Jokes before the final dismissal

[japhy]

First of all, many biblical scholars have written that Jesus appears to have had a great sense of humor and that many 1st century peasants would have found humor in many of his parables.

Which is why I said that humor in the homily can serve a purpose. But I don’t think Jesus was telling jokes in the synagogues and the Temple.

And yes it is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, but since when is laughing the opposite of holiness?

I didn’t say laughing is the opposite of holiness, but I think there are certain parts of the Mass where laughter is inappropriate and a distraction from the fact that the Holy Sacrifice of our Lord is being made present to us.

these forums seem to attract people who simply want to complain about their parish priest.

This is a guess, but maybe that’s because people generally don’t know how to give constructive criticism to the person in question, and so complain about the person to others and commiserate; whereas those who want to praise a person do so directly, and not through a forum.

 

[zz912]

After announcements and before the final dismissal, our priest tells a weekly joke. My question is, is this appropriate?

If he is following norms in the rest of mass, and only uses the last minutes when there are announcements for the jokes, I’d let it go. There are way too many priests that abuse the mass and don’t do what they are supposed to, to worry about a joke meant to bring the parishoners closer to him that is done at the end of mass.

 

[JustaServant]

Yes and no. While there’s nothing technically wrong with it, it does seem to be rather quirky that it could be distracting. But is this really something to get upset over? Why bring it up?

On a not too different note, I’d like to point out that these forums seem to attract people who simply want to complain about their parish priest.

You’re reading an alful lot into one post. Who’s upset? Who’s complaining?
I asked a simple question seeking what people think about it.

 

[CB_Catholic]

My former pastor (now deceased) used to tell a joke after the announcements before the dismissal every Sunday. I never heard a complaint from anyone, everyone seemed to appreciate it, and it was one of the things that was endearing about him–he had a great sense of humor and could even laugh at himself. He died an early death from cancer only about six months after it was diagnosed, but he said Mass as often as he was able, even when he was on chemotherapy, and he still continued to tell his jokes. He kept his sense of humor until he died.

There wasn’t an irreverent thing about his joke-telling, and even when the joke was a bad joke, he could laugh with us about it and make fun of himself. I never got the sense he was trying to draw attention to himself, I think he was teaching us a great lesson–not to take life so seriously that we miss the joy of being alive. When he sent us forth from Mass, we were smiling. He had an enviable balance about his life, even while he was dying, and he shared his final journey and reflections on living and dying every week in the bulletin until he could no longer write them. And he was always smiling. That sense of humor got him and the parish through a very bad time. Before he died, he arranged to have a party after his death. He had contacted some caterers in the area and the day before his funeral and the afternoon after he was buried he held a veritable banquet in the church hall for everyone–from hor’derves to dessert-a full course meal, including fine wine, beer, and drinks. A couple of thousand people attended these services. It was his final gift to us and the community in which we live, and it helped the parish tremendously in their grieving. And of course, we talked about his jokes, as well as other things about this outstanding priest.

So no, I don’t think it is inappropriate to tell a joke after Mass before dismissing the congregation. I think it helps us appreciate the fullness of life.

 

[zab]

On a not too different note, I’d like to point out that these forums seem to attract people who simply want to complain about their parish priest.

or priests they don’t even know.

 

[Spirithound]

What distracts me more than joke-telling are when people are wearing sports jerseys as they prepare to go to a football game or are supporting their team. Many Catholics dedicate only one single hour to the Lord, but will spend several hours later in “worship” of their teams. Hm. That’s a misplaced spiritual modifier, there.

Let’s make Mass longer?

 

[CappaMagna]

My former pastor (now deceased) used to tell a joke after the announcements before the dismissal every Sunday. I never heard a complaint from anyone, everyone seemed to appreciate it, and it was one of the things that was endearing about him–he had a great sense of humor and could even laugh at himself. He died an early death from cancer only about six months after it was diagnosed, but he said Mass as often as he was able, even when he was on chemotherapy, and he still continued to tell his jokes. He kept his sense of humor until he died.

There wasn’t an irreverent thing about his joke-telling, and even when the joke was a bad joke, he could laugh with us about it and make fun of himself. I never got the sense he was trying to draw attention to himself, I think he was teaching us a great lesson–not to take life so seriously that we miss the joy of being alive. When he sent us forth from Mass, we were smiling. He had an enviable balance about his life, even while he was dying, and he shared his final journey and reflections on living and dying every week in the bulletin until he could no longer write them. And he was always smiling. That sense of humor got him and the parish through a very bad time. Before he died, he arranged to have a party after his death. He had contacted some caterers in the area and the day before his funeral and the afternoon after he was buried he held a veritable banquet in the church hall for everyone–from hor’derves to dessert-a full course meal, including fine wine, beer, and drinks. A couple of thousand people attended these services. It was his final gift to us and the community in which we live, and it helped the parish tremendously in their grieving. And of course, we talked about his jokes, as well as other things about this outstanding priest.

So no, I don’t think it is inappropriate to tell a joke after Mass before dismissing the congregation. I think it helps us appreciate the fullness of life.

Thanks for sharing.

His approach sounds a heck of a lot more healthy than those who lock-step from their vehicles to their pews and then grimly reverse the process the moment Mass has concluded.