Leaving Mass "Early" Before Announcements!

[Liturgy_Geek_1]

It is my understanding that Mass is over after the final blessing. However, that does not mean a mad dash for the door after the blessing. IMHO, the polite thing to do is wait until the celebrant has passed by your pew in the final procession.

 

[Gorgias]

The Body of Christ is not contained by a building, it is a spiritual community. As I type I am “alone” in my house but still a member of the Body of Christ.

True, but that’s not what you said. You claimed that you felt more connected (ostensibly, to the Body of Christ) after you disconnected yourself from the community.

As I said IF this is a sacred event (and IT IS!) what place do raffles and non-liturgical announcements have?

They’re part of the life of the Christian community.

My Missal has no spot of “announcements” these are not part of the Mass…

As others have noted, ‘announcements’ are part of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.

Is there the opportunity for you to mention to anyone – the pastor, perhaps – that reading the bulletin to ya’ll at the end of Mass isn’t really necessary?

 

[punisherthunder]

That really irks me when I see people do that.

There are side exits up near the altars, and they have tinted windows. So if it is sunny and they open those doors, then a wild, bright ray of sunshine blinds everyone because the sanctuary is dark.

But once the “announcements” which are pretty small time, are done, then the priest has us say a prayer that is almost a litany really. It’s for our parish saint. Then he gives us all a final blessing.

I just think it’s disrespectful to leave before that. To do what? Get out of the parking lot faster than everyone else? I’d rather get that final blessing by the priest than be able to leave a parking lot faster any day.

 

[pensmama87]

That really irks me when I see people do that.

There are side exits up near the altars, and they have tinted windows. So if it is sunny and they open those doors, then a wild, bright ray of sunshine blinds everyone because the sanctuary is dark.

But once the “announcements” which are pretty small time, are done, then the priest has us say a prayer that is almost a litany really. It’s for our parish saint. Then he gives us all a final blessing.

I just think it’s disrespectful to leave before that. To do what? Get out of the parking lot faster than everyone else? I’d rather get that final blessing by the priest than be able to leave a parking lot faster any day.

You know, I’ve found that it’s very, very easy to get out of the parking lot if we sing all of the recessional hymn, maybe say another prayer together, then take time to put our coats on/get our things together, visit a couple statues or favorite spots that the kids like to look at, or refill our holy water bottles, say a quick “hello” to friends and the priest and “thank you” to the ushers who give us the bulletin. Then we walk out to the car, and by the time we’re all buckled in and ready to go, we’ve got a clear path home.

Much less frustration that way, and we didn’t have to miss anything!

 

[PJM]

Hi,

As I understand the Mass is “over” at Communion but I do like to stay even a few minutes after last blessing.

Recently I moved to small community with one Parish. They can have 15 minutes of announcements before the final blessing. Generally things that do not pertain to me; CCD children’s stuff etc. They basically read the bulletin…

Then a second collection. The Mass breaks up into a chatty mob almost immediately.

Bottom line is it gets very distracting and I have taken to leaving directly after receiving the Eucharist. The parish is actually in a very pretty pecan grove and recently the landscape and sunset have been breathtaking. I feel much more connected as I pray Anima Cristi outside than inside…

I don’t run out and jump in my car and jet off. I am not trying to avoid anything but the inside distractions.

Admittedly parishes withhold final blessing so you do stick around but this seems to me equally disingenuous. I don’t understand why parishes have taken the idea announcements belong IN the Mass.

If you don’t consider Mass over until final blessing how does one square with such behavior?

Thanks,

El paso

PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER staying & OFFERING it up to Jesus

Luke 9:23
And he said to all: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Matthew 10:38
And he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth me, is not worthy of me.

I’m NOT being critical of your choice; JUST seeing an opportunity for you and GRACE

GBY

Patrick

 

[punisherthunder]

You know, I’ve found that it’s very, very easy to get out of the parking lot if we sing all of the recessional hymn, maybe say another prayer together, then take time to put our coats on/get our things together, visit a couple statues or favorite spots that the kids like to look at, or refill our holy water bottles, say a quick “hello” to friends and the priest and “thank you” to the ushers who give us the bulletin. Then we walk out to the car, and by the time we’re all buckled in and ready to go, we’ve got a clear path home.

Much less frustration that way, and we didn’t have to miss anything!

Exactly. Of course there are new weekly bulletins to collect, shake hands with the priest, get holy water, etc. Our parking lot is 3 different levels and it all trickles down 3 different sides. But people race and race to beat each other down to the main road like maniacs. I never understand it.

 

[Gorgias]

But once the “announcements” which are pretty small time, are done

To be fair, though… in some parishes, they aren’t “small time.” Literally, like the OP has experienced, they proclaim (nearly) the entire bulletin as ‘announcements.’

I just think it’s disrespectful to leave before that. To do what? Get out of the parking lot faster than everyone else?

Again, to be fair, that’s not what the OP was suggesting. It was more “I feel better being outside, than staying inside and stewing at the announcements.” I’m not gonna say it’s right, but I certainly understand the sentiment…

 

[drforjc]

It is my understanding that Mass is over after the final blessing. However, that does not mean a mad dash for the door after the blessing. IMHO, the polite thing to do is wait until the celebrant has passed by your pew in the final procession.

I agree with both your observations. I prefer to stay and pray for a bit after mass, but if I had somewhere I needed to be I would at least follow those guidelines.

 

[Phemie]

It is my understanding that Mass is over after the final blessing. However, that does not mean a mad dash for the door after the blessing. IMHO, the polite thing to do is wait until the celebrant has passed by your pew in the final procession.

Mass is over after the dismissal: “Go forth, the Mass is ended.” And you’re correct, the polite thing to do is stay and sing the recessional hymn while the priest and ministers are processing out.

One parish I’ve attended used to do it this way: you picked up your hymnal in the narthex and took it to your pew. At the end of Mass, once the priest and ministers had passed your pew, you joined in the recessional procession carrying your hymnal and singing and replaced your hymnal on the shelf before you left the church.

 

[punisherthunder]

To be fair, though… in some parishes, they aren’t “small time.” Literally, like the OP has experienced, they proclaim (nearly) the entire bulletin as ‘announcements.’

Again, to be fair, that’s not what the OP was suggesting. It was more “I feel better being outside, than staying inside and stewing at the announcements.” I’m not gonna say it’s right, but I certainly understand the sentiment…

Stewing at the announcements? Who could possibly stew while sitting the in Church? That seems almost impossible. I suppose some humility is needed.

 

[pnewton]

First world problems.

Best comment of the day!

The problem is not you leaving early but the length of announcements. If you have not made an appointment to discuss this with your pastor, then you are getting the cart before the horse. It is also good to have a suggestion when going to the pastor. In this case, if such a long time is needed, then do them at the beginning of the Mass, even though everyone has not yet arrived, saving only the most important for the end.

Leaving right after communion is so Judas.

 

[27lw]

Best comment of the day!

Hmmph. I think it’s easy to say “First world problems” to anything that doesn’t seem important. Oh, you have a $5,000 health care deductible? First world problem, at least you have health care. Oh, there is something crazy going on at your church? First world problem. You could literally say that to any problem that doesn’t have to do with a basic subsistence standard of living. I call it a cop-out.

 

[PJM]

I think 15 minutes of irrelevant announcements every week would really test most peoples patience. I think I would stay for maybe one every so often just to keep up to date with what’s going on but yeah I don’t need detailed information on groups for retired people or children every single week.

PERHAPS

But consider WHY it’s being done:shrug:

I suspect its to built a sense of community. a sense of oneness.

GBY

 

[Phemie]

PERHAPS

But consider WHY it’s being done:shrug:

I suspect its to built a sense of community. a sense of oneness.

GBY

Actually, I think it shows that they don’t trust the parishioners to read the bulletin.

 

[pnewton]

Hmmph. I think it’s easy to say “First world problems” to anything that doesn’t seem important. Oh, you have a $5,000 health care deductible? First world problem, at least you have health care. Oh, there is something crazy going on at your church? First world problem. You could literally say that to any problem that doesn’t have to do with a basic subsistence standard of living. I call it a cop-out.

Okay, then I will say, in my opinion, that was a funny post. I laughed. You don’t like that post? You didn’t laugh? That’s a first world problem. Hmmph, indeed.

 

[WilliamE]

Actually, I think it shows that they don’t trust the parishioners to read the bulletin.

If they don’t care about what’s in the bulletin, they’re sure not going to tolerate sitting through 15 minutes of announcements that cover the same stuff.

Edited to add: On the other hand…on those Sundays when I am an usher, it is usually my job to pass out bulletins as the parishioners leave. Just about everyone wants one, and heaven help us if we run out.

 

[YADA]

Actually, I think it shows that they don’t trust the parishioners to read the bulletin.

And I think the 15 minutes is an exaggeration …You could read -out loud - every word of my urban large parish bulletin in far less than 15 minutes. Most bulletins are printed on 11x17 paper - which equates to 4 pages 8.5" x 11" sheets …With the last page being advertising …The cover page usually has lots of info on staff, hours, address etc …But Basically it’s two or three pages …Maybe an insert for adult Faith formation …It would not take any where near 15 minutes …

I recently moved, and the new parish priest goes through the bulletin in great detail - much greater detail than any parish I ever attended and because of this thread I timed it last weekend and it was about 4 minutes …The Deacon added something from the bulletin another minute …

Fifteen minutes is the length of a typical homily in some places …Though 20 minutes is common for some priests I know.

Anyway 15 minutes would be a bulletin in length far greater than typical by many pages IMHO

 

[ConfusedLucy]

PERHAPS

But consider WHY it’s being done:shrug:

I suspect its to built a sense of community. a sense of oneness.

GBY

It kind of backfires if it makes people grumble in the pews

To be fair I once went to a church with few announcements and little in the bulletin and the priest was constantly saying things like, it’s a shame so few people came to last weeks bake sale and I’d be thinking but no one told me about the bake sale! At least they are trying even it is overkill.

I just think it’s better to say something like the teen group resumes on Tuesday evening, see the bulletin/website for details rather than go into the details. Unless the parish has really low literacy rates.

 

[Gorgias]

PJM:

But consider WHY it’s being done

I suspect its to built a sense of community. a sense of oneness.

It kind of backfires if it makes people grumble in the pews

On the other hand, if everyone is grumbling, then there’s a community there, a sense of unified oneness! Success!

 

[Bookcat]

Our Parish makes them just prior to Mass…perhaps to make sure everyone hears them and no one is tempted to leave…