When Christ's Church Becomes a Social Hall

St. John the Baptist, Front Royal, VA

My husband and I decided to attend Mass this past weekend at the parish up the road, St. John the Baptist in Front Royal. I like to go to Confession there because both priests give encouraging direction during the sacrament that always makes me reflect more deeply on my own spiritual condition. And they are obviously in demand because both lines are continuous during the entire hour and sometimes beyond. Long lines aren't the result of long confessions either. When I got in line there were about eight people in front of me and I waited about 20 minutes. I estimate the priests hear between 50 and 75 Confessions on Saturday afternoon. The parish also offers the sacrament every day after the morning Mass as well as the "Welcome Home" program of evening Confessions on Wednesdays. What a blessing for those parishioners!

Reverence for the Eucharist

I was thinking yesterday at Mass about why we need an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion at our little church. It might lengthen the Mass five minutes if the priest communicated everyone. Is that really a grave inconvenience? Wouldn't it just give us more time to adore our Lord -- especially if the organist and cantor would forego the Communion performance?

My fellow blogger, Terry Nelson, has a post this morning that really hit home.... Check it out.

Another problem which may affect reverence for the Blessed Sacrament