One of the worst things in my short life as a Catholic (2007 convert) is agreeing to give a “talk” during stewardship week - time slotted for the middle of Mass. I was about a 2-year Catholic at the time, and did not know to challenge the idea or not, but reluctantly agreed to share my thoughts about stewardship (I had joined about 3 ministries since I joined the parish). The priest gives a token, 3 sentence “homily” to avoid the rule against lay persons talking during that time period, then introduced me for my talk.
The experience wasn’t as bad then as it is reflecting on it now…now that I know how inappropriate this sort of thing is. Can’t really say it’s an abuse, but it’s as close as you can get with regard to lay speakers at Mass.
Just an awful feeling now. I cringe every time I think about it, and work hard to never bring it up around those who remember that I did it. Happens every year at my parish, though. I love my parish, but I detest it when they insist on doing the lay talks in the middle of Mass. I would’ve felt much better about it had I been able to give it before or right after Mass (I briefly had asked if I could, but was told the pastor wanted it in the middle). I think it is highly inappropriate, and I only wish I would’ve had this perspective on it back then. I would’ve flatly refused.
