There is no place for prayer at Sunday Mass…
It’s a celebration!
I left Mass this morning looking forward to the peace and quiet of my home. For some reason, today’s Mass was more like a concert; before and after Mass there seemed to be a continuous roar of the crowd. Mass started off with the processional, which comprised the untrained altar girls, the lectors, and about 20 kids with sparkle-pinwheel-wand things - and then Father of course.
Missa Add-on.
When everyone made it to the sanctuary, Father, as is his custom, had us all sit down while he does his welcome-all-the-visitors-and-find-out-where-they-are-from schtick. Of course, we offer our welcoming applause - then all of us stand up, greet one another, shake hands, laugh out loud, yell across the church, etc. After the penitential rite and a jazzy Gloria, the kids are sent out in a procession for their own liturgy of the word, followed by the adult Liturgy of the Word - punctuated by an incredibly long, sappy responsorial psalm-type number. After the Gospel - no homily - Father introduces a husband and wife comedy team - on two different mikes - pitching a volunteer promo for parishioners to sign up and get active in the church. The husband’s cell phone went off, and guess what - it was God calling to ask for volunteers!
Thanksgiving after Communion din.
After Communion and more awful hymns, we had another stand up - for the people who are doing something this week - we pray over them - then we all stand. Finally, after the final blessing and another awful hymn, all hell breaks loose again. I couldn’t wait to get out of there.
I don’t think Mass is supposed to be so annoying. I have to start going to another church on Sundays. (Sorry to whine, but it is really getting frustrating - the liturgies in the Catholic churches of South Minneapolis are far too protestant for me.)