I wonder how much television has ruined people's expectations of mass.  Flipping the altar around (I've never seen it otherwise) suggests that we're there for a show, a really boring show.  The Evangelical have turned their ceremonies into theatrical performances to no avail; there's better entertainment elsewhere.

To me, the longevity of 5000 year old Scripture and 2000 year old Gospel combined with the miracle of transubstantiation from God become man is something to behold, miraculous in how it has connected with so many people over time.  But who teaches about that nowadays?  Not Catechism classes, I can tell you.