Weekly School Masses

As another Catholic Schools Week is in the history books, I was reminded of a Catholic school’s particular events for one of their “Celebrate” days a few years ago. It was a Mass – but it wasn’t held at the start of the day like most school Masses are; it was the final event of a week of invitational events, sporting competitions, parent/community/parishioner/business supporter appreciation breakfasts, and special entertainment. A fitting way to close the week with the children thanking God and praising Him for their gift of life, of the sacrifices their parents make for them, and the gift of a Catholic school education that they are receiving.

But Mass in the afternoon? Why not!!! If your Catholic school is concerned about improving its identity as a Catholic school, but there isn’t a weekly liturgy for your children, this may be a place to start.

Think about your children. They’re coming to school prepared for a big test, excited to see their friends, worried about their assignment their parents couldn’t help them figure out, etc. – and then they go to Mass, where they’re expected to pray, worship and sing together. If children are fulfilling special ministries in the Mass, then it’s last minute rehearsing, positioning, and assuring that everything is ready to go. Mass is supposed to be a time of communal prayer and reflection on the great gift of the Eucharist and the power of the Word, but there’s no time to calm one’s self to get into the proper mindset for praise when the chaos of the morning rush slams head on into the celebration of Mass.

Consider some of these benefits of an afternoon Mass for a School’s Mass:

Regular morning Mass attendees can keep their usual seats, and remain in church for the usual duration of the Mass;
If a priest is unavailable in the morning due to saying a Mass at his parish, he can come to your school in the afternoon;
Children can prepare during the day for their special ministerial roles;
Children can get their classwork out of the way for the day, so they can truly be present for active participation in the celebration of the Eucharist;
Children will have had lunch, and their time to socialize with their friends and be active. A natural “lull” point then occurs after lunch and right before the end of the school day.
Children are then given the great commission to “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord,” and can then get on the bus to fulfill these words, and put their faith into practice in the real world.

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