Right attitudes, practices stressed at liturgical congress

A disappointed priest was about to leave the church and not celebrate Mass after seeing that only three children were present.

However, “he agreed to wait after the children pleaded with him, and when the chapel filled up an hour later, he complained about people being late,” narrated Father Genaro Diwa. He said one of the men apologized to the priest, explaining that people had to walk two hours to get to church.

Father Diwa, the Manila archdiocesan liturgical commission director, was speaking during a session of the Liturgy Congress held on June 20 and 27 for people involved in the liturgical ministry.

More than 10,000 people from five cities served by the archdiocese attended the event, organized by Manila archdiocese´s Ministry of Liturgical Affairs to renew Church workers´ spirit of service.

In his sharing, Father Diwa stressed to priests the importance of being Christlike to their flock, and reminded them they have to help believers “recognize” Jesus present in the breaking of the bread at Mass.

Father Diwa also discussed the pastoral letter, “Without Sunday, We Cannot Live,” issued by Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales of Manila in June. In his letter, Cardinal Rosales expressed the wish “to bring parishioners back to the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist, which they had neglected.”

Father Diwa explained that worship, not rest, should be one´s focus on Sunday. He said Sunday Mass allows Catholics to detach themselves from what can often be an “oppressive rhythm of work,” and to be renewed spiritually.

During the congress, some church choir members told UCA News that some young parishioners like themselves had stopped attending church after starting work in call centers, which sometimes entails long hours. They said Sunday is the only day for them to rest or catch up with household chores such as doing the laundry.

Father Diwa also cautioned lay Church workers against contributing to a misunderstanding that Mass can be “paid for.” Offerings of money must be given freely, collection boxes must be placed at the side of the altar and names of Mass sponsors need not be announced, he said. Gifts to the priest on birthdays or other personal occasions also should not be included with the Offertory at Mass.

One example of an inappropriate Mass practice was provided by Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, a Eucharistic minister. During a panel discussion, he shared how some “people with court cases,” who line up to receive Communion from him, hand him envelopes containing copies of documents on their case.

They then talk to him after Mass and ask him to judge in their favor.

The chief justice said he explains that he prays before he gives his verdicts, and believes the Holy Spirit guides his judgments.

Congress participants included lectors, Mass commentators, altar servers, choir leaders and offertory collectors. Members of the Mother Butler Guild, who take charge of altar linens and priests´ vestments, also joined the congress.