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This morning I attended a Holy Communion celebration at a different parish. I sat in a noisy church for fifteen minutes before Mass began (it sounded like a market square!), and throughout the Mass there was chatting and nattering in varying degrees. I am certain I wasn’t the only Angry Bird there. I found it really difficult to pray and after a while I just gave up trying. The noisy din quieted marginally at the Consecration but returned with a vengeance afterwards. This is what went through my mind:
- What proportion of the families present actually attend Mass, not a huge number, of that I’m sure!
- Surely it’s a given that when you attend a place of worship, you are respectful, or at least cautious not to offend?
- What are those first Holy Communicants learning by adult example?
- Even if I had turned around to ask for silence, it would’ve made little difference as there were conversations going on all around me.
- Little reverence. So sad. Our Lord was not the focus of this gathering…
- Not once was mention made of the need for quiet from the pulpit. WHY NOT!
- I was appalled at the congratulations being metered out by one family member to a first Communicant en-route to receive the Blood of Christ. Kisses and hugs no less. Total disrespect.
- It’s not acceptable to allow this sort of behaviour at Mass. The priest here has failed dismally at Catechises, and should re-Catechise his flock.
- I am soooo grateful for my wonderful parish priest. His ways are frowned upon by some as out-dated and draconian, but our Masses are opportunities to meditate, pray, listen and respond to the Word of God. It’s a quiet place that offers an opportunity to receive Our Lord in the right frame of mind, prayerfully.
- I’m going to make sure my disappointment is recorded and sent to the parish priest.
