I just posted this on the Catholic Herald blog and thought I’d repost it here…

I like Ian’s idea, but I don’t like “after the homily” or “instead of the homily” reflections. It just drives me nuts.

According to Redemptionis Sacramentum:

“The homily…’should ordinarily be given by the Priest celebrant himself. He may entrust it to a concelebrating Priest or occasionally, according to circumstances, to a Deacon, but never to a layperson.” (no. 64).

“the homily on account of its importance and its nature is reserved to the Priest or Deacon during Mass.” (no. 161)

“The prohibition of the admission of laypersons to preach within the Mass applies also to seminarians, students of theological disciplines, and those who have assumed the function of those known as ‘pastoral assistants’; nor is there to be any exception for any other kind of layperson, or group, or community, or association” (no. 66)

It should be done after Mass or before, not during. There is an exception “for serious reasons” to includes such instruction during the Mass “after the Priest has proclaimed the Prayer after Communion,” but it should not become a regular practice. Thus, Redemptionis Sacramentum states:

“If the need arises for the gathered faithful to be given instruction or testimony by a layperson in a Church concerning the Christian life, it is altogether preferable that this be done outside Mass. Nevertheless, for serious reasons it is permissible that this type of instruction or testimony be given after the Priest has proclaimed the Prayer after Communion. This should not become a regular practice, however. Furthermore, these instructions and testimony should not be of such a nature that they could be confused with the homily, nor is it permissible to dispense with the homily on their account.” (no. 74).

“As regards other forms of preaching, if necessity demands it in particular circumstances, or if usefulness suggests it in special cases, lay members of Christ’s faithful may be allowed to preach in a church or in an oratory outside Mass in accordance with the norm of law.” (no. 161)

Is such layperson, acolyte, and/or seminarian reflections common in the diocese? Yes. But it seems to me it shows either a lack of understanding of the instructions clearly promulgated by the Holy See on the matter, or simple disobedience.

With regard to Ian’s idea, we are attempting to start a local chapter of Catholic United for Faith, and part of our effort is to conduct presentations of this sort. See more here:
http://www.foundationsofthefaith.org/

We can use all the help we can get.

God bless,

Dave

I went to Catholic school for 13 years and pride myself on being a relatively knowledgable Catholic and I am often ashamed at the details I do not know or the terms that I have let float past me without understanding.

I am most often put to shame by converts to the Faith who have a much better grasp on the particulars than I do.

I have many Catholic friends who have sought artificial reproductive technology, or use birth control pills (which is not merely contraceptive but occasionaly abortifacient) never realizing that they have gone against a serious Catholic teaching.

I have always wondered about the Church hosting more educational series–and celebrating Catholic philosophy and art.

But then I realize that people probably try to do these things and they are ill attended.

Is adding it into Mass the answer? Maybe. Thoughtful stuff.

Last Sunday I spoke on the Trinity, and the reverence that is required of us before such a tremendous mystery.

We are spending a whole year focused on the Encyclical, and have even invited Bishop Vigneron to come give the talk to the parish on the Encyclical.

I worked at one time with a church-going, but only marginally educated (in the Faith) Catholic. One day he pulled me aside and told me, “I have been on the fence about abortion for years-until I heard Fr. Kendall’s sermon last Sunday. Now I know why its wrong.”

Both stories reinforce your observations. I am not sure an additional 10-20 minute talk after the homily with grab most of the congregation’s attention-however, the homily can (and should) be used to re-educate the faithful-while still discussing the readings.

(Another instance, how many priests, quoted or even mentioned Deus Caritas Est in Jan-Feb this year. John Paul’s letters were seldom mentioned from the pulpit)

They say that upwards of 90% of the conversions that Jehovah Witnesses get are not from door-to-door visits, but from family and friends.

It is the slow road, but I daresay after the pulpit, personal friendship/relationships are often the most effective evangelization.

Oh yes, the other way is through the children. We started saying the daily rosary in our house because the kids watched the CCC video on Fatima and asked us why we didn’t say the rosary daily as requested by our Lady-needless to say we started.

Good Catholic education of the children can lead to a conversion of the adults. Of course that means you can’t just pick any live body off the street to teach and the material used must be solid.

Just some thoughts…