So why DO people leave Mass early?

[pianistclare]

I hate to spoil the fun, but really, this subject has been discussed so much, and we have had so many lectures about it, and nothing has or ever will change, so it is rather a waste of time complaining about something we can do absolutely nothing about. Complaining about anything is a waste of time usually anyway.

I no longer pay attention to these sorts of things. Even if they cause a little distraction, which is not usually the case, unless someone trips on the carpet and falls in their hurry to leave. Some things are not worth wondering about, and we really don’t know WHY most people leave, so the original question is not able to be answered anyway.

Now if you open your eyes after your thanksgiving, look around, and see you and the priest are the only ones left, that might be a cause for concern, usually a sign the church has caught fire, and you were so deep in prayer you didn’t notice, and Father didn’t want leave without you.

I agree with this.
I’ve only noticed one couple who ALWAYS leaves right after communion…they just keep walking…and I think it’s odd, but it’s also not my business.
People who are adversely affected by this (like not concentrating on their own thanksgiving prayers) should simply sit way up front. Problem solved. Add “those who have to leave for whatever reason” to your private intentions.
Peace.
pianist

 

[phil19034]

I agree with this.
I’ve only noticed one couple who ALWAYS leaves right after communion…they just keep walking…and I think it’s odd, but it’s also not my business.
People who are adversely affected by this (like not concentrating on their own thanksgiving prayers) should simply sit way up front. Problem solved. Add “those who have to leave for whatever reason” to your private intentions.
Peace.
pianist

This is very true. If you are someone who gets easily distracted or can’t help but “people watch” sitting up front is the best solution.

But let’s remember that the OP was referring to how 200+ people where leaving Mass after communion at his/her parish. It sounds like his/her particular Church or Parish might have a real issue with this. 200+ people leaving is way different than people leaving early from time to time due to personal reasons which the person feels is/are legitimate due their own situation.

God Bless.

 

[pianistclare]

This is very true. If you are someone who gets easily distracted or can’t help but “people watch” sitting up front is the best solution.

But let’s remember that the OP was referring to how 200+ people where leaving Mass after communion at his/her parish. It sounds like his/her particular Church or Parish might have a real issue with this. 200+ people leaving is way different than people leaving early from time to time due to personal reasons which the person feels is/are legitimate due their own situation.

God Bless.

ooo. I hadn’t noticed that part…thanks for pointing it out…
I’ll wager it’s a traffic jam issue at the end of Mass then. I remember a former parish of mine being built on a small country road that quickly turned into a major crossroad in the town. Frustrated parishioners began leaving early in DROVES. Was awful…the parking lot was ill designed, there was no traffic light, no off duty cops to facilitate egress.
If there’s 200 people leaving? That’s a huge problem for the congregation, their pastor, and the spiritual life of the parish, not to mention what it’s teaching the kids about Mass.
Maybe they could get the city to do a study and suggest some solutions.

If it’s just people wanting to run off?
Nothing but solid catechesis from the Pastor will fix that. :twocents:
Peace!

 

[ProVobis]

Yes, but Jesus TOLD him to.

Shortly before all the Apostles who (except for John) deserted Him and fled afterwards.

Just sayin…

 

[Miserissima]

Illustrations of how it’s no one’s business:

One aunt left Mass during Communion. She was in an irregular marriage and as she did not have an annulment from the first, she would walk out virtually undetected in the throng that was going up to receive.

This woman was not well catechised, sadly. She believed “suffer the little children” meant that children should be denied kindness to increase their sanctity.

Once, a well meaning parishioner said, “Oh! The communion line is the other way!” just loud enough for others to notice.

My aunt, to her credit, didn’t reply with anything but, “I know.” But my aunt was so very, very ashamed. That moment was not one for catechesis.

Conversely, a grammar school friend’s mother would attend Sunday and school Masses and not receive for similar reasons. But, she would sit in the pew, uncomfortable with the stares, (smaller parish than my previous example) and suffering on her own. We’d ask our classmate why his mother didn’t go up…not maliciously, of course! but she heard and it hurt her.

I know that not everyone who doesn’t receive leaves early, and not everyone who stays in the pew is blissfully unaware what others think. But the only way I can address their suffering is prayer and friendship, offering resources tactfully.

My point to the OP is that we really don’t know why people leave early, before or after Communion. A little charity goes a long way.

 

[ProVobis]

My sister’s parish in Albuquerque has this cross-stitched over the back doors of the church:

JUDAS WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO EVER LEAVE MASS BEFORE IT WAS OVER

Technically if the Mass recreates the Sacrifice at Calgary all the Apostes (except John) deserted Him and fled. Just sayin…

 

[maryjk]

This is very true. If you are someone who gets easily distracted or can’t help but “people watch” sitting up front is the best solution.

But let’s remember that the OP was referring to how 200+ people where leaving Mass after communion at his/her parish. It sounds like his/her particular Church or Parish might have a real issue with this. 200+ people leaving is way different than people leaving early from time to time due to personal reasons which the person feels is/are legitimate due their own situation.

God Bless.

It depends on how many people attend this parish, and this Mass.

It could be a very large parish with many, many people attending.

For daily Mass, ( I know it is different for daily Mass, I am only using the numbers as an example.) Okay, so for daily Mass, about 50 people attend. 8 - 10 people leave early or right after Communion. So that is almost 20%.

Take that number to Sunday. If 1000, attend, then 20% would be 200 people.

I work at our parish. I know when the parish is really crowded for Mass, more people leave early. I have never counted, I’m kind of surprised anyone would, so I don’t know if it still the same percentage of people leaving.

 

[mommamaree]

It depends on how many people attend this parish, and this Mass.

It could be a very large parish with many, many people attending.

For daily Mass, ( I know it is different for daily Mass, I am only using the numbers as an example.) Okay, so for daily Mass, about 50 people attend. 8 - 10 people leave early or right after Communion. So that is almost 20%.

Take that number to Sunday. If 1000, attend, then 20% would be 200 people.

I work at our parish. I know when the parish is really crowded for Mass, more people leave early. I have never counted, I’m kind of surprised anyone would, so I don’t know if it still the same percentage of people leaving.

That is a really good point. We are in the process of building a new church for our parish, as we have been having the Masses in our parish hall for over a decade. The two historical church/chapel buildings would only hold a fraction of our parish. So we have standing room only in most of our Masses. All of the people standing at the back vacate immediately after the bells ring at the end of the Liturgy of the Eucharist or at the beginning of the recession hymn. Otherwise, the priest would not be able to reach the back and exit the doors and there would likely be a human traffic jam.
I usually have to exit before then, so I had forgotten about that issue. But yes, it is probably at least a hundred or so people, on any given Sunday, and far more for any of the Sundays of Lent or Easter or Advent or Christmas.

 

[Cat]

I’ve always wondered, why bother reading everything that is already in the bulletin? If I wanted to know what was going on at the parish I could just pick up the bulletin. Why do I need someone to read it to me before I can get the final blessing?

Some people can’t read.

Like I said, people lead different lives than me.

 

[savedbygrace71]

As I said in my original post, and in my first reply, I’m simply asking out loud, why. As to “why anyone would count?” Please see my original post. My son was struggling with asthma, we were in the narthex the whole mass, and I had a unique perspective to see the large numbers who left.

I’m not particularly judging, I just see it as a parish wide cultural phenomenon. I don’t really care that anyone leaves at any time they want to- but the large proportion of people, 200 or more out of 500, it can’t possibly be all people who on an emergent basis need to leave those ten minutes early or something catastrophic will happen. Father has mentioned it before, but it hasn’t had much effect which is too bad.

I think what bothers me is that I am in the midst of conversion, and I’m learning to recognize that the genuflection on entering the church is done to show reverence for the body of Christ in the tabernacle. So, how interesting that so many of those same people are comfortable in leaving the church while He is still out and present. Meanwhile the rest of the church is still kneeling and praying. A bit of a contrast.

 

[the_phoenix]

Hi Cat,

Yes, I remember the infamous Coat Rack thread.

And being a cradle Catholic, the cultural aspect runs deep. I keep my coat on unless I’m absolutely dying of the heat and just can’t stand being uncomfortable anymore. If I must take my coat off, it feels really embarrassing personally, and also like I’m doing something anti-social.

But getting back to the topic of this thread … I suppose there can be various reasons why people leave Mass early. Objectively on the surface, we should stay at least until the priest gives the final blessing and says that the Mass has ended, go in peace. God knows the reason why someone is leaving, and I leave it at that.

~~ the phoenix … still wearing a coat, scarf, and hat …

:winter:

Ah, the legendary “Coat Rack” thread, started by Cat years ago (possibly when Cat first joined CAF, which would be quite a few years ago!).

The thread went on for pages and pages, and eventually had to be shut down because of the back and forth debate about “Protestantizing” the Catholic Church by adding…shudder…coat racks!



Anyway, someone pointed out to me that the Lord God instructed the Israelites to eat the Passover with their shoes and coats on, ready to leave in a hurry. So I think it’s appropriate to leave a coat on during Mass.

Not to mention that this winter, our nave has been uncomfortably cold. Brr! Even Cat leaves her coat on, and when she plays the piano for Mass, she leaves her gloves on between hymns!

 

[kear28]

If it’s just people wanting to run off?
Nothing but solid catechesis from the Pastor will fix that. :twocents:
Peace!

Our pastor used to politely mention several times a year that proper Catholic etiquette is:

"The priest is the last one in, and the first one out."

And when that didn’t seem to be working anymore, he would find a way to mention that if you were going to leave after communion, would you please not slam the door on the way out? They still left early but did it more quietly.

 

[innertide]

Sort of makes you wonder how many would even be there if it were not for the obligation.

pretty much the only reason i go is out of obligation, i mean it isnt like i have free will, i only have two options, do what God wants or go to hell.

But really why bother hanging around after Communion, to listen to announcements or have the usual money shake down… Or stick around to listen to a choir play happy birthday for someone they know, or listen to the children that have crying, playing and screaming all through out mass do it more, or perhaps stick around longer to listen to people talk even louder in Church now that everything is over.

There is absolutely no reverence at a Church any more, and the only way to enjoy any fellowship is if you join a clique or are giving so much money to the church that you end up in control of it.

 

[ProVobis]

…or have the usual money shake down…

Last month they had a bishop’s appeal at the homily at two Masses I attended, with people walking out.

 

[pianistclare]

pretty much the only reason i go is out of obligation, i mean it isnt like i have free will, i only have two options, do what God wants or go to hell.

But really why bother hanging around after Communion, to listen to announcements or have the usual money shake down… Or stick around to listen to a choir play happy birthday for someone they know, or listen to the children that have crying, playing and screaming all through out mass do it more, or perhaps stick around longer to listen to people talk even louder in Church now that everything is over.

There is absolutely no reverence at a Church any more, and the only way to enjoy any fellowship is if you join a clique or are giving so much money to the church that you end up in control of it.

Sounds like you need to look for another parish my friend. Not all parishes are like you describe. It’s not the end of the world if you go somewhere else that’s not your own parish. Sometimes I like a more reverent setting and I go down the road. Church should not be entertainment, but neither should it make you feel bad.
Try to put more into it through prayer, and seeking a smaller church where you can pay more attention more easily and be at peace in your heart.
Also, try Adoration for the peace and reverence you seek on a weekday in addition to Sunday Mass.
God bless.

 

[Miserissima]

1. 
   

   Last month they had a bishop’s appeal at the homily at two Masses I attended, with people walking out.

   Isn’t that a second offertory after the first one…long before the recessional?
   
   Pardon my ignorance; perhaps other parishes do things differently.

 

[Christopher1111]

I always loved the quote about how Judas also left the Last Supper early. When I was a bad Catholic it was easy to do because my heart wasn’t in Mass. Notice how many Catholics will say its an obligation, and that is true! But for me it isn’t about an obligation, it is about LOVE!!! If my Lord suffered and died for me because He loved me so much, how could I possibly not want every second I can get to be with Him and worship Him at Mass!!! I know there are emergencies and such but that isn’t the case for most. I’ve never see that many leaving the two hour protestant churches early. Even to the last note in the last song, it is for Jesus! People have all week for social events, it would be such a great example for people to say “hey, I’m late because my love for Christ, I wanted to be with Him as much as possible!” I bet the people in countries that have to celebrate Mass underground because of fear of persecution treasure what we have and would never leave early.

 

[ProVobis]

I always loved the quote about how Judas also left the Last Supper early.

Personally I don’t. I’m certainly not defending Judas, but the other Apostles deserted and fled shortly after that too. And Mass represents more than the Last Supper; at least that’s what I was taught. Your other points taken.

 

[innertide]

Last month they had a bishop’s appeal at the homily at two Masses I attended, with people walking out.

exactly no one wants to hear a bishop pandering for more money out of a congregation. A mass is not the time or place to be haggling people for money.

 

[innertide]

Personally I don’t. I’m certainly not defending Judas, but the other Apostles deserted and fled shortly after that too. And Mass represents more than the Last Supper; at least that’s what I was taught. Your other points taken.

agreed, trying to tell people or compare people to Judas for leaving mass early is not going to guilt them into staying and is only going to insult and make them want to leave even faster if flat out not return.