What if "Your" mass time was switched from OF to EF. What would you do?

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There have been a number threads about the possible implementation of the EF (TLM) into a given parish. Often these threads have included statements about how now one wants it, or there is no room in the schedule for another mass, or people might stop attending if one of the masses is in Latin. Etc………

This thread is prompted from HERE
First, I don’t think there needs to be additional masses in order to accommodate an EF mass. Simply change one of the regular masses from the OF to the EF.

This leads to the question then of what would the members of the parish do, particularly those members who normally like to attend mass at this particular time. My sense is that they would do one of four things:
  1. Some will make a point of attending this mass because they really like the EF.
  2. Some will avoid this mass because they really don’t like the EF.
  3. Some will attend whatever mass is at 8 am because that it the time they prefer to go to mass and as long as the mass if valid and communion is distributed they are content.
  4. Stop attending mass altogether.
Thus the choices in the Poll above. Which would you choose to do if “your” mass time was switched from OF to EF.

Peace
James
 
I don’t have a “Mass time.” It varies every week according to my schedule.

I would probably attend, but I would demand–yes, demand–a “class” or “catechesis session” from the parish to help me know what is going on and what I am supposed to do. I wouldn’t want to sit there feeling like a dummy. I want to know what exactly is happening.

I don’t think a TLM would happen easily in my main parish, as it would involve a lot of moving about of the altar, setting up a rail, etc., and there is only a half hour between Masses on the weekend (there are 8 weekend Masses, plus the Family Mass during the school year). Frankly, I think that it would be disruptive to pre-Mass prayer and devotional time to have a group of burlies re-arranging the church before Mass. Rather a hectic atmosphere.

It might happen easier at the other parish that I play for, because it is an older church (100 years). But I know for a fact that many of the people in that parish would simply go somewhere else for Mass. Many of them are elderly, and they are quite vocal about their preference for NO and contemporary music. It’s surprising, but true!
 
JRKH said:
This leads to the question then of what would the members of the parish do, particularly those members who normally like to attend mass at this particular time. My sense is that they would do one of four things:
  1. Some will make a point of attending this mass because they really like the EF.
  2. Some will avoid this mass because they really don’t like the EF.
  3. Some will attend whatever mass is at 8 am because that it the time they prefer to go to mass and as long as the mass if valid and communion is distributed they are content.
  4. Stop attending mass altogether.
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There’s at least one more option:
  1. Some will continue to go to Mass at the same time but find a different parish that offers the Mass they prefer.
 
Six of one, half dozen of the other. I grew up with the EF so it wouldn’t affect me one way or the other.
 
I would show up because to not attend mass is not an option. I can’t NOT go. Lucky for me, I love the EF anyway. 👍

Still, it probably ends my time as Altar Server/Aco but hey, c’est la vie.
 
I would continue to go. If the Mass is being said according to the rubrics promulgated according to Rome, why would it matter?
 
brotherhrolf said:
Six of one, half dozen of the other. I grew up with the EF so it wouldn’t affect me one way or the other.
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I have to agree with brotherhrolf here. Although the Latin Mass/EF was being replace by the OF by the time I was old enough to really pay attention I don’t think it would be that great a transition for me to go from OF to EF except if they decide to use incense (and I know not all EF’s us incense!) I don’t want to get into a big discussion of why but suffice it to say that I don’t want to spend most of Mass coughing disrupting myself and those around me.

Brenda V.
 
JRKH said:
I guess this would fit under option 2

Peace
James
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True. But in this case you’ve lost them from the parish. Depending on the person that may or may not make a difference to the parish as a whole.
 
Cat said:
I don’t have a “Mass time.” It varies every week according to my schedule.

I would probably attend, but I would demand–yes, demand–a “class” or “catechesis session” from the parish to help me know what is going on and what I am supposed to do. I wouldn’t want to sit there feeling like a dummy. I want to know what exactly is happening.

I don’t think a TLM would happen easily in my main parish, as it would involve a lot of moving about of the altar, setting up a rail, etc., and there is only a half hour between Masses on the weekend (there are 8 weekend Masses, plus the Family Mass during the school year). Frankly, I think that it would be disruptive to pre-Mass prayer and devotional time to have a group of burlies re-arranging the church before Mass. Rather a hectic atmosphere.

It might happen easier at the other parish that I play for, because it is an older church (100 years). But I know for a fact that many of the people in that parish would simply go somewhere else for Mass. Many of them are elderly, and they are quite vocal about their preference for NO and contemporary music. It’s surprising, but true!
Click to expand...
I appreciate what you say about the “Rearranging”. Where we have the EF in Cinci is in a very old Church (150 yrs old and gorgeous) which still has the high altar in place with a “New” altar in front. Also the Altar Rail is still in place. So there really isn’t any “rearranging” to be done.

I believe that, over time, as the EF becomes more widespread, the churches will make similar arrangements. Or simply move the main altar back a few feet so it can be used from both sides.

Peace
James
 
I voted “I would continue to attend because I don’t care which form is uses as long as it is valid.”

Like a PP, we don’t have a regular Mass time; it really depends on what our weekend looks like. My husband works every other weekend so we need to arrange Mass around his work schedule, and up until recently I also worked every other weekend. But we usually try to go to our parish’s Saturday 5pm Mass on the weekends he doesn’t work.

There is a TLM in our city every Sunday at 2pm. It’s totally new to me as I converted to the Church in 2003 and have only known the NO. I do know that I much prefer kneeling when accepting the Eucharist, and I like wearing a chapel veil (I feel it’s more reverent); other than that I’m not sure what to think. It’s harder to pay attention to given that we can’t hear most of the prayers and my husband and I are wrangling a 3-year-old and a 4-month-old.

But it is a valid Mass form, so I would still go if our “regular” Mass time was switched to a TLM.
 
Brenda_V said:
I have to agree with brotherhrolf here. Although the Latin Mass/EF was being replace by the OF by the time I was old enough to really pay attention I don’t think it would be that great a transition for me to go from OF to EF except if they decide to use incense (and I know not all EF’s us incense!) I don’t want to get into a big discussion of why but suffice it to say that I don’t want to spend most of Mass coughing disrupting myself and those around me.

Brenda V.
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Yes, and that is very considerate of you, both for yourself and those around you.

Peace
James
 
Cat said:
I don’t have a “Mass time.” It varies every week according to my schedule.

**I would probably attend, but I would demand–yes, demand–a “class” or “catechesis session” from the parish to help me know what is going on and what I am supposed to do. I wouldn’t want to sit there feeling like a dummy. I want to know what exactly is happening. **
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I would make the assumption that in any case, parishes and parishoners would work together to meet this need.

Peace
James
 
I don’t understand why some would choose not to go to anyMass at all instead of just going to a different time that the OF was held. Afterall, “way back in the late '60s” those who truly loved the TLM (EF) were simply expected to go to the NO (OF) instead. There was nothing to choose from and not even a half-hearted attempt to understand our wishes. We were simply “bulldozed”. Yet forty years later, here we are. Why should it be any different for lovers of the NO especially when it would be available at other times?
 
Cat said:
I don’t have a “Mass time.” It varies every week according to my schedule.

I would probably attend, but I would demand–yes, demand–a “class” or “catechesis session” from the parish to help me know what is going on and what I am supposed to do. I wouldn’t want to sit there feeling like a dummy. I want to know what exactly is happening. !
Click to expand...
OK, here is what happens at a Mass. Scriptures are Read, we are supposed to listen. The priest or Deacon gives a Homily, we are supposed to listen.

Then the gifts of bread and wine are transubstantiated into Christ’s Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity; we are supposed to Adore.

Then Christ (via the priest) offers Himself to the Father, we are supposed to offer ourselves along with Him.

Then, if we are in a State of Grace, are properly disposed and have fulfilled any fasting requirement, we may choose to recieve Him in the Blessed Sacrament.

When the priest leaves the Sactuary after Mass, we can go home and live what we learned in the Scriptures and Homily, strenghted by the Blessed Sacrament.

There, that’s ALL you need to know to participate in any Mass, in any country, in any Form promulgated by the Church.
 
I picked number two, but that is pure speculation and based on practical issues. Namely, I would be needed for the music at the other Masses. However, if the Holy Father ever went to such a program to expose the faithful to the TLM, (which I doubt), but if he did, I would feel obligated to follow his wishes, even if it were not mandated and attend several times before saying which I would normally attend. Thus, I would strive to obey not just the letter, but the spirit of the law.
 
I would stop attending at that parish but not stop attending mass altogether.

I am surprised that something like “change parishes” was not an option.
 
Eilish_Maura said:
I would stop attending at that parish but not stop attending mass altogether.

I am surprised that something like “change parishes” was not an option.
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As I stated earlier, I figure that fits nicely under the heading of attending a different mass.
I did not want to clutter up the selections with too many Choices.
 
Mass is Mass is Mass.

While I might have a preference to participate either in the OF or the EF, in the end my preferences don’t really matter. If I found a Parish that fit my spiritual needs better, I would consider changing Parishes. However, in the end, as long as the Mass I attend is a valid Mass, I couldn’t care what form is offered as I’m already in Heaven at that time 😛
 
As long as it is valid and celebrated reverently, who cares? Remember, the EF can experience abuses as well as the OF, one of them being priests who think the EF is a chance to see who can get through the EF the quickest, along with skipping offering Communion ot the faithful.
 
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