LOOKING TO THE FUTURE - CATHOLIC ETIQUETTE

During my visit home to see my Dad, I participated in the Sunday Eucharist at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre, NY. I was impressed with the homily, the people's hospitality and greeting, and their robust singing. This experience led me to think about a Catholic etiquette that enlivens Catholic worship and parish life. Here's my etiquette list.

No one likes to be a nobody. How ministers of hospitality (formerly called ushers) greet a person is important. This is especially true for visitors and newcomers. Married couples and older teenagers make great ministers of hospitality. BE HOSPITABLE AND WELCOMING.

Second, people have to show up a few minutes early. One simply cannot jump from the car and enter into worship fully. It takes a few moments to make the transition. ARRIVE AHEAD OF TIME. BE ON TIME.

Third, altar servers, readers of the Word, communion ministers, ushers/ministers of hospitality, musicians, etc. all need to show up fifteen minutes early to get things and themselves ready to serve the Assembly and God. They also need to assist in helping clean up afterwards. MINISTERS HAVE TO ARRIVE AHEAD OF TIME.

Fourth, sometimes one cannot avoid being late. So what etiquette should a late comer follow? When you come in, don't go to your seat while the Word of God is being proclaimed. Your movement distracts others. Wait till the reading or the sung psalm is over. When you go to your seat, sit down and pay attention to the next reading. If you pull down the kneeler, then kneel and say a private prayer, you will distract others. Forego the act of private piety and enter into the communal action of listening and responding to God's Word. ATTEND TO THE COMMUNAL ACTION OF LISTENING TO GOD'S WORD. SKIP PRIVATE PIETY.

Fifth, shopping malls, dentist offices, Pizzeria Uno and living rooms are flooded with music that is Made for us. You could lose the ability to Make music. Christians make music because certain actions and attitudes can only be adequately expressed by music making. When you walk with gifts to the table, when you process to communion, when you make public marriage vows, when you bring the deceased remains of a loved one into the Assembly, the gathered community makes melody. You learn the sound of repentance, forgiveness, and lament, you discover the resonance of praise and thanksgiving by making music. If you refuse to sing, you come to the table as a freeloader. You fail to take responsibility for your part in worship. The example of robust singing is contagious. PICK UP THE HYMNAL OR WORSHIP AID AND JOIN IN ROBUST SINGING.

Sixth, the liturgical celebration ends after the Assembly has sung the final hymn. It is incredibly rude for seasoned adults to leave early. The priest cannot greet his sisters and brothers if you leave early. Nor can people greet each other. The future is bright when you build bonds of relationship with one another. DON'T LEAVE EARLY. THE EUCHARIST IS OVER WHEN THE ASSEMBLY HAS FINISHED THE FINAL HYMN.

Etiquette is not for the sake of stuffy formalism. Etiquette ministers a style of holiness and an attitude of genuine humanity.