Hi Tommy,
I’m glad you posted this and I read it having found it by browsing for something else. I’m a cradle Catholic who turned Protestant for 20 years, then reverted to Catholicism. I’m very happy to read of the many positive impressions you had. From my perspective, of course, the positives far outweighed any perceived negatives.
I did want to address your two negatives, because I see it the same way! The crying baby thing can be VERY annoying and extremely disturbing. I’m learning to filter it out best I can, and it’s not every Mass, but about every other, anyway, I’d say at least every other weekend Mass. Evidently, many parents have NO IDEA how rude this can be to others. I’ve always stopped short of actually leaving a Mass due to this but have switched pew positions from it many times. When I was brought up in the CC, we would sit as close to the front as possible as my parent’s theory was so us kids could see what is going on and didn’t make noise. I believe it worked and wish more Catholic parents would realize this. Unfortunately, I’ve come to accept this as the way is. In my Protestant/Charismatic churches, the kids would always leave for their classes during the preaching and the music was way too loud during the worship time to hear them anyway.
I’m probably noticing this more as I’m aging and (hopefully) becoming more reverent, particularly at Mass. I don’t even like wearing jeans there, but I’m amazed at how very casual the dress can be especially among the young girls. Again, I think this is more a PARENTAL problem more than anything. Not all Catholic churches are this way, but I’m surprised how many are, even at sacred shrines. Like the first issue, I think it’s a sad reflection of the times we live in.
I haven’t read through the responses, but the cup thing varies a lot within the CC. My diocese no longer offers it although it did up til a couple years ago. As Catholics, we believe (or should as Catholics!) in the real presence of Christ in Holy Communion. We also believe that the whole of Christ is contained under both the bread and the wine. So, if one receives one or the other, the communicant is receiving the whole of Christ. The cup offered was a new thing when I was in my teens and it’s always been very much an optional thing. I used to take it regularly b/c Jesus used both bread and wine at the last supper-but that was just my choice. Now, unless I’m attending Mass out of the diocese, it’s an “easy decision” b/c there’s only the host offered. Although, I was recently as a Mass where I saw something I never have before in all my many years of Mass attendance, where the priest stated before handing out Communion that the cup would be offered off to the side for those “who can’t receive the host”. This was also in my local diocese. Nobody took it. I’m not sure what would cause anyone to not be able to receive a host but could wine. Those hosts are not like the crackers you probably use at your AOG, but they about dissolve on the tongue usually before you can even swallow.
Anyway, I talked/posted your ear off here, but I think it’s great you came and had an overall good experience. It’s a very different part of the body of Christ compared to your church, but I’ve been able to deeply experience Jesus in both in my life.
Blessings,
HA
but there is another parish where I attend mass at least once a month with family, and the noise is truly distracting. The acoustics of the church do great things for the choir, but amplify the screaming of many children whose parents have tuned them out. Drowning out the homily (given via microphone!) is a weekly occurrence.