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PARISH BULLETIN: Religious Education
Why don’t our people come to Mass? This is the second part of a two-part story. Part 1 was published in the Summer 2008 issue.
In a two-part series of which this is the second (part one appeared in the last 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. Simultaneously with this publication, the two have been 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 starting from the foundation is a good learning experience for all. We hope the pamphlet will be a useful handout for new parishioners, parents bringing their children for baptism or to enroll them in religion classes, and perhaps even for participants in the rite of Christian initiation of adults, both Catholics and Catholics-to-be. 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. The most important thing The role of the assembly, the people, at Mass Liturgy means “work of the people.” Mass is not something done to us, but something we must enter into to experience its fullness. Relationship with God takes work, as do all relationships. The word Mass is from Latin meaning “mission”—sending forth. At the conclusion of the liturgy, the priest or deacon tells us to “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” We answer, “Thanks be to God.” We are challenged to go forth and be Christ for others. The Mass is a ritual. Rituals are actions that are repeated over and over again, that give comfort and pattern to our human lives and help us find meaning within them. Birthday and holiday celebrations are examples of family rituals. Many of us have morning rituals, and when that ritual is disrupted, it can throw us off course for the rest of the day. Sacred rituals serve the same purpose, but on a deeper level. They provide pathways into the mystery of God and are expressions of our faith. Ritual worship keeps us close to God and each other. The Sabbath Day of rest challenges us to let go of work, worries, and activities to entrust our lives to God for one day a week. This surrender is an act of faith in God’s compassion and love for us. Gestures, postures, and positions As Catholics we believe in the Real Presence: Christ is objectively and really present in the Eucharist, under the appearances of bread and wine. We profess this belief with reverent and respectful actions every time we enter a Catholic church. Our body language tells those around us what we truly believe about the Eucharist and may serve as a reminder for ourselves. Some of these gestures and traditions may be obvious and some may have been forgotten. What follows is written simply and clearly to help children, in particular, understand and learn our traditions. •It is most appropriate to dress modestly, neatly, and respectfully. No hats for boys and men. •Silence shows we understand that God is really present in the tabernacle. Turn off all cell phones and pagers, so prayer will not be disturbed. •Holy water fonts are located at the doors of our churches. By dipping our fingers in the blessed water and making the sign of the cross every time we enter and leave, we are reminded of our baptism into the life of Christ and our membership in the family of God, the church. •We kneel briefly on our right knee (genuflect) before entering the pew and when leaving church as a sign of respect and acknowledgment of God’s presence in church. If you have physical limitations, make a simple bow toward the altar or the tabernacle. •We kneel in the pew to pray each time we enter church. This helps us to focus on being in God’s presence and prepares us for liturgy. •Every time we make the sign of the cross we are reminded of Jesus’ suffering and death for us. At the beginning of Mass we prepare ourselves by asking for God’s forgiveness for the sins we have committed against God, ourselves, and others. This is called the penitential rite. Listening, responding to prayers, and singing help us to totally enter the celebration of Mass, communicate with God, and listen to what God has to say to us about our lives. Hymns reflect the season of the church year, the gospel, and the action of the Mass. Incense, most often used on solemn or festive occasions, is a fragrant smoke used to bless the altar and God’s people, and is a visible sign of our prayers ascending to God. We stand to call our attention to the gospel, other prayers, and actions that are most important during Mass. Standing is a sign of respect. We also stand to pray together: when the priest says, “Let us pray,” it is a cue for us to stand. Before the gospel we make small crosses with our right thumb on our forehead, lips and heart, asking that God’s word will always be on our minds, in all we say, and in our hearts. Kneeling shows we understand the holiness of being in God’s presence, and that we pray to and worship only God. We try to give God our best by kneeling up straight! During the consecration, the priest says the words of institution: the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ. We are especially attentive. It is inappropriate to leave your pew during the consecration, since it is a most sacred time of the Mass. When the host and chalice are raised, a simple prayer of adoration should be said silently. As Jesus commands, we open our hands and hearts to the Lord to pray for forgiveness and what we need during the Our Father. Many people have adopted the orans position of prayer (opening your hands to God), and in some places families and parishioners join hands during this prayer. During the sign of peace we shake hands with those around us and say, “The peace of Christ be with you.” We make peace with our neighbors before we approach the table of the Lord. We join in procession with the other members of our community to approach the altar to receive Holy Communion. The hymn we sing joins all our hearts together and reflects the oneness of the assembly as the Body of Christ. We show our respect and love for the Eucharist by bowing slightly before we receive Communion and answering “Amen” to “The Body of Christ.” If receiving from the chalice, we bow again, and answer “Amen” to “The Blood of Christ.” Hold the cup firmly and take a small sip before returning the cup to the minister. “Amen” means “so be it” or “yes, I believe.” After receiving Communion we come back to our pews. In some parishes, we remain standing and singing until the distribution of Communion is complete, and then have some quiet time for private prayer; in others, when we return after receiving we kneel for private prayer and “talk to God.” At this time Jesus is with us in a most intimate way. We praise God. We ask God for what we need. We thank God for our gifts and those we love. We sit when the door to the tabernacle is closed or when the priest resumes his seat. After the final blessing, we are refreshed and renewed. We take God into our daily lives at home, school, and work. “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” We are Eucharist for others: we become what we eat! These columns are by no means the definitive compilation of all we do as Catholics at Mass. But the basics are here and will, I hope, help deepen your relationship with God. May you experience the loving presence of God as you learn, grow, and worship. For discussion Why has God commanded us to keep holy the Sabbath day? Why is it important to attend Mass? Why do we need to pray together? What benefits might you experience from attending Mass with your loved ones and parish community? How might you personally enter more fully into the celebration of the Mass?
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How many times have you heard this concern voiced by clergy and church ministers? 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. 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 many 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.
