Something interesting my Church did last night.

[Beer Snob-50]

For the high school CCD students and parents (plus anyone else interested) they had a Mass and the Priest explained everything that happens. Why we say certain prayers. What certain gestures mean. It was a fantastic evening and I came away with a greater appreciation of the Mass.

[pelagius]

1. They've done that at my church, also...

...and I really found it informative and useful.

[AngryOldDem]

2. My former church did this....

...maybe still does. When my daughter was in elementary school her CCD class got a "behind the scenes" look at the Mass -- priest took the class back to the sacristy and explained everything that is used in the Mass. My son's class did not do this, but all CCD students went to a special Mass one evening.

This church also had a program for adults that explained the Mass to adults step by step, except for the consecrated wine and host (if was not a Mass being celebrated, just an explanation of one).

Anything that demystifies the celebration is OK in my book. I think they should open up such a program to the public. So much misinformation and misconception surround the Church that anything would be helpful.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

3. My (Episcopal) church in Portland did that a few years ago

It's called an "instructed Eucharist."