Admonishment from the Pulpit - No Shorts!

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At my church just about everyone dresses modest & respectful. On our weekly bulletin handout it has the dress code on the back. Maybe more churches could do this to avoid having to speak about it during mass.
 
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TJD:
A priest was trying to enforce his direction that shorts were not to be worn to Sunday Mass. …] The priest did not allow the boy [in shorts] to receive communion. He ended up reassigned. It was a sad week for me when that happened.
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Why were you sad? The message is clear - a priest may NOT take it upon himself to deny Communion to anyone, save for the gravest of reasons. And failure to obey an arbitrary decree on a “dress code” is surely not a grave reason.
Pariah Pirana:
A good friend of mine walks to daily Mass wearing shorts, a polo/golf shirt and deck shoes – definately the wrong look for attending the Mass.
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And, to the surprise of no one, this thread has provoked Pirana/Crusader and his personal “dress code”.
Pariah Pirana:
You’re flat-out wrong. … Khaki pants can be quite dressy and they are most certainly suitable for attending Mass. … You’re flat-out wrong about the shoes as well.
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Did you really miss the fact that CatholicCid was just messing with you, turning your intolerance back at you? Amazing.
 
Why were you sad? The message is clear - a priest may NOT take it upon himself to deny Communion to anyone, save for the gravest of reasons. And failure to obey an arbitrary decree on a “dress code” is surely not a grave reason.
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I guess I was sad because who I understood to be a good priest was hurt by a malicious plan. This was clearly a set up. I was not upset with the boy, but his parents and leaders who put him up to it. I do hope the boy is still seeking the body and blood of Christ in communion with the Church. I hope his parents and leaders have confessed to what I perceive as a sinful act.

I also hope the priest is still a priest.

Christ’s Peace,
TJD
 
No offense, but the Priest played right into their hands…
If they come there, in shorts, with TV cameras and news people… not exactly that hard to see…
He should have given Communion but addressed the Issue in the Homily or after Communion…
As for the Parents and Leaders… If a member of the Church, I would try and get something together for other members to talk to them and just ask why they refuse to take a dress code into consideration… If they wish not to, then they can do so quietly…
Church is a House of God to worship and give praise, not to make a point.
 
I agree, we should pray together at Church. Our actions should be a source of pride for our priests. We should leave Mass with a source of energy that helps the parish thrive. We should love one another and get along.

Oh well, it was a long time ago.
 
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dsproule:
Funny you should talk about Sunday mass in Detroit. I was in St. Joseph’s Church in Howell on Sunday at the noon mass. Again another church with no air. We were dying. But the priest said, just like yours, that if you think your hot, try standing in my shoes. Everyone felt bad for him because we knew how we felt and could only image how hot he was (it was more noticable because he had to wipe his brow a number of times). Anyway, we don’t wear shorts to mass, never did, never will. No sleeveless shirts, no tank tops, no short skirts. But, my 4 year old can wear shorts. Nice dress shorts with a nice polo shirt and nice clean shoes. I don’t think it is fair to bake him when he can’t fully grasp the concept. I probably allow him to until he makes his First Communion, after that he joins the Eucharist Sweat Club.
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Another Sunday Mass in the Archdiocese of Detroit…

Our pastor (Sacred Heart, Dearborn) recently took it upon himself to say the following in his homily and post it in the parish bulletin for two weeks in a row:

“Another seasonal check is needed as we enter the summer in reference to appropriate clothing for Mass. Sacred Heart has been blessed with people before us who have provided air-conditioning during the summer months. There is no need for clothing that is so scanty it would be more appropriate for sun-bathing and picnicking. Such attire becomes a distraction to others who come to worship God.”

I did not attend the Mass where he spoke of this in his homily (had to sing at a different Mass with our other priest presiding) but my parents were there and said that his message seemed to be well received. I wonder how many people were as fed up with the issue as he was but didn’t know how to say anything. I’m glad he did say something. Fortunately our priests are not afraid to speak their minds. 🙂

I’m personally a big fan of loose, swingy skirts in the summer- especially my ankle-length linen skirt, maybe with a short sleeve lightweight sweater or blouse. Much cooler than something skin tight, and definitely cooler than jeans (which I don’t wear to Mass).
 
TJD:

Would you where shorts to Sunday Mass if you knew the priest didn’t like it? … What about if he asked you nicely not to? … What about if He made it clear that it was out of bounds and posted signs?

I’ll answer the last question first. To unilaterally put a sign up lilke this without discussing with the congregation would be pretty out of character for most Priests I know, so I can’t really comment out of experience. I guess if I thought there were times when it was not justified, I would go speak with him. Seems silly to say “well then on these days I can’t go…”

If he asked me not to I would clearly reply to ask why, as I do think there is some dress that is inappropriate, but in cases that would affect me I would think a policy against it would be very extremist compared ot virtually any Church I Have ever been in.
 
I just kind of had a thought.

Many of the saints and even religious orders encourage corporal mortification. Doesn’t it seem to be a small price to pay to go to church in clothes that are not as cool, but certainly appropriate, in order to satisfy, quietly a little mortification. Like, offer it up to God.

I couldn’t help thinking this when I watched my fifty-something pastor walking down the aisle, wrapped all the way up to his neck in his vestments (no collar showing on him). He had on one of the heavier chasubles - one color on the outside and another on the inside. I mean - it wreaked of “oven”.

When a man with all of those vestments on is asking you not to come in shorts, it is a little arrogant to think you can’t handle the heat

Just another priest leading by example

:clapping:
 
Hello pharisees. I wonder if Jesus would wear a suit to mass? If not would you judge Him? I am glad I didn’t come across superficial people like some of the posters here when I was considering converting. I hope I never become this proud. I would not want to turn off others toward God because of my unChristcenteredness.
 
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Elliott:
Hello pharisees. I wonder if Jesus would wear a suit to mass? If not would you judge Him? I am glad I didn’t come across superficial people like some of the posters here when I was considering converting. I hope I never become this proud. I would not want to turn off others toward God because of my unChristcenteredness.
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There is a concept within Catholic religion that suggests spirituality should not only seek comforts, but suffering as well. This comes by virtue of the fact that Jesus suffered in addition to experiencing joy and happiness, and sorrow.

When my pastor dresses up in full vestments in a building without air conditioning where the stone has soaked up the previous days heat and bakes like an oven, then the least I could do is come to church in business casual clothes, or better, and not beach attire. This is a way of acknowledging thanks to the man for making his own sacrifice in getting all dressed up, setting aside the offering I can make God like the pastor is, for allowing myself to be a little uncomfortable for an hour.

When our priests live by example, then it would be so precious to God if we simply learned to follow that example. If he can’t wear shorts, then neither will I out of respect at the least for him, and out of respect for the sufferings of Christ in His sacrifice, which is what we are doing there in the first place. Maybe being hot and uncomfortable for a while would remind us all of that simple fact.
 
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Elliott:
Hello pharisees. I wonder if Jesus would wear a suit to mass? If not would you judge Him? I am glad I didn’t come across superficial people like some of the posters here when I was considering converting. I hope I never become this proud. I would not want to turn off others toward God because of my unChristcenteredness.
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You are not Jesus.
 
When my pastor dresses up in full vestments in a building without air conditioning where the stone has soaked up the previous days heat and bakes like an oven, then the least I could do is come to church in business casual clothes, or better, and not beach attire. This is a way of acknowledging thanks to the man for making his own sacrifice in getting all dressed up, setting aside the offering I can make God like the pastor is, for allowing myself to be a little uncomfortable for an hour.
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I say we all come in cloaks and full robes. http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif
 
I love to hear that some priests are addressing the issue:clapping: , but the first thing that also comes to mind is
pray for him now & hard!!
I heard the same thing @ 10 yrs ago and within the next year someone??? trumped up phony charges on an excellent priest-- he was defrocked ( the charges were never proven ) & we lost a man of GOD :crying:
 
You miss the point or I was not clear or both.

Lets say the Parish council met and agreed that shorts were not appropriate for Sunday Mass and provided direction to the congregation via bulletins or signs or whatever. And lets say the Priest asked you nicely not to wear shorts to Mass on Sunday and it was all pleasant and friendly. Would you not wear shorts, even dressy expensive shorts?

Oh nuts … the shorts aren’t the point. Do you submit to your priest when it comes to the liturgy?

Christ’s Peace,
 
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weddy:
I love to hear that some priests are addressing the issue:clapping: , but the first thing that also comes to mind is
pray for him now & hard!!
I heard the same thing @ 10 yrs ago and within the next year someone??? trumped up phony charges on an excellent priest-- he was defrocked ( the charges were never proven ) & we lost a man of GOD :crying:
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Priests facing accusations should be contacting Opus Bono

opusbono.org/home/index.asp

The organization ensures they get legal representation and spiritual direction. It does not pass judgement on an accused priest of guilt or innocence. It was started by a lay person who put up the money for attorney fees when a co-pastor at a parish was accused, then later vindicated. There was no money coming from the archdiocese and the priest had no way of putting up the money as saving is difficult at salaries they make.

Read more from the site:
opusbono.org/articles/bishops_double_standard.asp
 
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Isidore_AK:
I haven’t seen anything at Sally Anne’s that isn’t dated to the 70’s…and there’s no way I"m going to mass Disco style… 😃
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We have not one, but two Goodwills, a Sally Anne, a St. Vincent de Paul, and a variety of other thrift stores. Look for what designers call classic lines, which could also be considered “preppy”. It takes some work, but it is fun, and saving money is nice, too.
 
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