From Cantor to Usher
O.K., so some readers may recall that I cantor--as in lead the singing, not ride a horse ("canter")--at Mass most weekends at my home church, and about once a month along with the occasional wedding or funeral at another parish. At the other parish, I'm required to do a few extra things. One of them is that I have to read specific wording from a sheet at the beginning of Mass to welcome people and then during Mass to introduce the songs/parts of the Mass.
I knew something was up when the supervisor of the cantors sent around an e-mail last week saying there would be a new sheet we had to use from that point on.
I got the new sheet today in my in-box and started skimming the welcome segment.
"Good evening and welcome to [the parish]."
O.K., that's the same.
"Please take a moment to silence your cell phones."
Uhhhhh, say what???
Really? Do I really have to say that? Has it come to this?
It's so. . . profane. It kind of makes me sound like the bad guy, too.
OTOH, I've been to enough Masses where at some point during the biggest part of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Eucharist, which is usually the most silent, most reverent, most awesome part--and a phone has rung out of somebody's purse or pocket. More than once.
I know, I know--people forget their phones are on. That's why churches tried putting discreet signs in the vestibules asking for phones to be silenced. But let's face it--people don't read signs. So now we cantors have to announce it.
I'd rather drive it home, touch people's hearts and minds, so instead they're just already aware of what they're entering into when they come to Mass. For about 45 minutes (we keep things moving at my church), it's Heaven on Earth. Just as parents put down the phone and devote their full attention to their children, that's the least we can do for the Lord and for our faith community. That we should be moved to do.
I wish I had words like that on my sheet instead.
I knew something was up when the supervisor of the cantors sent around an e-mail last week saying there would be a new sheet we had to use from that point on.
I got the new sheet today in my in-box and started skimming the welcome segment.
"Good evening and welcome to [the parish]."
O.K., that's the same.
"Please take a moment to silence your cell phones."
Uhhhhh, say what???
Really? Do I really have to say that? Has it come to this?
It's so. . . profane. It kind of makes me sound like the bad guy, too.
OTOH, I've been to enough Masses where at some point during the biggest part of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Eucharist, which is usually the most silent, most reverent, most awesome part--and a phone has rung out of somebody's purse or pocket. More than once.
I know, I know--people forget their phones are on. That's why churches tried putting discreet signs in the vestibules asking for phones to be silenced. But let's face it--people don't read signs. So now we cantors have to announce it.
I'd rather drive it home, touch people's hearts and minds, so instead they're just already aware of what they're entering into when they come to Mass. For about 45 minutes (we keep things moving at my church), it's Heaven on Earth. Just as parents put down the phone and devote their full attention to their children, that's the least we can do for the Lord and for our faith community. That we should be moved to do.
I wish I had words like that on my sheet instead.
Comments
I find it even more unexpectedly inappropriate when phones go off during daily Mass, when one would expect the attendees to be more mindful (unless maybe they don't know how to properly operate their phones).
Dave--Heh. On a similar note, one time my brother went to a church that must've had problems with people ducking out early--the priest commented, "Judas was the first person to leave the Last Supper." Everybody stayed to the end that day!
Then again, going to Mass feels more like an obligation for a lot of people than a sacrament. It's just something they do, and I understand that; I understand how it can seem like just another commitment, but it's one that really does enhance our existence. Hmm. Maybe I should write a blog post on this. Need more NaBloPoMo fodder...
Then again, going to Mass feels more like an obligation for a lot of people than a sacrament. It's just something they do, and I understand that; I understand how it can seem like just another commitment, but it's one that really does enhance our existence. Hmm. Maybe I should write a blog post on this. Need more NaBloPoMo fodder...
Oh, do they not have missalettes with readings at your church, either? Ever since they eliminated those at my church in favor of some lousy universal missal with the wrong translation, it's been rough. I try to read ahead in the Catholic newspaper or sneak a look at the complete one my dad keeps on the organ.