WHEN TO TALK AND WHEN NOT TO TALK

Talking to other parishioners is a great way to foster community and build relationships. The Parish Hall, the Narthex, the space outside the church is designed to foster conversation. We try to encourage people to linger after Mass and talk.

However, having a full throated conversation with people in the church before or during the Mass is just downright wrong. Many come early to pray and they often complain to me that the Church is abuzz with conversations. That needs to cease.

Lectors, ushers, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers should not be talking to each other where the organist or the priests/deacons can hear you. Sound carries in the church more than you think it does.

In our noisy society, we need space that is quiet and given over to reflection and prayer. The church is such a space. Please respect that.

If I give something up for Lent, may I have it on Sundays, or does that break my fast? Technically, Sunday cannot be a fast day, because it is the Lord’s Day and a day of rejoicing. If you pause your Lenten fast on Sundays, you are not breaking your fasting promise. Many people choose to fast on Sundays just because it’s easier for them to stay in “the fasting groove”, if you will.

When does Lent actually end? Lent ends with the celebration of the Feast of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday before Easter Sunday.

Do I have to fast from something during Lent? While encouraged, giving something up for Lent is not the only way to use Lent to deepen your faith life. Some people take on a Lenten project rather that fast from something. They read more scripture, or attend daily Mass, or do charity work.