At a church in Michigan, the pastor has posted a parting shot for people who decide to leave mass early:

Some people still take off right after Communion at St. Peter Church, but not as many now that they have to walk under signs that read “Judas left early too.”

Fr. Cooney says putting the signs up at each of the three exits was “a bit of Irish diplomacy” aimed at addressing a long-standing source of frustration for many Catholic priests: people who leave Mass early, rather than staying for the dismissal.

Perhaps one of the reasons the signs had a positive effect is that he introduced them with humor, rather than scolding the congregation, he believes.

“Like all Catholic churches, immediately after Communion we experienced a great leaving, of people heading right out the door. So, about a year ago, I was preaching about what I called the phenomenon of Catholic CEOs — those who come to Mass at Christmas and Easter only, and that got people laughing,” Fr. Cooney recalls.

“Then, I told them I also wanted to talk about another problem, and showed them one of the signs,” he says.

While regular Mass-goers knew they weren’t among the CEO Catholics, many no doubt realized the “Judas left early too” sign applied to them.

“It did have an effect. And I think seeing it makes people stop and think,” Fr. Cooney says.

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