What would it take for catholics to Attend Mass Weekly?

[havana1]

I don’t think that is disdain. Disdain in the dictionary:

I’m sorry if my comments were construed as “disdain” (where, pray tell, did that come from??)

Do I “regard or treat with haughty contempt” the Latin mass? No. Do I “consider or reject as beneath oneself” the Latin mass? No.

Re-read what I wrote. **Is it false that the priest and altar boys have their backs turned to the congregation? ** What I said, and I’ll say it again, is that many folks - yes, particularly those unfamiliar with the Latin mass - will take that as disrespectful and not return. I really don’t know what’s so objectionable about this comment - and if I offended anyone by expressing this, I’m sorry.

 

[havana1]

In my eyes, saying “The priest can’t even look at us”? is scorn. You may disagree.

Gladly. Since you mentioned it. For those of us raised in a post-Vatican II Catholic Church, the notion of priests having their backs turned to me can be perceived as rude and disrespectful to parishoners. That is an opinion. Obviously, someone who was raised in a pre-Vatican II Catholic Church feels otherwise. Point taken. Enough with the word “disdain” already. Please.

 

[havana1]

I think he was putting himself in their shoes, and writing what he thought they (meaning people who haven’t been to Mass recently, and who orient their lives around entertainment and work) might say, if they just walk in with no understanding of what is going on, or that it is not supposed to be a form of entertainment - I don’t think he really thinks this.

Thank you. I don’t know why my comments set off a firestorm of criticism (“disdain”? seriously?). You are correct - I myself do not think that way - I am referring to the thread title, “What would take it for Catholic to attend Mass weekly.” The average joe will not be familiar with the Latin mass and be off-put that it doesn’t “look” like a regular mass. (Is that a better word to use? That it “looks” different? )

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I have not read through this thread but the title caught my eye.

What would it take for people to attend Mass weekly?

Faith, belief. If they do not have these then they will not see the need to attend.

Is this something that the Church should concern itself with? Is this a reason that the Church should tailor its services to attract people?

Isn’t the Truth enough? If it isn’t then what are we doing this for?

 

[TrueLight]

Thank you. I don’t know why my comments set off a firestorm of criticism (“disdain”? seriously?). You are correct - I myself do not think that way - I am referring to the thread title, “What would take it for Catholic to attend Mass weekly.” The average joe will not be familiar with the Latin mass and be off-put that it doesn’t “look” like a regular mass. (Is that a better word to use? That it “looks” different? )

Okay then. I’m sorry if I misunderstood you.

 

[jmcrae]

Thank you. I don’t know why my comments set off a firestorm of criticism (“disdain”? seriously?). You are correct - I myself do not think that way - I am referring to the thread title, “What would take it for Catholic to attend Mass weekly.” The average joe will not be familiar with the Latin mass and be off-put that it doesn’t “look” like a regular mass. (Is that a better word to use? That it “looks” different? )

I think that’s a good way to phrase it. It also doesn’t “look like” any other familiar event - normally, we see presenters facing us, and speaking into microphones. Therefore, they would find the TLM to be entirely unfamiliar, and would probably not know what to make of it.

I also think that after a period of education, the TLM could become very attractive, based on its “cool” factor - it’s different, it’s medieval, and it connects us with ancient times, and for that reason, it could become very popular, over time. But the OF is still needed, I think, at least as a transitional form, so that when people go to the TLM, they have an idea of what it is they are meant to be experiencing.

 

[thomas_jd]

Yesterday was the Feast of the Holy Family! We gathered at a parish that has been hosting a “Special Mass” including a Benediction, Holy Hour, and " Consecration to the Holy Family". We were over a two hundred strong each bringing our individual families to the altar for a Blessing. There were infants , toddlers, teens, young adults, parents, grandparents, and a few greatgrandparents. We brought our Families to Church, not on a day of Obligation but rather on a Feast day! We asked for a family blessing and a family consecration. We taught our children yesterday as we have been teaching them for the past forty years at this parish.
The mass was ordinary, if any mass could be called that, with no choir, one reader , one server,and one priest.
As I posted earlier the primary role of teaching falls on the parents.
This is not about whichever of the two rites we use but rather the mass itself and how to bring people to mass!
One leads by example and prays for those to follow, it also helps to do something with your children as often as possible.
When you die God will ask this question of you " How did you care for the children I sent you ?" Hopefully one can say “The best I could, Lord.”

 

[YoungTradCath]

Maybe I’m naive, but if the issue is lowered attendance, why would already-busy and already-stressed people make a weekly effort to go church ***when the priest and altar boys have their backs turned to them? *** I know I would take that as disrespectful, and I think most other singles would take umbrage as well - and not return. *“The priest can’t even look at us?” * For the people you’d like to return to church, TLM is probably not the best idea.

Seems like a bit of a personal problem to me. No, make that a backwards cultural problem. If the attention isn’t on them, they feel that the priest is “disrespectful.” I take umbrage with such a self-important attitude.

We need to catechize people on what really matters.

I guess the Latin rite was disrespectful for hundreds of years.

Let me recommend a book for you. It’s called "The Latin Mass Explained, by George J. Moorman and Michael Schmitz.

Make that thousands.

 

[Colt]

since mass attendance has dropped dramatically in the USA (and other countries) what are some practical suggestions that could INCREASE regular, weekly mass attendance?

First and foremost the experience of going to church and attending the Mass has to be one of great dignity and respect for both the Mass and the Blessed Sacrament. The atmosphere in some parish churches combined with overly utilitarian Masses can be a huge turn-off.

Second, good preaching.

Third, ample parking.

Fourth, have greeters/ushers. I have seen at other churches where an elderly person pulled up and the ushers walked over, opened the door of the car and then helped the person into church.

Fifth, have some sort of coffee social after Mass. It can be simple and it can be quick but the celebrant must be present.

 

[Cathryn]

Belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. If a Catholic understands this they would come to Mass even if there was no coffee social, or the priest wasn’t the best speaker. It takes also Catholics who do go to Mass regularly sharing their faith with the inactive Catholics, and teach them what they are missing, Christ himself.

 

[Paxvobis]

I don’t think it’s the feast of the Holy Family in the EF. It’s not showing up on my trad calendar. Can someone confirm?

In the EF, the Feast of the Holy Family is next Sunday.

 

[Cat]

Since we’re just thinking out loud here, what about a traditional Latin mass?

I’ve never experienced one, but I myself would be humbled and awed at attending
such a rite. It would make me feel closer to God.

We’ve had one in our city for many years, over a decade. It is offered daily, and several times on the weekends.

It is faithfully attended, but it is hardly crowded. I don’t believe TLM is not going to attract Catholics back to Mass.

 

[Filii_Dei]

It is faithfully attended, but it is hardly crowded. I don’t believe TLM is not going to attract Catholics back to Mass.

I don’t think these two sentences agree with each other…

In other news, I’ve hit a hundred posts.

 

[mburn16]

I don’t think these two sentences agree with each other…

Sure they do. Just because the TLM a respectable number of people, on a regular basis, hardly means it will bring a large portion of the flock back to the church.

To be honest, I would speculate that 75% of the people or more attending a TLM on a regular basis were faithful, weekly Catholics before it was offered.

 

[ProVobis]

In the EF, the Feast of the Holy Family is next Sunday.

I think it’s Jan 2 if there is no Sunday between Jan 1 and the Epiphany.

 

[ProVobis]

I don’t believe TLM is not going to attract Catholics back to Mass.

Double negative. Is that what you mean?

 

[Cat]

Many people hope that it will eventually become the norm Liturgy again.

Are faithful Catholics really going to leave the Holy Mother Church simply because they don’t like the traditional liturgy that sustained the Latin Church for centuries?

Please remember, we are not necessarily talking about having the most people in the pews, we are talking about having more faithful Catholics. Evangelical Protestant ecclesiastical communities base their services on sermons - if they started preaching feel-good Christianity (eg. Joel Osteen), they may have many people in the pews, but does their faith have any substance?

Good suggestions concerning evangelization and caring for the faithful,

God Bless.

Yes, their faith does have substance. I know many evangelical Protestants who love Jesus with all of their heart, and they demonstrate their love for Him in their daily lives. They are holy, kind, loving, generous, in control of their passions, and willing to sacrifice for the sake of the Lord Jesus and His people. Many evangelical Protestants have such deep faith that it puts Catholics to shame.

And many of these faith-filled people go to worship services week after week, year after year, with “pop” music, clapping, etc.

It’s not what they do in church that makes people come to church faithfully. It’s not about the music or the preaching. It’s what they do OUTSIDE of church that makes people come to church faithfully. When someone loves Jesus and His people, they want to be with Jesus and His people.

Don’t you see, everyone? It’s not about what the Church does or doesn’t do–it’s about the interior lives of Christians. Their love for Jesus and their desire to obey and please Him compells them to attend Mass (or worship services for non-Catholic Christians).

Any parish in the Catholic Church can do EVERYTHING right, everything–correct liturgy in either form, ethereal music, dynamic homilies, reverent atmosphere, friendly people, and the Eucharist–Jesus Christ Himself–and people STILL would not come to Mass!

Likewise, a parish can do many things badly or even incorrectly–abuses in the liturgy, really bad music, boring homilies, noisy atmosphere, snotty people–but there are still people who faithfully keep coming to Mass.

We must face the fact that even people who are well-catechized make a deliberate decision to reject the teaching and disregard their faith. To many of us, this is unthinkable. But it happens all too often. There are a lot of people who DO understand what is happening in the Mass, and they choose to ignore it anyway. God have mercy on them.

I believe that the only way to get people to Mass is to pray for them

Ask the Holy Spirit to quicken their souls, bring them to repentance for unconfessed sins, and restore to them the joy of their salvation. Then they will come to Mass.

I also believe that we who are Christian must strive to live out our faith boldly and joyfully in the world, so that others, both Christian and non-Christian, will be drawn to Christ in us. This, of course, means that we must love one another and the love must be practical, not just warm feelings inside.

 

[Cat]

Double negative. Is that what you mean?

Thank you.

It is my opinion that a TLM will NOT bring Catholics “back” to Mass. I base this opinion on what has happened in my city, where the TLM does NOT attract large numbers.

I agree with mburn16, who said that many Catholics who begin attending a TLM were already faithful, devoted Catholics to begin with.

 

[ProVobis]

It is my opinion that a TLM will NOT bring Catholics “back” to Mass.

Well, when you break the continuity and have all-vernacular liturgies over the span of 2 generations, one can only hope some Latin in the Mass if not the TLM can at least attract the younger Catholics. But that’s not going to happen if everyone tells them Latin has no value so don’t bother with it, although a little Palestrina music might bring them in.

 

[couponfit]

since mass attendance has dropped dramatically in the USA (and other countries) what are some practical suggestions that could INCREASE regular, weekly mass attendance?

After 9/11 I was at a military base and we shut down our gates for a few weeks, not allowing civilian workers on or on base residents off. You could walk around off base in the shops but no cars could pass the gate! I remember Sundays during this short time, it was much like before the blue laws were revoked. The church was full! Families were together, even though TV’s and computers still worked, and the dress seemed to improve with more suits and ties being worn. Without the car, our any trips to malls, folks took to picnicking and spending time together.

Perhaps the reason we don’t prayer together and attend church as much as we used to is because we are no longer together on the Sabbath. We no longer have a member who wants to rush out for a sale, or a person who wants to drive around to a movie, we all stay together, and that is why we end up in church, because it is a place where the family wants to be when they are together. Maybe that’s the real reason why church is full on Christmas because families are really together on this day and whenever families gather so do we seek our Father.