Priest reading homilies

[KrazyKat]

I can understand posting answers or comments that are helpful to others that might be in a similar situation, but to continue to take the OP to task when they’ve already admitted they shouldn’t have started the thread is uncharitable.

FYI: I posted after I read what was written by the OP, I did not read what others had written until after you posted. Hope we ALL grow spiritually!!

 

[ccmcmg]

LOL! An Origami homily that you unfold; now that is truly unique!
Mary.

Much as the Word unfolds in our hearts during the Liturgy, especially during the scripture readings and as the priest gives the homily. What a beautiful image! Thank you! <3

 

[jeannetherese]

We had a wonderful priest who was asked to provide a Mass in Spanish. A minor problem: he did not speak the language.
The Archdiocese set him up with an intensive week/weekend of training, and he did his best.
He was aided by a bilingual parishioner who would take his homilies (written in English) and translate them.
Under the circumstances, an off the cuff presentation would have been a tremendous challenge.
May God bless him for his efforts to serve all of his parishioners. You could feel them silently rooting for him and revisiting the memories warms my heart.
May God bless all of our priests. Amen.

 

[GraceSofia]

Assuming you do come back and read, I’ll just say that I understand what you’re saying. … Since it’s not my parish I wouldn’t feel comfortable approaching him, but I’d love to hear suggestions on how that might be done.

Thank you. This was my hope, to get some suggestions. And also information.
None of my other priests have read their homilies. I was wondering whether that was normal, and our new priest would be looking to stop reading his homilies as soon as possible, or whether it is equally common and accepted to read homilies. If the first case, I was wondering if I might possibly be of help.

As phrased, you offer an annectidote complaining about being bored during the sermon and then asking other people to share their similar gripes. I am not surprised other posters reacted badly.

Throwing a temper tantrum over being called out does not really help your case that you were asking a “sincere” question, rather than just complaining.

No, that is NOT what I did, and I did not ask people to share their similar gripes. That is completely YOUR interpretation. YOU have attributed a malicious motive to my post, and I do not know why you would attribute the most negative motive rather than the most positive motive. I am astonished by your rash judgment of me especially since I have over a thousand posts on this forum. I don’t know why you would not judge me on the type of previous posts I have made-- none of them attacking priests.

No, I was not “just complaining.” I asked, “Have you ever had priests read their homilies on a regular basis? Any suggestions for encouraging him to just try to speak from notes or something?” I asked for information and suggestions. I am a convert of a few years, and I have experience of only one small parish and a few priests, none of whom read their homilies, except for this one.

**
****Do you not have any empathy? Have you ever tried to communicate in a foreign language?
**

Yes, I have much empathy, which is why I came to the forum before I spoke to the priest or to even one person in the parish.

Yes, I often communicate in a foreign language.

Yes. We have had several priests from India, some of whom have had trouble with English. When they read their homilies, it was dry and emotionless. However, the more they engaged in conversations with others, the more comfortable they became with the language and their homilies were read with more “feeling” and “emotion”. One even started just using notes (or maybe an outline?) instead of writing it all down.

Thank you. (This was the sort of direction I hoped the thread would take). I was wondering how long that might take.

Have seen priests leave parishes in pain because of complainers. Extend the mercy we ask our Lord to have for us.

I have not complained to anybody. I love our priests. I actually had an idea of how I might offer to help him, as I am bilingual and I am a language teacher. I feel that his problem is more a lack of confidence than his actually proficiency in English, and some pronunciation problems which could be solved easily. Since I am old enough to be his mother, I was just wondering about the possibility of approaching him somehow with the idea of one-on-one tutoring, but I won’t do it. Again, I have not complained to the priest-- or to one person in the parish. I have never complained to any of my priests. I was hoping to offer something positive, maybe.

Ever notice how many views a thread has? Several times more than there are posts. On CAF, we are often posting for the lurkers rather than back to the OP.

And that is why I have come back and responded.

2478 To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor’s thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way. ~ The Catechism of the Catholic Church

 

[Corki]

Gracesophia,

I think that you got a bit of a strong response due to the way you phrased your OP. You presented the situation (priest reading homilies) as a problem to be solved. It seemed like you were making the assumption that there was something wrong that needed to be fixed. While it may be a problem for you, there’s nothing wrong or illicit about a priest reading his homily. I don’t think you meant it, but it came accross as you wanting to change him and wanting him to do things the way **you **were used to.

So, what is it that you are hoping to accomplish? Do you want to change him? Or do you want some help with paying attention?

 

[MaryT777]

Gracesophia,

I think that you got a bit of a strong response due to the way you phrased your OP. You presented the situation (priest reading homilies) as a problem to be solved. It seemed like you were making the assumption that there was something wrong that needed to be fixed. While it may be a problem for you, there’s nothing wrong or illicit about a priest reading his homily. I don’t think you meant it, but it came accross as you wanting to change him and wanting him to do things the way **you **were used to.

So, what is it that you are hoping to accomplish? Do you want to change him? Or do you want some help with paying attention?

The OP had already stated they are no longer responding to this thread nor has she done so. However the responses still could be helpful to lurkers but maybe we could leave the OP out of the conversation now.

 

[maryjk]

The OP had already stated they are no longer responding to this thread nor has she done so. However the responses still could be helpful to lurkers but maybe we could leave the OP out of the conversation now.

The OP responded just this morning.

 

[Corki]

The OP had already stated they are no longer responding to this thread nor has she done so. However the responses still could be helpful to lurkers but maybe we could leave the OP out of the conversation now.

I think you may not be quite up to date. The OP DID return to the thread and participate again. My post was in direct response to hers of** only two hours** before. If you feel my post was inappropriate, feel free to let the moderators know and they can remove it but it was not out of context, uncharitable or untimely.

 

[Catholic_Wife]

GraceSofia, have you thought of inviting him over for dinner with you and your husband (if you’re married) or for a small dinner party with a few friends to practice his English in a low-stress atmosphere? I learned to speak German and Spanish much better in social situations than in a classroom setting. Or maybe offer to listen to his homilies a few days beforehand to help him with things like expression, delivery, etc. and to give him confidence that he sounds fine.

 

[quiet52]

It is quite an adjustment for immigrant priests, on many levels. I hope you’ll have opportunities to chat with him, just to help him feel more welcome. You can explain you speak more than one language too, and are a language teacher, and build him up for all he does in his new community, including speaking a second language.
If he says anything about his accent or speaking ability, compliment him, and perhaps tell him you’re available, if he’d ever like your help.

Many priests read their homilies but do it well, trying to maintain a conversational tone and some eye contact.