HOMILY FEEDBACK

by Paul Turner

Most preachers get very little feedback from the assembly. But preachers have ways of finding out what people think. Does the parent of a crying child make any effort to calm the baby? Are people reading the bulletin instead of listening to the talk? Do jokes fall flat? Are some people poised to stand up as soon as the homily ends, like sprinters waiting for the whistle? Preachers have a general idea how attentive the listeners are. But most preachers don't get systematic feedback. And homilists rarely get to hear each other. You may try out several different preachers in the course of a year, but homilists don't. They work on Sundays. 

If you've got something to say to your homilist, you'd do the whole parish a favor by speaking up. You should say positive things as well as negative ones. And never do it anonymously. Say it in person, on the phone, or write it and sign your name. You'll learn tact, and you'll accept responsibility for what you say. Your preacher may want to talk with you about your ideas. Here are some points to consider when you give feedback: 

• Communication: Do you get the point of the talk? 
• Organization: Does the homily have a beginning, a middle, and an end? 
• Scripture: Does the homily help you understand and apply the Scripture? 
• Significance: Does the homily touch your life? 
• Appearance: Do your preacher's appearance or habits distract you from the message? 
• Sincerity: Does your preacher seem to believe the message? 
• Audio: Do the sound system and acoustics help you hear? 
• Improvement: Is your preacher better now than a year ago? 

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What do YOU Think?
Send an e-mail to ML Editor or post an entry on the ML Current Issue Discussion Board. (All submissions become the property of RPI and may be edited for length.) (This bulletin insert originally appeared in MODERN LITURGY, copyright (c) 1996, Resource Publications, Inc. It may not be reproduced without permission. Send permission requests to info@rpinet.com)

(Paul Turner, pastor of St. Munchin Parish in Cameron, MO, holds a doctorate in sacramental theology from Sant' Anselmo University.)