Priest directing the congregation to meet and greet before Mass

[felsguy]

What? Who told you this lie? The Mass is not a celebration of community. Never will it be.

Mass is not about socializing. That’s why we have parish halls and coffee and donuts. Mass is for one thing only, it is aimed at one thing only and it has as it’s end one thing only: God.

I think the blame starts with those pesky early Christians who actually celebrated the Eucharist by gathering in small groups and sharing a meal together! (Wonder where they ever got that idea.) Next thing you know they’re referring to it as the “Mass” (missio = dismissal as in actually bidding farewell to each other which meant at some point they probably had to greet each other too.

For a modern culprit we can always blame Vatican II for saying things like “God did not create man for life in isolation, but, for the formation of social unity” and “liturgical services are not private functions, but are celebrations of the Church, which is the ‘sacrament of unity,’ namely, the holy people united and ordered under their bishops.”

 

[TimothyH]

Amen.

I wonder if the word of God heard at the Mass actually means anything to some people.

The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. (1 John 3:16)

These are people we are supposed to be willing to die for, just as Christ died for us.

And if the person in the pew next to me and I both make it to heaven, we are going to love each other more there than we have ever loved anyone here on earth. Personally, I want a head start.

-Tim-

 

[ringil]

When a priest places me into the situation of “turn to your neighbor in greeting and introduce yourself,” I’ve been known to respond:

“Hello, I’m a pro-life, conservative Republican.”

You must be a real hoot at parties!

 

[ringil]

Great!!! I ever decieded to actually participate when they do these things at other parishes when I visit, I will say that. I probably won’t have a chance, since I usually just drop to my knees when these sort of things happens.

(Not aimed at you, phoenix") These "meet and greet things. Ugh.
What a way to interrupt your preparation for Mass…

Humans can be so. . . . distracting sometimes. . . . . uuggghhh.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Before Mass? I don’t know, it is up to the Parish priest I suppose - but it shouldn’t be something trivial like 2 minutes it seems, otherwise it defeats the purpose. My old Parish required that the Rosary, choir practice finish by 8.20 for Mass at 8.30. And all other times, unless praying with others (Rosary, devotionals, stations) you must keep silence.

I may be remembering badly, but Jesus was saying that in terms of making peace with an enemy was he not? Even so, whatever the context, surely the “before” does not mean “seconds before a ceremony”. If we take it at face value, he would quite obviously mean that before we even set foot in temple we must make peace with our enemies. Not that mere seconds before the liturgy we should be making a hustle and bustle before lifting our minds to God Almighty.

Fellowship time can certainly be before Mass. Just not in the Church. If people don’t care enough to recollect themselves 15 minutes before Mass - fine. But do it outside. The perfect time for fellowship is after Mass, in the hall drinking coffee and having donuts. What’s with the rush towards condensing everything? We prepare for all manner of things in the appropriate way. Give the due time to God, not just the bare minimum. Our neighbor will understand that we don’t want to have a chat.

Unless the law expressedly says so, anything anyone says is just opinion. Unless of course that anyone is one who is in a position of authority, in this case the parish priest. If he sayd 15 seconds is enough, then it is enough. Unless the Bishop or someone above him (Pope, Roman Curia, etc.) says otherwise. Any lay person making any kind of claim is just an opinion and doesn’t carry any force of law.

 

[Georgia]

The nearby parish begins Mass with the following: “Before we begin our Mass, let us rise and greet one another.”

People shake hands, some wave, and a few nod and speak. Afterwards, the processional hymn is announced and the members of the congregation are invited to join in the singing. The Mass continues as anywhere else at that point.

I have only seen that at the one parish. Our parish begins with a recited prayer to our namesake saint, a moment of silence, and then we rise for Mass to begin. I have no idea how common either approach is, but I don’t see either very often when I am out of town.

 

[Ubenedictus]

What? Who told you this lie? The Mass is not a celebration of community. Never will it be.

Mass is not about socializing. That’s why we have parish halls and coffee and donuts. Mass is for one thing only, it is aimed at one thing only and it has as it’s end one thing only: God.

the aim of the mass is to praise, thank, glorify, e.t.c God. It has alway been the celebration of the church community, ‘a sign of unity’ CCC 1323. ‘The eucharist is also the sacrifice of the church… All generation of the church are united in the offering’ CCC 1368 So in a sense it is a celebration of the christian community, but the mass is not for ‘socialising’ that should be done outside the church before preparing for mass or after the thanksgiving e.t.c prayers after mass
pax. Benedicimus

 

[Ubenedictus]

Greetings NewsTheMan,

Thank you for responding this way. I am glad to see that I am not the only one that adheres to this.

God Bless You,
Anathama Sit

hi anathama sit i saw some of your post, goodwork and welldone . I believe with the church that the mass is the sacrifice of the church See CCC 1368, ecclesia de eucharistia of bl Johnpaul11 §39 but i agree the mass is not the place to exchange pleasantries and petty talks that should be before or after entering the church, i think the rubrics will support that opinion. Besides i like your username, i hear vatican 11 didn’t use the phase.
Pax. Benedicimus

 

[Ubenedictus]

Haven’t we recently discussed this in a different thread or am I thinking of someone else? The GIRM says that there should be sacred silence before the celebration.

I don’t know about you, but silence in front of Jesus in the tabernacle seems to me to be basic, simple respect. If that doesn’t concern you, at least acknowledge that once a week you come to speak to God and not to a friend - it can all wait. And if you don’t care about that, at least care for the fact that others care for it. The timing certainly does matter. If we were to chat in the Church except during Mass there’d by no need for Parish halls.

Don’t have idle, unnecessary talk in a sacred space. Especially not before Mass when you should be recollecting yourself to prepare for the Sacred Mysteries. That seems simple enough, and not too much to ask.

 

[markomalley]

Is there really any point to this? I do not come to Mass to socialize but to share in the sacrifice of the Mass

From the GIRM:

1. Sacred silence also, as part of the celebration, is to be observed at the designated times.[54] Its nature, however, depends on the moment when it occurs in the different parts of the celebration. For in the Penitential Act and again after the invitation to pray, individuals recollect themselves; whereas after a reading or after the Homily, all meditate briefly on what they have heard; then after Communion, they praise God in their hearts and pray to him.

Even before the celebration itself, it is a praiseworthy practice for silence to be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred celebration in a devout and fitting manner.
I agree that the social attitude before and after Mass is distracting. We should be preparing ourselves through prayer for the Eucharistic sacrifice beforehand and should engage in prayerful thanksgiving afterward. Meet and greet is bad; rehearsals are also a distraction.

If you are sufficiently concerned, I would tactfully bring up those concerns with your pastor in private.

 

[Ubenedictus]

Personally, I like to be able to pray or read the readings of the day before mass. I don’t like it when the choir drags us into practice singing, for example. As for the greetings before mass, I understand the idea of welcoming and very much appreciate the parishes we’ve belonged to that have a time after mass for snacks and socializing, but I’ve never ever ever gotten to know someone from the brief, awkward handshaking done in the church before mass. So, it may be a nice idea, but ineffective

yeah i agree plenty of good intention but ineffective

 

[Ubenedictus]

Before Mass? I don’t know, it is up to the Parish priest I suppose - but it shouldn’t be something trivial like 2 minutes it seems, otherwise it defeats the purpose. My old Parish required that the Rosary, choir practice finish by 8.20 for Mass at 8.30. And all other times, unless praying with others (Rosary, devotionals, stations) you must keep silence.

I may be remembering badly, but Jesus was saying that in terms of making peace with an enemy was he not? Even so, whatever the context, surely the “before” does not mean “seconds before a ceremony”. If we take it at face value, he would quite obviously mean that before we even set foot in temple we must make peace with our enemies. Not that mere seconds before the liturgy we should be making a hustle and bustle before lifting our minds to God Almighty.

Fellowship time can certainly be before Mass. Just not in the Church. If people don’t care enough to recollect themselves 15 minutes before Mass - fine. But do it outside. The perfect time for fellowship is after Mass, in the hall drinking coffee and having donuts. What’s with the rush towards condensing everything? We prepare for all manner of things in the appropriate way. Give the due time to God, not just the bare minimum. Our neighbor will understand that we don’t want to have a chat.

Good answer friend i agree

 

[Ubenedictus]

I think a certain amount of common sense needs to be exercised…when I go to Mass of course I say hi to people I know that is all good…but I also need a "centeing time"or “centering prayer” to focus on the Mass itself…

I require at least 15 minutes of silence and focus on what I am about to participate in and in this eucharist focus it does not serve the purpose of the church or mass to be “buiding communtiy” … rather buildiing Christian communtiy is based on authentic and deep relationships the people have with God, Jesus in the Eucharist and the gifts of the Holy Spirit…that as a beginning point will then naturally translate into action and expression through the “building community” exercises which I agree are just more enjoyable and meanigful over coffee and donuts in the parish hall…

That seems to make sense to me…but yes there is a time and place for both actions…I do support the exchange of peace exercise we do in the Mass, I know a lot of people find it a distraction,…but theologically I think it is a very wise thing to do…

Bruce

agree with you 100% i find the sign of peace during the eucharistic prayer distractive but i understand it significance so i think it really wise. Contradictory uh?

 

[Ubenedictus]

I agree. Perhpas he is though trying to get people to meet and therefore be more comfortable coming to the coffee hour after Mass.

To the OP, there is nothing wrong with what your priest is doing. If it is truly a problem for you to smile and say hi to the family next to you before Mass, than perhaps start sitting in the very front. There will be fewer people around you.

Wow! you surprise me you don’t see anything
wrong with distracting those who are prayerfully preparing for mass? Or doing what should be done outside the church inside? Let me ask you would you be interested with chating with the next family when you are having a one-on-one with Barack Obama? Please and please don’t do it in front of the tabernacle, do it outside. Pax. Benedicimus

 

[Ubenedictus]

Greeting each other in the name of Christ momentarily before the Mass is not socializing. It is not about getting to know the other person or “Hey, good to see ya again. How about them Bears, eh?”

We are all individual members of Christ’s body. We are one, in Christ. Every saint in heaven, every soul in purgatory, every member of your parish who stands in the pew with you, are all members of Christ’s body, with Christ as the head, and Mary as our Mother, and God as our Father. That we are all one body is not a metaphor. It is as real as the sandwich you ate for lunch and as concrete as your driveway. And we are the only religion left on earth which realizes that because we are one body, that shared suffering is redemtive for all of us, and that our merits can be given to others for their salvation, or to Mary for her to dispense as she sees fit for God’s greater Glory.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. (James 5:16)

Catholicism is the most biblical religion, and to a certain extent, the most literalist and the most practical and pragmatic. We take Jame’s words to heart, and do exactly what James commands us to do - what God commands us to do - at every single Mass.

I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done
and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

As members of Christs body with a supernatural link to each other, as family, and able to have an impact on each other’s salvation, we do exactly what James commands us to do, confess to one another and pray for one another. At least that is what we should be doing, unless we just say the words of the Confiteor out of habit and don’t really mean them. And so we - sinners - greet each other as brothers and sisters, as members of Christ’s body, as adopted sons and daughters of God the Father, and we confess our sins to each other and pray for each other. Next time the priest asks you to turn and greet the person next to you in the name of Christ, look at the person who you are shaking hands with and say to yourself, “I am a worse sinner than this person who is shaking my hand, and in just a moment this person is going to fervently pray for me, fervently pray for the salvation of my soul at the Holy Sactifice of the Mass.” And tell me that you won’t love that person for what they are about to do for you. And tell me that you won’t bow your head in contrition, and pray earnestly the words of the confiteor.

I confess to you** my brothers and sisters, and *I ask you *my brothers and sisters to pray for me.

That’s the essence of the penitential rite and the confiteor. Its really that simple,shouldn’t we be taking the words of the Mass seriously?

I would shake your hand if you were about to confess your sins to me, ask Mary to intercede for me, and pray fervently for the salvation of my soul. Heck, I’d even buy you a cup of coffee for it, or a McFlurry or something. :-Tim-
PS: How bout them bears?

Wow! great point! But I’ll show you another way to do the same thing. I could greet him outside make that statement you made, love him pray for him before mass, pray for him during thdt awesome sacrifice, say the confitor with all charity and earnesty, maybe buy him a cup of tea e.t.c after thanking God for the mass and love him more 'cos i just confessed ‘to him’, he just interceed for me and prayed for my salvation. how about that? (without distracting those preparing for mass or disrepecting God).
Pax. Benedicimus

 

[fall_fox]

I think the blame starts with those pesky early Christians who actually celebrated the Eucharist by gathering in small groups and sharing a meal together! (Wonder where they ever got that idea.)

fall fox

The early members of The Way were in fear of their lives. Our Church had it’s start this way, they even had a code to let each other know where they would celebrate “the breaking of the bread”. The meal was the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Churches are not social halls, they are a place to worship God. It could be that the Priest in question was trying to have the Congregation get their hello’s out of the way so that they behave properly in Church.

 

[TheMc]

How about, “Hi, I’m a pro-life, orthdox Catholic.” Being a Republican has nothing to do with your religion.

Neither does greeting people when you should be preparing for Holy Mass.

 

[AHapka]

Is there really any point to this? I do not come to Mass to socialize but to share in the sacrifice of the Mass

What I think everyone has been missing here is that so little information has been given that we cannot possibly make any judgements whatsoever.

Is this in the church? We don’t even know, because the OP didn’t say.

Yet many people seem to be jumping to conclusions and saying “the priest shouldn’t be having people do this in the pews right before Mass, I come here to pray and prepare for Mass.”

BUT HOW DO WE KNOW THIS? THE OP DIDN’T SAY…

For all we know the priest could have said “I think it would be nice if all of you would meet in the Parish hall before Mass, get to know each other, and then move up to the Church as you are ready for Mass.”

How would you be distracting someone preparing for Mass if this meeting is taking place somwhere where Mass will not be celebrated? We don’t know.

Maybe the priest did mean in the Chuch. Maybe he didn’t. But until such point as the OP chooses to be be clear with us, there is no real way of speaking on this.

 

[felsguy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrs Sally
How about, “Hi, I’m a pro-life, orthdox Catholic.” Being a Republican has nothing to do with your religion.

Neither does greeting people when you should be preparing for Holy Mass.

I say it has everything to do with practicing our religion.

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

Surprised it is still on this discussion.
What about the First Mass? How was it?
What about the Early Christians?