Parish practice - thoughts please!

[filiaecclesia]

Clem456: St. Augustine in his day had to teach about the Eucharist and the mystical body of Christ to his flock so they would have a fuller understanding and know the right practice that follows from correct understanding. This is still necessary for parishes today. I don’t think the majority of people being instructed to “stand and greet those around you” are thinking about Church teaching on the Eucharist because they don’t know it. They are referencing what is going on in the pews with what they know in their lives as individuals in society, i.e. we are told to greet so we greet. I believe this goes for the Sign of Peace within the Mass, too. Add in the hand-holding during the Our Father and the rounds of applause to “thank” the choir, lectors, ushers, etc. . . friendliness definitely trumps correct understanding of the Eucharistic mysteries in such situations.

In general I think many American Catholics, especially those raised post-V2, are ill-formed in their faith. My concern is that whatever is done for that brief hour on a Sunday morning should speak to the faithful of their faith, of their Lord and His love for each one of them and all of them together. There is a power in the liturgy that should be proclaimed, not trivialized by confusing people with focus on each other. Only through a fuller, more complete formation, especially in regard to the Eucharist, about what is actually going on at Mass and why, will people feel a greater sense of the community and the loving care they seek. IMHO this isn’t achieved by telling people to greet their pew-mates but by teaching them that the living God Who calls them to Communion is in their midst.

I can’t imagine St. Augustine putting up with any nonsense but especially in regard to the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

 

[maryjk]

I agree with jediliz, and as for me, I can answer yes to every one of your questions.

Obviously I can’t comment on other parishes.

But I can say that at my parish, the people that complain the most about birthday announcements, meet and greets and such are the ones that are screeching tires in the parking lot, getting out as quick as possible.

 

[jim6918]

We have done this in our parish for years, so it’s almost second nature. The part of the whole thing that does bug me is when people make a bigger deal out of it than just greeting the people immediately around them. We have many people who get out of their pew and travel up and down the aisle to greet people, or pass people within the pew to greet people further down. Enough is enough.

On second thought, I hate doing this during flu season.

 

[Brigid34]

Our parish does this. It is a copy exactly of our shaking hands at the sign of peace. I feel it should definitely be gotten rid of there.

We also have greeters who hold doors for people, smile with a few words, etc. I think that is something that should stay. It gives a friendly feeling to the people there.

BTW, we also have coffee hour once a week after one of the Masses. That should also stay I think.

 

[robwar]

For several years in my parish something has been added that really bothers me and I’d like your thoughts:

Before the Sunday Masses (not weekday Mass), someone steps up to the microphone and makes a few announcements. Then she says, “Now please stand and greet those around you.” So everyone obligingly stands, mumbles “hi” etc. and as we’re all standing, the Processional begins.

This little innovation is not technically within the formal Mass itself, so I suppose the Liturgy Committee is within their right to add it. It is an attempt to make the parish more “friendly” but I think Catholics, who aren’t used to this sort of thing, really don’t like it but of course go along.

Seems that there is too much hand-shaking, hugging, grinning, etc. already WITHIN the Mass. Don’t mean to sound Scroogy, but everyone greeting and giggling before Mass makes it all seem like a social club.

I would like to go to the Liturgy Committee with my suggestion we drop the in-pew meet and greet, but would like to know the thoughts of other faithful Catholics on this one. Is this done at your parish? Have you ever experienced this at any parish? Would you like this if your parish adopted it?

Thanks and God bless!

My parish does this. It adds a dimention of friendliness and sense of community. People smile at each other, nod raise their hands in hello or even shake them. If you go to your liturgy committee, I would bet that you might be disappointed and turned down. To change something like this would probably have to come from the priest. If this has been going on for some time, I highly doubt one complaint is going to change it. My current parish is a very warm and friendly place and the “rise and greet your neighbor” is an outgrowth of it.
Too often Catholic Churches are accused of being rather unfriendly places and for new people coming in, it can be difficult to get to know others. It’s kinda sad to see that efforts to have a warmer, friendlier Churches seemed to be criticized on forums like this. If it bothers you that much, you could try another parish if possible. Our love for God is shown by how we love our neighbor. We attend Mass in community, not be ourselves and alone.

 

[robwar]

Clem456: St. Augustine in his day had to teach about the Eucharist and the mystical body of Christ to his flock so they would have a fuller understanding and know the right practice that follows from correct understanding. This is still necessary for parishes today. I don’t think the majority of people being instructed to “stand and greet those around you” are thinking about Church teaching on the Eucharist because they don’t know it. They are referencing what is going on in the pews with what they know in their lives as individuals in society, i.e. we are told to greet so we greet. I believe this goes for the Sign of Peace within the Mass, too. Add in the hand-holding during the Our Father and the rounds of applause to “thank” the choir, lectors, ushers, etc. . . friendliness definitely trumps correct understanding of the Eucharistic mysteries in such situations.

In general I think many American Catholics, especially those raised post-V2, are ill-formed in their faith. My concern is that whatever is done for that brief hour on a Sunday morning should speak to the faithful of their faith, of their Lord and His love for each one of them and all of them together. There is a power in the liturgy that should be proclaimed, not trivialized by confusing people with focus on each other. Only through a fuller, more complete formation, especially in regard to the Eucharist, about what is actually going on at Mass and why, will people feel a greater sense of the community and the loving care they seek. IMHO this isn’t achieved by telling people to greet their pew-mates but by teaching them that the living God Who calls them to Communion is in their midst.

I can’t imagine St. Augustine putting up with any nonsense but especially in regard to the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

I am not sure how having an announcement before Mass to acknowledge those around you has anything to do this catechism over the true meaning of the Eucharist. You are making a lot of assumptions of your fellow Catholics in what they know or don’t know. A pre-Mass greet those around you doesn’t have any “catechism” going on anyway during that time. The instruction you are looking for should come from the priest during his homily. How we treat others around us is in a sense is catechism, it’s how we live out our faith. If we are to preach the gospel at all times but use words only if we have to according to St. Francis of Assisi, then I’m not sure how greeting your neighbors before hand takes away from “loving care”.