J
JWH123
Guest
Ever since last year, when I started attending daily Mass a few times a week, it has made me dismayed about Sunday Mass.
It seems to me that the Church (at least my parish) has subdued the holiness of Sunday Mass, likely in favor of holding the audience, and I can’t say I’m happy about it.
First, I know the mass book says that common psalms can be used in place of the one that is designated for the Mass. But it has become tiresome that the responsorial every week for the past 2 years has been Psalm 34. Apparently, it’s the only Psalm that the choir leader likes to sing, and Heaven forbid we allow the lector to just read the responsorial in between the two readings that he or she reads. So, no matter what the USCCB says should be the Psalm of the week, it’s #34. At daily Mass, of course, the psalm that the lectionary says is the one for that day is the one that is read. This is important because many times, all the readings (including the R.P.) have a common theme, which is why they are chosen to be used together in the Mass.
Then there is a Eucharist, the most important part of the Mass. At daily Mass, there is complete silence as people walk to the front, receive the body and blood, and return to their pews, and for a couple minutes afterward. It’s such silence that the only voice heard is the priest saying “the Body of Christ” as each person approaches him. Sunday Mass? Two hymns, sung loudly, and often they are songs which are not Eucharistic songs. (When I was younger, the Eucharistic Hymn was always something along the lines of “Gift of Finest Wheat” or “We Are Yours.” Now it’s “whatever the choir leader feels like singing.”) And we’re supposed to sing the hymns, rather than praying silently.
Oh, one more thing, once the last person has returned to the pew after Communion is distributed, and while the sacred hosts are being brought to the tabernacle, here come the ushers for the second collection! I was brought up to remain kneeling and in prayer until the tabernacle is closed, now I am trying to do so while a basket is being held in front of my face.
Then, sometimes Sunday Mass continues after Communion with “special blessings” for this person or that person, or a certain group of people. Or a standing ovation for the choir. Or something else.
People at daily Mass are all there to be there for Mass. People at Sunday Mass I’m not sure why some of them are there; maybe to be seen, maybe it’s their social gathering for the week, I don’t even know anymore. But based on how much chit-chat is going on, I find it hard to believe that their #1 reason for being there is worship of God.
It seems to me that the Church (at least my parish) has subdued the holiness of Sunday Mass, likely in favor of holding the audience, and I can’t say I’m happy about it.
First, I know the mass book says that common psalms can be used in place of the one that is designated for the Mass. But it has become tiresome that the responsorial every week for the past 2 years has been Psalm 34. Apparently, it’s the only Psalm that the choir leader likes to sing, and Heaven forbid we allow the lector to just read the responsorial in between the two readings that he or she reads. So, no matter what the USCCB says should be the Psalm of the week, it’s #34. At daily Mass, of course, the psalm that the lectionary says is the one for that day is the one that is read. This is important because many times, all the readings (including the R.P.) have a common theme, which is why they are chosen to be used together in the Mass.
Then there is a Eucharist, the most important part of the Mass. At daily Mass, there is complete silence as people walk to the front, receive the body and blood, and return to their pews, and for a couple minutes afterward. It’s such silence that the only voice heard is the priest saying “the Body of Christ” as each person approaches him. Sunday Mass? Two hymns, sung loudly, and often they are songs which are not Eucharistic songs. (When I was younger, the Eucharistic Hymn was always something along the lines of “Gift of Finest Wheat” or “We Are Yours.” Now it’s “whatever the choir leader feels like singing.”) And we’re supposed to sing the hymns, rather than praying silently.
Oh, one more thing, once the last person has returned to the pew after Communion is distributed, and while the sacred hosts are being brought to the tabernacle, here come the ushers for the second collection! I was brought up to remain kneeling and in prayer until the tabernacle is closed, now I am trying to do so while a basket is being held in front of my face.
Then, sometimes Sunday Mass continues after Communion with “special blessings” for this person or that person, or a certain group of people. Or a standing ovation for the choir. Or something else.
People at daily Mass are all there to be there for Mass. People at Sunday Mass I’m not sure why some of them are there; maybe to be seen, maybe it’s their social gathering for the week, I don’t even know anymore. But based on how much chit-chat is going on, I find it hard to believe that their #1 reason for being there is worship of God.
