Do you hear that?
Dear All Saints Parish Family,
In our fast-paced and noisy world, silence can feel unfamiliar—even uncomfortable. But in the life of the Church, silence is not an absence; it is a presence. It is in silence that we hear the whisper of God and allow His grace to settle deeply into our hearts, so I wanted to offer a brief reflection on – and invitation into – silence.
The Church teaches that silence is an essential part of the Sacred Liturgy. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) specifically calls for moments of silence at various points during Mass, such as after the readings and homily, during the Offertory, and following the reception of Holy Communion. These moments are not meant to be seen as empty pauses but rather opportunities to meditate on what has just taken place, to let the Word of God take root, and to offer our hearts more fully to the Lord.
Likewise, silence before and after Mass is a way of preparing our souls for the sacred mysteries and then carrying them into our daily lives. When we enter the church, we step into God’s house. It is a place set apart, where we leave behind worldly distractions and turn our attention to Christ. Observing silence before Mass allows us to ready ourselves for prayer; remaining in silence afterward lets us savor the grace of the Eucharist before we return to the world. I gently remind all of us that we should refrain from having unnecessary conversations in the church, especially when others are trying to pray. At the conclusion of the Mass, there is no need to applaud the music ministry as they weren’t singing for our entertainment, but for God’s worship.
The popes and countless saints–including those whose portraits hang in our sanctuary–often spoke of the importance of sacred silence, calling it a necessary element of authentic worship. Their writings and their witness remind us that God’s voice is best heard when we quiet our own.
Let us cultivate a love for silence in our parish community—not as an obligation, but as an invitation to encounter the living God. May we constantly rediscover the beauty of holy stillness, both within the liturgy and in the moments before and after we gather to worship.
Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever!
All you holy saints of God, pray for us!
Peace in Christ,
Fr. Michael Silloway
Pastor