Take a minute to introduce yourself before Mass begins

[bcra]

i agree with some of you. the church is fopr praying not for talking to your neighbor. once i left the church before mass because people next to me were so noisey i could not pray. also id like to point out our parish priest to talks about his family life his vacations i go to church to pray to God i could care less about the priest s presonnel life.

 

[vera_dicere]

Actually, at this particular church I mentioned, just before the music minister asked us to introduce ourselves to one another, she had us practice our singing so there was precious little time for personal prayer before Mass. The ten minutes before Mass was filled with singing practice and introductions making it difficult to concentrate in prayer.

Then perhaps arrive 20 minutes before mass, then you can have your ten minutes of quiet prayer before those rude music directors force everyone to say hello.

 

[Cat]

Hello Cat,

Please see the second half of par. 45 in the GIRM. While a period of silence is not forced upon us, it is encouraged by the church.

Even before the celebration itself, it is commendable that silence to be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out sacred action in a devout and fitting manner.

I think a quiet prelude is nice (besides in lent and advent), but it’s still good to have at least a couple seconds of silence between the prelude and the cantor announcement/hymn/introit.

When I play a prelude, I end it a a few minutes before Mass starts to allow for a moment or two of silence. I was taught (in my Protestant church) that the purpose of the prelude is to turn the hearts of the assembly to the Lord and away from everyday life.

After Mass, I like to play a postlude. But then I run into problems with people who insist that we are supposed to have quiet in the nave AFTER Mass as well as before Mass.

Everyone, what I don’t understand is why those who are bothered by human noise don’t just learn to ignore it while they pray. Whenever people complain about noise before and/or after Mass, I always remember Saint Maximillian Kolbe and the Masses he prayed at Auschwitz. From what I have read of the concentration camps, they were ALWAYS noisy. Often the Nazis would play loud music to over the loudspeakers. And there was always violence, fighting, arguing, moaning, crying, screaming, gunshots, beatings, etc. Yet the saint offered Mass. I doubt that he complained about all the noise.

I want to be like him and find quiet in the midst of chaos and peace in the midst of violence. Doesn’t that make more sense than getting irritated, annoyed, angry, etc. with your brothers and sisters in the Lord?

I ask all of you to think about how many years or decades you have been bothered by noise before/after Mass. How many YEARS have you spent fuming and stewing about this and considering “action plans” for making it stop?

Has it stopped? Has all your worry and upset produced the peace and quiet that you desire? I’m willing to guess “no.” I’m willing to guess that even if Father has spoken with the people, or implemented some kind of “quiet” zone in the nave, that after a few months, the people forget and go back to being noisy humans again. That’s just the way we all are. I honestly, truly don’t think that you will have success ever in this life on this earth making the noise stop.

So why not make the noise in your HEART stop? Why not find a way to retreat to your “quiet place” in your soul and shut out all the noise and cacaphony around you? Doesn’t that sound much nicer than being upset so often?

Works for me.

 

[the_phoenix]

Has it stopped? Has all your worry and upset produced the peace and quiet that you desire? I’m willing to guess “no.” I’m willing to guess that even if Father has spoken with the people, or implemented some kind of “quiet” zone in the nave, that after a few months, the people forget and go back to being noisy humans again. That’s just the way we all are. I honestly, truly don’t think that you will have success ever in this life on this earth making the noise stop.

Once while on vacation and attending the local parish, I encountered two middle-aged ladies directly in front of and right beside me loudly chatting it up to catch up on their friendship before Mass.

Smiling and with a conversational tone, I turned to one and said, “Excuse me, I’m not from here. Do you believe that Jesus is truly present in the tabernacle up there on the altar?”

One of the “happy chatters” responded, “Yes.”

“Then why are you talking?” * said with my best, cute little wide-eyed innocent look *

All of a sudden, the chatting stopped and was replaced with reverent silence.

~~ the phoenix

 

[Rence]

Please don’t think me as insensitive, and I’m all for community involvement in the Church but, a Catholic person does have to ask themselves first and foremost why they chiefly go to Mass. The best community friend any Catholic could possibly have comes down upon the Altar at every Mass.

Peace
Chris

I don’t think you’re insensitive at all. I understand what you’re saying, and we all have the right to worship in a way that makes worship most meaningful to us. I hope you understand that not everyone is the same. Remember that the Sacrificial Lamb Himself was among friends (it was a party, it was a community gathered together in His name) …and His weekly memorial and Sacrifice was celebrated among friends for years and years before Christianity started branching out and communities started getting bigger and bigger — and more impersonal. Some people get more meaning out of worshipping together when they are closer to those with whom they pray.

 

[georgewithfaith]

Sad that you see it that way. Because Christ is in each one of us. Amazing how many Catholics miss this, thinking that Christ is only present in the Eucharist. When Jesus confronted Saul, he asked him, “Saul, why do you persecute me?” Did Saul persecute Christ? On the surface, the answer is no. Saul persecuted Christians. But to persecute Christians is to persecute Christ himself. To ignore those other Christians we worship with at Church is to ignore Christ. Switch to biology, every cell of the body works together, they don’t just respond to the brain. Why should the Body of Christ be any different?

These statements water down the respect and reverence we should offer to the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. When I am in front of the Eucharist I think of the words “My Lord and My God!”

I do not understand how you can say that the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is the same as the presence of Jesus in you or me. It is against our faith to believe such a thing and to conclude that somehow refusing to turn away from the Eucharist and talk to my neighbor means I am ignoring Christ makes no sense.

 

[ProVobis]

Sad that you see it that way. Because Christ is in each one of us. Amazing how many Catholics miss this, thinking that Christ is only present in the Eucharist. When Jesus confronted Saul, he asked him, “Saul, why do you persecute me?” Did Saul persecute Christ? On the surface, the answer is no. Saul persecuted Christians. But to persecute Christians is to persecute Christ himself. To ignore those other Christians we worship with at Church is to ignore Christ.

Then why don’t we meet each other at home? After all, Christ did say “For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt.18:20)

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven…a time to keep silence, and a time to speak…” (Eccl 3:1-)

 

[Crablover]

I think introducing ourselves to our neighbors is a good thing. It gets us to open ourselves spiritually and to Our Lord and not be uptight. We do this at our church and it’s nice to see others around us that we don’t necessarily see on a regular basis. Why is it such a downer? Anyway, the only time they do it at my church is before mass is about to start. The thing is, you don’t have to say hi to your neighbor if you don’t want to. You’re not forced to. You can read the misalet if you want to or you can close your eyes and pray or smile and nod and that’s it.

 

[Cat]

Once while on vacation and attending the local parish, I encountered two middle-aged ladies directly in front of and right beside me loudly chatting it up to catch up on their friendship before Mass.

Smiling and with a conversational tone, I turned to one and said, “Excuse me, I’m not from here. Do you believe that Jesus is truly present in the tabernacle up there on the altar?”

One of the “happy chatters” responded, “Yes.”

“Then why are you talking?” * said with my best, cute little wide-eyed innocent look *

All of a sudden, the chatting stopped and was replaced with reverent silence.

~~ the phoenix

What I hear you saying is that you plan to do this for the rest of your life, whenever you are disturbed before (or after) Mass.

Is that correct?

Sounds like a burden to me. I wouldn’t want to carry this burden, but if you are willing to shoulder it and lug it around, that’s your choice. Hope it works out for you.

If I tried this, I would be upset and agitated in my soul after my “rebuke” of others, and I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on the Lord Jesus anymore, probably for the rest of Mass or even the rest of the day. But that’s just the way I am. It’s good that you can speak up and then settle down immediately.

And keep in mind that some day, you will speak up to the “wrong” person, and you will get either an earful or possibly even a beating, and that will cause more of a disturbance before (or after) Mass than a little chatter. Yes, the agressor is in the wrong, but that doesn’t matter if you’re their victim. In our city, we tend to leave disturbers alone because we never know what they’re capable of. (We have the highest percentage of crime in our state.)

 

[StJudePray4Me]

I haven’t read the whole thread… but I have also been to a Parish where they do this “Introduce yourself” thing.

I go along with it to be polite, but I always thought it felt so phoney. I only attend this Parish when I have a scheduling conflict, because they offer a 7pm Sunday Mass – (My husband and I call it “Last Chance Mass”).

This particular parish is very earthy-crunchy, feel good, folk music type of parish. It actually is sort of amusing.

What DOES annoy me is that the priest INSTRUCTS people to join hands for the Lord’s Prayer. He says “As is our custom, please move into the aisles to join hands…blah blah.” Now, that irks me. I don’t get too mad if other people want to do this, but I know I am not supposed to be required to do it, so I don’t. I fold my hands, bow my head and pray.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

“Hello, I’m a pro-life Conservative Republican.”

Yes, I’ve actually introduced myself this way when the priest had us turn to greet our neighbor right before Mass.

One guy who had been sitting next to me actually moved to another part of the pew after my introduction.

Oh well …

:clapping: Love it! I’m going to do that next time we are asked to give intros!

I HATE that practice - Mass is not a cocktail party or a conference!

 

[BrushedByAngels]

After reading all of the posts on this topic…

Those of you who like to make friends at mass then by all means go to those “introduce yourself” parishes… as for me, one who does not desire country club atmosphere at mass – will keep going to my parish.

Thanks!

 

[TheRealJuliane]

On Ash Wednesday, I arrived at church a little later than I usually do, and didn’t want to parade up the aisle too far, so I took a seat about 3 pews from the back of the church. This is the more formal church of the 2 I attend, and mostly the parishioners are reverent. At least, that’s what I had believed.

The last few rows are like the “F” student rows in the back of the classroom. There was a lady in the pew just in front of me and to my left who was chatting non-stop to her friend. I mean, it was like she never even came up for air or took a breath! Then, as I was literally ON MY KNEES praying, trying to block out the lady talking, two people came up and wanted to get into the pew and nudged me to indicate this!

I let them in and resumed praying, on my knees of course. They hadn’t been in the pew more than 15 seconds when the man wanted back out again! So between that and the woman in front who was STILL TALKING, I decided to just move. I walked up the aisle about 5 rows and found a quiet place (well, almost, there was a young couple in front of me who were whispering before Mass began but less once it started).

And this was ASH WEDNESDAY, the beginning of Lent, a somber day!!!

Thankfully, at this church, many people don’t join hands during the Our Father which I appreciate more and more as time goes by. They do the sign of peace though.

 

[maryjk]

After reading all of the posts on this topic…

Those of you who like to make friends at mass then by all means go to those “introduce yourself” parishes… as for me, one who does not desire country club atmosphere at mass – will keep going to my parish.

Thanks!

Right, because it is an either or.

If you have friends at your parish, you desire a country club atmosphere at mass. How ridiculous.

I have many friends at my parish. Mostly because I have taught Sunday School for years, I am part of the homeschooling crowd, was part of CWA for years and now I work at the parish in a very visible position. Our priest has never asked us to turn an introduce ourselves. I just know lots of people.

This year, out priest asked everyone to wear a name tag. To give up your anonymity for Lent. How Country Club like.

 

[StJudePray4Me]

And this was ASH WEDNESDAY, the beginning of Lent, a somber day!!!

Thankfully, at this church, many people don’t join hands during the Our Father which I appreciate more and more as time goes by. They do the sign of peace though.

Ash Wednesday can be like Christmas and Easter though – we call it amateur night. (It’s a joke!!!)

As to the sign of peace – why do you mention that? Is that “supposed” to happen? Haven’t we always done that?

 

[ProVobis]

The last few rows are like the “F” student rows in the back of the classroom.

Seems that way now. In the “old days” the nuns would make the “F” students sit up closer to her.

In practice, many people are still walking into church after the Mass has started. So many will have lost whatever announcements were made, the opening hymn, greetings, and skipped a few readings as well. There was probably a reason why the exchange of peace was placed where it is now.

 

[centurionguard]

Here’s an interesting article about the symbolic Handshake Peace Of Christ Ritual we see in the Catholic Church today.

fromthepews.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/a-hand-shake/

The sign of peace in the Roman Rite significantly placed before Eucharistic communion is a particularly expressive gesture which the faithful are invited to make as a manifestation of the People of God’s acceptance of all that has been accomplished in the celebration and of the commitment to mutual love which is made in sharing the one bread, with the demanding words of Christ in mind: “If you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Mt 5:23-24) Catholic Doors Ministry].

Very well, now we know that the Sign of Peace benefits us greatly if just to give us an opportunity to Symbolically, via the person closest to us, reconcile with our “brother.” Also, it is a way of saying to those standing in one’s proximity that the peace of Christ is truly present on the altar and also with all men (Cardinal Francis Arzine).

To be exact and concise, in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal it clearly states:

The Rite of Peace follows, by which the Church asks for peace and unity for herself and for the whole human family, and the faithful express to each other their ecclesial communion and mutual charity before communicating in the Sacrament.

Next, HOW should we implement this Sign of Peace:

Each person offers the sign of peace only to those nearby and in a dignified manner. The faithful may say, “The peace of the Lord be with you always.” The response to this is, “Amen” (Catholic Doors Ministry).

The other part of the How, literally, how we do it, handshake, kiss, hug. Well that part is decided upon by the “Conferences of Bishops in
accordance with the culture and customs of the peoples” (General Instruction of the Roman Missal).

So that there is no confusion, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops site states:

Sign of peace. Before communion, we share a sign of peace with those who are standing near us. By our warm handshake or another friendly gesture, we express our unity in Christ. Through our mutual forgiveness and love, Jesus brings his peace into the world.

Handshake or another friendly gesture. One may be tempted to say that we can all just nod and smile. Well, we could, if that’s the custom that has been designated in our Archdiocese. But, seeing as how we were “allowed” to forgo the handshake due to the H1N1, and afterward were told that we could once again shake hands. Isn’t it quite clear? In our Region, our Archdiocese, we Shake Hands.

That being said, let us move on to a few concerns. More specifically to those that many of us may have observed in Our Parish:

Q: I have a concern with those who give me the Sign of Peace. Half of them simply put out their hand, looking elsewhere, making no eye-to-eye contact as if it is just a meaningless ritual. How do I deal with that?

A: While smiling, you can try holding on to their hand, not letting go, until such time as they will turn around and make an eye-to-eye contact with you. Before long, they should get the hint that when you give someone the Sign of Peace, you look at the person (Catholic Doors Ministry).

And here is another concern. This past Winter we were hit with the H1N1 Virus. Because of that, our Archdiocese consented that we not Shake Hands, so that we could avoid Transmission. Well, it seems that many people must still be wary because they just sort of look your way, have a forced smile on their face and nod.

Now, I understand that there may be some individuals who may not like to be touched or that may have been victims of sexual abuse and therefore touching could be very traumatic. I understand that. But I Dare to say that in our case, that may not be the issue.

No, in our case it seems people may have forgotten the Why we have the Rite of Peace and see it more as “just a meaningless ritual.”

Furthermore, I want to voice the feelings that maybe others, like I, have when we stretch out our hand and we get that Forced Grin and a nod.

There is a feeling of being stigmatized. This may sound extreme, but think about it. Why won’t you shake my hand, am I disease-ridden? Do I repulse you in some way? Did I do something wrong and therefore am now an outcast? I am not worthy of even meriting a handshake? Is there something wrong with me?

There is that feeling of Rejection. One is left with one’s hand open, in the air…rejected. Even a tad humiliating.

We are being deprived of that moment where we can make Peace with our “brother.” We are being deprived of that symbolic reconciliation.

And finally, if we say, “The peace of the Lord be with you always.” It’s nice to hear the “Amen” which means in very laymen terms “so be it,” “truth,” ”it is so.”

Amen is a derivative from the Hebrew verb aman ‘to strengthen’ or ‘Confirm.’  [Liturgically, it means,]  May it so be done as the priest has prayed (New Advent).

Or even better, maybe the Grinner should be the one to part their lips and say, “The peace of the Lord be with you always.”

Having Ranted…now perhaps you have better insight as to why this couples Hand Shake was so Meaningful.

Let’s not deprive others of this Gesture, shall we?

 

[Tigg]

Once while on vacation and attending the local parish, I encountered two middle-aged ladies directly in front of and right beside me loudly chatting it up to catch up on their friendship before Mass.

Smiling and with a conversational tone, I turned to one and said, “Excuse me, I’m not from here. Do you believe that Jesus is truly present in the tabernacle up there on the altar?”

One of the “happy chatters” responded, “Yes.”

“Then why are you talking?” * said with my best, cute little wide-eyed innocent look *

All of a sudden, the chatting stopped and was replaced with reverent silence.

~~ the phoenix

Oh, but would I have the nerve…

 

[Tigg]

Thankfully, at this church, many people don’t join hands during the Our Father which I appreciate more and more as time goes by. They do the sign of peace though.

Yes, our pastor, too, is discouraging this, altho now they place their hands in the orans position, which, if I’m not wrong, only the priest should do!

Aahhh well, we’ve got much more to worry about!

 

[centurionguard]

History of Catholic Hospitality Ministry- Door Greeters

Greeters - Greeters have a special role to play at every parish liturgy. They greet people as they come into the church and welcome them to the celebration about to take place.

The primary ministry of greeters is to help people feel welcome as they gather for Mass. An open door and the warm smile of a greeter help set the tone for the Eucharistic celebration, offering hospitality in the name of the Lord. In come cases the greeter at the church door is the a person’s first human encounter of the day. Greeters are those who, almost without trying, can put others at ease and convey countless good wishes for those they greet with a simple smile or “hello.”

news.google.com/newspapers?id=2zAyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6-UFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6491,416277&dq=history+of+catholic+hospitality+ministry&hl=en