Things that make you go "blech"

It's not a big secret or a big revelation to say that school Masses here are less than beautiful, reverent, worship-filled liturgies. In fact, Mass is probably the thing we do worst here, and yesterday's All Saints' Day Mass was no exception.

Part of the frustration inherent in trying to hold a Mass for a thousand students and two hundred faculty/staff/guests is that the only location that will accomodate the crowd is the large gymnasium, and the youngest half of the student body sits in folding chairs on the floor. Since the altar and lectern are also placed on the floor, it means that the only thing that most of the younger (and most easily distracted) segment of the community can see is the backs of each other's heads. Also, in an attempt to create a more reverent atmosphere, the lights are dimmed. Not the most aesthetically engaging environment for liturgy. Plus, the dim lighting makes it hard for teachers to see what kids in the middle of the crowds are doing (and half the teachers don't sit where they're supposed to sit or even show up to Mass, but that's another whole issue.) At the last school Mass, I collected three textbooks and four notes and pencils before the homily. Don't get me started on the gum-chewing.

Another part of the frustration is the "well, God loves any effort we put forth on His behalf, so anything and everything is perfectly acceptable and laudable" attitude. I will simply say this: if we had the same results and attitude about our academics, athletics, and fine arts that we have about our liturgies, nobody in their right minds would pay five figures to send their children to school here. The readers mumble and fidget, there is a positive herd of EMoHCs (who, in defiance of the removal of the indult, assisted with the purification of the Eucharistic vessels), and the music...well. Let's just say when people ask for a return to Latin in the liturgy, I don't think they're looking for "Gloria! (clap clap) Gloria! (clap clap)". There is a real feeling, too, that anything done in the liturgies is completely above reproach...because it's for God and all. So we applaud everyone under the sun at the end of Mass and "thank" them for "all their hard work" in putting the liturgy together.

I want, sometimes, to stand up and scream, "No! No, I will not thank anyone for his or her hard work or effort! It is a privilege to serve the Body of Christ. Applause for this work should be an embarrassment to those who do it!"

Beyond that, the Mass conflated the celebration of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. The homily was a rubbishy "we're all saints and all the dead are in Heaven with God." Reminded me of The Incredibles: if everyone is special, then nobody is. If everyone is a saint, then what's the point of this feast? Look at us, we're so great and awesome?! And if All Saints honors all the dead, what's the point of All Souls?

Anyone hear an inspiring homily, besides the Pope's?