By PAUL WIRTH Diocesan Communications Staff
Have you ever craved 30 minutes of peace and quiet on a hectic day?
Does it sound tempting to put away the chirping phone and mute the droning news anchors and forget the demands of your job for a while, to have a chance to think, and to pray?
Try weekday Mass.
In the Diocese of Allentown, weekday Masses are offered from early morning through evening, depending on the parish and the day. If you like, you can find one in Spanish, or Latin, or even Vietnamese.
Many people who attend regular Mass on weekends report that when they try a weekday Mass, it’s a whole new experience. It’s often intimate, cozy and friendly. There’s usually a core group of people to get to know, if you like. Some folks have a regular breakfast or coffee date afterward.
Daily Mass can be a good way to show support for your priest, and perhaps have a quiet word with him afterward. It’s also a good opportunity to try out being an altar server or lector.
You might also like to try a weekday Mass at a neighboring parish. Take in the beauty of a different church or get to know another priest.
Attending a weekday Mass is also something terrific to do with your kids, when school schedules allow. Some homeschool parents use a weekday Mass to provide structure and a Christ-focused start to the day.
The most important part of daily Mass is receiving the Holy Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ, as food for our journey and to give us strength for the day.
“I like to get there a little early, so I can sit in silence until Mass begins,” said one daily Mass attendee. “It’s my way of letting God speak to me.”
Advent is a terrific time to try adding a daily Mass or two to your weekly routine. Who knows? It might become a habit.
