The Mass with the sacrament of Confirmation went well last night. The church was packed and many people were present forty-five mintues before the Mass was to begin.
(Now if only we could get most of them to show up for Sunday Mass more than five minutes early, if that. I am always astounded at the number of people who flow into the church with less than one minute to go until Mass starts. My average count is about 150 - and there are two other entrances that I can't see!)
At any rate, the confirmandi selected the following Patrons:
Anastasia
Andrew
Annabella
Anne
Anthony
Augustine
Barbara
Catherine
Cecilia
Christina
Clare
Dominic
Federico
Francis
Gabriel
Genevieve
Gwendolyn
Helena
Hope
Hubert
Isabella
James
Jerome
Jesus
John
Joseph
Lawrence
Maria
Marie
Mark
Matthew
Michael
Nicholas
Norbert
Patrick
Philip
Philomena
Richard
Rose
Sebastian
Therese
Thomas
Timothy
Victoria
They chose a wide range of saints and had to research their lives and write a paper about the patron they chose.
The confirmandi were responded well, I'm happy to say. The Bishop seemed pleased with things. All in all, it was a good night and a long and tiring day.
Five minutes? At least they're not late. Above all, at least they're there.
ReplyDeleteWho's your confirmation patron?
That's a nice, wdie range on the list. At Easter Vigil, we had a St. Bridget of Sweden. That was fun to squeeze into the Litany. :-)
ReplyDeleteJeffrey: I've never liked the "at least we're here" metality because it demonstrates a clear lack of love, both of Christ and of his Church.
ReplyDeleteSimply being present, of course, is not enough. As I keep telling people, the Lord will not bash down the door of your heart to encounter him. He gently knocks at your heart and waits for you to open the door, and that you cannot do without being prepared to receive him.
This coming in at the last minute gives no time for preparation and it might even well be suggested that those who do aren't ready to receive the Eucharist at that Mass.
Growing up my family was always at Mass at least ten minutes earlier. I wish more families and single persons would do the same.
We arrive early for dinner reservations and movies and sporting events. Why not come early to meet the Lord?
Thom: I'm glad I didn't have to do it!
You're absolutely right and I'm glad to see a priest take that attitude.
ReplyDeleteAs for myself, I deliberately bend over backwards to rein in my tendency to be judgemental. (DON'T YOU DARE LAUGH!)
Fr. Zehnle, maybe that's all they're capable of right now? I agree with you that it's not a valid excuse and I find myself looking sideways at these people, but then I ask myself if, PERHAPS, they're lapsed Catholics returning to Mass after goodness knows how long they've been gone? Or whatever "reason" they have. As for myself, I like to arrive for Mass about 20-30 minutes prior to the start. I get so easily distracted that it takes a while to center myself and focus on God. Plus I like to try and pray my rosary or say the Office or pre-read that day's readings for Mass.
ReplyDeleteWhen possible, I like to be there half an hour early just to sit with Him.
ReplyDeleteOn days when I set up for Mass, I arrive long before anyone else. All that silence....
ReplyDeleteAnd He does usually speak in a whisper.
Lucky you. He has a tendency to hit me over the head.
ReplyDeleteJeffrey: I didn't laugh until you told me not to :)
ReplyDeleteJeron: You may be right. I think there are certainly some who are returning, but at the same many - if not most - of the late arrivals are "repeat offenders." I am glad that they come, but I do wish they would open their hearts even just a smidgeon more.
Silence is golden.
You're right. It's different for a priest. You get to know whether it's habitual or not. It's from the pews that we have to be careful.
ReplyDeleteWe were better at arriving earlier for Mass before we had our kids. . . Nevertheless, throughout the week we work very hard to live our Faith, preach the Gospel through our actions and words, and pass these lessons onto our children.
ReplyDeleteBeth Unkraut (the harried-looking youngish woman with the tall husband and two little boys in the 2nd or 3rd far East pew at 9:15 mass).
--and St. Francis of Assisi is my patron saint :)
mabu@mchsi.com
Hi, Beth! Welcome aboard!
ReplyDeleteI admire families with young children who try to arrive early. I know it isn't easy!
Keep up your good work and pass on that faith! You're in my prayers!