Priests perspective

[cestusdei]

I am a priest. I thought I would relate my experiences at Mass. I say Mass by the book. The GIRM is my guide and I obey the rubrics. My homilies are orthodox as am I.

But although I have good parishioners there are far to many who only come to Mass at Easter. Some of those who come weekly are obviously just punching their ticket. There is a lack of engagement. And of course some go to parishes where the Mass is barely valid and definitely illicit and abuses abound. I feel for them.

Some of it is due to the banal icel translations and the music we are stuck with. Some of it is from poor catechesis. But far to many blame the priest or liturgy itself. “I don’t get anything out of the Mass Father”. I usually ask “what did you put into it?”. That sometimes evokes raised eyebrows. I would challenge you. Assuming the priest is doing what he is supposed to and you still “don’t get anything out of it”. Don’t blame us. Look at yourself. What did you bring to Mass? Do you understand what the Mass is? Do you believe in the Mass? Do you expect entertainment or can you worship as an act of will? What do you expect to get out it? After all you “get” Jesus’ Body and Blood. Isn’t that far more then we should hope for?

We all go through dry periods spiritually. But I don’t enjoy being the punching bag. I don’t think other priests do either. By all means try to correct abuses. Certainly we look forward to better translations and music. However, the fruits you receive from Mass depend on your openess to them. All grace is there waiting for you. You might find the old book The Spirit of the Liturgy helpful. But remember the state of the liturgy not only depends on the priests, but on the laity as well.

 

[ridesawhitehors]

Thank you, Fr.
I appreciate your words. I will continue to try to remember that my worship at mass is outward and upward and I am not a vacuum.
Thank you for your work.

Pray for Priests everyone!
I

 

[BrianDay]

Thank you, Father for being a Holy priest.

I don’t have the old book, The Spirit of the Liturgy. I do have the new book, The Spirit of the Liturgy by Cardinal Ratzinger. I have enjoyed it greatly.

 

[Illini]

Thank you, Father. I think your words best exemplify what Pius XII, John XXIII, and the Fathers of Vatican II were thinking when they called for greater participation by the laity.

 May God bless you in your service to Him and His Church.

-Illini

 

[Ray_Marshall]

cestusdei:

. . .The fruits you receive from Mass depend on your openess to them. All grace is there waiting for you.

Great post, Father!

And as seems to be apparent from the posts on these forums, all too many sit in the pew with clipboards, checking off those items seen and heard during Mass that don’t meet standards.

If I am truly engaged and participating in the Mass, I doubt that the activities of my neighbors or the priest will be of much concern. The reception of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be occupying my thoughts, words and actions.

 

[system]

So what is it that needs to be done to heat up the lukewarmness of yours (and every parish’s) parishioners? Do you give homilies that state what your post states? I know I’ve heard my priest give a few like that, but the same people that only seem to go through the motions, go through the motion (not that I know what goes on in their hearts).

I would hate for any priest to feel like a punching bag, considering we’d have far less of a means of worshiping God without them.

JELane

 

[Beaver]

Father at every Mass the priest bring forth the greatest seed that man has ever known and your bride the church should be like any bride on her wedding night. Thank you so very much for this very special seed we call the Eucharist. May it be fertile for you always. This we ask in Jesus name. Amen.

 

[Brain]

amen father

 

[T.A.Stobie_SFO]

I agree and excellent points.

It is important that everyone fully participate in the mass. See my meditation “Getting the Most out of Mass”.

 

[Detroit_Sue]

Father, thank you for your perspective. Your parishioners are very lucky to have you as their shepherd. Sometimes we need to hear what is happening from the other side of the altar.

God bless,
Sue

 

[Magnolia]

Dear Father, thank you for all you do for all of us. Though it often goes unsaid, you are greatly appreciated and loved. We are truly blessed to have priests like you. I thank God for you every day and pray for you.

To quote Steven Ray, “If you prayed for our priests and bishops that are having difficulty staying faithful to the Church and Her teachings half as much as you complained about them, they wouldn’t be like they are.”

 

[Jdg164]

cestusdei:

Some of it is due to the banal icel translations and the music we are stuck with. Some of it is from poor catechesis. But far to many blame the priest or liturgy itself. “I don’t get anything out of the Mass Father”. I usually ask “what did you put into it?”. That sometimes evokes raised eyebrows. I would challenge you. Assuming the priest is doing what he is supposed to and you still “don’t get anything out of it”. Don’t blame us. Look at yourself. What did you bring to Mass? Do you understand what the Mass is? Do you believe in the Mass? Do you expect entertainment or can you worship as an act of will? What do you expect to get out it? After all you “get” Jesus’ Body and Blood. Isn’t that far more then we should hope for?

Father, I hope you tell this to your parish as well! We all need to be reminded that we don’t just absorb during mass- mass is also WORSHIP (giving) to our God what He is owed. Thank you for your gentle admonishment. My prayers for you Father.

 

[mark_a]

cestusdei:

… There is a lack of engagement…Some of it is from poor catechesis. But far to many blame the priest or liturgy itself. “I don’t get anything out of the Mass Father”…

Dear Father,

I once had these words for the priest my fiance was dragging me to for our pre Cana lessons. This kind, understanding man took a little time from the pre Cana lesson to go over some of the very basics of the Mass with me and recommended some reading on Church history. I am so glad he did. I feel so good about being Catholic now. I am raising my kids very “Catholic”.

Now I realize I must make it a point to thank this priest.

 

[system]

We don’t pray enough for our priests. The training is long, the pay is low, the complaining must be endless.

But I’d hope a priest would never say things like

cestusdei:

Some of those who come weekly are obviously just punching their ticket. There is a lack of engagement.

It’s bad enough when we lay people look down our noses and make such statements. Look, we all come from different backgrounds - different levels of religious education, different personalities, different daily stresses in our lives. Many of us were influenced by parishes in our past that we didn’t fit into (for example, a quiet conservative in a parish dominated by charismatics, or vice versa). And of course most unfortunately been exposed to parishes that abuse the Mass somehow.

All these factors make it simply impossible to judge the state of someone’s heart, or their intent. Someone who appears to be “punching their ticket” (whatever that means) may have a devout prayer life and be doing a great job raising their kids. They may not have time or desire for “engagement” in parish life.

I hope priests consider things like this when they look out over a congregation and have various thoughts about the people they see.

 

[Charlemagne]

tcj:

We don’t pray enough for our priests. The training is long, the pay is low, the complaining must be endless.

But I’d hope a priest would never say things like

It’s bad enough when we lay people look down our noses and make such statements. Look, we all come from different backgrounds - different levels of religious education, different personalities, different daily stresses in our lives. Many of us were influenced by parishes in our past that we didn’t fit into (for example, a quiet conservative in a parish dominated by charismatics, or vice versa). And of course most unfortunately been exposed to parishes that abuse the Mass somehow.

All these factors make it simply impossible to judge the state of someone’s heart, or their intent. Someone who appears to be “punching their ticket” (whatever that means) may have a devout prayer life and be doing a great job raising their kids. They may not have time or desire for “engagement” in parish life.

I hope priests consider things like this when they look out over a congregation and have various thoughts about the people they see.

I have often wondered if some of those I see at Mass are there because it’s become a routine for them. It’s something they’ve always done on Sunday morning. Do they know what they are doing? Do they prepare for it? Preparation needn’t be a big thing. I pray the Rosary as I drive to Mass. It puts my mind on spiritual things. During the homily I listen - I’ve seen people around me reading the Church bulletin, sighing, looking at their wrist watches or staring glassy-eyed. Our Pastor speaks of things we all need to hear - the need for frequent Confession, the evils of contraception, how little time all of have in this world to prepare for the next - are a few examples. Might these people be “ticket punching”? Perhaps they’re there because they’re worried about what their family, friends or the community would think about them if they were not. Are they thinking of things spiritual, I wonder, or of going shopping or out on the golf course after Mass? Jesus Christ invited you to His home to a banquet where He gives you Himself for nourishment. The least we can do is show up in the proper state of mind, unhurried, thinking of the next world for one hour. That’s all the Church asks of us each week.

 

[Kotton]

tcj:

But I’d hope a priest would never say things like

Some of those who come weekly are obviously just punching their ticket. There is a lack of engagement.

It’s bad enough when we lay people look down our noses and make such statements.

I don’t believe it is looking down our noses. Who better than the priest who sees the congregation seated before him. Charlemagne made the comment,

I’ve seen people around me reading the Church bulletin, sighing, looking at their wrist watches or staring glassy-eyed.

How much more the priest, besides observation he has contact with families for Baptism, First Communion, Weddings, etc. I’ve heard priests tell of the ignorance of those who come for ‘Church Blessing’ on their otherwise faith lacking life.

Look, we all come from different backgrounds - different levels of religious education, different personalities, different daily stresses in our lives.

Yes, and some do lack faith education, and others seem indifferent to helping themselves learn about why and what they are in the presence of.

All these factors make it simply impossible to judge the state of someone’s heart, or their intent.

I’ve not seen anyone judging someone’s heart, just comment on observation.

Someone who appears to be “punching their ticket” (whatever that means) may have a devout prayer life and be doing a great job raising their kids. They may not have time or desire for “engagement” in parish life.

Hmmm, I really don’t see the connection with the observation in Mass and ‘engagement’ otherwise.

Kotton

 

[Stu]

tcj:

We don’t pray enough for our priests. The training is long, the pay is low, the complaining must be endless.

But I’d hope a priest would never say things like

It’s bad enough when we lay people look down our noses and make such statements. Look, we all come from different backgrounds - different levels of religious education, different personalities, different daily stresses in our lives. Many of us were influenced by parishes in our past that we didn’t fit into (for example, a quiet conservative in a parish dominated by charismatics, or vice versa). And of course most unfortunately been exposed to parishes that abuse the Mass somehow.

All these factors make it simply impossible to judge the state of someone’s heart, or their intent. Someone who appears to be “punching their ticket” (whatever that means) may have a devout prayer life and be doing a great job raising their kids. They may not have time or desire for “engagement” in parish life.

I hope priests consider things like this when they look out over a congregation and have various thoughts about the people they see.

I wish more priests would be willing to give a “spiritual” kick in the pants from time to time. It’s good for everyone.

 

[asquared]

First, Father, thank you and know we are all praying for you. Some of us are engaged at Mass to the degree we are engaged in other important aspects of our lives. Some of us are just going through the motions of parenting, marriage, job duties etc. and Mass has just become another of those things we do as duty, bringing all the energy and attention we can summon, which some days is not very much. I think it is called taking up your cross. At least we are there, because we remember dimly there is a good reason to be there. Like taking all your nutrition in the form of a pill or injection, you don’t get to taste it or savor it, but it is doing you good all the same. This is not what I started out to say.

I read about a year ago a letter to the editor of America (just before I got so fed up that I stopped reading it entirely) from a priest who felt he had become a “sacrament machine” for his parishioners, obviously having lost whatever joy he ever had in his vocation. I hope you never feel the same, but if you do, we will still be here praying for you. Those of us who sometimes feel like baby machines, or laundry machines, or food dispensing machines.

 

[Stu]

tcj:

We don’t pray enough for our priests. The training is long, the pay is low, the complaining must be endless.

But I’d hope a priest would never say things like

It’s bad enough when we lay people look down our noses and make such statements. Look, we all come from different backgrounds - different levels of religious education, different personalities, different daily stresses in our lives. Many of us were influenced by parishes in our past that we didn’t fit into (for example, a quiet conservative in a parish dominated by charismatics, or vice versa). And of course most unfortunately been exposed to parishes that abuse the Mass somehow.

All these factors make it simply impossible to judge the state of someone’s heart, or their intent. Someone who appears to be “punching their ticket” (whatever that means) may have a devout prayer life and be doing a great job raising their kids. They may not have time or desire for “engagement” in parish life.

I hope priests consider things like this when they look out over a congregation and have various thoughts about the people they see.

I will more priests would be willing to give a “spiritual” kick in the pants from time to time.

 

[DrCat]

Stu:

I will more priests would be willing to give a “spiritual” kick in the pants from time to time.

Fortunately, I have a priest who is willing to tell us off whenever we need it. My daughters were talking about the Mass they went to last night, when the pastor told off one of the under-dressed girls in the front pew. Me? Yeah, he’s told me off (publically) once or twice - and I admit that I needed it.

John