To the editor:
I was received into the Catholic Church Easter 2006, but I attended my first Mass long before I attended my first RCIA class. I had wondered then — as I still sometimes do — why, if Catholics believe that Christ is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament, is there so much talking before Mass and so many leaving before the priest has dismissed us with his blessing? Is there something else that is so much more important that out of 162 hours in the week, we can’t give our Lord the attention and worship that is due Him for the 45 minutes or so we are at Mass?
Is it too much to hope for that those who come early to pray and meditate can find some time of silence from the busy world and not have their prayers cut short by those who can’t wait to tell their neighbors some bit of news? When someone says something to me, I won’t be rude and ignore them, but I wish I could have finished my conversation with God first.
The article entitled "Upset with ‘surprises’" in the August issue was right on in so many ways that I felt an immediate empathy with the author. Before anyone thinks me too critical, believe me I am well aware of my own shortcomings, but Sunday is the only day I can attend Mass and I so look forward to it. It’s not just a day of obligation to me, but as a convert, it is a blessing.
Gail Bryant
Rochester
