J
jtkalehua88
Guest
I’m a sociology major so I really take an interest in observing customs and norms as well as the overall culture of various groups. I would probably notice more things pertaining to social norms among different groups more so than most others would.
I have noticed, at least at my parish, that the “culture” if you will, is quite different among the different Mass times. In regards to the music style, the choice of hymns, the attendants, and attire.
Allow me to elaborate. Saturday masses at my parish are at 5 pm in English and 7 pm in Spanish. The 5 pm Mass is almost exclusively attended by senior citizen’s, and the music is simply a cantor with piano accompaniment. The 7 pm Mass has very low attendance and is exclusively Latino, with spanish guitar music.
The 9 AM Mass on Sunday morning is well known in our parish as the most conservative Mass, with a choir and organ music and most attendants dressed in their “sunday’s best”. No hand holding during the Our Father, no walking across the aisle during the sign of peace.
The 11 AM Mass is by far more “modernized” and has a guitar choir with a tambourine and sometimes a flute. It has a very folksy feel to it. At times there will even be clapping along with the music. With more contemporary hymns.
Complete with hand-holding during the Our Father, and sometimes even people holding hands across the aisle to create an “un-broken” chain (Although since I’ve returned to the Church after 4 years, I have noticed the 11 am Mass seemed a little more conservative, but simply for the sake of discussion we’ll say it’s the same because just today it had a low attendance so I’m attributing the more conservative feel to that reason). Most of the attendants are dressed more casually.
It’s also the most racially mixed Mass. Especially many Hispanics and Filipinos. And every time at the beginning of the Mass after the entrance, Father would say “Good Morning!” “Buenas Dias!” “Buon Gionio” and “Magandang Umaga” (Good morning in Tagalog). He always does that exclusively at the 11 am Mass.
And the 1 pm Spanish Mass is by far the most crowded Mass, with standing room only and the same choir as the 7 pm Mass, guitar music. And it as well, is almost exclusively Latino. More children and large families.
Most members of the Neocatechumenal Way and the Parish’s Catholic Charismatic Renewal group that I know, exclusively attend the 11 am Mass. Most parishioners have “their Mass” they attend. “We go to the 9 AM Mass” or “Our family are 11 o’clock Mass folks” so the different Masses have all developed their own “regulars” and almost their own culture.
Even the Deacons are exclusive to the different Mass times. The two older deacons will always co-celebrate the 5 pm and 9 am Mass, and just one deacon who is the youngest always co-celebrates the 11 am Mass. I’ve never seen him co-celebrate another Mass time.
You’ll never hear clapping at the 9 AM Mass nor would they ever have the guitar choir from the 11 AM Mass accompany the 9 AM Mass. They are exclusive to their respected Mass times. Our old Pastor also tended to clap along with the music and included plenty of his “Amen’s” during the homily at the 11 am Mass and walks up and down between the pews as he gave the homily, as opposed to the 9 AM Mass where he stood behind the lectern.
Folks who frequent the 9 AM Mass don’t ever attend the 11 AM Mass at all, and vice versa. I’m generalizing a bit but for the sake of discussion, at least as far as the parishioners I know very well all have their regular Mass they attend, and that’s the only one they go too.
It’s almost as if each Mass has developed it’s own congregation in and of itself. Perhaps theirs too much division or perhaps I’m looking way too into it. But again, I notice these things because I find them fascinating.
Is this the case at many parishes in America? Do you notice the same thing at your parish? Each mass time has it’s own culture? I’m curious how this came about.
I have noticed, at least at my parish, that the “culture” if you will, is quite different among the different Mass times. In regards to the music style, the choice of hymns, the attendants, and attire.
Allow me to elaborate. Saturday masses at my parish are at 5 pm in English and 7 pm in Spanish. The 5 pm Mass is almost exclusively attended by senior citizen’s, and the music is simply a cantor with piano accompaniment. The 7 pm Mass has very low attendance and is exclusively Latino, with spanish guitar music.
The 9 AM Mass on Sunday morning is well known in our parish as the most conservative Mass, with a choir and organ music and most attendants dressed in their “sunday’s best”. No hand holding during the Our Father, no walking across the aisle during the sign of peace.
The 11 AM Mass is by far more “modernized” and has a guitar choir with a tambourine and sometimes a flute. It has a very folksy feel to it. At times there will even be clapping along with the music. With more contemporary hymns.
Complete with hand-holding during the Our Father, and sometimes even people holding hands across the aisle to create an “un-broken” chain (Although since I’ve returned to the Church after 4 years, I have noticed the 11 am Mass seemed a little more conservative, but simply for the sake of discussion we’ll say it’s the same because just today it had a low attendance so I’m attributing the more conservative feel to that reason). Most of the attendants are dressed more casually.
It’s also the most racially mixed Mass. Especially many Hispanics and Filipinos. And every time at the beginning of the Mass after the entrance, Father would say “Good Morning!” “Buenas Dias!” “Buon Gionio” and “Magandang Umaga” (Good morning in Tagalog). He always does that exclusively at the 11 am Mass.
And the 1 pm Spanish Mass is by far the most crowded Mass, with standing room only and the same choir as the 7 pm Mass, guitar music. And it as well, is almost exclusively Latino. More children and large families.
Most members of the Neocatechumenal Way and the Parish’s Catholic Charismatic Renewal group that I know, exclusively attend the 11 am Mass. Most parishioners have “their Mass” they attend. “We go to the 9 AM Mass” or “Our family are 11 o’clock Mass folks” so the different Masses have all developed their own “regulars” and almost their own culture.
Even the Deacons are exclusive to the different Mass times. The two older deacons will always co-celebrate the 5 pm and 9 am Mass, and just one deacon who is the youngest always co-celebrates the 11 am Mass. I’ve never seen him co-celebrate another Mass time.
You’ll never hear clapping at the 9 AM Mass nor would they ever have the guitar choir from the 11 AM Mass accompany the 9 AM Mass. They are exclusive to their respected Mass times. Our old Pastor also tended to clap along with the music and included plenty of his “Amen’s” during the homily at the 11 am Mass and walks up and down between the pews as he gave the homily, as opposed to the 9 AM Mass where he stood behind the lectern.
Folks who frequent the 9 AM Mass don’t ever attend the 11 AM Mass at all, and vice versa. I’m generalizing a bit but for the sake of discussion, at least as far as the parishioners I know very well all have their regular Mass they attend, and that’s the only one they go too.
It’s almost as if each Mass has developed it’s own congregation in and of itself. Perhaps theirs too much division or perhaps I’m looking way too into it. But again, I notice these things because I find them fascinating.
Is this the case at many parishes in America? Do you notice the same thing at your parish? Each mass time has it’s own culture? I’m curious how this came about.
please why)