January 11, 2026 - "Parish Etiquette"

PREPARING FOR LITURGY

Preparing for liturgy—mentally, spiritually, and physically—speaks of its importance and value to us.  When people come to worship completely unprepared and seemingly not at home, we welcome them in charity as newcomers or as seekers who have joined the assembly at the urging of the Spirit.  As a rule of thumb, though, good preparation for worship makes every experience richer and more rewarding.

 

· Schedule liturgy into the family or household weekend activities.

· Plan ahead as you would for any important occasion.

· Prepare for Mass in your household as part of your observance of the Lord’s Day.

· Allow enough time to account for any transportation problems (traffic or parking) that might arise.

 

Dressing Appropriately

As “business casual” has become the dress code in some workplaces, it is becoming more difficult to know whether dressing up for Sunday Mass is necessary.  Liturgy is the Lord’s inclusive banquet, but it is neither a state dinner nor a beach picnic.  So, what is the dress code?  The answer isn’t always clear since customs differ.  What is appropriate at a parish located at a beach resort may be much more informal than what is appropriate at the downtown cathedral.  Thought, charity, and flexibility are required by all parishioners, lest looking at what people wear become the near occasion of sin called “judging.”

 

· Choose clothing that will not be distracting to you or to others.

· Notice regional and ethnic expectations regarding Sunday dress.

· Err on the side of dressing up, not down; presume that most people will wear their best, most appropriate clothing, and do likewise.

 

Next week I shall talk about arriving and leaving, particularly I want to make some suggestions about what to do if Mass has already begun or if you need to leave early.

 

Until next week,

Fr. John Dillon