Our most recent parish Synod presentation was on the Mass. Unbeknownst to anyone, our pastor decided to show a two hour-long DVD at an evening meeting that most parishioners expected to last an about an hour. He seemed amused at how many in attendance actually fell asleep at their tables. What positive effects, if any, came from this experience? These were all older Catholics who had already been attending Mass for many years. At the end of a long day, any lengthy presentation must be interesting to hold attention. Once that inevitable fatigue line is crossed, there is no going back.
The fact that most in attendance were likely wishing they had not come will make them less inclined to attend in the future. The length and quality of previous meetings had already affected me personally as I elected not to attend this one. It was the first Synod monthly meeting I had missed in the three years we have been doing this.
These programs for faith formation are beneficial if done properly. When they become a boring chore, they are counter-productive. We sometimes fall into a trap where we know we need to do something to help people grow in faith but we simply phone in the effort. Yes, the parish put on a two-hour presentation on the Mass. It looks good on the record when we report to the diocese, but have we really connected with anyone? Have we turned people off?
I appreciate the effort. Is it better than nothing? I suppose so. Maybe someone is inspired to do better. The problem is we are not reaching those in most need of spiritual help. It’s always the same old parishioners that come. Somehow, we need to do better. Our guests should leave wanting more, not wishing they had not come.
Homilists should take note. How often I have heard a priest make a great point in a homily only to have it lost by dragging his talk on forever. I think we all prefer quality over quantity. Some speakers may not realize that excessive quantity can destroy quality. Always try to leave your audience looking for more instead of their watches.
In a time when Mass attendance is sporadic for some, the homily takes on special significance. The homily may determine whether a person desires to come back regularly or maybe never again. This is especially important now that we are into Lent when some lapsed Catholics may be drawn back to the Church. A priest who likes to use his homily as a public rant on the status of civilization will not gain favor with his audience even among those who may commiserate with him. Extending the rant beyond twenty minutes seals the exasperation. If a person decided to attend that day looking for hope or comfort, he will leave feeling worse than when he came.
I am not saying a priest needs to tell us everything is peaches and cream. A priest can use the same tough words with a tone of empathy and an occasional smile. Try a friendly voice. We can hear you without yelling. He is more likely to get a positive response if people do not feel like they are being chastised for everything wrong in the world. Some people take criticism very personally even if it was not directed at them. Quality, length and tone are all critical elements of any effective presentation. Homilists should ask themselves, is your message getting through if your demeanor turns people off or drives them away?
