Is this an abuse?

[Petertherock]

This week at Mass the priest at the end of the Gospel reading said, “Those are some powerful words from Jesus. Now we have the reading of the financial report by someone from the Finance Committee.” And they had this guy from the finance committee get up and give a presentation about the finances.

I was always under the impression that presentations like this should be either before Mass begins or after Mass is over.

 

[m134e5]

yes it’s an abuse- the homily is supposed to be after the Gospel.

“Those are some powerful words from Jesus. Now we have the reading of the financial report by someone from the Finance Committee” seems irreverant to me.

Coming from a fundamentalist background, I get turned off pretty quick whenever I think someone is trying to hit me up for money.

They should mail the financial report to the registered parishioners. Visitors are not bound by canon law to support parishes they visit- why should they have to listen to talk that is only for parishioners?

 

[Petertherock]

That’s what I thought. The financial report was also included in the bulletin so I don’t know what the reason for the report during the homily was other than to whine for more money.

There are some things that did trouble me about the report but that’s a subject for a different topic,

 

[viktor_aleksndr]

Homily must be a reflection on the readingsa and the Gospel…

Financial reports should be done before the mass ends. Like before the final blessing.

 

[TOME]

This may have been an abuse, however, I’m inclined to give the priest this benefit of the doubt. He probrably saw it as the only practical way of reaching the most people given the traditional exodus immediately following of the reception of communion. So instead of addressing the financial situation to a half empty congregation (even though they are most likely the real supportes of the Parish) he chose to speak when he did.

 

[QUICUMQUE_VULT]

TOME:

This may have been an abuse, however, I’m inclined to give the priest this benefit of the doubt. He probrably saw it as the only practical way of reaching the most people given the traditional exodus immediately following of the reception of communion. So instead of addressing the financial situation to a half empty congregation (even though they are most likely the real supportes of the Parish) he chose to speak when he did.

You are probably right Tome. I would be inclined to give the Priest the benefit of the doubt,
If He has been a Priest for any length of time, he knows whats coming as soon as he distributes the last Host,
A mad stampede for the Exit!!
I wonder why people do this?
very disrespectful IMHO

God Bless

 

[mgy100]

he had a captive audience that really wouldn’t audibly shout out comments on points they disagreed about.

Getting people to show up to meetings is like pulling teeth out of a walrus. So he probably just figured he’d dodge debate and a small turn out and just lay it out in front of everyone.

What can you do?