If you took a poll of priests and asked what topic gets the most reaction when preached upon or written about, I feel sure they would say, MONEY. Last weekend Jesus made a strong statement in Luke's Gospel (Lk 16:1-13), "You cannot give yourself to God and money." I believe just as many priests might indicate that the topic of "leaving Mass before the final blessing and dismissal," also produces a strong reaction, from those who leave early, those who stay, and in some cases, from the main celebrant of Mass.
Lately, I have heard from a number of people who expressed some frustration about what they experience during Communion Time. One was an extraordinary minister of Communion who ran out of consecrated hosts in the back of church because more people than just the handicapped were receiving Communion from him - and then IMMEDIATELY leaving church. Another person (one of our handicapped who sits in back) told me after Mass that she feared either she or the minister of Communion (or both) might be in danger of being knocked over by those who were leaving church after receiving Communion. Obviously, if asked, I would quickly say to both those who have been Catholic all their life, as well as those who are preparing to be Catholic, that the Mass ends with the blessing of the priest and dismissal by the deacon, or, if there is no deacon, the priest celebrant of Mass. Just as there are good reasons for some people to come early to church before Mass (to pray or read the readings of the day, or practically to sit where they want to sit), so I'm sure there might be good reasons for people to leave Mass before everyone starts to leave. I know thery are priests who make the case as to why EVERYONE should stay until the blessing and dismissal (including pointing out the Judas Iscariot was the only one who left the first Mass - the Last Supper - early). I'm confident that whatever has been used as an argument for trying to get people to stay until the dismissal (including the importance of spending some time in the pew after the Lord who has just been received into their body and soul), will not stop some people from the habit of leaving early. My concern is for our minister of Communion who goes to the back of church (handicapped or otherwise) who are at the very least "distracted" by what some have called the "chaos" that is going on during the Communion Time at Mass when "reverence" should be the demeanor of those at Mass and the atmosphere of all in church as Jesus comes to us in Holy Communion. I truly desire to hear from any who are leaving early from Mass (anonymously if you wish), as to the reason or reasons why you are doing so, so I can better address this issue in the future. I ask everyone to ponder how important it is to be respectful to Jesus at Mass and courteous and respectful to one another as well.
Lately, I have heard from a number of people who expressed some frustration about what they experience during Communion Time. One was an extraordinary minister of Communion who ran out of consecrated hosts in the back of church because more people than just the handicapped were receiving Communion from him - and then IMMEDIATELY leaving church. Another person (one of our handicapped who sits in back) told me after Mass that she feared either she or the minister of Communion (or both) might be in danger of being knocked over by those who were leaving church after receiving Communion. Obviously, if asked, I would quickly say to both those who have been Catholic all their life, as well as those who are preparing to be Catholic, that the Mass ends with the blessing of the priest and dismissal by the deacon, or, if there is no deacon, the priest celebrant of Mass. Just as there are good reasons for some people to come early to church before Mass (to pray or read the readings of the day, or practically to sit where they want to sit), so I'm sure there might be good reasons for people to leave Mass before everyone starts to leave. I know thery are priests who make the case as to why EVERYONE should stay until the blessing and dismissal (including pointing out the Judas Iscariot was the only one who left the first Mass - the Last Supper - early). I'm confident that whatever has been used as an argument for trying to get people to stay until the dismissal (including the importance of spending some time in the pew after the Lord who has just been received into their body and soul), will not stop some people from the habit of leaving early. My concern is for our minister of Communion who goes to the back of church (handicapped or otherwise) who are at the very least "distracted" by what some have called the "chaos" that is going on during the Communion Time at Mass when "reverence" should be the demeanor of those at Mass and the atmosphere of all in church as Jesus comes to us in Holy Communion. I truly desire to hear from any who are leaving early from Mass (anonymously if you wish), as to the reason or reasons why you are doing so, so I can better address this issue in the future. I ask everyone to ponder how important it is to be respectful to Jesus at Mass and courteous and respectful to one another as well.