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peaceonearth320
Guest
Should the cantor or announcer include an introduction to the Mass in the announcing of the gathering hymn?
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MarkThompson
Guest
It is permissible either way. There is no need to announce the opening hymn at all (or even to have an opening hymn in the first place), so there are no requirements on what must or must not be said. Some people like having a short introduction; others find it distracting. Ultimately, it is up to the pastor to determine the practice for his church.
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hsmomforlife
Guest
I, personally, don’t like it…it’s like a ‘pre-homily’…and I like my homilies given by a priest or deacon just after the Gospel, but that’s just me. I tolerate it…and figure maybe it helps some people prepare themselves better for Mass and the homily that is to come…
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Joannm
Guest
We have an announcement to turn off cell phones since we have a problem with that. We also announce the hymn since our hymn board is really small and only those in front can see it. We will announce at the beginning of mass if we are having a second collection. The cantor usually makes the announcement but at times other people have done it.
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Allegra
Guest
I introduce the Mass like, “Good morning. Please join in hymn number…” Is that what you are talking about? I’ve never heard anything else besides that except in the case of someone announcing that someone’s lights are on in the parking lot.
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YoungTradCath
Guest
Personally, I find it imprudent as far as elegance goes. I think starting mass a few rings of of a small bell as was customary in many places (and continues to be) is the best and classiest way to start mass. Starting mass with announcements just has a bit of that, eh, “You people are obviously too uneducated to read the bulletin, so we have to tell you what it says,” ring to it, as well as the elegance thing.
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Richard320
Guest
I never thought about it until just now.
Last Sunday, like every other Sunday (only the names and dates get changed) the Cantor said, "Good Morning. Welcome to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Today is the fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our Priest Celebrant today is His Excellency Archbishop Jose Gomez. Please take a moment to turn off all watch alarms, pagers, and cell phones. Our opening hymn is number ###.
Brief and to the point. You do see a number of people quickly checking their phones, so it wasn’t a wasted reminder. And it’s nice to learn the name of the priest. When the Bishop celebrates, it’s easy to tell, but when there’s a visiting priest, who knows?
Contrast that with one of my old parishes, where we were all asked to stand and greet our neighbors. It got mighty raucous, which was, of course, repeated as the Sign of Peace.
What I found incredibly annoying was at the Spanish Mass at our last parish. I comprehend Spanish much better than I can speak it, so I wasn’t completely lost. There was [edited] who would walk up to the ambo and announce (in Spanish) something like, “Our First Reading is from the Book of Exodus. God will lead the Israelites to the Promised Land. Listen.” and then go sit down. And then the reader would go up, announce, "A Reading from the Book of Exodus… " Before the second reading she would do the same. And the Gospel, if memory serves. It was like she was reading the italicized synopsis one sees in missalettes sometimes. The way she said, “Escuchemos” just grated on my nerves. I saw no reason for her to do this, and I’ve only been to two other parishes’ Spanish masses, but I didn’t see it there, so I don’t know if it’s common or if she’s the only one doing this.
Last Sunday, like every other Sunday (only the names and dates get changed) the Cantor said, "Good Morning. Welcome to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Today is the fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our Priest Celebrant today is His Excellency Archbishop Jose Gomez. Please take a moment to turn off all watch alarms, pagers, and cell phones. Our opening hymn is number ###.
Brief and to the point. You do see a number of people quickly checking their phones, so it wasn’t a wasted reminder. And it’s nice to learn the name of the priest. When the Bishop celebrates, it’s easy to tell, but when there’s a visiting priest, who knows?
Contrast that with one of my old parishes, where we were all asked to stand and greet our neighbors. It got mighty raucous, which was, of course, repeated as the Sign of Peace.
What I found incredibly annoying was at the Spanish Mass at our last parish. I comprehend Spanish much better than I can speak it, so I wasn’t completely lost. There was [edited] who would walk up to the ambo and announce (in Spanish) something like, “Our First Reading is from the Book of Exodus. God will lead the Israelites to the Promised Land. Listen.” and then go sit down. And then the reader would go up, announce, "A Reading from the Book of Exodus… " Before the second reading she would do the same. And the Gospel, if memory serves. It was like she was reading the italicized synopsis one sees in missalettes sometimes. The way she said, “Escuchemos” just grated on my nerves. I saw no reason for her to do this, and I’ve only been to two other parishes’ Spanish masses, but I didn’t see it there, so I don’t know if it’s common or if she’s the only one doing this.
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peaceonearth320
Guest
Thank you all for the (name removed by moderator)ut. The practice has been that the cantor welcomes the assembly and asks them to greet their neighbor. Next any (name removed by moderator)ortant announcements are given, woven into an introdution to the gospel of the day and followed by the announcement of the Gathering hymn. It feels very crowded. It will be my role to craft these weekly introductions.
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Joannm
Guest
We give our bulletins out following mass so that people don’t read them during mass.
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AussieTrad
Guest
At my old parish they expeted you to take one when you entered the church and return it when you left so it could be recycled. Needless to say, I don’t think I lot of attention was paid to Mass at that particular parish.
-Steve
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John_Lilburne
Guest
From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :
"105. The following also exercise a liturgical function: …
b. The commentator, who provides the faithful, when appropriate, with brief explanations and commentaries with the purpose of introducing them to the celebration and preparing them to understand it better. The commentator’s remarks must be meticulously prepared and clear though brief. In performing this function the commentator stands in an appropriate place facing the faithful, but not at the ambo."
“352. … Since, indeed, a variety of options is provided for the different parts of the Mass, it is necessary for the deacon, the lectors, the psalmist, the cantor, the commentator, and the choir to be completely sure before the celebration which text for which each is responsible is to be used and that nothing be improvised. Harmonious planning and carrying out of the rites will great assistance in disposing the faithful to participate in the Eucharist.”
"105. The following also exercise a liturgical function: …
b. The commentator, who provides the faithful, when appropriate, with brief explanations and commentaries with the purpose of introducing them to the celebration and preparing them to understand it better. The commentator’s remarks must be meticulously prepared and clear though brief. In performing this function the commentator stands in an appropriate place facing the faithful, but not at the ambo."
“352. … Since, indeed, a variety of options is provided for the different parts of the Mass, it is necessary for the deacon, the lectors, the psalmist, the cantor, the commentator, and the choir to be completely sure before the celebration which text for which each is responsible is to be used and that nothing be improvised. Harmonious planning and carrying out of the rites will great assistance in disposing the faithful to participate in the Eucharist.”
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YoungTradCath
Guest
Yeah, I find that a little patronizing.
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