Santa Claus made an appearance at Christmas Eve Mass

[Elizabeth502]

Are we so un-confident in our CCD classes?

Yes.

The fruit of poor catechesis is all over the parishes and this forum.

Also, “a little bit of fun” is a ridiculous excuse. Why? Because this society is overloaded with fun. The message, for children and adults alike, is that Recreation Rules, and should be included, and possibly even prominent, within every occasion. An adjunct of that is that serious events which lack recreational value are somehow insufficient in and of themselves.

This has consequences far beyond religion, i.m.o., and I see it everyday in my students.

 

[rfournier103]

Unfortunately, yes. Have you seen the books they use? They avoid the word altar like the plague.

Why did it have to be attached to Mass in any way? Why couldn’t it have been done in the parish hall?

Yes.

The fruit of poor catechesis is all over the parishes and this forum.

Also, “a little bit of fun” is a ridiculous excuse. Why? Because this society is overloaded with fun. The message, for children and adults alike, is that Recreation Rules, and should be included, and possibly even prominent, within every occasion. An adjunct of that is that serious events which lack recreational value are somehow insufficient in and of themselves.

This has consequences far beyond religion, i.m.o., and I see it everyday in my students.

Don’t get me wrong on this… I never thought it was a fantastic idea. I just thought the priest had good intentions (yeah, I know… don’t say it).

As far as poor catechesis goes, I totally agree with you. We MUST do a better job. What I fail to understand is why the issue of better religious education is never a priority at the pastoral or even the diocesan level? I know parents do a lousy job raising their kids nowadays, and religious education is part of the job they’re not doing. But I remember MY CCD classes, and they were LOUSY. What’s being done about that? I don’t have children yet, but what can we do? Whining and complaining has already been tried with negligible results. Besides not having Santa as Mass, what can be done?

 

[Elizabeth502]

But I remember MY CCD classes, and they were LOUSY. What’s being done about that? I don’t have children yet, but what can we do? Whining and complaining has already been tried with negligible results. Besides not having Santa as Mass, what can be done?

I’ve made constructive suggestions in the past on this forum. Feel free to do a search of those.

 

[jwinch2]

If it were me… as long as this was a one time thing, the priest shows the proper respect for the liturgies at all other times, and kept this in it’s proper perspective, I’d let it slide. I may not have cared for it, but I’d have let it go.

Agreed for the most part. I think I would probably wait a couple of months and then, when the time was right and in a non-antagonistic manner, I would suggest that perhaps we don’t need to bring the commercialized and secular into the nave on the eve of the Nativity of our Lord.

 

[Lochias]

Agreed for the most part. I think I would probably wait a couple of months and then, when the time was right and in a non-antagonistic manner, I would suggest that perhaps we don’t need to bring the commercialized and secular into the nave on the eve of the Nativity of our Lord.

I would say that the priest was trying to bring the Nativity of our Lord back to the commercialized and secular. That’s our job as Christians, after all.

 

[Sirach2]

During the Mass, the priest gave his final blessing and then asked everyone to sit. Santa Claus entered from the sacristy and knelt before the statue of the infant Jesus placed in front of the altar. After a few moments, he exited through the center aisle, to the back of the church. When Mass was over, Santa was there to greet people.

It doesn’t sit well with me. I just don’t think that that part where Santa showed up belongs to the liturgy. Any (charitable) thoughts? If you think that it shouldn’t happen again, how can I tell father politely? Thanks in advance and I wish you all a blessed Christmas!

I did a double-take reading your post, for that is exactly what happened in a church I visited for Christmas Eve, [edited] Monsignor had all the children come up around the altar and passed out $1-bills when they got the correct answer in his interchange with them. He also had a candy cane as a prop to explain aspects of the faith to them.

It was the most exasperating liturgy I have ever attended for Christmas, for many other reasons that I’ll refrain from mentioning … and I’m not one to complain about liturgies - ever! Just wondered if it was the same church you went to, by a crazy coincidence?

 

[anp1215]

I would’ve probably rolled my eyes, at least on the inside. I don’t have any kids and don’t really like that sort of thing. But I wouldn’t have really cared. Mass was over.

Choose your battles. Is this the hill you want to die on?

 

[ConstantineTG]

Santa always visits our parish every year…

http://holyeucharist.ca/wp-content/...cert_2012-photos-by-dana-lupynis/img_1383.jpg

 

[Elizabeth779]

Wow – I find it interesting the opinions are all over the place on this one. I agree with Elizabeth 502 and others above who do not believe this was appropriate (albeit the priest had a good intention).

It is my opinion the mythological has no place in liturgy, before the Mass or after the Mass – in any way attached the Mass. The priest may have had a good intention, but it is my traditional opinion Santa in the Sanctuary coming in and bowing down to the Baby Jesus is just too much like protestant happy clappy church for my traditional Catholic point of view. And I do say that with charity – but clarity. A Catholic service before and after as well as during the Mass should be orthodox, entirely Catholic, and entirely sacred.

That’s my charitable opinion, and I’m sticking to it.

 

[Sirach2]

This is a bit offside, but my SIL told me how upset she was with Russell Stover who sold candy bars for Christmasthis year, and on their wrapper it read, “In SANTA we trust.” (A horrible paraphrase of our nation’s motto, “In GOD we trust.”) Did anyone else see these?

 

[sinner]

It would have been much better if an elderly man dressed as a bishop,in garb from St. Nicholas’ era, would have prostrated himself before the manger. Then, the children who didn’t understand the significance of the gesture or the person represented, could have engaged in a meaningful conversation with their parents about the real significance of the Santa myth.(Not the St Nicholas myth!) We wonder about the loss of our children’s innocence, after we lie to them about the existence of Santa Claus.:sad_yes:

 

[Ohana]

During the Mass, the priest gave his final blessing and then asked everyone to sit. Santa Claus entered from the sacristy and knelt before the statue of the infant Jesus placed in front of the altar. After a few moments, he exited through the center aisle, to the back of the church. When Mass was over, Santa was there to greet people.

It doesn’t sit well with me. I just don’t think that that part where Santa showed up belongs to the liturgy. Any (charitable) thoughts? If you think that it shouldn’t happen again, how can I tell father politely? Thanks in advance and I wish you all a blessed Christmas!

I t hink you must have a very nice, normal, and enlightened priest. I imagine this was a children;s liturgy if done early evening or late afternoon on Christmas eve. Having Santa kneel before the baby Jesus does in fact bring the message of Christmas to mind rather than the commercialism in which he is usually portrayed. This is more the St.Nicholas/Father Christmas version of Santa.

The origin of the Candy Cane was presented in our bulletin and was a nice Christmas Story.

We complain about not having enough priests or religious, but when we ignore presenting ideas at the level children can understand and relate to, we essentially ignore them. Is it any wonder Church begins to take a back seat to areas in their life where they are courted rather than ignored?

I think you have a wonderful priest/liturgy committee who showed a lot of respect for the presence and understanding of the children, Reminds me of that picture of a seated Jesus with children all around. I’ll bet He was delighted by this.

 

[agw123]

The mass is no place for mythological characters.

Since Santa is really St. Nicholas, he is not a mythical character.

 

[Elizabeth502]

We complain about not having enough priests or religious, but when we ignore presenting ideas at the level children can understand and relate to, we essentially ignore them… …I think you have a wonderful priest/liturgy committee who showed a lot of respect for the presence and understanding of the children,

Too bad that you have never seen actual enlightement when it comes to liturgies and liturgical events which are inclusive of children. Too bad you’ve never met wise priests who know how to conduct Children’s Masses, where Jesus is featured, not Santa. I’ve been to these Masses. I used to attend as an adult. Too bad you’ve never met any enlightened Religious who know how to make catechesis outside of Mass meaningful and persuasive for children. (I have.) Too bad you’ve never attended sacramental preparations for children which are geared toward them as well – events and series which are definitely ones children do relate to. Too bad you don’t know about retreats and Masses for middle-schoolers which are age-appropriate.

None of those “ignore children,” and all of those include children, as Jesus did. There’s no mention in the Gospel of Jesus introducing the village’s most commercial merchant when he “brought the little children to Him.” Hint He brought the children to Himself, not to some ancient equivalent of Santa, not to some local figurehead which represented goodies to the children. To Himself. Just like enlightened priests and religious do.

I’ll bet He was delighted by this.

And I’m quite sure he was not delighted by ordained ministers encouraging children to consider commercialism, since He Himself preached so often against materialism, which the 21st century Santa absolutely represents.

 

[jwinch2]

Since Santa is really St. Nicholas, he is not a mythical character.

The portrayal of Santa in modern times and all of the connotation which goes with it, has little if anything to do with with the reality of St. Nicholas. Santa has come to represent all of the secular aspects of Christmas, and is rarely, if ever, tied to Christianity.

 

[maltmom]

This is a bit offside, but my SIL told me how upset she was with Russell Stover who sold candy bars for Christmasthis year, and on their wrapper it read, “In SANTA we trust.” (A horrible paraphrase of our nation’s motto, “In GOD we trust.”) Did anyone else see these?

I looked at the Russell Stover’s Outlet page on their website. It was on their Santa Money. Here’s a link: russellstover.com/jump.jsp?itemID=3349&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C4%2C265&iProductID=3349

 

[superamazingman]

Really. If you’re going to have him come, put him in an ornate miter, crosier, dalmatic, and gold chausable, not a fat guy in a fuzzy red suit.

 

[Elizabeth502]

I t hink you must have a very nice, normal, and enlightened priest.

We complain about not having enough priests or religious, but when we ignore presenting ideas at the level children can understand and relate to, we essentially ignore them. Is it any wonder Church begins to take a back seat to areas in their life where they are courted rather than ignored?

Reminds me of that picture of a seated Jesus with children all around. I’ll bet He was delighted by this.

Apparently your and my experiences vastly differ, which is entirely possible.

I’ve seen a great deal of enlightement when it comes to liturgies and liturgical events which are inclusive of children. Possibly you have not seen these, or met wise priests who know how to conduct Children’s Masses, where Jesus is featured, not Santa. That’s unfortunate, because I do know that such ministers are abundant. I’ve been to these Masses. I used to attend as an adult because I found them so inspirational, as did the many other adults who attended.

I’ve also met many enlightened Religious who know how to make catechesis outside of Mass meaningful and persuasive for children. Possibly you have not, but it does not mean that our wonderful Religious who have dedicated themselves to such ministries have not succeeded, and do not succeed, in making Jesus meaningful and personal to children. Perhaps you have not had the good fortune to attend sacramental preparations for children which are geared toward them as well – events and series which are definitely ones children do relate to, or to know about retreats and Masses for middle-schoolers which are age-appropriate. Again, it’s very possible that you have not, but that in no way means that if you have no personal knowledge of all of that, that Christ’s clerical, religious, and lay ministers do not do a beautiful job.

None of those examples “ignore children,” and all of those do include children, as Jesus did. (You would possibly have an argument if there were/is no other avenue for children to relate to The Faith, to the liturgy in particular, etc.) As to the Gospel, there’s no mention in the Gospel of Jesus introducing the village’s most commercial merchant when he “brought the little children to Him.” He brought the children to Himself, not to some some local figurehead which represented goodies to the children. To Himself. Given that Jesus vigorously preached against materialism, it is unlikely that he would be thrilled, is thrilled, by the introduction of a commercial symbol into worship

The argument that supposedly the Church’s vocations have declined due to the absence of Santa in liturgies is not one I’ve heard before, but others can correct me if I am in error.

 

[smndtupidisaftr]

Don’t get me wrong on this… I never thought it was a fantastic idea. I just thought the priest had good intentions (yeah, I know… don’t say it).

As far as poor catechesis goes, I totally agree with you. We MUST do a better job. What I fail to understand is why the issue of better religious education is never a priority at the pastoral or even the diocesan level? I know parents do a lousy job raising their kids nowadays, and religious education is part of the job they’re not doing. ** But I remember MY CCD classes, and they were LOUSY. ** What’s being done about that? I don’t have children yet, but what can we do? Whining and complaining has already been tried with negligible results. Besides not having Santa as Mass, what can be done?

Agreed! I’ve learned much more by just perusing these forums and looking things up on my own. I feel that it is not the fault of the teachers though, who volunteer much time and probably do a lot of studying on their own to offer as much as they can. Look at the resources they have to work with; they’re awful. The problem may be a lack of good published material to teach from. Anyone want to write a CCD book with me?

 

[ConstantineTG]

Since Santa is really St. Nicholas, he is not a mythical character.

St. Nicholas is a human being, not an elf. He lives in Myra which is in modern-day Turkey, not the North Pole. He probably has never ridden a sleigh, much less one pulled by reindeers. He doesn’t keep a naughty and nice list, he just goes and slaps those who teach that Jesus is not eternal and not divine (ie. Arius). He also probably does not have a belly full of jelly given the strict fasting regiment and also the fact that people walk long distances back in the day.