You may or may not know that there are times that I don't give the same homily at all three weekend Masses for a variety of reasons (that I will not go into in this pastor's column).  Such was the case last weekend as the homily at the two Sunday morning Masses were very different than the one given on Saturday evening.  For the sake of last Sunday morning Mass, participants (and as a refresher to those who went to the Saturday evening Mass, though in summary), I would like to share some of the main points of a homily in which I talked about how important (and challenging it might be for all of us) when it comes to our demeanor before, during, and after Mass.

Firstly, just as it is important for us to maintain silence (or at most a few whispered words) in the body of the church before Mass begins, it is also appropriate to maintain a reverent silence AFTER Mass until one gets to the Narthex or outside of the building.  To do so shows reverence for the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle which sets us apart from many of the Protestant congregations who speak to each other freely in the body of the church both before and after the worship service.  Keeping quiet in church also gives those who come early or stay after Mass to pray, respect for them and the ability to concentrate on their prayers without distracting voices.  I hope to be an example of such reverent silence before and after Mass to encourage such behavior in all of us.  Please don't hesitate (in a kind way) to remind me of this if I falter.

Secondly, I will start being more deliberate and thoughtful when I pray the prayers of Mass and I ask those in the congregations to do the same especially those rote prayers that are prayed at every Mass.  Remember, most of what we are saying or singing is addressed to God and needs to not be rushed and spoken or sung with meaning lest we just mouth the words!

Thirdly, I promised to do my best to end my homilies (or the concluding prayer of the Prayer of the Faithful) by speaking about Jesus in the Eucharist who will soon be coming to us in the most personal way as our very bodies become tabernacles of his presence!!

Finally, I reminded everyone at the 5:00 p.m. Mass of the reverent habit of bowing one's head when one nears the person who will be placing the Eucharist on the recipient's tongue or hand (that is cupped with the other hand directly underneath the cupped one).  This will require the minister of Communion (including at every Mass, me) pausing before saying "the Body of Christ" so the communicant can bow and then look up to say "Amen" after the words of the priest, deacon or Extraordinary Minister of Communion are said.  This will mean that "Communion Time" will be seen as a blessing for the whole congregation!  Just as it is true "that old habits are hard to break," it is just as true that new habits can be difficult to get going.  I pray we all will take these practices to heart and make everyone's experience in coming to and being at church for Mass (and after Mass) a meaningful encounter with the Lord in the ways he graciously (and miracously) comes to us!!!