PARISH BULLETIN: RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Why Catholics Do What We Do in Church and at Mass—Part I

Why don’t our people come to Mass?

by Cecelia P. Regan

How many times have you heard this concern voiced by clergy and church ministers? It’s a big problem in many parishes, but I don’t want to dwell on the negative. Rather, I’d like to think that we can do something positive to bring about greater participation at liturgy. Here’s my premise: If our people better understand the liturgy and why we do what we do, perhaps they will feel more connected to our prayer life and worshiping community. It has been my experience that young parents who are bringing their children for religious education and to Catholic schools are clueless when it comes to church. There’s an enormous gap in their own religious formation. That’s why there has been such a push from our bishops toward lifelong faith formation and whole-community catechesis.

In a two-part series of which this is the first (part 2 will appear in the Fall 2008 issue of CHURCH), I want to offer parishes and parishioners some tools to help Catholics who are “on the margins” better understand our church and liturgy. When the second part has been published, the two will be put together in a single pamphlet as part of the NPLC’s “Tips” series of resources. We hope it might be a good reminder for seasoned Catholics who take too much of what we do for granted, as well as for those who aren’t sure what we do and why. Professional church ministers may find it too basic and simple, but when you’ve had the personal experience of working with young parents who don’t know how to genuflect because they can’t define the word, you know there is much work to do. So starting from the foundation is a good learning experience for all.

In my parish we have tried very hard to educate our families in the very basics about coming to Mass, and although progress is slow, we have seen an improvement in respect and participation, especially from children—who in turn are teaching their parents. I am grateful to all the catechists who have worked with me on this project, offering their advice, insight, and wisdom.

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The most important thing we do as Catholics is to come together every week for Eucharist (also called “The Mass”) to celebrate, offer praise, remember what God has done for us, and thank God. The fathers of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) called the Eucharist “the source and summit of our faith.” We hope to help Catholics recognize that truth and invite everyone into a deeper relationship with God through understanding our worshiping community.

To begin with the basics: What is the Mass?

The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (2004) defines the Sacrament of the Eucharist clearly.

During the celebration of the Mass, by the power of the Hoy Spirit and the proclamation of Jesus’ words by the priest, the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ, which is offered in an unbloody manner in sacrifice for us and in praise to the Father. The assembly actively participates in prayers, hymns, psalms, responses, and an inner-self offering along with Christ to the Father. All who are properly prepared can receive Holy Communion, by which Jesus gradually transforms the receivers into himself and which leads them to Gospel witness in the world (511).

Simply put, Mass is a ritual prayer of thanksgiving (“Eucharist” means “thanksgiving”) and commemoration of the Last Supper: a meal, a sacrifice, and a commissioning. All we do as Catholics revolves around this truth and reality.

What is the church building?

The church building is where we gather to celebrate Mass and most other sacraments. When you examine a church building, the architecture, sacred furnishings, art, colors, signs, and symbols all point to God, and reflect the faith of the people who built it. Many churches have spires, bell towers, and vaulted ceilings drawing our eyes to heaven. Notice the doors of your church. By their design, do they tell you that you are entering a holy place? The gathering space, once known as the vestibule but now more commonly called the narthex, is usually a large, inviting room you come into as you enter the church. There our greeters welcome us and we make the transition from the secular world into the holy presence of God. Often the vesting sacristy, where the priests, deacons, and altar servers vest or put on the special garments (vestments) worn for Mass, is located off the narthex.

The windows of our churches speak volumes about our life in Christ. In many churches, the stained glass tells the stories of our redemption. Long ago, when people could not read, the Bible stories depicted in the windows helped them remember what God has done. And the tradition continues.

The sanctuary is the sacred space, usually raised up, that is the center of the church’s public worship. Within the sanctuary we hear of God’s love for us as the Word of God is proclaimed at the ambo or pulpit. The altar table is the primary sign of Christ within the building, where the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus. Inserted into the altar is an altar stone containing the sealed relics of a saint, to remind us of the holy people who shared in the Lord’s sacrifice.

The Mass is often called a sacred meal, and all the accoutrements of a special family meal are present in the sanctuary: crucifix, candles, table linens (altar cloths), flowers, and chairs for the ministers—priest, deacon, lectors, altar servers. The bread and wine are essential to the eucharistic celebration. These are the food and drink that become the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation.

What special books and vessels are used in celebrating the Eucharist?

• Lectionary—The book containing the Old and New Testament readings proclaimed during Mass

• Book of the Gospels—The stories of Jesus found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, which may be carried in procession at the beginning of Mass

• Sacramentary—The “book of the sacred mysteries” containing all the prayers and directions (called rubrics) for celebrating Mass

• Cruets—small vessels usually made of glass that hold the water and wine poured into the chalice.

• Paten—the plate that holds the consecrated Body of Christ

• Chalice—the cup that holds the Precious Blood

• Ciborium—a vessel that may resemble a chalice, except it has a lid and holds the consecrated hosts that will be received by the people. More modern ciboria are often shaped like bowls and also have lids.

• Lavabo—the small pitcher and bowl used to wash the priest’s fingers before the consecration of the Mass

The tabernacle is the special container where consecrated hosts are reserved for private devotion outside of Mass and for bringing Communion to the sick. It may be in the sanctuary or in another part of the church. A sanctuary lamp, usually kept burning whenever Communion hosts are present in the church, is lit close to the tabernacle to remind us that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist.

The pews where the assembly are seated are directed toward the sanctuary area, sometimes surrounding the altar, so that the action of the Mass is easily accessible to all.

The seasons of the church year help us focus on events of Jesus’ life and our salvation. Symbols and decorations remind us of what we are celebrating. The colors of the seasons are reflected in the priest’s vestments and around the church. Green, the color of hope, is worn during ordinary time. Purple, the color of penance, is worn during Advent and Lent. Red is worn to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and confirmation, on Passion Sunday, Good Friday, and feasts of martyrs. White, the color of joy, is worn for the Christmas and Easter seasons, for feast days, for weddings, and for funerals.

Usually in or near the sanctuary there is a special closet or chest called the ambry, where the sacred oils are kept for celebrating the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and the anointing of the sick.

The location of the baptismal font has great significance. In newer churches, it may be located in the narthex or at the entrance of the church. Other churches have located the baptismal font in the center of the church or near the altar. The proximity to the front door and altar tells us that it is through the sacrament of baptism that we become members of God’s family, the church. Close to the baptismal font is the paschal or Easter candle. This large candle, which is first blessed and lit at the Easter vigil, reminds us that Christ is our light, who alone obliterates the darkness of sin and death. We light the paschal candle during the 50 days of Easter and at baptisms and funerals.

Since the Second Vatican Council, the participation of the people during Mass has been strongly encouraged. Music ministry to aid in our prayer has taken on new importance. A podium to the side of the altar provides a place where the cantor (leader of song) leads the congregation in responses and hymns.

Reconciliation rooms, previously known as confessionals, are the special places to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation. Most churches offer the option of celebrating penance face to face, seated in a chair facing the priest, in addition to the option of confession behind a screen for anonymity. Face-to-face confession encourages a conversation about real spiritual growth, but the person going to confession always has the right to exercise the option of anonymity.

Our faith community has the wonderful tradition of devotion for the Blessed Mother and the saints. Often other faiths do not understand this affection. We do not pray to the statues themselves, but ask the saints to bring our prayers directly to God “through their intercession.” The statues in our churches remind us to follow their holy lives and are a visual reminder of their favor with God. The stations of the cross are the story of Jesus’s journey to death in fourteen scenes. Other artwork in church helps to center our minds and hearts on the life of Jesus and our relationship with God.

In the next installment: The role and actions of the assembly at Mass, some customs and traditions.

For Discussion

Take a walking tour of your parish church. Locate the narthex, sanctuary with ambo, altar, crucifix, candles and chairs; the tabernacle, ambry, sanctuary lamp; sacristy; baptismal font and paschal candle; the place for music ministry; the reconciliation rooms; statues; pews.

• What specifically points the way to God?
  
• What do you see that draws you to prayer and relationship to God?
  
• Is there anything in your church that is a distraction to your prayer? Why?
  
• What in your church reflects the current season of the church year?

Cecelia P. Regan is the parish catechetical leader at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Old Bridge, New Jersey. She administers the sacramental formation and religious education of 1,350 children and is active in adult and catechetical formation.