Whenever someone tells me that they “don’t get much out of Mass on Sunday”, I ask: “do you pray privately every day?”. It is important to distinguish between “private prayer” and “communal prayer”.
Private prayer is the time we spend with God by ourselves every day to reflect on God’s presence in our lives. Silence is an important part of this prayer, as it is in silence that the Holy Spirit moves within us.
Sunday Mass is a communal prayer. It is the time we join the entire community to praise and thank God and to experience Christ’s presence in the community. We need both private and communal prayer. Without daily private prayer we have very little to praise and thank God for when we gather with the community at Sunday Mass. Without communal prayer, our private prayer can become self-centered. God comes to us through the community. It is not helpful to see Sunday Mass as “my time with God this week”. It is the time when we join the community on prayer.
We have heard complaints that there is too much talking in church before Mass begins. I think that it is fine to quietly greet friends as we enter church, or talk briefly with them. It connects us in worship. However, we should try to refrain from being too loud and disturbing those preparing in silence to enter into the liturgy.
The Gathering Space should be used for longer conversations. Of course, there is a difference when it comes to infants and little ones. I never mind it when they cry or are noisy in church. Parents cannot control it. I am extremely grateful to parents who bring the little ones to church. I know that it is not easy! Yet, our communal prayer is not complete without our children. It is crucial that that our parish is “baby friendly” and that we go out of our way to thank and support our young families.
Blessings! Fr. Ron