A protestant's observations of first Mass

[Tommy999]

Thanks, Porknpie. I’m a visual sort of guy so that helps a lot.

 

[KathleenGee]

Hi Tommy,

I try to keep my focus on the Lord.

I think I may speak for others…that as a Catholic, it does bother me to see people in front of me not dressed properly…usually shorts or dresses with no backs…just showing alot of skin. It is distracting…and then I also get off after that to see if they are wearing clean clothes…wrong of me to get off. But i think other Catholics have that happen as well.

Or one time when our parish was under transition and people getting upset with each other…I didn’t shake hands with people because I had a cold…the couple I said that to did not hear me and thought I snubbed them. And a few others in that time also had the same impression.

So I really try to be understanding and not judge…I was in a parish this last past year where they have liturgical assistants and a woman up there during the summer was wearing a low cut top with no sleeves and no nylons and her skirt up the back, the front longer and flip flops. From the congregation…during the consecration,she was standing next to the priest and it didn’t it look good as well as only females being liturgical assistants and I finally spoke to the pastoral assistant about proper dress and getting more men involved with our weekend Masses. Anyway, I left.

 

[Tommy999]

I understand and can relate, KathleenGee. This issue is not unique to Catholic parishes. Maybe it’s a generational issue in all denominations where the older parishoners are a little more concerned about proper dress than younger folks. And, maybe just maybe …I’m just an old fuddy duddy .

For example, on Sunday I went to my normal AOG Church for Father’s Day with one of my sons (my wife was out of town). In honor of Father’s Day, they had publicized the week before for all fathers to wear their favorite team’s jersey to church as something fun to do on Father’s Day. They even had a chicken wing eating contest with two dads at a table near the podium just before the worship service began, with the winner getting a free gift card to a restaurant. The atmosphere was like that of a party or county fair instead of a place of worship, in my opinion. Therefore, I protested and didn’t participate, which is appropriate for a protestant to do, right?

I chose to wear my normal church clothes instead of wearing a team jersey because I view church as a place to go commune with God instead of a place to play games on a Sunday morning. In defense of the church and pastor, this was special event and they don’t do this kind of thing every week. For Mother’s Day, all the moms got a rose and some chocolate before the church service began, and two moms played a little game ( I forgot what it was) and the winner got a free spa treatment.

 

[CB_Catholic]

I understand and can relate, KathleenGee. This issue is not unique to Catholic parishes. Maybe it’s a generational issue in all denominations where the older parishoners are a little more concerned about proper dress than younger folks. And, maybe just maybe …I’m just an old fuddy duddy .

For example, on Sunday I went to my normal AOG Church for Father’s Day with one of my sons (my wife was out of town). In honor of Father’s Day, they had publicized the week before for all fathers to wear their favorite team’s jersey to church as something fun to do on Father’s Day. They even had a chicken wing eating contest with two dads at a table near the podium just before the worship service began, with the winner getting a free gift card to a restaurant. The atmosphere was like that of a party or county fair instead of a place of worship, in my opinion. Therefore, I protested and didn’t participate, which is appropriate for a protestant to do, right?

I chose to wear my normal church clothes instead of wearing a team jersey because I view church as a place to go commune with God instead of a place to play games on a Sunday morning. In defense of the church and pastor, this was special event and they don’t do this kind of thing every week. For Mother’s Day, all the moms got a rose and some chocolate before the church service began, and two moms played a little game ( I forgot what it was) and the winner got a free spa treatment.

Perhaps you could suggest they do this sort of thing AFTER the services. It seems that before the service should be spent preparing oneself for worship.

But I have seen things like this before. I attended a service at my husband’s brother’s non-denominational church (reciprocated by them attending Mass with me ) and was appalled to see them selling coffee and iced tea before the service and then people were bringing it into the service like they were in a coffee shop and gonna have a chat with my buddy Jesus. That was the atmosphere projected, and I am a pretty tolerant person. There was such a lack of reverence for the Creator of the Universe.

Now I know most Protestant churches aren’t like this. In fact the one I attend Bible study at has a big sign “No food or drinks in the sanctuary”, but from what others have told me it is getting more common. I don’t care what one’s religion is, God is a mighty being, holy and awesome, and deserves respectful and fervent worship. Time for fellowship later.

 

[alfenner]

Can I just say that I love this thread?!? It makes me think of the first few times I went to mass Makes my heart happy!

For me, too, His presence was magnificent and overwhelmed me. I wasn’t 100% when the actual moment of consecration took place then, but I quickly realized because the Lord’s physical presence was felt

I want to second the vote to sit in the front row if the possibility of germs concerns you, but I have to say that receiving His blood far outweighs the possibility of illness for me (but to each his own!). Also, something that was pointed out to me about receiving from a common chalice - you are not only coming into union with Christ by receiving His blood, but you are also coming into union with the rest of the Body. Nothing makes you family like receiving from the same table!

I, too, have a mild case of ADD, and have to redirect myself often (fussing kids or not!). You didn’t mention when you went, but I find that the vigil mass (Saturday evening) seems to have less children in our parish. As a parent though, I’ve found that the younger I made my children sit in worship, the sooner they were able to cooperate (but it does take some sacrifice on the part of the parents - to tolerate misbehavior for awhile while they mature and learn - and of others as they tolerate the noise and possibly the getting up a couple of times).

So glad you overcame your hesitation and went! Having been at an AG church before converting, I noticed more and more the lack of reverence. The praise time is great at AG! My soul was missing the worship though

 

[KathleenGee]

Yes, those knees can be problematic. I do recall those kneeling at the altar moving back and forth…they have their eyes down cast and are not supposed to be looking out at us.

And we are not to be paying to much attention to other people too much any time but keep our focus on the Lord. I think that is the secret to staying faithful to God and not putting our trust in man or looking at people too much. If there is a gnawing concern, then go directly to the person with a round about question but conciliatory.

But when it comes to people on the altar, if you have a concern, you go to the pastor. I went to the administrator because I knew her before from another parish and I had trouble connecting with the pastor. I kept praying and decided the parish was not for me. Happy where I am now.

But the General Instructions for the Roman Missal (GIRM) is the road map for proper worship and in the USA there are alot not following it and so we have mainly now minor abuses. It is gradually improving now.

We have really good bishops who do not compromise the sanctity of God and human life.
There was some housecleaning.

Our kneeling, though, is when God comes down to us, this most sacred moment when heaven and earth connect.

The Mass is really outside the world’s time and space. I remember going in when the Gospel was beginning to be read and looked over at people I knew…and I got this impression, I think of the Holy Spirit, that the entire congregation was standing still but in the Holy Spirit moving forward together to be united with the Lord.

My pastor told us as we go on in life, growing in the Eucharist, if we avoid sin, we together become more Christ like…Christ bearers…and the common reaction after some time of adoration after communion, is the urgency to go out and serve our neighbor in the Lord, full of joy and life.

 

[Tommy999]

Thanks, alfenner and KathleenGee. I’m glad you like the thread, Al. Even though I have my flaws, I try to be an observant person of the things around me and I try to be as honest and respectful as I can with those observations. By the way, I went to the Saturday late afternoon Mass.

 

[Boulder257]

Hi Everyone,
I’m an evangelical inquirer who attended his first Catholic Mass since I had the privilege of attending Midnight Mass in Rome in 1978 with some Catholic friends of mine while studying in Europe. Other than that, I was not aware of what to expect except for what I have gleaned on CAF from you kind folks.

Positive Observations:
– I definitely felt God’s presence. It was palpable, especially during the Eucharist just like folks on CAF had said it would be.

– The reverence of God was also shown by the faithful by bowing, kneeling to pray, and by keeping quiet when they arrived in the sanctuary. This contrasts with my current church environment at which people chat and laugh in the sanctuary before service like they are at Starbucks or something.

– The priest appeared to be genuine and at ease in his homily about the Holy Trinity and I could relate to what he was saying. I was expecting stiffness, pomp and circumstance but got a heart felt talk from what I perceive to be a genuine servant of God who also officiates the various other stuff during the Mass.

– While on my way to Mass (20 minute drive), I was concerned it might be an awkward experience and that I wouldn’t know anyone. However, I discovered that I actually knew the head usher who was also the greeter. I had worked with him at one point in my career and he had been my supervisor for a time. We always got along well. He was pleasantly surprised to see me, as I was to see him. Small world, huh?

– Another man that I knew from work saw me sitting alone on the back row and he and his wfe came and sat next to me.

– At one point, when they had the congregation lay hands on all the fathers in attendance on behalf of Father’s Day tomorrow, a lady saw me without anyone laying their hands on me and she came over to put her hand on my shoulder and pray for me which I thought was very thoughtful, especially since she had to maneuver her way around a bunch of people to get to me.

Negative Observations:

– At times I had trouble concentrating (and I think other parishoners did too) due to a couple of loud crying babies whose parents tried unsuccessfully for several minutes to keep them quiet before they finally took them out of the sanctuary. I wasn’t used to this because at my church it is mandatory for parents with babies to put them in the nursery or go to a “quiet room” with audio where they can hear the proceedings from the sanctuary. This was no biggie, just a little annoying.

– I actually saw a teenage girl dressed in gym shorts and sandals. I realize it is summer and Christ is more concerned with the heart than our dress, but that seemed a little disrespectful to me. But then again my sons sometimes tell me I’m an old fart who needs to loosen up more.

Questions/Concerns:
– During the Eucharist, I noticed a couple of altar boys were offered the cup but did not take it. Two of them did but two others didn’t. I wonder why?

– I noticed that there were a few different chalices from which all the faithful would drink. In between people, and there were lots of them, the servers would wipe off the chalice for the next person to drink.

What happens if someone is sick? Are they excused from the Eucharist or is some other provision made? Otherwise, it seems possible that colds, step throat, etc could get passed around easily from this method. I realize this is a pretty mundane question and concern, but it made me wonder a little bit. At my church, everyone gets an individual little throwaway plastic cup. Not as ceremonious, but more hygenic, I would think. Once again, no biggie – just curious.

Overall, my first Mass in a long time was a positive experience. I plan to go to Father’s Day with my two sons tomorrow at my regular AOG church, at which I am an usher.

Thanks, everyone, for your prayers. It was a lot less stressful than I had imagined. Plus, I was impressed by all the readings from Scripture. In a way, it was sort of like a protestant service with more bells and whistles (literally, more bells). I remembered bells during the Eucharist.

What a neat story and a neat experience. Keep going. I bet you will find more positive throughout your experiences.

 

[KathleenGee]

We really enjoy sharing with you, Tommy. Very mature. Hope more Protestants can read your observations.

 

[pablope]

I

For example, on Sunday I went to my normal AOG Church for Father’s Day with one of my sons (my wife was out of town). In honor of Father’s Day, they had publicized the week before for all fathers to wear their favorite team’s jersey to church as something fun to do on Father’s Day. They even had a chicken wing eating contest with two dads at a table near the podium just before the worship service began, with the winner getting a free gift card to a restaurant. The atmosphere was like that of a party or county fair instead of a place of worship, in my opinion. Therefore, I protested and didn’t participate, which is appropriate for a protestant to do, right?

 

[Bonnie]

– The reverence of God was also shown by the faithful by bowing, kneeling to pray, and by keeping quiet when they arrived in the sanctuary. This contrasts with my current church environment at which people chat and laugh in the sanctuary before service like they are at Starbucks or something.

I want to go to that church! It sounds like the Catholic parish I attended when I first converted. I sometimes wonder if I would have come into the Church if the parishioners were as noisy then are they are now.

I haven’t been able to find a parish within an hour’s drive where people actually pray or meditate before Mass. Too many are chit-chatting about worldly things - shopping, sports, etc.

 

[Porknpie]

I want to go to that church! It sounds like the Catholic parish I attended when I first converted. I sometimes wonder if I would have come into the Church if the parishioners were as noisy then are they are now.

I haven’t been able to find a parish within an hour’s drive where people actually pray or meditate before Mass. Too many are chit-chatting about worldly things - shopping, sports, etc.

Chit chat before Mass is common enough. Not good but common. It’s good to bring up with the priest and tell him that it is difficult to pray before Mass. Ask him to say something to the parishioners. It does make a difference even though he may have to say it a number of times over a number of weeks. It’s a cultural thing that can be addressed and changed. Needs to be changed.

PnP

 

[KathleenGee]

Talking in the church before the Blessed Sacrament really is rude before our Lord. The church is sacred space and people can have their day to day conversations outside as I am sure they are not talking about the Lord in His house.

 

[chrome]

I heard a priest on Catholic radio mention this. When someone asked about it, he said, basically, ‘well…if you’re sick, you probably shouldn’t drink from the cup. Although it is the real presence of Christ, it won’t magically keep people from getting sick.’

 

[chrome]

If there is an illness like the flu going around the Parish will usually eliminate the wine during this period

 

[FathersKnowBest]

His heart was in the right place, even though his behind wasn’t??

As others have said, it’s not required if you have reasons. That said, you should make a special effort, if you can kneel but not for extended times, to kneel during the consecration of the Eucharist, as this is a special time. A miracle is taking place.

Hi MacQ.
Of course there are crying babies in all churches. It’s just that some of them do their crying in the designated nursery reserved for babies.

Do any Catholic parishes have nurseries or is that just a protestant thing?

It’s our belief that even infants can benefit by being in Christ’s Real Presence. “Let the little children come to me” and all that.

 

[Church_Militant]

Sure, most have cry rooms which allow the parents to tend to the children and still hear and see what is going on while keeping any problems from distracting from Mass for everyone else.

 

[Tommy999]

Hi Church Militant and FathersKnowBest,
Thanks for reading my thread and commenting. I consider it an honor for me that you did that.

I’ve read a number of your articles, Church Militant, and find you to be a very interesting read. I highly respect you and how you defend the Catholic faith. I think you would be a fun person to hang out with and ask questions to in an informal setting. I think I would get a lot out of it.

To FathersKnowBest, I also deely respect your posts. You seem to be another Catholic who is very knowledgeable, mature, and well versed in explaining and defending the faith.

May the Lord continue to be with you and bless you, as well as everyone else who visits and shares on CAF.

 

[praestat_fides]

No one ever got sick from the chalice. Not once.

How can you be so sure?

 

[Church_Militant]

I’ve read a number of your articles, Church Militant, and find you to be a very interesting read. I highly respect you and how you defend the Catholic faith. I think you would be a fun person to hang out with and ask questions to in an informal setting. I think I would get a lot out of it.

May the Lord continue to be with you and bless you, as well as everyone else who visits and shares on CAF.

I am an unworthy servant. I have only done what is expected of me. (Luke 17:10)

Thanks…If you need to go private on anything you can always click on my name and either PM or email me through CAF. Having done so much “homework” on my way home to the faith, I guess I’ve picked up a few things, but I’m always reading and always learning more.

You continue to remain in my prayers. Please do the same for me.