Anyone looking at the parish website will notice that many of the posts are written by myself. However on the main website I need to post as neutrally as possible mindful that it’s not my website but that of the parish. This blog area allows me to post more personal and specific thoughts. I write, however, as an ordained minister of the church and so I will try always to be authentic to the teaching of the church.
Blessed Pope John XXIII, when convoking the Second Vatican Council used a phrase “in essentials, unity; in doubtful matters, liberty; in all things, charity” (Ad Petri Cathedram, 72). The church today is more divided than it has been since the reformation and many of the voices on the web represent the most extreme factions. As part of my pastoral role I plan to try and address some of the more contentious issues in the spirit Blessed John advocated.
I wasn’t sure where to post this or even if it would achieve anything if I did. While I take the point that, for some, Sunday may be their only contact with other folk in the week, what I do find very distressing are the increasingly very audible and protracted conversations that now take place, rendering quiet prayer and contemplation well nigh impossible. I don’t think it is exaggerating (well not too much) to say that the buzz of chatter in the church before Sunday Mass is more appropriate to the bar of the local than the House of God. With respect it is going to take more than one small paragraph in the newsletter to recall the chatterers to the fact that the church is primarily a house of prayer. It is sad that, in our modern, so-called ‘inclusive’ ‘enlightened’ Church there is displayed, almost, a contempt for those who seek the oasis of peace in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.
Firstly, your post has been noticed, so you’ve achieved something. I share you’re concern that often after mass we have little less than a fish-market (to use a different analogy) in the church. What really upsets me is that the noisy groups are often people who really ought to know better! Irrespective of opinions as to whether any mundane conversation should take place in church, I grew up with the idea of church as sacred space – so even if I feel the need to speak to someone I would naturally behave as if I was in a library, not on a railway station. As you are probably aware I don’t mind speaking my mind when I think it’s important so I will make some remarks during the notices when I next have a chance.
The second opportunity I intend to take up is the upcoming year of faith. One of the practices we are being encouraged to promote is more widespread use of Eucharistic Adoration with a particular emphasis on silent contemplation. I think we have a major societal challenge in that the world is hooked on noise and silence actually makes people uncomfortable so we have a significant challenge getting our congregations to think and act with a recognition of the presence of God in silence.
God Bless
Deacon Paul
Many thanks Paul. I am sure we will get there in the end. When one thinks of the goings on at Mass Saint Paul took his flock to task about……….I forget which Epistle it was………..
Reading the notes on the recent General Meeting is somewhat disquieting: that some people, apparently, don’t feel a need for silent (reverent) preparation before Mass………..the comment that the parish has a relatively poor record on attending and supporting activities other than weekly mass…………I would be more worried if it was the other way round……it might be worth looking at St. Mary’s, West Croydon which has huge congregations at all Masses and seems very well supported on the social side……….I get the impression that the youth were not at this meeting in large numbers………..as the Parish pulls out so many stops to include this group what do they feel is still not there for them? It is particularly sad when, especially on Sundays, there are no servers………..just a few thoughts!