Preparation & Attendance at Mass Inspire Us to Serve in Liturgical Ministry

At the Life Teen Mass at St. Mary of the Sacred Heart Church in Hanover, youths gathered around the Rev. Chris Hickeyon the altar for the consecration of the eucharist. Photo by Debee Tlumacki.

“Mass is boring. I don’t get anything out of it.” The late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen responded, “because you don’t bring anything TO it!” He’s right. In other words, if we don’t put much into it, we won’t get much out of it. Here are some questions to ask? Do we bring an open heart to Mass and offer up all our suffering, sacrifices and joys of the week on the altar along with the priest? Are we properly prepared either by looking over the readings during the week or turn off the radio on the way over to Church? Do we participate in a spirit of prayer or seek to serve in some way? If we don’t understand the Mass, have we done research on Google, read about it in the Catechism or gone to a Mass-In-Slow-Motion to help explain it? If we haven’t done some of these things, then it is no wonder why only 24% of Catholics attend weekly Mass, down from 55% in 1965 (Source: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/daylightatheism/2015/01/an-honest-look-at-catholicisms-decline/). Answering some of these questions and doing them will aid us to become spiritually prepared in listening to God’s Word and in receiving the Eucharist as well as be better educated when we attend Mass. See a short resource list at the end of this article that may better help explain the sacred liturgy.

Why do I share this with you? The reason is not just to share a statistic but also to show that people don’t come to Mass, because they don’t understand what is taking place. The Mass is a time when we gather as a community. From a spiritual standpoint but yet in a very real sense, heaven comes down to us on earth at the altar in church, and we are brought up to heaven to participate in this eternal banquet. Second, I share this with you because I want to compliment you, the 24%, who are coming to the heavenly banquet at Church on a daily and weekly basis. I also want to compliment those in particular who have gone the extra step in not only seeing the incredible spiritual value of the Mass but are also inspired to participate in some form of liturgical ministry (i.e. lector, Eucharistic minister, sacristan, St. Anne Society, Worship Committee, Art & Environment (decorate), musician, choir member, altar server, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, RCIA catechist, usher, etc…). You do wonderful work. Some of you also take Holy Communion to the sick and homebound. Know that it is appreciated and that God is pleased. Many of you also take on multiple roles, and so I want to acknowledge you who sometimes “wear many hats.”

This weekend (Sat. Sept. 12th) featured an enrichment day of reflection for those already involved and about to be involved in liturgical ministry. We were blessed to have Fr. Bob Blondell be the presenter. I want to thank everyone who had a role in organizing it and especially recognize our pastor, Fr. Brian, for his leadership and vision in making this possible and an important priority in our parish. We need people to be trained in liturgical roles in order to serve our community well.

In closing, I want to thank those who have put much into serving in liturgical ministry. Mass is no longer boring when you serve in some way at Mass. As a result , you do get more out of it. How blessed we are to serve our Lord when we serve in some capacity at Mass. I would like to invite, encourage and challenge those of you who are not yet involved to become involved in some way if you are inspired to serve and have a talent to share. Pray to Jesus for courage to respond, and know that you are supported here. If you are inspired to serve in some other way outside of the liturgy, then please contact one of the staff members at our parish to discuss it further too. May God inspire and bless those who don’t attend Mass to come back. May he bless and inspire new people to step forward in liturgical ministry, and may He continue to bless all those who currently serve. May we come to recognize that the inspiration to serve in liturgical ministry comes from the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus who has generously given the gift of himself to us in the beauty and wonder of the holy Mass.

In The Spirit of Service In Liturgical Ministry,
Fr. Jeff Allan

Resources on the Mass:
1. Catechism #s 1088, 1322 – 1419, 2177-2183, 2192.
2. Mass Appeal: The ABCs of Worship, by JimmyAkin (booklet)
3. The Lamb’s Supper, by Catholic convert, Dr. Scott Hahn – a book on how the Book of Revelation can in one way be safely interpreted as the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
4. The Mass Explained, Fr. Larry Richards, a CD (through Catholic Lighthouse Media or other sources)

Author: Fr. Jeff Allan

Biography - Fr. Jeff Allan, was ordained a Catholic priest on June 7th, 2014 for the Archdiocese of Detroit (AOD). He graduated from Adrian College in 2001 with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Criminal Justice. After working in the pharmaceutical sales industry for almost three years, he felt called to discern the priesthood. Before being ordained a priest, Fr. Jeff was blessed to receive three degrees from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. They include a Bachelor of Philosophy, Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (STB), and a Master of Divinity (Theology). His assignments in the U.S. have included serving at multiple parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit as an associate pastor and currently as a weekend assistant. Fr. Jeff is certified as a hospital chaplain through ACPE (Association for Clinical Pastoral Education). He has had the opportunity of serving at three Metro-Detroit Area Hospitals since 2017 where he serves in full-time ministry as a Catholic Priest and Hospital Chaplain. View all posts by Fr. Jeff Allan