P
Perian
Guest
What would you do in this scenario?
Our parish began a new custom recently. Just before Mass begins, a lector comes to the pulpit to wish good morning, welcome all to the parish, and introduce themselves by name. Then, they say, “At this time, we invite you to stand and greet your neighbor.” Everyone stands and the once quiet church turns into a buzz of movement and noise. No more praying. The opening hymn begins from that point.
My husband and I spent a number of years living in a town that was much more informed by the surrounding Protestantism than the town we live in now. People would chat quietly before Mass, hanging over pews to greet people. There was no reverent silence and there was very little sense of preparing oneself spiritually for the liturgy between arrival and the opening hymn.
It was one aspect of many that made it very difficult to nourish the spiritual life. Now, our parish is doing the same thing, The last moments of prayerful silence are turned into a brief social event. I kind of rely on every last moment of that preparatory period because when you’re hurrying to Mass with two small children, you’re trying to strike a balance between not getting there too early and having to corral the children for an extra 10-15 minutes, butvalso have time to settle in, take a break, and pray a moment.
The last thing I want to do is wind up my children and myself and shake hands and say good morning.
What would you do? My husband sits and doesn’t respond if anyone tries to greet him. That seems churlish to me. I don’t stand, but I nod and smile and say good morning. It’s a very healthy, vibrant parish so sitting where no one can greet us isn’t an option. It’s a full church. And the noise riles up the children anyway. I don’t think it’s THAT big a deal. I roll my eyes and wish they wouldn’t but it’s not worth being rude or addressing the pastor.
What’s your take?
Our parish began a new custom recently. Just before Mass begins, a lector comes to the pulpit to wish good morning, welcome all to the parish, and introduce themselves by name. Then, they say, “At this time, we invite you to stand and greet your neighbor.” Everyone stands and the once quiet church turns into a buzz of movement and noise. No more praying. The opening hymn begins from that point.
My husband and I spent a number of years living in a town that was much more informed by the surrounding Protestantism than the town we live in now. People would chat quietly before Mass, hanging over pews to greet people. There was no reverent silence and there was very little sense of preparing oneself spiritually for the liturgy between arrival and the opening hymn.
It was one aspect of many that made it very difficult to nourish the spiritual life. Now, our parish is doing the same thing, The last moments of prayerful silence are turned into a brief social event. I kind of rely on every last moment of that preparatory period because when you’re hurrying to Mass with two small children, you’re trying to strike a balance between not getting there too early and having to corral the children for an extra 10-15 minutes, butvalso have time to settle in, take a break, and pray a moment.
The last thing I want to do is wind up my children and myself and shake hands and say good morning.
What would you do? My husband sits and doesn’t respond if anyone tries to greet him. That seems churlish to me. I don’t stand, but I nod and smile and say good morning. It’s a very healthy, vibrant parish so sitting where no one can greet us isn’t an option. It’s a full church. And the noise riles up the children anyway. I don’t think it’s THAT big a deal. I roll my eyes and wish they wouldn’t but it’s not worth being rude or addressing the pastor.
What’s your take?
