Cell Phones at Mass

[SMHW]

Ever thought of buying a watch?

Have you noticed that since cell phones have become so popular you don’t hear so many watch alarms going off on the hour at Mass (and other places) anymore?

I think there are a lot of people who have stopped wearing watches because they now use their cell phones to get the time.

 

[Kielbasi]

Et cum spiri- 2-2-0!

Please explain! I’m feeling very stupid right now.

The joke is based on two antiquated ideas.

First “et cum spiritu tuo” is a frequent response of the faithful in the old Latin mass, it’s pronounced as the joke indicates.

Second, phone numbers in the 60s and previously , weren’t all numbers as they are in the 21st century. Back then, you’d get phone numbers like “Evergreen 1-2938” or “Walnut 1-2938”.

 

[Kielbasi]

Et cum spiri- 2-2-0!

Please explain! I’m feeling very stupid right now.

The joke is based on 2 ideas. One, et cum spiritu tuo, is a frequent response in the old Latin mass, it’s roughly pronounced “et cum spiri 220”.

Second, back in the 60s, phone numbers aren’t all digits as they are today. Instead, you’d have numbers like “Evergreen 1-1387” or “Walnut 2-3569”.

 

[Cortes]

A priest in Spain gained worldwide attention when he installed a cell phone jammer in his church which prevented making or receiving calls inside the building. Unfortunately, this is illegal in the USA because of things like emergency pages.

They are used here in the USA and the FCC has yet to cite any religious institution for using such jamming devices, as long as it does not radiate past their property. Jammers are also commonly used in theaters here in the USA with similiar results.

The notion that doctors, police, fire, etc. all need to have their cell phones and pagers with them or that we should be tolerant of them during the Mass is horribly misguided. Either give Jesus an hour of your time or don’t – but do not impact other people’s experience at Calvary.

 

[DaveBj]

This very rarely happens in our parish. It is only last month that I joined the 1990s and started carrying a cellphone. I turn it off when I’m in church or at the Shrine.

DaveBj

I spoke too soon :bigyikes:

This mornng during Father’s homily someone’s cellphone went off loud and clear. Father stopped, and a man scooped up a bag and ran out the back door.

I said “rarely”, but I think that was the first time since I started the process of becoming Catholic a little over 2 years ago.

DaveBj

 

[mommyof4]

The joke is based on two antiquated ideas.

First “et cum spiritu tuo” is a frequent response of the faithful in the old Latin mass, it’s pronounced as the joke indicates.

Second, phone numbers in the 60s and previously , weren’t all numbers as they are in the 21st century. Back then, you’d get phone numbers like “Evergreen 1-2938” or “Walnut 1-2938”.

Ahh… thank you!

 

[bluerose]

What bothers me is when their ring tone is something very inappropiate or annoying.

I think I mentioned on another thread about this same topic about how disconcerting it is to not only hear a cell phone go off in the middle of Mass, but to hear the latest hit song suddenly start blaring at a most inappropriate time.

Such as, during the consecration: “… He broke the bread, gave it to His disciples and said…”
“HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW? NOW THAT I’M ON MY WAY? DO YOU STILL THINK I’M CRAZY…”



I did once hear the Notre Dame fight song start playing, during the rosary just before Mass, right after the priest prayed the Fatima prayer: “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.” The phone’s owner turned a bright shade of red as he scrambled to shut it off (he was hard to miss, in his ND jacket) and Father tried to keep a straight face as he said, “Yes, I know the Fightin’ Irish won yesterday, but let’s not rub it in!”

 

[Orionthehunter]

Maybe she has been on an organ transplant list and that was the call to tell her to get to the hospital NOW?!!!

That’s always what I try to tell myself when someone is talking without a care about anyone around them. I was once driving behind someone - we were going about 45 mph when she got a call on her cell… she slowed down to talk - not kidding - to 10 mph. I couldn’t pass so there we creeped along.

I was thinking such terrible thoughts until I came up with the organ transplant thing.

I hope she’s doing well with her new kidney.

In our parish, we have a lady who cares for her husband who has alzheimers. As he is getting paranoid and very disruptive, she has been leaving him at home on Sunday’s. Anyway, she sits in the back so she can answer the phone quickly to comfort him and tell him she is soon going to be home. As my wife tells me, if he can’t reach her at all times, he becomes very agitated. Since we all know Margaret and her situation, everyone knows what is happening when she answers the phone quickly, tells Joe she will soon be home, and hangs up. Unfortunately, if we didn’t know Margaret, we’d probably have the reaction of the OP. Thus, in charity, maybe we should assume the best and possibly instead of being judgmental, we should say a quick prayer for the caller and the callee.

 

[Sweeney]

Estesbob-

Yes, it was set on vibrate, but I would have answered the call as I stood up and exited to the back of the church.

Cortes-

What a mean spirited, arrogant, un-Christian response - I pray you never find yourself in the situation I was in.

 

[aurora77]

The absolute worst is the reading abot the three kids beng thrown in the furnace,

Ugh! I had that one at daily Mass, I swear the Author repeated their names over and over and over again just so He could watch us readers squirm. For awhile it seemed like every week there was some unpronounceable name.

Back on topic, I think it’s rude to use a cell phone in a public place. It’s just impolite; step outside if the call is so important. They definitely don’t belong in church. If a person is on call, their phone can easily be set to vibrate.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

…I wouldn’t have believed it:

Yesterday at the school Mass at our relatively conservative church, a cell phone rang at the beginning of Communion. An older woman (at least 50s) just coming back from receiving Our Lord and Savior pulled out her phone and answered it in a normal-to-slightly-loud speaking voice: “Yeah?” “I’m in church.” (The Communion songs hadn’t started yet so there was absolutely nothing to mask the distraction. Thankfully, it was my turn to go to Communion so I don’t know how much longer the conversation lasted but…Oh My! Please pray for her – and for me.

People should just leave them in the car.

 

[Sir_Knight]

They are used here in the USA and the FCC has yet to cite any religious institution for using such jamming devices, as long as it does not radiate past their property. Jammers are also commonly used in theaters here in the USA with similiar results.

And when somebody dies or is seriously injuried because an emergency professional could not be reached, that place will find itself sued and fined out of existence.

The notion that doctors, police, fire, etc. all need to have their cell phones and pagers with them or that we should be tolerant of them during the Mass is horribly misguided.

No it’s not.

Either give Jesus an hour of your time or don’t – but do not impact other people’s experience at Calvary.

Was the Sabbath made for Man or was Man made for the Sabbath (Mk 2:27-28). The Church clearly teaches that those who have to tend to the needs of others (and I’m obviously not talking about trivial things or things that can not be done at other times) are excused from Sunday worship

 

[Sir_Knight]

People should just leave them in the car.

People should

1. *] Place them on vibrate.
   
   *] Check to see who is calling.
   
   a) Family should be with them in church.
   
   b) Not immediate family and close friends should know that they are in church and not call unless it is a serious emergency.
   
   .:.) If it’s family or friends, they should only be calling in an emergency.
   
   c) If it’s anyone else and they are not an emergency professional, just let the phone continue to vibrate and return the call after Mass.

 

[Cortes]

Cortes-

What a mean spirited, arrogant, un-Christian response - I pray you never find yourself in the situation I was in.

Despite your offensive and rather ignorant response, I’ll say it again as it is the truth. Either give Jesus Christ an hour of your time or don’t – but do not negatively impact other people’s experience of the miracle that is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with your cell phones and pagers. They have absolutely no place inside of a Catholic church.

 

[Cortes]

People should

1. *] Place them on vibrate.
   
   *] Check to see who is calling.
   
   a) Family should be with them in church.
   
   b) Not immediate family and close friends should know that they are in church and not call unless it is a serious emergency.
   
   .:.) If it’s family or friends, they should only be calling in an emergency.
   
   c) If it’s anyone else and they are not an emergency professional, just let the phone continue to vibrate and return the call after Mass.

1. 
   I think Br. Rich SFO had it right:
   
   “People should just leave them in the car.”
   
   I don’t see how people could really be prepared for the Mass if they are on edge, waiting for a call or if they feel they need to “check” who called even if they have them in vibrate mode.

 

[Cortes]

And when somebody dies or is seriously injuried because an emergency professional could not be reached, that place will find itself sued and fined out of existence.

That’s just not the case, although if I was a pastor I would certainly have it posted that cell phones and pagers would not work inside of the church. Your comments remind me of the parents who “threatened to sue” when the local school district finally banned call phones once and for all. Nothing but hot air.

Theaters and other venues not only use jamming equipment, they install passive shielding that blocks the cell signal. Where’s the line of lawsuits there? If your comments had any validity, not only would be shielding material never be installed, it could never be sold and those venues that are shielded could never be insured.

Was the Sabbath made for Man or was Man made for the Sabbath (Mk 2:27-28). The Church clearly teaches that those who have to tend to the needs of others (and I’m obviously not talking about trivial things or things that can not be done at other times) are excused from Sunday worship

Your point? No matter how your try to spin it disrupting the Mass with a cell phone or pager is unacceptable.

 

[MyPhilomena]

cell phones are for emergencies only when in mass, that should be clear to people, they should be left on vibrate, and if a person has to answer it, they can step outside. i do not like it when people have conversations on their cell phone during mass, it is rude and annoying. fortunately, the church where i go to it is unheard of for a cell phone to ring during mass. and the priest never brings his cell phone to mass. i’ve seen people and heard of people who will talk and talk on their phones during mass, and it distracts others, and it is unfair to talk on a phone in church. as far as iam concerned, if someone wants to talk on their phone they can go outside, and not disturb others in church. some make an honest mistake, but for the ones who don’t, please if you want to have a conversation during mass on your phone, please go outside!

 

[Detroit_Sue]

I was at a transitional diaconate ordination a couple of years ago, when right after the Mass, a young woman started dialing on her cell phone in the chapel. The Holy Spirit took over, and had me charitably tell the woman that her phone should not be used in church.

I hope that stayed with her.

 

[Sweeney]

I wonder if Cortes feels that all those noisy infants should be left at home, lest they disturb his Mass experience?

 

[aurora77]

I wonder if Cortes feels that all those noisy infants should be left at home, lest they disturb his Mass experience?

There’s a vast difference between a baby that can’t control when he/she cries and an adult who is perfectly capable of going without a phone conversation for an hour.

Whenever I hear one going off, which is rare, thank goodness, I always wonder who on earth would be calling at 8 am on a Sunday morning? Maybe we’re just wierd, but I tend to think it’s rude to call people (or get calls) before 9 or so in the morning, except for emergencies.