What should you do about lousy sermons/homilies?

[hedgehog]

I don't mean one that you disagree with because of politics. But if your pastor gets up week after week and gives a lousy sermon, do you

A. suggest to him that he needs to do some homework

or

B. stay silent so you don't hurt his feelings?

[CBHagman]

1. I've never given feedback.

When I was in college, though, I stopped going to the Newman Center for a year or two because the priest there gave a sermon that sounded almost nihilistic. I learned later that he had upset other people in the community and tended to say offensive things to them.

Frankly, in the last few years, I've gone to a parish where I loved the music, generally got something out of the homilies (and was impressed by quite a few), and felt welcome. So I haven't offered commentary to the priests, though I did complain once about how they didn't get through all the people waiting for confession before the 12:10 mass. When they had Father Hurley still, he worked fast and, as George Carlin would say, you could see the line move. :-)

By the way, I've realized lately that a priest's delivery can also affect how I receive a sermon. There are some priests who say things in simplistic fashion, as though they were instructing a bunch of small children, and I tend to be put off by that. I realized recently, though, that one priest who I thought was doing that actually had very solid content to his homilies and that maybe I was selling him short.

[hedgehog]

2. That's an interesting comment

I get the feeling that a lot of bishops think that if the celibacy rule is tossed and/or women are admitted to Holy Orders, priests won't be important any more. Clearly nothing could be further from the truth. I've heard more stories of people leaving the Church or not attending Mass because of something a priest did/didn't say or do, so clearly priests are very important.

My concern is that with so many priests in late middle age, how do we give any of them feed back without being cruel?

[Matilda]

3. Unfortunately, being a priest doesn't always confer the gift

of speaking well. We have one elderly priest who stands up and just
reads his sermon, word for word, from a printed sheet, and reads it in
a boring monotone as well. I find that my mind just wanders when he
speaks, so I try to focus on what it is that I need to work on. It's
not my fault that he's just plain boring, so I use the time as
constructively as I can.

I did complain about another priest once, just before the siege of
Fallujah, when he insisted we all pray for "the brave young Americans"
about to undertake the attack. I complained to the parish priest about
not being asked to also pray for the innocent civilians of Fallujah,
and the next week the same priest asked us to do just that. The p.p.
thanked me for bringing it to his attention, and said he agreed that
we should be praying for all people involved.

So if you feel strongly about statements made, say something. But I
don't think there's much to be done about priests who just don't have
"the gift of the gab".

[AngryOldDem]

4. I've been fortunate...

...in that most of the priests I have known since becoming Catholic truly have the gift. There is one homily in particular that was given over 15 years ago by one of these men that I still recall to this day. I have heard some, however, who have tested the patience and have left me struggling to find the meaning in their remarks. But like you, if I find my mind wandering I fight it by focusing on why I am there, and through prayer.

I have never criticized a homily, but I have given kudos to those that were particularly well done or on point. To my amazement, the priests usually greet this praise with surprise.

[demosincebirth]

6. Our pastor is one of the nicest person you could ever meet, but...

not very good at homilies.

[Beer Snob-50]

5. public speaking is difficult

for many. they love being priests but the homily is the weakest part of their game. thus, i have never critized them for it. i speak in front of a group of kids twice a week (ccd and boy scouts) and know how weak my game is.

[Matilda]

7. I listened to a wonderful speaker last Sunday.

He was a visitor to our church, a black South African, and he was asking for volunteers for the
Legion of Mary, who he said are desperately needed in poorer suburbs on the outskirts of Sydney.

He was a simple man, a plumber, but he spoke passionately and eloquently about the work of the
Legion, and he finished by saying "In the words of a great American president, ask not what God
can do for you, ask what you can do for God." I felt like jumping up and punching the air.

This plain-spoken man, his honesty shining, was the best speaker I've heard for years. It was a
revelation - that to move people one needs a big heart and the passion born of sincerity. I wasn't
alone - he received a great round of applause at the end.

[shrike]

8. Off-topic, but I got up and walked out of mass

at my old parish after the pastor asked us to pray for victory in Fallujah.
Found another parish that's not quite as convenient, but the pastor seems to be on our side, and one of the priests took Holy Orders later in life, so he has some hilarious stories from his former life.
So it all worked out in the end.

[Matilda]

9. A similar thing happened in my parish in Sydney.

One old priest asked us to pray for the brave young Americans about to attack Fallujah - no
mention of praying for innocent civilians who would inevitably be "killed in the crossfire".

I complained to the parish priest, who agreed with me, and the next week the same priest asked
us to pray for the American soldiers, and also for the people of Iraq.

Sometimes it pays to say your piece.

[shrike]

10. Well, this was a very emotional time

Over here in the states. Propaganda machine in full swing, and since my old pastor is quite conservative I decided to just cut my losses. But you're right, under the right circumstances speaking your piece can make a difference.