What do you think of greeters?

[philialeaf]

This debate seems more one of personal preference than anything else. Greeters don’t bother me personally, but I can sort of see the point of some who would rather come in and get right to the whole church experience. Even more I can understand how it feels to be greeted by a fake friendly smile when you just want to go sit down or kneel down and pray.
We don’t have greeters but our ushers are friendly and welcoming enough. There are times that they have been a distraction during Mass, though! At the time of the gifts and offering when everyone is quiet, sometimes you can hear them all loudly making plans as to who gets which side of the church and so on. They don’t seem to be into the Mass so much!
I had a professor who told me that our Church is a community, and that it’s not to be “Jesus and me and to heck with thee”. We’re all in this together, we are the Body of Christ together. That’s why I like that we have the sign of peace right before Communion. It’s a good reminder.
On the other hand I don’t think it should get too informal at Mass times. I can see the need for a more reverent attitude. But is someone welcoming me and shaking my hand before we begin an irreverent thing, really?
Just my unsolicited rambling opinions!

 

[nancy_dalrymple]

I do not like “Greeters”. Why? Well, I believe that, as a Catholic, each and every Catholic Church is my home. I do not need anyone to meet me inside my front door and bid me welcome to my own home.

When I enter a church that I do not know, I pause and look around, mainly to see where the Tabernacle is, so I will know whether I should genuflect or merely bow to the Altar. I will also be looking at the pews to decide where I would like to sit. I am not lost or in need of help. A friendly smile is fine, but I am home, so do not need to be treated as if I was a guest.

I know you have 600 some odd posts but i feel i must have missed you some how so since i am a greeter Welcome to CAF I hope you have alot of fun here and make alot of friends. You are Loved Love of Christ Nancy

 

[nancy_dalrymple]

This debate seems more one of personal preference than anything else. Greeters don’t bother me personally, but I can sort of see the point of some who would rather come in and get right to the whole church experience. Even more I can understand how it feels to be greeted by a fake friendly smile when you just want to go sit down or kneel down and pray.
We don’t have greeters but our ushers are friendly and welcoming enough. There are times that they have been a distraction during Mass, though! At the time of the gifts and offering when everyone is quiet, sometimes you can hear them all loudly making plans as to who gets which side of the church and so on. They don’t seem to be into the Mass so much!
I had a professor who told me that our Church is a community, and that it’s not to be “Jesus and me and to heck with thee”. We’re all in this together, we are the Body of Christ together. That’s why I like that we have the sign of peace right before Communion. It’s a good reminder.
On the other hand I don’t think it should get too informal at Mass times. I can see the need for a more reverent attitude. But is someone welcoming me and shaking my hand before we begin an irreverent thing, really?
Just my unsolicited rambling opinions!

HI I think i missed you to. Welcome to CAF You are Loved Love of Christ Nancy

 

[Ockham]

It’s ironic that the people who present themselves as “first impressions” in our churches, when met with opinions contrary to theirs, contrary to their superficial ministries, react with hostility and false accusations. I don’t react with hostility towards “greeters” just think they are an unnecessary modern distraction unaware of their error.

In my church we hold the door for each other. We don’t need someone assigned to that task. We say 'Good Morning" to each other. We don’t need someone assigned to that task. There was a day Catholics made the sign of the Cross anytime passing by a church in respect for the Blessed Sacrament inside. That’s the level of reverence they had prior to all these “spirit of V2” changes inflicted our parishes with man-centred focus instead of Divine.

Priests are the primary ministry followed by their servers and musicians. EMHCs, Lectors, Greeters, and whatever else the new age relativists come up with are not necessary therefore a distraction. Most people only spend one hour a week in the presence of Christ in the Tabernacle. That hour should be dedicated to Him, not a barrage of self-important laity jumping at every opportunity to promote themselves.

 

[Ockham]

HI I think i missed you to. Welcome to CAF You are Loved Love of Christ Nancy

And welcome to Walmart.

 

[jmcrae]

It’s ironic that the people who present themselves as “first impressions” in our churches, when met with opinions contrary to theirs, contrary to their superficial ministries, react with hostility and false accusations. I don’t react with hostility towards “greeters” just think they are an unnecessary modern distraction unaware of their error.

I’m still trying to figure out what their “error” is.

In my church we hold the door for each other. We don’t need someone assigned to that task. We say 'Good Morning" to each other. We don’t need someone assigned to that task.

So, everyone at your parish is a Greeter, then. There’s nothing wrong with that. (Although it might be a bit overwhelming for a stranger to be greeted by everyone in the building, instead of just one person at the door.)

Or do you mean that each one greets only his friends, and strangers are left to fend (or not) for themselves?

 

[Ockham]

The error is thinking their presence is necessary. When greeters are in the nave they are usually causing unnecessary chatter which interfers with prayer. Again, people don’t go to church to be greeted, they go to be with Christ.

No, there isn’t a cabal of greeters pouncing on someone entering the chuch for the first time. Nice try.

 

[sckcd]

Wow…just…wow. I guess “manufactured ministry” could include pretty much everything that doesn’t directly involve the priest. You must be a real joy to your Parish.

:clapping:

 

[jmcrae]

The error is thinking their presence is necessary. When greeters are in the nave they are usually causing unnecessary chatter which interfers with prayer.

How does it interfere with prayer? The greeters are at the front door of the building; they are no where near the nave of the church. Are people praying in the hallways, as well, at your church?

Again, people don’t go to church to be greeted, they go to be with Christ.

Most people go for both. If all they want is Christ, they can go to Adoration, or even stay home. If all they want is fellowship, they can go to a coffee house. People come to Church to be part of a community that worships Christ.

No, there isn’t a cabal of greeters pouncing on someone entering the chuch for the first time. Nice try.

How are strangers treated, at your parish? When you greet one another, is it only amongst your own particular clique, or are you also greeting those you haven’t met, yet?

 

[Ockham]

Why do you feel the need to force your version of spirituality on others? Why can’t you accept the fact not everyone is delighted by the recent deployment of greeters? If you read my post, I indicated that in some churches such greeters are in the nave. Maybe not your church, but in many I’ve been to. Their chatter distracts the faithful who go to church to be with Christ. If fellowship is your goal, the Timmy’s across the street should suffice.

 

[tcm22]

The error is thinking their presence is necessary. When greeters are in the nave they are usually causing unnecessary chatter which interfers with prayer. Again, people don’t go to church to be greeted, they go to be with Christ.

No, there isn’t a cabal of greeters pouncing on someone entering the Chuch for the first time. Nice try.

So only that which you feel is “necessary” is free of error? Again, we are not called to worship in isolation, but as part of a faith community. While perhaps not necessary, a formal effort by the Parish to project a welcoming environment prior to Mass can certainly contribute to that sense of community.

That you miss the point is clear, but I think it’s a stretch to say it gets between you and Christ. I suspect there’s something else getting in the way.

 

[nancy_dalrymple]

And welcome to Walmart.

I think i know what you are talking about now, i loked it up on the net, because i have only been on line for 9 months and i am not use to alot of sayings, but i do know what you are saying. I had no idea, Wal Marts is not Kosher, is it? I guess things are changing and i hope Jesus caome back real soon I have been duped on the net quite a few times already) it can be used for studying and for real bad things to. My appoligies to you Ockham, i will say no more. Love of Christ Nancy

 

[Ockham]

Your suspicions are your own, as your false accusations and opinion that you serve a good purpose. I shudder to think what you assume of people who don’t stand outside of church focused on anyone but Christ. If I refused to hold your hand during the Pater Noster I suppose even more contempt would be justified in your eyes.

The original question is “what do you think of greeters”. Why such uncharitable discourse to those who don’t think the same way as you?

 

[jmcrae]

Why do you feel the need to force your version of spirituality on others? Why can’t you accept the fact not everyone is delighted by the recent deployment of greeters?

It isn’t a “recent deployment.” They have greeters at the TLM. The Church has had greeters for ever and ever. (In some places, they are called “ushers” although the usher’s job is not to greet people; it is to collect the collections.)

If you read my post, I indicated that in some churches such greeters are in the nave.

Obviously that’s an inappropriate place for them, but being in an inappropriate place doesn’t automatically make saying “hello” to people a Bad Thing.

If fellowship is your goal, the Timmy’s across the street should suffice.

Actually the people who go to Tim’s are pretty cliquey - they look at you funny if you say “hello” to them. And anyway, I’d rather have fellowship with Catholics.

 

[Ockham]

I’d rather have fellowship with Catholics.

On that we are in agreement. They have been harder to find in the past few decades.

 

[tcm22]

Your suspicions are your own, as your false accusations and opinion that you serve a good purpose. I shudder to think what you assume of people who don’t stand outside of church focused on anyone but Christ. If I refused to hold your hand during the Pater Noster I suppose even more contempt would be justified in your eyes.

The original question is “what do you think of greeters”. Why such uncharitable discourse to those who don’t think the same way as you?

Accusing greeters of having false smiles and erroneous motives seems to be pretty uncharitable.

Your notion that people standing outside the Church saying “Good Morning” somehow comes between you and Jesus is patently false, as is the assertion that Christ is the only thing one can be focused on.

You’re more than entitled to not like having greeters, but to ascribe the greeters’ motivations as less than sincere or somehow interfering with your own ability to worship God is unfair and unkind.

I’ve been to Masses where the musicians play an interlude before Mass. Does that interfere with prayer? Is it necessary? Do they too not recognize their “error?”

 

[Ockham]

Accusing greeters of having false smiles and erroneous motives seems to be pretty uncharitable.

I was accused of falsehoods first. Shouldn’t the church’s ministry of first impressions have more sincerity than to lash out at those who don’t appreciate them?

What’s next, “farewellers”? I suppose the master of ceremonies or whatever that extra lay person in the Sanctuary is called serves a necessary purpose to in the grand plan.

Not everyone endorses the most recent innovation or laity distraction.

 

[Cat]

God should be the first and lasting impression. Why do you need to get in the way?

Excuse me.

Christ is IN me. When I receive Him in Holy Communion, He is in me, living through me.

So when you see me, you are looking at Christ. Yes, you still see me, but hopefully as I become more and more like Him, you will not see me at all, but Jesus.

Bl. Mother Teresa pointed this out–she saw Jesus in everyone, including the poorest of the poor.

And because Jesus is in me and in your Christian brothers and sisters, they are NOT getting in the way. They are Jesus, and you should rejoice to see them even as you rejoice to meet Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

And you should be ready and willing to give your life for them, even as you are ready to give your life for Jesus. Jesus said it, not me. John 15: 13. For that matter, better read John 15: 12, too.

Jesus said that we are to love one another. For some people this means ignoring them, as they wish to be left alone. That would be you.

But for most people, love means smiling, saying hi, noticing whether they are happy or sad, offering help if they appear to need it. The Holy Spirit can guide you to know whether a person needs a smile, a word, or to be left alone.

I think you should really think hard about the kind of worship that turns away from loving fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ. I would spend some time reading Jesus’ discourse to His disciples in John 12-17. What you are describing doesn’t really sound like what Jesus is saying we should be doing.

 

[nancy_dalrymple]

The Renewal of Vatican II: Distractions and Distortions | Douglas Bushman, S.T.L. | Ignatius Insight

Years of teaching courses on Vatican II and Ecclesiology have provided me the data of an ongoing survey that continues to produce amazingly consistent results. The question is simple: “What is the first word that comes to mind when I say, ‘Vatican II’?” Invariably the response is “renewal” and “change.” The same answer comes from countless groups of adults with whom I have reflected on the Council that Pope John Paul II described as “the gift of the Holy Spirit” to the Church of our time.

The follow-up question produces similarly consistent results, though it may be difficult to discern at first. To the question, “What kind of change?” people point first to the liturgy: Mass said in English, priest facing the assembly, laity serving as extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, communion received in the hand. Often mentioned is the adaptation of the discipline of abstinence from meat on Friday. Others point to participation on parish or diocesan pastoral or finance councils, while some refer to institutional innovations such as the synod of bishops, the International Theological Commission, and the many new pontifical councils.

Seemingly widely diverse, these examples have something in common; they are visible and institutional changes. Observable changes such as these naturally draw our attention; they are the first things we notice. The Council, however, did not see changes as ends in themselves, but as means to something higher. The challenge is to look beyond them, or through them, to discover that more profound reality. Such a “looking beyond” is natural for Catholic faith, which perceives the Son of God in Jesus of Nazareth, and the bestowal of grace in the visible signs we call sacraments.

What is that more profound reality? It is holiness, as unchanging in its nature as doctrine, the essence of the sacraments, and the hierarchical constitution of the Church. Holiness, that is, life in communion with God in faith, hope and charity lived in the ongoing conversion that is an unending task for the Church, is fundamentally the same in all ages. The real challenge of Vatican II is the change or renewal of hearts that in the Gospels is called metanoia.

It is possible to get distracted, caught up in the liturgical and institutional dimension of renewal, and lose sight of the fact that these are at the service of making the Church’s mission more effective. That mission is identical to Christ’s own: the reconciliation of men with God through the forgiveness of sins and justifying grace that makes those who receive it sharers in God’s own life. All the liturgical adaptations are intended to bring about that “fully conscious and active participation” [1] in the liturgy that is fundamentally a matter of the heart. Similarly, the new expressions of the Church’s ages-old faith [2] is intended to arouse faith and to convey the salvific value of what God has revealed so that modern man may discover the “meaning for life” of what the Church teaches. And the reorganization of institutions and the establishment of new ones have as their goal to facilitate the living out of the Christian life and a more effective realization of the Church’s mission [3] in which all share and for which all are responsible.

Read the entire essay…

 

[nancy_dalrymple]

The Renewal of Vatican II: Distractions and Distortions: