Some years ago we were told we should talk to our neighbours and friends when we go into church for Mass. This has now become quite loud and distracting.

If Pope Benedict was standing in the sanctuary would we ignore him and talk to our friends? Our faith tells us Our Lord is in the tabernacle. Is it right to ignore Him? “My house is a house of prayer,” MATT 21.18, and prayer is talking to God.

In Worshipping Under Southern Skies: Rediscovering the Beauty of the Mass Vol 2, a catechesis commissioned by the bishops of New Zealand states, “It is helpful to take some minutes of silence before Mass begins.”

Some of the “grey brigade” among us remember how once being in church gave us that time to be quiet with the Lord. We really valued that little time of solitude, but it is no longer in our parish church.

If you are happy with the way things are, that’s fine. If you are concerned, speak up, especially to those who have the best interest of our parish at heart. Let us seek to find out what Our Lord wants and what is best for our parish.

Molly Hammersley

…… and a reply from the Chairman

Bad Habit? Good Habit?

The celebration of the Mass is a great occasion for all families to join together and greet each other prior to sharing the Lord’s supper.

Because the issue above has appeared from time to time mainly at the instigation of the author of “A Bad Habit”, I felt it was my duty to seek the opinion of at least a couple of priests.

Two I spoke to, incidentally of a different age group, gave this opinion: that all families chatter before sitting down to a meal together and they both considered that the pract5ice may be encouraged rather than discouraged.

I wonder what sort of reception I would receive if I announced to our congregation that they must no longer talk to each other before Mass. I shudder at the thought.

Let us not get back to the bad old days when our kids were required to sit like statues and not utter a word throughout Mass. Maybe this is why many of them do not attend now.

There is plenty of time for private prayer during any day and not necessarily in a church. Pray the day by starting with a morning offering.

We are the family parish. Long may it continue.

Trevor Carter