By Hayden Welty ’17
THE ROUNDUP
The Issue: Some students are disruptive and rude during Mass.
Our Stance: Students need to be respectful during Mass and of the hard work of the OFJ.
The actions of some students during recent Masses are inappropriate and hinder an otherwise enjoyable communal celebration.
Mass is an integral part of our Brophy community and brings all of us together in united participation. Unfortunately, the actions of a few have detracted from the experience of many.
Some students have clapped excessively and disrespected the band by talking and cheering.
While most students remain respectful, the disruptive actions of some are noticeable.
Regardless of the intentions of the students participating in the disruptions, it is distracting at best.
The Office of Faith and Justice staff works hard to make Mass engaging. Examples are moving some Masses into the gym for a change of venue and assembling a student band to lead the Mass music.
But those efforts are disrespected and ignored if even a handful of students decide to interrupt the Mass.
Clapping and cheering is alright, albeit, in small doses, or when specifically encouraged by the lector.
There is certainly a fine line between encouraging the efforts of the band and OFJ through light clapping and means of validation, and attempts to derail Mass through being obnoxious and disruptive.
With the exception of the Summit opening Mass where no students left until the closing song, the most interruptions occur when the band plays toward the end of Mass.
In the previous Mass in the gym Jan. 19, band leader Max Fees ’17 had to interrupt the song and remind people to stay. Kudos to Fees for exercising that leadership, but that is not a message he should have needed to deliver.
This is unfair to the musicians, as it is comprised of talented individuals who work extremely hard to make Mass more interesting and fun.
Derailing those efforts isn’t benign.We have all experienced frustrations during Mass because of an interruption from even one or two students.
Being obnoxious and disruptive during Mass is childish and can carry consequences.
The efforts of the OFJ and the student band to spice up a sometimes-drab ceremony are greatly appreciated, and, as students, we should do our best not to dissuade these efforts.
We think it is widely agreed on that these efforts to reform Mass are appreciated. As such, it’s important to be respectful of these efforts and do our best to encourage more similar and interesting reform, starting with how each of us act.
By Hayden Welty ’19 and Jack Cahill ’17
Staff editorials represent the view of The Roundup. Share your thoughts by e-mailing roundup@brophybroncos.org or leave comments online at roundup.brophybroncos.org.
