Leaving Mass "Early" Before Announcements!

[tseleehw]

The parish that I used to be a member of before I moved a couple of years ago always put the announcements after the General Intercessions, before the Offertory and the accompanying hymn. I have no idea if this is allowed and I always thought it was strange (mainly since no other place I’ve ever been does it this way) but looking back it kind of makes sense to me now because there was usually just waiting at that time anyway for everything to be prepared for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The announcements were always very brief, however. Usually only one or two things.

 

[poche]

The only way I would leave mass early would be if I had some pressing business that required my attention and that were to be the only mass that I could attend.

 

[thistle]

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

I think its disrespectful for people wanting to get away from Mass as quickly as they can and being disrespectful to priests by complaining about not getting out early.
Is it really so hard for you to stay until the dismissal??

The priest should be the last one into Church and the first one out.

 

[YADA]

I think its disrespectful for people wanting to get away from Mass as quickly as they can and being disrespectful to priests by complaining about not getting out early.
Is it really so hard for you to stay until the dismissal??

The priest should be the last one into Church and the first one out.

We had a priest that said exactly that- and I quote “I am to be the last one to enter into the Church and the first one to leave.” I remember that day at Mass and I love that priest, retired now and beloved by many!

He also had received a request once from someone who got a parking ticket for parking too close to an alley near the parish that was signed “No Parking” …He said to the parish at large during the announcements that we should leave our homes early enough to find a legal parking spot and be in Church on time - a little earlier than the start of Mass … and if we parked illegally the only thing he could offer was absolution in the confessional - if and when we acknowledged and regretted breaking the law and sought God’s forgiveness, he would be no help with the City authorities

 

[thistle]

We had a priest that said exactly that- and I quote “I am to be the last one to enter into the Church and the first one to leave.” I remember that day at Mass and I love that priest, retired now and beloved by many!

He also had received a request once from someone who got a parking ticket for parking too close to an alley near the parish that was signed “No Parking” …He said to the parish at large during the announcements that we should leave our homes early enough to find a legal parking spot and be in Church on time - a little earlier than the start of Mass … and if we parked illegally the only thing he could offer was absolution in the confessional - if and when we acknowledged and regretted breaking the law and sought God’s forgiveness, he would be no help with the City authorities

 

[jimkhong]

Hi,

As I understand the Mass is “over” at Communion

It is not but I think that is covered by other posts.

I always tell the children at my Liturgy of the Word that someone left the first mass early. You don’t want to be that guy do you?

So, I always hold my kids back until the priest has left the sanctuary. Then I let them go.

 

[poche]

I think its disrespectful for people wanting to get away from Mass as quickly as they can and being disrespectful to priests by complaining about not getting out early.
Is it really so hard for you to stay until the dismissal??

The priest should be the last one into Church and the first one out.

If you are going to complain about how long mass is then why go at all?

 

[WilliamE]

I think its disrespectful for people wanting to get away from Mass as quickly as they can and being disrespectful to priests by complaining about not getting out early.

Well, it can also be argued that it is disrespectful of the priest to hold his congregation hostage while he reads 15 minutes of announcements that are already printed in the bulletin. No wonder some folks make a break for it.

If you are going to complain about how long mass is then why go at all?

Maybe because the Church imposes the obligation to go?

 

[ConfusedLucy]

The announcements aren’t a necessary part of mass though. I think some people just enjoy hogging the limelight.

 

[brishen]

Without accusing the OP of hyperbole, I’m shocked the announcements would take 15 minutes, I wonder if it just feels that way…for my parish that would be a quarter of the service. I guess we are lucky bc we have the Eucharist, then the final blessing, and “go forth…” then short announcements (maybe half the sundays) usually telling people to check out the bulletin for such and such in more detail (many put the bulletins back in their “holders” after service for recycling for the next one, even though we never run out), then the final hymn, procession.
.I’ve noticed an interesting trend–bc they tend to sit near me……the families/couples (it’s rarely singular people) that come in late, when I’m back at the pew after the Eucharist praying I’ll find the entire pew empty when 20 min before I was being moved down pew every few minutes by these communion hungry latecomers. Lol. No judgement at all, it’s nice that people come at all I guess…but I don’t think I feel comfortable with the courtesy aspect of it. I agree with some of the other posters that all parishes should have such problems as too many activities and announcements to bear hearing about.

 

[Redd_Jackal]

Our pastor makes announcements five minutes before Mass starts to remind everyone about the bulletin, “worship aid”, and which hymnal to use. This also interrupts anyone still engaged in prayer or casual conversation so they can then be invited to rise and greet each other while Father makes his way down the aisle to the back of the church, making small talk with folks along the way.
When Mass is ended, the celebrant processes to a side entrance, perhaps to meet other attendees.

We also note that for the Saturday evening Mass, a number of people arrive about thirty minutes early and the seats nearest the exits get filled first. The parking spaces nearest the church are all taken twenty minutes before Mass begins.

 

[dbreit2000]

I think its disrespectful for people wanting to get away from Mass as quickly as they can and being disrespectful to priests by complaining about not getting out early.
Is it really so hard for you to stay until the dismissal??

The priest should be the last one into Church and the first one out.

I don’t think anyone should judge people for leaving Mass after Communion. You have no idea why one is leaving early. I always come to Mass 45 minutes early to pray the rosary, and sometimes leave after Communion. That’s my business and it’s between God and me.

 

[DeniseNY]

I’ve sometimes had to leave daily mass (which starts at 12:15) early to get back to the office for something. But on those days, I’ll sit in the back so I can do it discretely.slip out without being disruptive.

 

[JanetF]

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!

Amen!

 

[Redd_Jackal]

At the conclusion of the Mass in my home parish, the pastor makes several announcements and offers a three-fold blessing before saying “The Mass is ended…” By the time the closing hymn begins, a number of seniors are shuffling for the exits.

 

[Solomonson]

I don’t think anyone should judge people for leaving Mass after Communion. You have no idea why one is leaving early. I always come to Mass 45 minutes early to pray the rosary, and sometimes leave after Communion. That’s my business and it’s between God and me.

Not really, no. It’s wrong to leave before the dismissal.

That said if there were truly extenuating circumstances – like someone reading 15 minutes worth of stuff from the bulletin before the dismissal, then I think someone would be justified in leaving before that began.

 

[ConfusedLucy]

You think the person wittering on unnecessarily for 15 minutes would take the hint though

 

[dbreit2000]

Not really, no. It’s wrong to leave before the dismissal.

That said if there were truly extenuating circumstances – like someone reading 15 minutes worth of stuff from the bulletin before the dismissal, then I think someone would be justified in leaving before that began.

Well, that’s your opinion, and I have my own…