Cell Phones at Mass

[SMHW]

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.

This is the other side of the cell phone rudeness issue that often doesn’t get mentioned. No one’s cell phone would ring at Mass unless someone calls the person with the phone. There’s a lot of complaining about the persons who (for whatever reason) fail to turn off the ringer on their cell phones and/or answer them while continuing to remain in the pew. But there is less attention paid to the people doing the calling.

A lot callers view cell phones in a way more similar to the way they view email than to they way they view a traditional land line. Since the cell phone generally belongs to an individual rather than to an entire family or business they figure they can call any time of the day or night. They would never dream of calling a landline phone at such times.

What I am beginning to see more and more of is text messaging at Mass.

 

[chicago]

What I am beginning to see more and more of is text messaging at Mass.

(sitting in your pew, messaging the guy across the aisle)

“Father is boring.”

“And those vestments need to be washed.”

“Mary should buy a new dress.”

“Why doesn’t he take that baby outta here?”

“I could do a better flower arrangement for the altar that THAT!”

 

[SMHW]

(sitting in your pew, messaging the guy across the aisle)

“Father is boring.”

“And those vestments need to be washed.”

“Mary should buy a new dress.”

“Why doesn’t he take that baby outta here?”

“I could do a better flower arrangement for the altar that THAT!”

Well at least these two people are paying attention to what is happening in the room. Perhaps they are playing ‘liturgical abuse’ bingo.

 

[chicago]

Perhaps they are playing ‘liturgical abuse’ bingo.

"A"buse… #5 in the offical handbook

“B” more reverent

“U” are L8!

“S” hhhhhhhhhh

“E” MHC should NOT be used under these circumstances

 

[Wolseley]

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, I will need your full name and address, so I can send it to the Vatican to begin your canonization process.

You are totally, 100% correct, and may God bless you for speaking the truth in this matter.

Brother Rich, I also cannot agree with you more: leave the cell phones in the car. Do not bring them into a church to disrespect the Blessed Sacrament and annoy other parishioners.

 

[THutch04]

I suppose one could always say that 10 years ago we wouldn’t even be having this conversation, because cell phones weren’t even used too much.

Thankfully, I haven’t heard cell phones go off too much lately (the one time I heard the Hallelujah Chorus at the Consecration…at least it was sacred music I guess…). But the people who honestly need to have their phones on for whatever reason usually (I won’t say always, because you never know…) have their phones on vibrate and answer/exit quietly so they don’t cause too much of a disturbance. The people who bother me are the ones who don’t care and carry on a conversation on their way up to receiving Communion…and yes, unfortunately I have seen that before…

Can’t say I’ve seen anyone text messaging during Mass, but with all the bills people seem to get with just texting, it wouldn’t surprise me if someone were to do that.

 

[THutch04]

I rarely ever use my cell phone I don’t even have my number memorize. I do usually keep my phone with me to keep track of time though. A couple of weeks ago during daily mass(our daily masses are pretty full) my phone which is usually on silent rang right before the homily. I immediately turned the ringer on silent again with dirty look of my DD. Very embarrassed I tried to focus again on the mass. Right before communion it rang again. Well, to say the least I got alot of people saying unkind things behind me. I took my phone out to turn it to silent again. I than notice that it would not work. I than tried to pull the battery out but with the blindness of embarrassment I could not do that either. I finally got up and walked out of church without receiving my Lord. I went straight to the adoritation chapel which is where I go after mass, and why I normally need my phone to keep track of time.

I feel that this was a lesson for me to remember how horrible I felt and embarrassed, and that I should always give others the benefit of the doubt.

I spoke too soon when I said my phone had never gone off in Mass before…

I was in Mass today, and I ALWAYS either have it off or on silent, and well, I must’ve accidentally hit the button that turns it on driving mode…during the Gospel reading I hear “Call from…” Of course I didn’t think it was me at first, so I let it go until I heard it the second time and realized it was coming from MY bag. After saying an expletive, I went to turn it off. Of course, I have a flip phone, so when I opened it I hear “Please say a command.” And this was in our multi-purpose room, which is arranged in a square, so it’s not really easy to do things discretely. I have never been more embarrassed in my life! I can imagine the looks I must’ve gotten, because I know I’d be one of those people if it was someone else! Phones going off in Mass is a BIG pet peeve of mine. I ended up apologizing to the people around me during the Sign of Peace, and didn’t receive Communion.

 

[maherite1977]

During Mass one morning, one of our altar servers left their cell phone on (after I reminded everyone about that earlier in the Sacristy - different topic). The phone was playing “Hail to the Victors”, the Michigan fight song. It happened to be after communion while the church was quiet. Father said during his prayers, “Yes, also pray for Notre Dame after their loss.” Good segway, Father, but bad form from the altar server leaving the cell phone on.

 

[AlegreFe]

Do you know the phone number to heaven?

Et cum spiri- 2-2-0!

LOL
That was funny and cute too.

Whenever I hear a cellphone ring I try to “offer up” the feelings that I get from hearing them ring. It does urk me to hear them so I offer it up.