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ConfusedLucy
Guest
I suppose it would be worth looking at what could be contributing to such excellent figures and whether it could be used in other places.
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Duesenberg
Guest
What percentage of the local Catholic population attends Mass? How many non-Catholics could be evangelized into the faith in part because they wanted to attend Mass?
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MonteRCMS
Guest
Question your diocese about their “liturgical day”. In other words, Sunday Mass obligation may not be satisfied by an evening Mass on Sunday because it may fall outside the liturgical day. There may be an exception for Masses offered for educational groups.
There is a reason why Sunday Mass obligation is satisfied by a Saturday evening Mass, but not by a normal Sunday evening Mass.
A lot has been written on this calendar day issue; you could look it up.
One of the reasons why astronomy was so important to the Church was to be precise about when precisely the various days actually began and ended.
The Church calendar is not random.
There is a reason why Sunday Mass obligation is satisfied by a Saturday evening Mass, but not by a normal Sunday evening Mass.
A lot has been written on this calendar day issue; you could look it up.
One of the reasons why astronomy was so important to the Church was to be precise about when precisely the various days actually began and ended.
The Church calendar is not random.
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Don_Ruggero
Guest
Yes. The country in which you live is absolutely remarkable. Your priests are very special with an endearing quality. I have enjoyed working with them across the years.
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MonteRCMS
Guest
There are also specific reasons why the “structure” of the Mass is the way it is.
Take a quick read through this article above^
Here is one excerpt:
The Biblical Roots of the Liturgy
Msgr. Charles Pope • November 26, 2017 • 1 Comment
145
Catholics are often unaware just how biblical the Sacred Liturgy is. The design of our traditional churches; the use of candles, incense, and golden vessels; the postures of standing and kneeling; the altar; the singing of hymns; priests wearing albs and so forth are all depicted in the Scriptures. Some of these details were features of the ancient Jewish Temple, but most are reiterated in the Book of Revelation, which describes the liturgy of Heaven.
The liturgy here on earth is modeled after the liturgy in Heaven; that is why it is so serious to tamper with it. The Book of Revelation describes the heavenly liturgy and focuses on a scroll or book that contains the meaning of life and the answers to all we seek. It also focuses on the Lamb of God, standing but with the marks of slaughter upon it. Does this not sound familiar? It is the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
We do well to be aware of the biblical roots of the Sacred Liturgy. Many people consider our rituals to be empty and vain, “smells and bells.” Some think austere liturgical environments devoid of much ritual are “purer” and closer to the worship in “spirit and in truth” that Jesus spoke of in John 4.
To such criticisms we must insist that our rituals, properly understood, are mystical and deeply biblical. Further, they are elements of the heavenly liturgy since almost all of them are mentioned as aspects of the worship or liturgy that takes place in Heaven. In this light, it is a serious mistake to set them aside or have a dismissive attitude toward them.
With that in mind we ought to consider the biblical references to the most common elements of Catholic and Orthodox liturgies. I have added my own occasional note in red.
Candles –
The Biblical Roots of the Liturgy - Community in Mission
Catholics are often unaware just how biblical the Sacred Liturgy is. The design of our traditional churches; the use of candles, incense, and golden vessels; the postures of standing and kneeling; the altar; the singing of hymns; priests wearing albs and so forth are all depicted in the...
blog.adw.org
Take a quick read through this article above^
Here is one excerpt:
The Biblical Roots of the Liturgy
Msgr. Charles Pope • November 26, 2017 • 1 Comment
145
Catholics are often unaware just how biblical the Sacred Liturgy is. The design of our traditional churches; the use of candles, incense, and golden vessels; the postures of standing and kneeling; the altar; the singing of hymns; priests wearing albs and so forth are all depicted in the Scriptures. Some of these details were features of the ancient Jewish Temple, but most are reiterated in the Book of Revelation, which describes the liturgy of Heaven.
The liturgy here on earth is modeled after the liturgy in Heaven; that is why it is so serious to tamper with it. The Book of Revelation describes the heavenly liturgy and focuses on a scroll or book that contains the meaning of life and the answers to all we seek. It also focuses on the Lamb of God, standing but with the marks of slaughter upon it. Does this not sound familiar? It is the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
We do well to be aware of the biblical roots of the Sacred Liturgy. Many people consider our rituals to be empty and vain, “smells and bells.” Some think austere liturgical environments devoid of much ritual are “purer” and closer to the worship in “spirit and in truth” that Jesus spoke of in John 4.
To such criticisms we must insist that our rituals, properly understood, are mystical and deeply biblical. Further, they are elements of the heavenly liturgy since almost all of them are mentioned as aspects of the worship or liturgy that takes place in Heaven. In this light, it is a serious mistake to set them aside or have a dismissive attitude toward them.
With that in mind we ought to consider the biblical references to the most common elements of Catholic and Orthodox liturgies. I have added my own occasional note in red.
Candles –
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MonteRCMS
Guest
People need to know this stuff … or at the very least, they need to know that the knowledge exists and was carefully assembled.
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MonteRCMS
Guest
Here is the section on Liturgy from the Catholic Encyclopedia:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09306a.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09306a.htm
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pnewton
Guest
But I do not see how it will. All I would see is people changing from one Mass to another. There is wisdom in letting priests make these decisions instead of every layman that wants to sleep in decide when he wants to go to Mass.
The problem is still lack of a spiritual priority. That is the only thing that will improve Mass attendance. All efforts should be directed on how to help people grow spiritual, not how to make things spiffy.
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phil19034
Guest
Where do you live? I might have to consider moving there if things continue to get worse here
Those numbers are great
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phil19034
Guest
I agree Father. Priests deserve a work life balance just like every one else.phil19034:
And their position is correct.
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Reuben_J
Guest
Sure you did not. I would pick one of your suggestions if you stopped at ‘What could be done to improve Sunday mass’. Your question was about improving Sunday mass attendance - and that was my answer.Reuben_J:
No where in my posting did I suggest it was.
You have to go to the basic - that mass is a worship and part and parcel of Christian’s life. Attending it is obligatory on certain days and should be when possible. It is not about the external, though it is good to have beautiful choir or homily, but a valid mass.
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twf
Guest
I’ll have to do some more research. I remember reading it but can’t see it now off hand…it was the canon that defended the silent repetition of the Eucharistic canon.
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thistle
Guest
I forgot to mention that I am a permanent resident of the Philippines. We live and breathe Christ and his beloved Mother here. Every day they are in our
conversations. Nobody here is embarrassed to talk about Christ and the Virgin Mary.
conversations. Nobody here is embarrassed to talk about Christ and the Virgin Mary.
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twf
Guest
Sunday evening Masses are common here. Our cathedral has Sunday Mass at 8 am, 9:30 am, 11 am, 12:30 pm, 5 pm, 6:30 pm, and 8 pm. All well attended. There are 7 priests in residence so that makes a huge difference. It’s been a life saver for me when I’ve had family and/or work obligations that made Sunday morning impossible.
On the other hand, in the small town where I was first received into the Church, there was only the Saturday evening and Sunday morning Mass…one priest and a much smaller congregation.
On the other hand, in the small town where I was first received into the Church, there was only the Saturday evening and Sunday morning Mass…one priest and a much smaller congregation.
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stinkcat_14
Guest
Tell that to our chancery.Don_Ruggero:
I agree Father. Priests deserve a work life balance just like every one else.phil19034:
And their position is correct.
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phil19034
Guest
I heard Cardinal Tagle speak at the World Meeting of Families… he had some great jokes about the differences between the US and the Philippines
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Genesis315
Guest
We need to actually evangelize in our communities (to both non-practicing Catholics and non-Catholics alike). Very little of this is actually done. There used to be a great tract on the Catholic Answers website from the '40s from a Paulist on how parishes could do this–but I can’t seem to find it now…Then, I think our parish life–especially our worship–should clearly and boldly reflect the Catholic faith. When a person is attracted to the faith presented in the Catechism and what they read in the Fathers and the saints, but then they show up at the local parish and it is like a different religion, I doubt they will stay…of course all of this takes ongoing reinforcement of the truths of our faith both verbally and non-verbally (solemnity in the liturgy and charitable works are key for the latter).
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Mr_Freeze
Guest
How are the confession lines?
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Duesenberg
Guest
I think there needs to be caution not to over “balance” Sundays.
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Duesenberg
Guest
No, I did not. Your premise is false.
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