concern with how much music is being used during the mass and how, even though you may either like the music or appreciate what is being done, sometimes a little silence in between is also good. You may or may not get the answer that you want or expecting, but at least you voiced your concern in such a way that you won’t be looked at as a “trouble-maker” or a “pain-in-the-rear”, which I’ve heard priests talk about regarding certain parishioners in private conversations with them.

Who knows, he might appreciate your comments and will pay more attention to the amount of music being done or the length of announcements being made at the next mass.
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This here is good advice. 🙂 Nicely stated.
 
grampspc,

I know how you feel. We do have a lo mass over here early Sunday mornings without the first note of music of any kind.

There is absolutley no problem focusing and enjoyed by all very much.

We did have a priest decide once that we would sing a hymn at the end of mass, well,… he managed to pick one almost no one knew, even him! LOL It was quite possibly the worst attempt at group singing ever heard! :eek: Next week, we were back to no singing again 👍
 
Sarabande said:
I would approach him in a friendly way. First, find something positive about the music, whether it’s the musicianship, choice of music, etc. If the musicianship and music is not to your liking, then focus on the dedication that these musicians are giving, saying how much you appreciate them being there and giving of their time as most Catholic churches don’t pay or pay very little. I find when you start out with something positive before giving a constructive criticism or voicing a concern, it makes the conversation go more smoothly and won’t make the other person feel like he/she has to be on the defense. BUT always be sincere about it, which is why you have to find something you actually do like or appreciate.

After that, just speak with the pastor your concern with how much music is being used during the mass and how, even though you may either like the music or appreciate what is being done, sometimes a little silence in between is also good. You may or may not get the answer that you want or expecting, but at least you voiced your concern in such a way that you won’t be looked at as a “trouble-maker” or a “pain-in-the-rear”, which I’ve heard priests talk about regarding certain parishioners in private conversations with them.
Thank you for your thoughtful reply and suggestions.
Who knows, he might appreciate your comments and will pay more attention to the amount of music being done or the length of announcements being made at the next mass.
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grampsc said:
Thank you for your thoughts and suggestion.
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Hi There:

We must remember we are at Mass to worship God. I understand what you mean regarding the distractions because I must close my eyes at certain points so I can concentrate myself.

It may be God’s Will that you continue at that parish for the time. If that is the case, God would want you to offer it up and in the meantime use some of the other suggestions like talking with your pastor.

I went to a parish for several years that had a sort of loud rock band type of music. It was done to appeal to teens. I personally didn’t like it but it was where my family needed to be at that point in time.

We must remember to look at things from God’s view, and not always our own. Believe me, I am very picky about Mass and the more I noticed faults the more I realized it was a near occasion of sin for me to just notice things incorrect. :confused: It was then that I realized that I had to step back and just listen to where God wanted me to be.

Maybe spend some time in Adoration and see what you hear God whispering to you.

Blessings.
 
triumphguy said:
Sunday mass without music?

MUSICAM SACRAM: INSTRUCTION ON MUSIC IN THE LITURGY
27. For the celebration of the Eucharist with the people, especially on Sundays and feast days, a form of sung Mass (Missa in cantu) is to be preferred as much as possible, even several times on the same day.

It’s the announcements that are the distraction.
Click to expand...
Maybe you guys could ask your deacons to chant the announcements in Latin.

:highprayer: The Knights of Columumbuuuuuus will have signup sheeeeeets in the naaaaaaaar-thex. :highprayer:

-Tim-
 
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