EDITED: Inappropriate announcement and applause

[blaskoman]

This announcement was met with discernible applause. First if all, such an announcement is grossly inappropriate during the mass (prior to the final blessing). Secondly, any applause during mass is highly inappropriate.

 

[Fiasco]

i`d call it profanity.

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

This announcement was met with discernible applause. First if all, such an announcement is grossly inappropriate during the mass (prior to the final blessing). Secondly, any applause during mass is highly inappropriate.

No one is perfect.
sometimes priests think that doing thinks like that attrack more people to mass…
God knows…it seems he is right…!!!

 

[agnes_therese]

From what I see here at CAF, there are far worse abuses going on in some parishes. I’m not saying that justifies the announcement; just to put it into perspective.

 

[jesus4ever]

relax.

we here in australia have a football league called AFL. aussie rules for you yanks. and priest just like us normal people follow or like a team. and if a team they like win they may say something just before the mass ends. i dont see whats wrong with that.
if they can talk about whats on the chuch bulletin or events happerning in school then whats wrong with saying something about a team you may like. the clapping of it should not happen however.

 

[MissRose73]

I’ve had priests mention things about local sports teams during the announcements or using them as part of a homily to get a point across. I am not offended by that, then again I enjoy viewing sports on tv anyways. As long as they are not mentioned at other times of the mass then I have no issue with it.

 

[DaveBj]

From what I see here at CAF, there are far worse abuses going on in some parishes. I’m not saying that justifies the announcement; just to put it into perspective.

Yeah, OP, if this is the worst thing that goes on during Mass, then you should consider yourself really blessed.

 

[blaskoman]

relax.

we here in australia have a football league called AFL. aussie rules for you yanks. and priest just like us normal people follow or like a team. and if a team they like win they may say something just before the mass ends. i dont see whats wrong with that.
if they can talk about whats on the chuch bulletin or events happerning in school then whats wrong with saying something about a team you may like. the clapping of it should not happen however.

I’m a sports fan as well. If the priest is willing to give the congregation a sports update, I feel I should be entitled to a complete rundown of the days’ baseball, NBA and soccer results. Would take him 5 extra minutes, but the congregation would be informed on their favorite teams!!

 

[blaskoman]

Original title of thread noted that priest announced that la clippers just advanced to 2nd round of playoffs… Moderator: why edit that out???

 

[CaptCrunch73]

"Wherever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment. " (Spirit of the Liturgy p. 198)

Cardinal Ratzinger - Pope Benedict XVI

 

[Hesychios]

"Wherever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment. " (Spirit of the Liturgy p. 198)

Cardinal Ratzinger - Pope Benedict XVI

I agree with this.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Not sure what the OP expected to discuss on this thread. My question for him (her) is - did you say anything to your priest after Mass. For example “Father, I’m a Clippers fan too, but it is distracting to root for them at the end of Mass. I’m focused more on God and the Eucharist we just received in communion. Can you please save the sports updates for the coffee hour?” said with a smile and a humble tone.

 

[DaveBj]

"Wherever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment. " (Spirit of the Liturgy p. 198)

Cardinal Ratzinger - Pope Benedict XVI

What about if applause breaks out in response in praise to God as a result of something awesome that was said or done?

 

[bmadamsberry]

Announcements can be made towards the end of Mass, before the final blessing. This could be seen as an announcement.

"Wherever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment. " (Spirit of the Liturgy p. 198)

I don’t think that applause because of an announcement fits under this. The question is “what is the applause for?” If the applause is because of some human achievement over that of the liturgy, then like Pope Benedict XVI wrote, it would be a “sure sign” (although I disagree with this word choice) of religious entertainment. If the applause is for some other reason, such as a congratulations, a thank-you, or in celebration of some sort of announcement, it wouldn’t seem that this fits under what Pope Benedict XVI wrote.

 

[mab23]

This announcement was met with discernible applause. First if all, such an announcement is grossly inappropriate during the mass (prior to the final blessing). Secondly, any applause during mass is highly inappropriate.

That doesn’t sound to bad OP

I mean I see where your coming from but, sports is where people use the talents God gave them

now if the priest said something about America idol…

 

[englishredrose]

and what happens when the priest dare jokes in his sermons? we laugh out loud when we hear them. We clap in hymns. I think some people get so worked up about things they can’t see anymore. Nothing inappropriate about that. Far better than the priest suddenly telling you all its his very last service because of his situation (happend to us some time ago) which he had to tell us but much prefer something we can smile, laugh or clap at…

 

[MissBorgia]

I have seen a mass inturupted for the announcement of a birth of a baby to a church employee that was not married but co habitating with a man…it was such an inapropriate time to do so.

 

[CaptCrunch73]

What about if applause breaks out in response in praise to God as a result of something awesome that was said or done?

Given that the Church teaches that the Mass is the re-presentation of the sacrifice of Calvary. When would applause be relevant?

I’d recommend reading Spirit of the Liturgy to get a better understanding of Pope Benedict’s state that was quoted.

I’d sure hate to be the one standing at judgement day and saying, “I’m very sorry sorry God for not paying attention to your sacrifice at Cavalry, but the Patriots were in the play offs. Surely you understand.” But that’s just me…

 

[SMHW]

This announcement was met with discernible applause. First if all, such an announcement is grossly inappropriate during the mass (prior to the final blessing). Secondly, any applause during mass is highly inappropriate.

While I would agree that such an announcement is rather banal when compared to the significance of the Mass I would point out that this is the sort of thing that has been going on in the Church for decades. (In other words, a priest’s interest in sharing sports news is not something that came about after Vatican II. However modern technology has made it easier for priests to learn the latest news; prior smart phones someone would have had to pass the priest a note written on paper or whispered in his ear.)

As for the appropriateness of applause, I’ll stand down and let the discussion continue.

 

[Beachcomber]

This doesn’t seem like the worse thing that’s ever occurred. Sometimes there might be applause during the homily at my parish. I think it indicates that people are really paying attention and connecting with what is being said.