A chance to bring improvement to my Parish

[Malkin71]

i’m for this one

just dress appropriately. as long as its not considered scandalous or disrespectful, then there should be no restrictions on the clothing.

It cost less to dress contempary conservative than to dress in fashion. When going to an event Wedding, Funeral, etc… You should have at least one dress outfit. I can get a dress button down shirt, Dockers pants, dark socks and casual shoes for under $70.00 or less. Also Goodwill or other second hand stores have clothing for less. Gaberial Brothers has good deals as well. I am not talking about a new expensive wardrobe. When you are at Mass the King of Kings is present you should have respect for him. Tha tis whom you are dessing for.

I have seen the same old argument time and time again. These are the same people who have a cell phone, internet computer, cable t.v.\ Dish t.v., regular phone, eat out all the time, etc… These are the same people who will pay more than $40.00 for jeans, $200.00 for a leather jacket, $100.00 for tennis shoes, $50.00 or more for a sports jersey and can not afford 1 dress outfit for Mass.

 

[gh4]

It cost less to dress contempary conservative than to dress in fashion. When going to an event Wedding, Funeral, etc… You should have at least one dress outfit. I can get a dress button down shirt, Dockers pants, dark socks and casual shoes for under $70.00 or less. Also Goodwill or other second hand stores have clothing for less. Gaberial Brothers has good deals as well. I am not talking about a new expensive wardrobe. When you are at Mass the King of Kings is present you should have respect for him. Tha tis whom you are dessing for.

I have seen the same old argument time and time again. These are the same people who have a cell phone, internet computer, cable t.v.\ Dish t.v., regular phone, eat out all the time, etc… These are the same people who will pay more than $40.00 for jeans, $200.00 for a leather jacket, $100.00 for tennis shoes, $50.00 or more for a sports jersey and can not afford 1 dress outfit for Mass.

I was widowed at age 28 and had two young boys to raise. I bought their clothing before I even considered buying my clothing. My Mom would only buy them shoes, she did buy them good ones, over 100$ a pair, I thought it was WAYYYY over the top and that they could have had several outfits and decent shoes for that money, but that was her decision. You would have NO idea that my this was the case.
I don’t now and never have worn anything tight, low or short to mass. I wear what I have and as long as it’s not short, tight or revealing or nasty and it’s clean, then too bad if you don’t like it. It’s what I have.

 

[Malkin71]

I was widowed at age 28 and had two young boys to raise. I bought their clothing before I even considered buying my clothing. My Mom would only buy them shoes, she did buy them good ones, over 100$ a pair, I thought it was WAYYYY over the top and that they could have had several outfits and decent shoes for that money, but that was her decision. You would have NO idea that my this was the case.
I don’t now and never have worn anything tight, low or short to mass. I wear what I have and as long as it’s not short, tight or revealing or nasty and it’s clean, then too bad if you don’t like it. It’s what I have.

A Priest from the EF said in the Homily. “When you come to Mass. You should not come to Mass in Tshirts, shorts, sweatpants, jeans sweatshirts , Tennis shoes, etc… You are not doing this to pleas the person besides you. You are not doing this to please me. You are doing it for him! He then points to the Tabernacle!”

What ever happened to wearing your Sunday Best?

Funny how people can get dressed up for a night on the town but not for Mass?

 

[choy]

It cost less to dress contempary conservative than to dress in fashion. When going to an event Wedding, Funeral, etc… You should have at least one dress outfit. I can get a dress button down shirt, Dockers pants, dark socks and casual shoes for under $70.00 or less. Also Goodwill or other second hand stores have clothing for less. Gaberial Brothers has good deals as well. I am not talking about a new expensive wardrobe. When you are at Mass the King of Kings is present you should have respect for him. Tha tis whom you are dessing for.

I have seen the same old argument time and time again. These are the same people who have a cell phone, internet computer, cable t.v.\ Dish t.v., regular phone, eat out all the time, etc… These are the same people who will pay more than $40.00 for jeans, $200.00 for a leather jacket, $100.00 for tennis shoes, $50.00 or more for a sports jersey and can not afford 1 dress outfit for Mass.

my sentiments extend to my native land of the Philippines where most people are poor and most of the time the money they earn each day is not even enough to buy enough food for the family

but in any case, i put more value in whats inside the heart of a person than what wraps around his or her skin. like i mentioned in another thread, even the most expensive Armani suit won’t change the fact that a person has committed adultery, or is a wife beater, or a thief, or downloads child porn from the internet. but if you came wearing a plain t-shirt and jeans but goes to confession regularly, helps with charities, takes very good care of your family, helps with the church, then Jesus will look on you more favorably. don’t you agree?

 

[Orogeny]

A Priest from the EF said in the Homily. “When you come to Mass. You should not come to Mass in Tshirts, shorts, sweatpants, jeans sweatshirts , Tennis shoes, etc… You are not doing this to pleas the person besides you. You are not doing this to please me. You are doing it for him! He then points to the Tabernacle!”

You mean HIM, the guy who broke bread at the Last Supper with a bunch of guys in cloaks and sandals? HOW DARE THEY INSULT HIM LIKE THAT!!!

The priest is wrong in his reasoning. I don’t remember Jesus ever turning anyone away because they were not dressed properly.

Peace

Tim

 

[gh4]

A Priest from the EF said in the Homily. “When you come to Mass. You should not come to Mass in Tshirts, shorts, sweatpants, jeans sweatshirts , Tennis shoes, etc… You are not doing this to pleas the person besides you. You are not doing this to please me. You are doing it for him! He then points to the Tabernacle!”

What ever happened to wearing your Sunday Best?

Funny how people can get dressed up for a night on the town but not for Mass?

I wear what I have to any function I go to. Doesn’t matter if I’m going to a dance, or going to the grocery store or going to a tea party. I wear what I have.
And honestly, how dare you assume what people can afford and can’t afford.
I only have so much money to spend on clothing and it must be stuff I can wear everywhere. I don’t have dresses, I don’t have fancy clothes, I don’t have fancy shoes… so does that mean I should go to the local Mennonite church, or the Baptist Church? Because the Mennonites and the Baptists don’t care what I wear as long as I’m dressed, and I know this for a fact because I have a lot of friends from both churches.

What makes you think you know what God wants me to wear?
I don’t think that God gives a care what you wear or what I wear or what anyone wears. After all, he didn’t seem to care about what people wore or what their occupations were did he?
If you want a dress code, then you need to make sure that you buy everyone what you want them to wear, I’d be more than happy to go shopping with you.

 

[nettiegirl]

The issue with proper dress for church is not how fancy or expensive the clothing is. It is that attire be modest and respectful for the occasion. This is something that used to be a given but increasingly the sloppy dress habits have become more common in our society.
It shows a lack of respect for the occasion. This is a symbol of how much you honor who you are coming to see in this case our Lord. Not important that the clothing be expensive but that it be clean, neat and modest.

 

[MrS]

I wear what I have to any function I go to. Doesn’t matter if I’m going to a dance, or going to the grocery store or going to a tea party. I wear what I have.
And honestly, how dare you assume what people can afford and can’t afford.
I only have so much money to spend on clothing and it must be stuff I can wear everywhere. I don’t have dresses, I don’t have fancy clothes, I don’t have fancy shoes… so does that mean I should go to the local Mennonite church, or the Baptist Church? Because the Mennonites and the Baptists don’t care what I wear as long as I’m dressed, and I know this for a fact because I have a lot of friends from both churches.

What makes you think you know what God wants me to wear?
I don’t think that God gives a care what you wear or what I wear or what anyone wears. After all, he didn’t seem to care about what people wore or what their occupations were did he?
If you want a dress code, then you need to make sure that you buy everyone what you want them to wear, I’d be more than happy to go shopping with you.

I have been to a number of Baptist “churches”. For the most part they are better dressed than many at a Catholic Mass. Gosh, they even have coat racks outside the hall … you would think they were actually visiting someone’s home and were invited to make themselves comfortable.

There might be some who have only clothes to where “everywhere”. I wonder though, what they might find to wear to someone’s (human) wedding feast?

God asks for your best, not your everyday, any day. If that is what you give, so be it.

.

 

[barb_finnegan]

A Priest from the EF said in the Homily. “When you come to Mass. You should not come to Mass in Tshirts, shorts, sweatpants, jeans sweatshirts , Tennis shoes, etc… You are not doing this to pleas the person besides you. You are not doing this to please me. You are doing it for him! He then points to the Tabernacle!”

What ever happened to wearing your Sunday Best?

Funny how people can get dressed up for a night on the town but not for Mass?

Malkin-I say BINGO to what the priest said! Good for him!

Isn’t there a verse in one of the Psalms that says, ‘Adore the Lord in HOLY ATTIRE’ ?

I’ve seen black people at their Protestant churches who ‘dress to the nines’ when they attend their services. And I have a tape where Father Benedict Groschel said, ‘The poor never come to church badly dressed.’

So why don’t Catholics show respect to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and wear clean and decent clothes to Mass?

 

[gh4]

I have been to a number of Baptist “churches”. For the most part they are better dressed than many at a Catholic Mass. Gosh, they even have coat racks outside the hall … you would think they were actually visiting someone’s home and were invited to make themselves comfortable.

There might be some who have only clothes to where “everywhere”. I wonder though, what they might find to wear to someone’s (human) wedding feast?

God asks for your best, not your everyday, any day. If that is what you give, so be it.

.

Perhaps you see different folks than I do, I’ve only been to the Baptist church here, and they don’t care. The last wedding I went to was a Mennonite wedding and I was welcomed with open arms in the clothes that I have. If I were invited to a formal wedding, I would have to decline the invitation as I just flat out don’t have the clothes to wear and cannot afford to purchase finery like that. I don’t do funerals, so that’s not an issue, but at my little Catholic church, I would be fine with what I wear to any other mass.
Perhaps the churches I’ve gone to are more into the word of God than what people wear. I think it’s horrific that some one wouldn’t welcome someone into a church because of what they are wearing. Even if they stink and have nothing but rags to wear, they should be welcomed. Short of being obscene, who cares what they wear?
If they stink and don’t want to, our church actually has shower facilities that they can use and we have used clothing that they have if they want. We’ll feed them too if needed. And we’ll find them some place to stay for a while if needed. Isn’t that what it’s about?
If I could afford lovely dresses and expensive shoes, I would wear them to church, and to other social events. But I can’t, so does that mean I am less deserving of God?

 

[gh4]

Malkin-I say BINGO to what the priest said! Good for him!

Isn’t there a verse in one of the Psalms that says, ‘Adore the Lord in HOLY ATTIRE’ ?

I’ve seen black people at their Protestant churches who ‘dress to the nines’ when they attend their services. And I have a tape where Father Benedict Groschel said, ‘The poor never come to church badly dressed.’

So why don’t Catholics show respect to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and wear clean and decent clothes to Mass?

My clothes are decent and clean, just not fancy and dress up clothes. I’ve never said that people shouldn’t wear the best they have. I just think to have everyone live up to someone elses expectations is silly and will drive people away from the church.

 

[MrS]

Perhaps you see different folks than I do, I’ve only been to the Baptist church here, and they don’t care. The last wedding I went to was a Mennonite wedding and I was welcomed with open arms in the clothes that I have. If I were invited to a formal wedding, I would have to decline the invitation as I just flat out don’t have the clothes to wear and cannot afford to purchase finery like that. I don’t do funerals, so that’s not an issue, but at my little Catholic church, I would be fine with what I wear to any other mass.
Perhaps the churches I’ve gone to are more into the word of God than what people wear. I think it’s horrific that some one wouldn’t welcome someone into a church because of what they are wearing. Even if they stink and have nothing but rags to wear, they should be welcomed. Short of being obscene, who cares what they wear?
If they stink and don’t want to, our church actually has shower facilities that they can use and we have used clothing that they have if they want. We’ll feed them too if needed. And we’ll find them some place to stay for a while if needed. Isn’t that what it’s about?
If I could afford lovely dresses and expensive shoes, I would wear them to church, and to other social events. But I can’t, so does that mean I am less deserving of God?

A couple thoughts came to mind.

1- Only the Catholic Church has the Real Presence in the Eucharist. That alone should set us apart from all others, and no comparison can be made because of what we have Whom they do NOT have.

2- I think God would rather have a Catholic attend Mass in their best available, than not at all. That would give consideration to one coming from a messy job site, or the homeless. But the key is “their best available” and that means they should be making every effort to please God with more than just their attendance.

3- Scripture tells us about the wedding feast… all were invited, and wedding garments were expected or provided.

4- And, no, that is not what it is all about. It is all about Him. The liturgy of the Mass is not for fellowship, not for seeing your friends, not for some place to get warm, not for someplace to show off your tux. It is for the worship of God alone. It is common knowledge that most Catholics do not accept, recognize, or perhaps care for the Doctrine of the Real Presence. Perhaps that is why the effort to be presentable before God is so lacking. Perhaps that is why we are not prostrate before God’s greatest gift to us… Himself.

5- We should take the examples of the following… the priest in fine vestments, the altar covered in white linens, the tabernacle, the chalice of precious metal… none of them change God or His love for us. They are supposed to change us and our love of Him.

.

 

[gh4]

Ok, let’s change directions here.
Let’s say that you do get your parish to have a dress code.
Who will write it?
What would you want included in it?
Who will enforce it?
How will it be enforced?

 

[TheDoctor]

I thought about it and decided that I was going to bring up a “Liturgy Committee” I talked about our Parish needing a Liturgy Committee because of the new Roman Missal being released in a few years. I brought up the major changes to both the Priests part and the Laity’s part. I also mention that the prayers may be said in Latin. I stressed that by forming a Liturgy Committee and studying the changes in advance will help our Parish when the new Roman Missal is put in use.

Now what happens next is up in the air? I know some of the individuals on the council and I have gotten into discussions with them. They are progressives.

On an interesting note the speaker before me spoke what I was originally going to say. He brought up how the our Parish should be more reverent in the Mass, by watching out for Liturgical Abuses, having more incense being used at Mass, having the Altar boys carry candles, etc. He brought up how E.W.T.N. does reverent Masses. I found out later that he has a degree in Classical Languages, Latin, Greek and Sanskrit. I may have someone who can back me up.

Great news. You have done all that you can do for the moment. Hopefully, they will take the Liturgy Committee idea to heart.

Please take the next part of my message in a good way because I mean no disrespect to you: You have **got **to watch your attitude. If the Pastor allows you to form a LIturgy Committee (and remember it will be the Pastor’s decision and not Parish Council) then you will serve all your fellow brothers and sisters, not just the ones whose views you agree with. Tags such as “they are progressives” and “I may have someone who can back me up” set up an US vs. THEM mentality. Being progressive does not equate to an improper liturgy. Someone who has your back may not have the wisdom to see past their own agenda.

What are you going to do if the Pastor allows you to form a Liturgy Committee and then appoints some folks to it that are orthodox, devout Catholics who don’t happen to like the EF? Suppose they don’t want incense because it might bother some folks? Do you just quit or do can you accept their ideas and form consensus with the teachings of the Church? See, it should never be their views vs. our views or their version of the liturgy vs. our version. It should be the truth as taught by Jesus and His Church and that truth does allow for many things that you may not personally agree with. Serving the parish means that we try our best to do what is faithful, right, allowed, and for the good of all our brothers and sisters.

I’ll pray that the Pastor allows your committee to move forward and that one day members of the parish will tell him “you know Father, forming that Liturgy Committee was the best thing you have ever done!”

 

[Malkin71]

Ok, let’s change directions here.
Let’s say that you do get your parish to have a dress code.
Who will write it?
What would you want included in it?
Who will enforce it?
How will it be enforced?

I would like to bring it up in the next (name removed by moderator)ut session when it happens.

Basically all I am asking is a statement in the Parish Bulliten every week and occaisonally in a Homilly at Mass saying “Jeans, Tshirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, tennis shoes, sports jerseys, shorts are not proper attire for Mass. Please have respect for the Lord.”

Having this repeated and have a homilly on it. The people will get the message.

The Basicilla in Washington D.C. has a sign when you walk in about proper dress for Mass.

 

[truevaticanii]

If there had been a dress code at the catholic church I went through RCIA in, neither me or my two boys would be catholic today. Sometimes it’s easy to say what someone should be able to afford, but more difficult in when it’s YOU who is doing the affording.

That’s all. Good luck!

I have been to FSSP parishes wear a dress code is listed… the thing is that they request you to wear these things, but they understand if you cannot afford them. The dress code is just to let people know that if they have those nicer outfits they need to wear them for the Lord… give God your best… whatever that may be… so long as you are not totally distracting people with what you are wearing.

The question should not ever be “Would God really care about what I am wearing?”
The question should always be “What is the best I can wear to present myself to my Lord and God?”

 

[Malkin71]

Great news. You have done all that you can do for the moment. Hopefully, they will take the Liturgy Committee idea to heart.

Please take the next part of my message in a good way because I mean no disrespect to you: You have **got **to watch your attitude. If the Pastor allows you to form a LIturgy Committee (and remember it will be the Pastor’s decision and not Parish Council) then you will serve all your fellow brothers and sisters, not just the ones whose views you agree with. Tags such as “they are progressives” and “I may have someone who can back me up” set up an US vs. THEM mentality. Being progressive does not equate to an improper liturgy. Someone who has your back may not have the wisdom to see past their own agenda.

What are you going to do if the Pastor allows you to form a Liturgy Committee and then appoints some folks to it that are orthodox, devout Catholics who don’t happen to like the EF? Suppose they don’t want incense because it might bother some folks? Do you just quit or do can you accept their ideas and form consensus with the teachings of the Church? See, it should never be their views vs. our views or their version of the liturgy vs. our version. It should be the truth as taught by Jesus and His Church and that truth does allow for many things that you may not personally agree with. Serving the parish means that we try our best to do what is faithful, right, allowed, and for the good of all our brothers and sisters.

I’ll pray that the Pastor allows your committee to move forward and that one day members of the parish will tell him “you know Father, forming that Liturgy Committee was the best thing you have ever done!”

All I want is to have the Mass said reverently and follow the GIRM by the book with no innovations and abuses. If by God that happens I will be happy. The view of the Committe should look at the GIRM, RS and look how the Mass is being said. Take a hard look at the EMHC’s. Do we really need them so Mass will be over in a half hour or 45 minutes? Does the Parish know the parts of Mass and the proper gesters and their meanings? Strike their breast at the Confeitior, Bow during the Nicean Creed, Silence before Mass, etc… This is what I want! This is my goal!

I will be up against these opinions…“Fr. can say and do whatever he wants at Mass. There are some rules that we do not have to follow., We do not have to follow what Rome says. The Church must move and progress forewards.” Imagine have opinions like that on a Comittee?

 

[Malkin71]

I have been to FSSP parishes wear a dress code is listed… the thing is that they request you to wear these things, but they understand if you cannot afford them. The dress code is just to let people know that if they have those nicer outfits they need to wear them for the Lord… give God your best… whatever that may be… so long as you are not totally distracting people with what you are wearing.

The question should not ever be “Would God really care about what I am wearing?”
The question should always be “What is the best I can wear to present myself to my Lord and God?”

Amen!

I agree!

 

[choy]

You mean HIM, the guy who broke bread at the Last Supper with a bunch of guys in cloaks and sandals? HOW DARE THEY INSULT HIM LIKE THAT!!!

The priest is wrong in his reasoning. I don’t remember Jesus ever turning anyone away because they were not dressed properly.

Peace

Tim

agreed! this kind of reminds me of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. the first guy who i think was a Nazi selected a Grail that is made of gold, fit for the king of kings. but he chose poorly. then Indy selected a simple cup which would fit the son of a carpenter.

we forget that Jesus is all about simplicity and humility. the riches he offers us are never for this world but for the next.

i think what we wear in church should be enough that we give respect, but not to the point that we impose a dress code. after all, as i keep repeating, its whats in our hearts that are important when we present ourselves to Jesus

 

[Malkin71]

agreed! this kind of reminds me of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. the first guy who i think was a Nazi selected a Grail that is made of gold, fit for the king of kings. but he chose poorly. then Indy selected a simple cup which would fit the son of a carpenter.

we forget that Jesus is all about simplicity and humility. the riches he offers us are never for this world but for the next.

i think what we wear in church should be enough that we give respect, but not to the point that we impose a dress code. after all, as i keep repeating, its whats in our hearts that are important when we present ourselves to Jesus

This is from the Gospel of Matthew.

                            Chapter 22 11-14

"But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.

He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence.

Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’

Many are invited, but few are chosen."

“The Last Crusade”, was a movie. If invited to a banquet to be a speaker or to be in the audience of the Pope would you dress proper?