Church today...

[i feel like im taking crzy pills]

[quote name='cathgirl' date='Oct 11 2004, 08:03 PM'] That kinda bugged me until I became a lector. I was told that when a person is lectoring they are "proclaiming" the word, not reading it. As long as the person doesn't use a monotone I'm fine!
[/quote]
Good readers make mass a whole lot more interesting... well, the reading part at least...

[Lil Red]

i'm a lector, and i do my darndest to do my best at proclaiming God's word.

[cappie]

In Australia my diocese, Parramatta, does not allow any talks about extra things during the liturgy such as those mentioned above. Some small anouncements just before the blessing but no major talks. Last year the Bishop wrote to the priests again reminding them that there should be no talks during the liturgy. If you want to inform anyone do it after the dismissal.

If they listen as intently to the "talks" as they do to my homily, then I think they are wasting their breath anyway!!!ha ha!!

[popestpiusx]

In the Trid. Mass any announcements are given at the beginning of the Homily. Technically they are given before the homily starts. They are always brief and very basic, none of these 20 minute presentations of why we should donate our left leg to the bishop's Lenten Appeal so he can afford to pay bla bla bla bla bla...... or else he will take the money out of the parish account.

[Duc_In_Altum]

As Scott Hahn puts it: "Homilies don't habe to entertain us . Just as Jesus comes to us in humble, tasteless wafers, so the Holy Spirit can work through a monotone, lackluster preacher."

Hey, lets try to remain respectful of our Holy Priesthood. Remember, we go to mass to recieve Christ; not to for personal entertainment. The priest is, in a very real way, stepping in and playing the role of Jesus in the sacrifice. The mass is a meal. We don't sit down at the dinner table and throw our hands up saying, "I'm bored!" We're there to eat and drink. Jesus comes to us through the word as well as in the Eucharist. Whether or not a lector is monotone is irrelevant. God is still present in the Word. We close our minds off to Him when we focus on how we could do a better job.

As far as announcements go, I hear ya. They should be stated after mass. Financial announcements, as boring as they are, can still be very important, though- especially for a parish that is facing tough financial times. Often times, those announcements petition for an increase in charity to the church so it can continue with God's work. An outcry for financial help claims [i]humility[/i] and that the parish needs its parishoners' support. That's a [i]very[/i] important thing. The bulletin should be used for about 99% of the announcements. There's a problem though with just putting it in the bulletin- not everyone reads it. Only the announcements that have a direct effect on all the parishoners in the church should be spoken. At least a spoken message can reach out to more people and, through the grace of God, inspire hearts. Also, in that way, it can be respectful of the liturgy too.




-Joe Hahn

Edited October 12, 2004 by Duc_In_Altum

[StMichael]

One, if you don't like something that is taking place speak to the Pastor.

Two, want lecturns with enthusiasm? Then become the lecturn.

Three, be thankful your church/ parish is expanding their school, many here in NYC have CLOSED, schools that were part of the land for 100+ years are GONE!

Four, realize that the church needs to communicate what it needs.

Five, yes they must reveal to the parishoners what monies have been given and how it may compare to last year.