In my five years of blessings as a contributor here at ATX Catholic, I have taken one post per year to write something that is not a review. Instead, I write about something a little closer to my heart. They’re more like the things I post at my personal blog, Lindsay Loves.
- In my very first post, I introduced myself and expressed a desire that we not just show our Christianity through our love, but through perhaps more obvious signs.
- In 2012, I wrote about media discernment for Catholics. Yes, I still watch Grey’s Anatomy. I’m in until the bitter end at this point.
- In 2013, I wrote about preparing for Mass. I still do all of those things, although I’ve moved my pre-Mass readings a little earlier, and I read the Gospel in Spanish.
- In 2014, I gushed about why I love Augustinian spirituality. I’m still enamored with Augustine.
- Last year, I wrote about preparing for and going to Confession. I’m still a sinner.
So first, I offer a big thank you to ATX Catholic for having me as a contributor for such a long time, and a thank you to everyone who has been reading, even if this is your first post.
Welcome! Welcome back! Stay for the rest of this post… and for the rest of Mass.
This year, I’d like to share my tips for what to do at the end of Mass.
- Stay after Communion. Mass ain’t over til it’s over. You will cause a scandal, no matter who you are or why you’re leaving early. I’m sure you have a good reason. Everyone thinks their reason is the best. Yours probably isn’t.
- Stay through the final blessing. As Sr. Theresa Aletheia Noble writes in her reasons to stay until the end of Mass, that blessing is so important that not being able to give it caused Zechariah great shame. That was why he lost his ability to speak: how could someone without faith lead others in the faith? Fun fact: The hand gesture used by the Jewish high priest to give the blessing is the one you’ve seen with a wish that you “live long and prosper.” ??
- Stay until the music or procession ends. Three verses of a hymn or song is not too many. As my grad school classmate Matthew once said, “We will sing all the verses because you never know when you’re gonna go.” If there is no music, wait until the last person in the procession has left the church. Please don’t run over Father What’s-His-Name; he’s very old.
- Say thank you. The king of the universe just allowed you to eat him. Ponder that for a second. Pray a Glory Be. Add the Divine Praises and the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel while you’re at it. They don’t take as long as you think they do, and they’re probably printed in your hymnal or missalette.
- Say hello. Mingle a little bit in your church’s narthex or social hall. I have not been a morning Massgoer in a long time, but I hear they have donuts. Greet those people you see in the pew every week. Compliment someone’s well-behaved child. Say a silent prayer for patience and grace for the parent of a less well-behaved child. Shake your priest’s hand. Then re-enter the world. Leave Mass on a good note, not by doing the “Judas shuffle.” He left Mass early, too.
If you struggle with any of these points, make it an act of mercy to grow in your post-Mass practices. If you don’t, make it an act of mercy to pray silently that others might experience that grace. It’s not easy trying to pray while others have burst into conversation around you in the church, but getting out of the building (and the parking lot) is much, much easier. Trust me.
What prayers do you like to offer after Mass? What do you think is the best reason to zip out after Communion? Which church has the best donuts? Share your thoughts!
I have got to say that all of the points you mention are great reminders. I will weigh in on the last question though. My parish, St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Temple, TX, started offering a full hot breakfast after the 8:00am mass over a year ago. Yes, we still have Shipley’s donuts but now we also have stuff like fruit, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pigs in a blanket or breakfast tacos. it is very popular and people sit and visit for a long time after mass.
Oh, wow! That sounds awesome! Is it something the parish provides free of charge? I’ve heard of hot breakfast fundraisers or annual events, but never something regular, since that can get pricey quickly.
Actually, it is provided free of charge. Donations are accepted. Sometimes, we almost break even. We have a long term plan to provide a meal after every mass. We will see how that works out.
After mass meals is a good idea, and something I have been thinking about for a while. One problem with some of our parishes in Austin is that they take in too much money. They don’t need the money they take in and start accumulating a surplus in the bank. This money is burning a hole in the pockets of the pastors who then imagine the Holy Spirit is instructing them to build a new building which the parish doesn’t need. If you ever visit St. Williams in Round Rock, you’ll see it’s like Disneyland. A new attraction around every corner! They’re building a new “evangelization center”. Why? Because they have to do something with their money.
A much better use of this money would be some solid community-building activities. I had thought of a hot fudge sundae bar after every mass, but breakfast tacos is a good idea, too. Would get people to hang around and talk and socialize. A new building won’t do that. Many parishes have donuts, but they ask for money for the donuts, and run at break even. We need something the parish will lose money on so they aren’t tempted to build new buildings.
Have you thought about joining your parish’s finance council? That’s the kind of advice I’ll bet they’d like to hear from someone who also sees the actual hard numbers.
People can socialize and build community in new buildings. You might be surprised at how hard it is to get people to go to a separate room or building for anything, even when it’s free.
I am on my parish finance council. I have all sort of opinions on church spending at different levels that there is no room to get into here.
As far as after-mass socializing, people always say Protestant churches do it better. Coffee and donuts or tacos at Catholic parishes is usually pretty sparsely attended, and the people who do go are not representative of the congregation at the mass (it’s uncomfortable for single adults to attend.)
I and my daughters have always knelt and prayed a Hail Mary after mass before we go. I am often at mass alone now since they moved out but I still do that, and when they are with me they do too. Family tradition. 💮
What a beautiful tradition!
That is a cool tradition! As a kid we always lit a candle and said a prayer 🙂