Mass Through the Eyes of the Master of Ceremonies - The Things Parishoners Don't See

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UpUpAndAway said:
Let me clarify, since I just realized this question could be interpreted in a number of ways šŸ˜Š I didnā€™t mean, ā€œDo you normally brain fade so much?ā€ Rather, are there usually minor hiccups during Mass, caused by anyone or anything, or does the Mass generally go fairly smoothly?

Apologies in advance for any consternation I may have provoked by not choosing my words more carefully. :imsorry:
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I understand completely. I did not communicate the intent of this thread well enough and hence the immediate spiral into discussions about EMHCā€™s and accusations of pride and negligence by those who really have no idea what they are talking about. I did not take offense at your question.

Things happen that no one sees. Everyone wants a reverent Mass and it certainly is not theater but there is an element of choreography to it - everyone has to know their cue and execute in a dignified and reverent manner. Things happen that are out of control and we have to anticipate the needs of the priest and adapt as things happen. People are human and mistakes are made.

My entire point was that executing a complex Mass is incredibly difficult for everyone involved and that many people behind the scenes are working incredibly hard to bring reverence and dignity to the celebration. Iā€™m not trying to pat myself on the back but as someone involved in the Mass in a way most people are not, I can only say that things happen at every Mass that people donā€™t see and a lot goes into a reverent Mass. If something seems awkward or irreverent, please give the priest and everyone involved a break.

-Tim-
 
1ke said:
My old parish has over 7,000 families and the church seats 2,000, 8 masses a weekend-- huge.

My new parish (well, Iā€™ve been here 10 years, so itā€™s not really new anymore I guess) is a small country parish of 76 families with one Mass a weekend.

In neither parish did we have an MC.

Iā€™m not exactly sure what about this thread strikes me wrong, but it does. Maybe itā€™s because it doesnā€™t really matter whether people stand in the right spot, do things on cue, or whatever. We are there to worship, not watch a performance.
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The MC is not only a legitimate ministry in the Church but the presence of an MC at complex Masses is all but assumed in the liturgical instruction books. Notable among these is Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite by Peter J. Elliot. Bishop Elliot is an acknowledged liturgy expert among his peers.

It is more than just performance. The MC, servers, readers, ushers and sacristans allow the priests and deacons to pray the Mass without having to worry about logistics - books and cups and if the reader had a flat tire on the way to Mass. Jesus had others prepare the passover for him so that he could concentrate on what he was about to do.

Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ā€œWhere will you have us prepare for you to eat the passover?ā€ He said, ā€œGo into the city to a certain one, and say to him, `The Teacher says, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at your house with my disciples.ā€™ā€ And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the passover. (Matthew 26-17-19)

The priest can pray while he vests knowing that everything is handled for him. He can concentrate on offering the sacrifice In Persona for those present.

-Tim-
 
TimothyH said:
I understand completely. I did not communicate the intent of this thread well enough and hence the immediate spiral into discussions about EMHCā€™s and accusations of pride and negligence by those who really have no idea what they are talking about. I did not take offense at your question.

Things happen that no one sees. Everyone wants a reverent Mass and it certainly is not theater but there is an element of choreography to it - everyone has to know their cue and execute in a dignified and reverent manner. Things happen that are out of control and we have to anticipate the needs of the priest and adapt as things happen. People are human and mistakes are made.

My entire point was that executing a complex Mass is incredibly difficult for everyone involved and that many people behind the scenes are working incredibly hard to bring reverence and dignity to the celebration. Iā€™m not trying to pat myself on the back but as someone involved in the Mass in a way most people are not, I can only say that things happen at every Mass that people donā€™t see and a lot goes into a reverent Mass. If something seems awkward or irreverent, please give the priest and everyone involved a break.

-Tim-
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I understood your point from the get-go, and am relieved you interpreted my question as I intended when I asked it.

As someone in a similar position, I see very clearly what you mean. I donā€™t view my role as that of someone who makes certain everything is perfect, because there is no such thing when human beings are involved. I attempt to hide the errors (including my own) so the Mass flows smoothly and those in attendance can worship the Lord with a minimum of distractions regardless of what happens in the sanctuary. Like you, I donā€™t seek accolades for the execution of this duty. When people thank the celebrant for a beautiful Mass, I know I have properly done my work.

That said, it is comforting to see someone else point out that this sort of involvement in the Mass is not the same as sitting in the pews. It is not better, it is not worseā€”itā€™s simply different.

God bless you for your service to God and His Church. šŸ™‚
 
**I am a Master of Ceremonies. It is my job to make sure that everything is in place before Mass, that everyone knows their roles during Mass, to ensure that things flow smoothly during Mass and to take the blame after Mass for anything that went wrong. Sometimes itā€™s comical, and sometimes I am the biggest comedian. **

Are you the MC for a Latin Mass? That is usually were you see one (unless of course itā€™s the Chrism Mass or a Mass with the bishop). I MC at our Latin Mass, and I can attest to the good advice of acting like everything is intentional. Whenever you have younger guys there will usually be some sort of hangup. You just always have to keep your cool.šŸ™‚

And yes, it is always the MCā€™s fault. šŸ˜ƒ
 
I always wonder what the conversation is about when Father is talking to a altar server or a alter boy/girl during Mass when I cannot hear what is being said. I do think most the time it is correcting a mistake or making sure a mistake is not made and it seems like I could be right about that.

The closest I ever came to your situation was this Easter Vigil Mass at our parish. We have a new Priest at our parish so The Vigil was not as organized this year. Father did not know how things are normally done at the parish and we did not know exactly what Father wanted until the morning of The Vigil. Well after The Newly Baptized were rushed out to change out of their wet clothes, Father was waiting for them to return back to The Stage. Well, one was lagging big time. I saw the RCIA Catechists talking to each other. Keep in mind, the parish is packed and had been waiting with nothing going in for several minuets. I believe Father was asking if everyone that was Baptized was back on stage and the answer was ā€œNo, one is missingā€ Now, I was helping with RCIA also but sitting in the last reserved row in the pews. Which was about 5 or 6 pews back from the front pew. I did not want to get up, walk over to the other RCIA Catechists and make a scene any more that it already was, but I was forced to. I asked ā€œare we waiting for the last guy?ā€ They told me ā€œyes, Father wants everyone on stage, NOWā€ So I had to walk calmly out of the church, then when I was out of view I ran to the place where the males were changing and told the guy that Father was waiting on him so to hurry up. Then I ran back to the church, walked in calmly and informed the team that he was coming. I think Father was losing patients because I seem to remember him saying ā€œWell, tell him to hurry up!ā€ It was quite the experience. I remember being so nervous. I guess the whole RCIA team, including me, really dropped the ball on that play lol
 
Elizium23 said:
You mean, the sanctuary? Where only the ministers of the liturgy are allowed?
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Whatā€™s the point of this? Do you think LaughingBoy has control over where the pastor wants the neophytes to stand for confirmation?
 
ProVobis said:
In the EF, an MC is usually employed during a Solemn High Mass, where there is a deacon and subdeacon. Rarely one is used during a regular Mass, and Iā€™ve seen it used where the priest requires some guidance in saying the Mass. .
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***Iā€™m the MC @ our parish; yea I know how hard it is to keep from laughing (and sometimes crying) during mass when things go, well bizzar :rolleyes:.

Two years ago, at the Easter Vigil, during the Exultet one of the boys got his candle too close to his missalette - and up in flames it went :eek::eek: (not just a little flame either). I had to throw it on the floor and step on it. Try to keep from laughing - not easy. The congregation didnā€™t notice, even Father didnā€™t notice; but boy did he laugh when we showed him, after mass ***:D:blush:
 
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