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December 6, 2014Christmas is fast approaching and I have received both positive and “constructive” feedback regarding the Christmas Mass schedule. I knew even as we built the schedule that some would be disappointed and I assure you that I wish that I could make every person happy, but as you know, that is impossible.
As the schedule currently stands we have five Masses in each parish in the collaborative on Christmas Eve and Day. We did that out of a sense of fairness and of trying to keep Masses at times that were traditional to the particular parish. Most of the priests will be celebrating four Masses in that 24-hour period. To some that may not seem like a lot but I assure you it is demanding spiritually, intellectually, physically and emotionally, and when it comes to the early Christmas Eve Masses, those can be even harder because the overflow crowds can be like squeeze 10 pounds of sugar into a 5 pound bag. That can create a less-than-ideal atmosphere that is sometimes not as prayerful as Mass should be.
I want you all to know that we want to celebrate Christmas Mass. It is such a joyous day and season for us and for you. We love Christmas, too, and we are not trying to be “Scrooges,” but we do have to face the reality of the priestly staffing we have, and even the reduced schedule of 15 Masses stretches us thin.
I think that the schedule does afford us an opportunity to think about making Christmas Day a priority rather than just Christmas Eve. I know that some will only come on the Eve, and that can be particular to the family situation, however, that is not the case for everyone. I believe we have late enough Masses on Christmas Day that will allow folks to wake up, open gifts AND get to Mass. We also have early enough Masses to get up, get to Mass, AND make it wherever you need to travel on Christmas Day. I assure you it is possible. It might require a modicum of sacrifice. Could it be a more prayerful and less stressful situation? Indeed it will. Please think about this and be as intentional as you can be when thinking about your Christmas plans.
I know lots of folks will be “coming home for the holidays” and some folks will be coming back for the first time since Easter, but no Christmas Mass, no matter how beautiful, can be a magic formula to convince people to come back to the regular celebration of Mass every Sunday. If it were, the churches would be full already every Sunday. Yes, it could it be a gateway experience, but it is my informed opinion that we need to focus on all the many opportunities in their totality to reach people.
So, if you can really be intentional about how you celebrate Christmas this year I think we will be moving in the right direction. I promise we will do our best to evaluate how this year goes and if changes need to be made for next year we will make them. I ask for your patience and understanding, even as I understand that both can be frayed by stress that falls as we approach and experience December 24, but I’m asking anyway. I know we will all do our best to make these celebrations joyful and I pray that you and your families have a joyful rest of Advent and a wonderful Christmas.
Peace,
Fr. Chip
P.S. I assure you that if you are able to find a Mass scheduled at a more convenient time at a nearby parish and wish to attend that Christmas Mass then that is perfectly acceptable. What’s most important is that we can all celebrate this feast of the Birth of Christ with all the solemnity and prayerfulness it is due.
Photo: Grotto of the Nativity, beneath the altar of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. George Martell/Archdiocese of Boston. Used with permission.