Greeting at mass?

[AngelRose81]

This morning (and several other Sunday mornings) at Mass, before Mass actually began, Father had us all turn and “greet our neighbor” and introduce ourselves if we didn’t know the person next to us. He did this after the procession but before we actually began (before the sign of the cross). I know this probably isn’t in the rubrics of the Mass but I was wondering if it was ok since it wasn’t in the middle of Mass or anything. We aren’t a very liberal parish like some and Mass is usually very reverent and orthodox, but this just hit me as odd. Do any of your parishes do this?

 

[servantofall]

We did this a few times at my parish here in New Orleans before Hurrican Katrina. But, when the church reopened a couple of months after the storm, we were greeted with a love that you wouldn’t belive. Since then, I have become friends with many people that I would see at mass, but, didn’t even know their names. Now, not only am I a member of a great parish, but, I belong to an outstanding church family. I say look at this as a blessing and take the oppurtunity to get to know your fellow parishners. Beside, one never knows the impact such a simple hello can have one another person, it could very well be the only friendly human contact that a person has all week.

 

[DaveBj]

Our parish has started doing that at the beginning of Mass, as part of the “parish renewal program” or something like that. It’s like doing the “kiss of peace” twice, only the first time you don’t say “peace be with you;” you say your name.

 

[quiet52]

Before each Sunday mass begins in my parish, a lector reminds us to turn off our cell phones, invites visitors to identify themselves, and has us greet our neighbors in the pews. Then mass begins.

 

[the_phoenix]

I have settled on the following greeting when the practice of introducing myself is foisted upon me:

“Hello, I’m a Conservative Pro-lifer.”

~~ the phoenix

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

This morning (and several other Sunday mornings) at Mass, before Mass actually began, Father had us all turn and “greet our neighbor” and introduce ourselves if we didn’t know the person next to us. He did this after the procession but before we actually began (before the sign of the cross). I know this probably isn’t in the rubrics of the Mass but I was wondering if it was ok since it wasn’t in the middle of Mass or anything. We aren’t a very liberal parish like some and Mass is usually very reverent and orthodox, but this just hit me as odd. Do any of your parishes do this?

My parents’ parish does this before the procession and it works out pretty well. It ends up being a quick hello before everything else gets going. It is a very good church community building exercise each week.

 

[AngelRose81]

Thanks for all your replies. I had not seen this done at any other parish that I have been to and thought it kind of different. I didn’t mind it but just thought it different!

 

[rwoehmke]

Ya sure! We’ve done this in our parish for years. I am not sure that it does what it is expected to do. I think the coffee socials after Mass where you can sit and yak does far more in the formation of new friendships and greeting strangers.

 

[water]

We do this every Sunday after the announcement which is taken before the mass starts.

 

[sphilomena]

I have settled on the following greeting when the practice of introducing myself is foisted upon me:

“Hello, I’m a Conservative Pro-lifer.”

~~ the phoenix

LOVE THIS!!! I agree with the word “foisted” too! Does any bishop or priest care what comes from Rome?! One document from JPII reminded us of quiet and prayerful preparation for Mass; starting the talking and back-slapping doesn’t cut it, destroys the prayerful mood some of us have entered.

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

I may be an old stick in the mud…but before Mass? No thanks…after Mass in the Narthex would work quite well and does for our church.

:heart:Blyss

 

[Brooklyn]

I may be an old stick in the mud…but before Mass? No thanks…after Mass in the Narthex would work quite well and does for our church.

:heart:Blyss

I think I agree with Blyss. Mass is not about the people, it’s about going to the foot of Calvary and re-presenting Christ’s sacrifice. That’s another reason why I don’t like the “sign of peace.” I find that very intrusive, especially right at the time of the consecration. We have time outside of Mass to meet and greet.

I really fear we have forgotten why Mass is celebrated. I hope God is gentle when he has to remind us.

Mary

 

[mdgspencer]

At one parish in my city the people are told to introduce themsleves to the people around them and also they even make announcements at length before the mass. I find this annoying since I pray before mass. I understand that it is valuable to get to know each other in the parish, but it would be better if this was done so that peoples’ prayer wasn’t interfered with.
Now that I think of it too there was another practice by an inventive priest that I found annoying. He said not to greet each other during the appropriate time at mass, but to do it after mass. Not only do I like to pray before mass, but I like to pray after mass. However, he was insistent about this. One time I knelt in prayer after mass and he approached and thrust his hand out before me. (Luckily, this priest, a religious order priest, went to another part of the country.) He also gave the sermon before the mass began instead of during the mass, which some people found bewildering.

 

[Chovy]

I think it’s a silly idea. I’m never ever going to remember the name of a person I met in this manner, nor would I enticed to become friendly with them due to this encounter later on. At that point I am trying to concentrate on the upcoming Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Word, not on making new friends whose names I won’t remember 5 minutes later. If the parish wants to encourage fellowship, then have a separate get together outside of the Church where people can get to know each other.

 

[Conciliar]

“Thank you all for attending today’s gathering. Please, if you didn’t get a name tag before you entered, raise your hand so an usher can bring you one, and remember, first names only in big block letters so everyone can read it!”

You know that’s coming.

 

[Chovy]

“Thank you all for attending today’s gathering. Please, if you didn’t get a name tag before you entered, raise your hand so an usher can bring you one, and remember, first names only in big block letters so everyone can read it!”

You know that’s coming.

My friend’s new parish already has it. Plus when the Priest handed out Communion he said, “The Body of Christ” (then looking clearly at her nametag) “Monica”

 

[the_phoenix]

My friend’s new parish already has it. Plus when the Priest handed out Communion he said, “The Body of Christ” (then looking clearly at her nametag) “Monica”

Hmmmm, and here I was thinking hypothetically about **Conciliar’s **post about name tags …

Well, then here’s what I would do. Having read Butler’s “Lives of the Saints” as a child, I came across a group of early Church martyrs who, when brought before the Roman governors, refused to give them any name except “Christian” … So going by such saintly inspiration, I would write “CHRISTIAN” on my name tag in big block letters.

~~ the phoenix

 

[Conciliar]

My friend’s new parish already has it. Plus when the Priest handed out Communion he said, “The Body of Christ” (then looking clearly at her nametag) “Monica”

ACK! I thought I was being clever. Who knew?

In an Hispanic parish it would only be a matter of time before the priest would say, “Body of Christ, Jesus.” Now that’s not so bad. : ))

 

[Chovy]

Hmmmm, and here I was thinking hypothetically about **Conciliar’s **post about name tags …

Well, then here’s what I would do. Having read Butler’s “Lives of the Saints” as a child, I came across a group of early Church martyrs who, when brought before the Roman governors, refused to give them any name except “Christian” … So going by such saintly inspiration, I would write “CHRISTIAN” on my name tag in big block letters.

~~ the phoenix

Nice idea. Being the smart mouth that I am, my name tag would probably read, Hi, My Name is “Ask me after Mass”

 

[feargalmac]

I really don’t think that would catch on in our parish. 90% come into the church just before Mass starts. If a pre-Mass greeting was introduced, they’d time it to get an extra few minutes in bed every Sunday.