Liturgy News

We had an interesting discussion at a recent Liturgy News editorial board meeting – as we often do. We were lamenting the large number of aunts and nephews and others who take photographs at the parish celebration of baptism. Often they are intrusive, frequently distracting, and sometimes will even request a stop in proceedings for a photo-op. This becomes particularly difficult when there are several children to be baptised, whether all the families are involved or one family imposes upon the others. What to do, we asked at our meeting.

It was suggested that cameras could be banned during the celebration of baptism, confirmation and first communion. This would make the ceremonies run more smoothly and respectfully. But it is a negative and disciplinary response to a well-meaning desire on the part of families to record an event which is important to them. To refuse or discourage would be the last thing we really want to do in rites of initiation into the family of God. Many of the families who come to take part in the baptism of an infant are only infrequently in contact with the Church. We want to make them welcome and give them a good experience in the liturgy so that they might begin to think to themselves, ‘Well, that was actually quite good. I must go to church again soon.’ This experience might be repeated with confirmation/first communion. Our entire attitude during the parish preparation with the families as well as the actual liturgy ought always geared to welcome and hospitality. Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them.

In our discussion, we then began to realise that photographs might be a powerful teaching tool as well. We are selling ourselves short when the family just has shots of the child, cake and gifts afterwards, because this is not what the sacraments are really all about. Instead, it would be good to have a set of photos which helps the family to understand the rite. Imagine the conversations about an infant baptism. This is the part where we mark his forehead with the cross; this is where we anoint her with oil; look at all the water the priest used – it was cold and he didn’t cry; now the child receives the light of Christ and we parents held it on her behalf… A set of photos like this could have an important catechetical function as they are shown and the story is retold.

This is when the brilliant idea came to us. Electronic photos are easy to take, inexpensive and easy to share. Why not establish a new parish ministry of Photographer? The parish photographer would know where best to stand without being intrusive and would know how to capture some of the key moments of the rite. The parish would then promise to e-mail the photos to the families in the following week or send them a CD as a gift from the parish. The photos could be easily slotted into a document which provides a little commentary on the various parts of the liturgy.

So what is potentially a negative situation – NO, you can’t take photos in the church – is turned into a positive moment of hospitality and evangelisation. Apparently one parish tried something similar, and was disappointed that many families did not call in to the parish office to pick up their photos. Some parents might find this contact too threatening. But if they are given as a gift, sent to them by E-mail perhaps, I doubt any family could bring themselves to delete these charming images of their little ones at their baptism. The idea is different from the commercial photographer who takes a snap of every child being confirmed (rather like a graduation). This is more about welcome into a community of Christian love.

Baptism, confirmation and first communion, of course, are not the only liturgical moments which call for evangelisation. People who are unused to being in church are also present at weddings and funerals. Likewise, there are crowds of people who come to Mass at Christmas and Easter who are not seen on normal Sundays. It is easy for the ‘regular’ community to be negative about those who do not know how to behave in church. Certainly the Christmas children’s Mass requires a presider with prodigious skills if it is to become a moment of worship. To be able to call forth silence in the Liturgy of the Word or after communion and to hold it even for a couple of minutes is mightily difficult.

We need to develop strategies to turn negative situations into positive moments of outreach to others. The parish of Saints Peter and Paul at Bulimba produces a colourful liturgical calendar with a fridge magnet on the back which is offered as a gift to the Christmas crowds (along with a piece of wrapped Christmas cake). It includes the contact details for the parish and its regular Mass times, as well as the heading: GOD BLESS OUR HOME IN 2008. The parish hopes that those who put it on their fridge, would have a year-long reminder of the parish community and would have this little blessing prayer present in their home. It is too easy to frown at the noisy Christmas visitors or baptism paparazzi. It is much more constructive to smile and offer families a gift which might draw people into the life and mystery of the community of the Body of Christ.

Happy Christmas and New Year to all.