The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, which is the premier Vatican II liturgical document, says that the “aim to be considered before all else” is the full, conscious, and active participation of all the faithful in the liturgy because that is the way they will learn the true Christian spirit (14).
On Sundays in our parishes, one of the very first things people experience is the Gathering Rites of the Mass, which begins with the opening song. But even before the first note is sung, the assembly has already begun to gather through all the activity they experience leading up to that song. This informal gathering can be even more critical than the official Gathering Rites themselves because it sets up the success or failure of the rites to accomplish its purpose—to gather disparate individuals into one, unified assembly ready to hear the Word and celebrate the Sacrament.
Good hospitality creates an environment for people to do the work they have been gathered to do. Good hospitality is the beginning of community.
Here are some observation questions you can use to assess the quality of your hospitality prior to Mass.
- Were there greeters outside the church, at the church doors, and inside the church welcoming people as they arrived?
- Did assembly members greet each other in a friendly and genuine way as people gathered in and around their pews/seats?
- Would a visitor or newcomer feel welcomed? Would a visitor leave your Mass never having been personally greeted, welcomed, and invited to return by at least one other person?
- Are the locations of restrooms clearly marked so that visitors know where to find them?
- Is there “code language” in your bulletin, such as “RCIA” or “ICF dinner”? Can a visitor easily find the parish phone number and a name of someone to talk to if they are new to the parish? Do you have to be an insider to know where meeting rooms are?
- Are the parking lot, gathering areas, and church space clean and inviting?
- Do those in wheelchairs have easy access to all parts of the church grounds?
- Are worship aids or projected materials printed clearly in type that is easily read?
- Do all who use the microphones use them effectively so that all can hear well?
- Is there a “cry room” or other ways that members of the assembly are physically separated, left out, or ranked (e.g., reserved places for special groups)?
Here’s another one I thought of. Do the Communion ministers look you in the eye and smile? I’m sure they don’t mean to, but often the Communion ministers look like they are angry! Or in a hurry.
How about this?
Are the lectors prepared so that the Word is proclaimed with reverence, clarity and power?
Do the lectors communicate the Word with their bodies? Are we convinced that THEY believe what they are proclaiming?
Does it appear that their whole selves, heart and body, are cooperating with God to speak to God’s people?
Terrific additions Pat! I know a lot of lectors that do exactly that, and it really makes a difference.
Altar servers must be fully trained on the aspects of what they are doing on the altar.
Fantastic! Much valued suggestions for a Sunday Mass to be a happy community experience. I wish to have all these suggestions read in the church at the end of the Sunday Mass not only to make the people aware of them but to get more people involved in implementing them. Also I would like to place these for reflection at the Parish Pastoral Council Meeting for immediate and meaningful implementation. Thanks to all who made these suggestions. I foresee a tremendous enthusiasm among the parishioners to help enjoy the Sunday liturgy.
Thanks to Grouard-McLennan Archdiocesan Faith Formation Committee to have introduced to me this RCIA Team Communication Link.
A couple of Suggestions:
1. All those who are to go on the procession at the start of the Mass should be ready ahead of time with their appropriate accessories such as Book of the Gospels by the Reader, Stole by the Extraordinary Minister, Cross and Candles by the Altar-servers etc.
2. The Commentator could be well prepared to welcome the new comers publicly. He/she could guide the congregation where and necessary according to the type of celebration of Mass on a given Sunday, apart from having a list of announcement to be made at the end of the Mass.