Teaching Mass

[picasso_13]

Just wondering how many of your churches ever have a “teaching mass.” This past week one of our Priests did a session for the youth group where he went through the whole mass (minus the words of consecration) and explained what was going on. The students where seated around the altar and where able to ask questions as he taught. It was a great experience and I think the students really learned a lot. With the exception of a couple really off topic questions they really did have some great questions for the priest. We also had our catechumems sitting in on it as well.

 

[Dr.Bombay]

I thought the whole purpose of having the Mass in English was so the people would “understand what’s going on.”

Now they have to be “taught” what’s going on?

Maybe he should’ve just read them one of the Eucharistic Prayers for kiddies. Nah, no sense insulting their intelligence like that. :nope:

 

[picasso_13]

Before going off and being sarcastic in your response, can you tell me where in the Mass one would catch onto:

1. the history of the vestments the priest wears? which of his vestments is the one that tells you he is a priest? when does he have to wear it?
2. why we are supposed to say all the readings from one place?
3. what the importance and/or history of pews and kneelers in church?
4. where the actual words of consecration are
5. why the priest washes his hands
6. why do we have a family bring up the gifts?
7. what where/are the bells used for during mass?
8. what do you do if you drop the host?
9. why do we bow before receiving communion?

These were some of the questions I can remember. There is so much meaning in the Mass that someone who doesn’t know can miss a ton. If having the Mass in English was all we needed to do to make it more understandable then I should be able to bring my Protestant friends and they could walk away with no questions. Now that’s a silly expectation.

 

[pm1853]

Actually, I think its a great idea. Especially for people unfamiliar who are trying to understand. I never got that kind of information and only researched it myself recently. If people understood why things are the way they are (assuming that the teacher of the mass was “by the book” so to speak) perhaps it would foster a desire to see masses celebrated with more reverence and sincerity. I go about with the mindset that the mass is wonderful, why in the world would anyone want to change any part of it without permission? Great idea on the priest’s part.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

picasso_13:

Just wondering how many of your churches ever have a “teaching mass.” This past week one of our Priests did a session for the youth group where he went through the whole mass (minus the words of consecration) and explained what was going on. The students where seated around the altar and where able to ask questions as he taught. It was a great experience and I think the students really learned a lot. With the exception of a couple really off topic questions they really did have some great questions for the priest. We also had our catechumems sitting in on it as well.

I did this for RCIA, at the beginning back in September I gave a talk about the history of the Catholic Liturgy from the earilest Apostolic times. We later throughout the year touched on different parts. A few weeks ago we did a walk through the Mass reading all the words even the ones they may not always hear the priest say and talked about their meaning. We then practiced receiving communion so that there will be no supprises as there was last year.

 

[Exporter]

I am happy that your parish had a teaching mass. We older ones sometimes think all the younger ones know all the things that they should know. It is not true.

Just as we have to teach all the younger ones to read write and do math we need to teach them what the Church is all about. I have taught CCD and it flickered through my mind that I wish the Priest would take the kids to the church and teach about the Mass. It is an ongoing process.

 

[mjdonnelly]

My parish had one for us when we first became altar servers. A little bit of a select group, but I like the idea of taking a class in there.

As was previously stated, there is alot going on that isn’t said aloud, including information regarding why, vestment (kids like to hear about the reason for the colors) and what all the items on the altar are.

I thought the tabernacle was most interesting because there were 2 sets of double door that were operated by a key.

 

[picasso_13]

Yeah, our priests loves history so he knew all the “where did this come from” stuff. It was interesting because the students got really confused on why he wouldn’t say the words of consecration when he was going through the liturgy of the eucharist part. I think that was a great opportunity in which explained (or restated for those kids who should have learned it in CCD) they reality that there are some awesome things that happen during Mass that you just can’t pretend to do. I’m sure in a different setting he could say the words of consecration with no problem but he had unconsecrated bread in front of him at the time. It was one of our older priests who’s a Monsigneur and a priest of 55+ years.

I too learned most of my knowledge of the Mass as an altar server. It’s also interesting to know the history behind things.

 

[Timidity]

picasso_13:

Just wondering how many of your churches ever have a “teaching mass.” This past week one of our Priests did a session for the youth group where he went through the whole mass (minus the words of consecration) and explained what was going on. The students where seated around the altar and where able to ask questions as he taught.

Our parish does this once a year for the RCIA folk, and it’s also announced in advance in case anyone else wants to attend. As I understand it, the pastor requires an “indult” to do this Mass.

Some differences, though. Ours, unlike yours, is a real Mass. It’s always conducted on a weekday, and it’s after the normal weekday Masses. Also people don’t sit around the altar; they sit in their pews as usual.

Father comes out before the procession without any vestments on. Then he dons each vestment in front of those gathered together, describing it by name, function, symbology, and history. Then he walks out and re-enters for the procession. Mass pretty much proceeds as normal, except Father has frequent asides to explain what is happening at each step.

The exception is the Eucharistic Prayer. Explaination is done before and after, but the Eucharistic Prayer itself is not interupted.

Prior to going to one of these teaching Masses, I was a practicing “fundamentalist non-denominational Christian”. The teaching Mass was a big reason for my coming home.

 

[awalt]

Our Church does it periodically, I want to say maybe once per quarter - I just see notice of it in the bulletin every now and then…

 

[Sola]

picasso_13:

Before going off and being sarcastic in your response, can you tell me where in the Mass one would catch onto:

1. the history of the vestments the priest wears? which of his vestments is the one that tells you he is a priest? when does he have to wear it?
2. why we are supposed to say all the readings from one place?
3. what the importance and/or history of pews and kneelers in church?
4. where the actual words of consecration are
5. why the priest washes his hands
6. why do we have a family bring up the gifts?
7. what where/are the bells used for during mass?
8. what do you do if you drop the host?
9. why do we bow before receiving communion?

These were some of the questions I can remember. There is so much meaning in the Mass that someone who doesn’t know can miss a ton. If having the Mass in English was all we needed to do to make it more understandable then I should be able to bring my Protestant friends and they could walk away with no questions. Now that’s a silly expectation.

What a great idea! It’s not only kids who need to be instructed, but adults, too, even lifelong Catholics forget things and take things for granted.

In my first RCIA class we had an opportunity to walk around the church and see the altar area and learn some of the meanings behind things, but a “teaching Mass” seems really neat.

 

[netmilsmom]

Sola:

What a great idea! It’s not only kids who need to be instructed, but adults, too, even lifelong Catholics forget things and take things for granted.

In my first RCIA class we had an opportunity to walk around the church and see the altar area and learn some of the meanings behind things, but a “teaching Mass” seems really neat.

My hubby would like this (Presbyterian who is looking at RCIA) and my homeschooled girls sure could!
I would love to go just as a refresher!