Collie in Church

[Michael_John]

Karl Keating previously posted a thread concerning chatting after Mass. We have that in our parish, but on a weekly basis we also have a large collie dog trotting up and down the aisles as soon as the Saturday evening Mass is over. The residing nun and schoolteacher lets him in. I think this shows disrespect for the space, and it detracts from parent’s efforts in teaching their children proper church etiquette. Comments?

 

[LauraL]

I’d object to this. We have had, so I’m told, a couple of eccentric senior citizens bring their lap dogs with them to Mass in past years. The story is told that one lady, you never knew her dog was there until one day the priest actually sang the recessional hymn (he ordinarily didn’t sing) – and the dog started howling as he passed!

But at least you don’t have apriest with a gigantic Irish Setter who insists on letting the dog come up on the Altar while he’s serving Mass. Yep. you heard me.

 

[bonica]

Michael John:

Karl Keating previously posted a thread concerning chatting after Mass. We have that in our parish, but on a weekly basis we also have a large collie dog trotting up and down the aisles as soon as the Saturday evening Mass is over. The residing nun and schoolteacher lets him in. I think this shows disrespect for the space, and it detracts from parent’s efforts in teaching their children proper church etiquette. Comments?

Perhaps you could politely point out that there are many people who are allergic to dogs and this could cause problems for them health-wise. Maybe then she’d stop?

 

[kevinfraser]

Michael John:

The residing nun and schoolteacher lets him in. I think this shows disrespect for the space,

Some questions occur for those responsible: Of what community is this nun a member? Is this something her superior approves of her doing? Ask her these questions diplomatically and alone. Similarly, you might ask the priest with the dog if the dog could be a distraction to any of the faithful when the rubrics instruct that the Mass is to be celebrated without distractions.

 

[servio_Christus]

A service dog comes to mass every Sunday with his owner who is disabeled. He lies quietly next to her and never causes any trouble.
I wish the some of the members of the parish were as quiet and respectful before, during and after mass and the dog.

 

[Panis_Angelicas]

servio Christus:

A service dog comes to mass every Sunday with his owner who is disabeled. He lies quietly next to her and never causes any trouble.
I wish the some of the members of the parish were as quiet and respectful before, during and after mass and the dog.

We’ve also had a pup in our parish, a service dog in-training. The only time you knew he was there was when he accompanied his trainer in the Communion line.

(And no, he did not cross his paws across his chest and beg for a blessing. )

Pax Christi. <><

 

[t_times]

I can’t believe I’m reading this, these masses are the same as a clown mass, I’m surprised the dog is not doing tricks. Because I feel the people are being tricked into believing that these are ligit masses.

 

[Marie]

Panis Angelicas:

We’ve also had a pup in our parish, a service dog in-training. The only time you knew he was there was when he accompanied his trainer in the Communion line.

(And no, he did not cross his paws across his chest and beg for a blessing. )

Pax Christi. <><

As others have mentioned, if the dog were a service dog it is acceptable. But this does not seem to be the case. I think that is an abuse IMNSHO! The owner needs some training it sounds like. The dog is not to blame for the less than stellar example of it’s owner.

We have a service dog in one of our local parishes. The dog is never seen except in the communion line and it is just doing its job quietly and beautifully. That is one I love to see in church. I don’t know if it’s giving any thanks after communion but it is tucked under the pew in a rather quiet and prayerful pose at all times.

 

[Michael_John]

The dog is not a service dog. He loves attention and seeks it from whomever he can by trotting up and down the aisles. Typically there are several children chasing after him. Needless to say, there is no quiet reflection time after the Mass.

 

[Prometheum_x]

I visited Italy in the summer of 2001. This information may not be current, but I’m going to write as if it is:

The Cathedral in Siena, Italy has many wonderful mosaics set in the floor. However, due to their age and the amount of traffic at this site, they have them covered up most of the year. Now Siena is the location of the Palio, the famous (and often deadly) horse race around the main plaza of the city. Each of the historic neighborhoods has a horse in the race and it is a matter of great pride. So, what do they do in Siena? They take all the horses that are going to be in the race to the Cathedral, and in honor of the event, they uncover the mosaics. They march the horses into the Cathedral and the horses are blessed. So, the horses get to see what most people never get to see.

How’s that for a story about animals in church?

 

[Marie]

Michael John:

The dog is not a service dog. He loves attention and seeks it from whomever he can by trotting up and down the aisles. Typically there are several children chasing after him. Needless to say, there is no quiet reflection time after the Mass.

That is disturbing and abusive indeed. I googled to see if I could find any rubrics about it. Not a one did I find. Maybe we need to write Rome about it or your Bishop. I did however find lots of rules about it on Catholic Cemeteries sites and one Catholic site about Weddings. No animal or birds allowed they said.

I find it very sad that in a Catholic Cemetery the Rules are reverent for those who cannot be disturbed any longer but in the earthly pews of the Communion of Saints it is not addressed (at least that I could find)

All persons are encouraged to visit the Cemetery. However, the Cemetery is a sacred place especially to those persons whose family and friends are buried therein; therefore, all visitors must conduct themselves in an acceptable fashion with due regard to the feelings of others. To this end, the Director and the Superintendent and his/her assistants shall have the right to eject from the grounds any person or persons whose actions they deem objectionable.

Things You should know About Your Catholic cemetery

Animals, pets, are not allowed in the Cemetery.

 

[space_ghost]

From the owner of a Large Collie Dog… I couldn’t agree more that I think his presence would be the height of DISrespect…

That being said… if your talking seeing eye dog or something of that nature then exceptions can be made… i doubt that this is the issue…

I would complain the the local bishop, but I also agree with a previous respondant… mention the allergy issue and that might solve the problem…

Bottom line, it’s a distraction from the sacrament taking place, and i vote No animals in church and that includes MY LARGE COLLIE dog…

 

[Panis_Angelicas]

You should also cite liability concerns, in the event that the dog ever bit anyone or spread a disease to another human, as well as sanitation and health concerns.
If anyone got bit by a dog inside the church building, he could not only sue the dog’s owner, but the diocese, for having an animal inside it in the first place.
Dogs, even well maintained, may be carriers of fleas, ticks, worms and parasites of all kinds.
While everyone has the right to own a pet, he/she should not impose his pet upon others in a public building or house of worship unless, as already stated, he is a service dog.

 

[Sparky]

WE have a blind lector. She reads from a Braille lectionary. Her service dog sits beside her. I’ve always found it cool.

The only other time I’d think one should see an animal in or around church ison the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
–Ann

 

[FrMatt]

A few months ago, I was standing at the altar when a ten week old kitten (he is a local cat that I pat from time to time) wandered in. I didn’t notice him until he started doing figure eights around my ankles. The acolyte scooped him up, and put him outside via a side door. A minute or two later, he wandered back in the other door, snuck under the altar rails and started again. He was locked in the sacristy and noisily protested for the rest of Mass. It was before the Eucharistic Prayer thankfully. Later on, I had to laugh at the incongruity of the whole situation, but he is locked up now during Mass times, so he can’t follow his family to Mass.

God bless,
Fr Matt

 

[Prometheum_x]

Panis Angelicas:

You should also cite liability concerns, in the event that the dog ever bit anyone or spread a disease to another human, as well as sanitation and health concerns.
If anyone got bit by a dog inside the church building, he could not only sue the dog’s owner, but the diocese, for having an animal inside it in the first place.
Dogs, even well maintained, may be carriers of fleas, ticks, worms and parasites of all kinds.
While everyone has the right to own a pet, he/she should not impose his pet upon others in a public building or house of worship unless, as already stated, he is a service dog.

True enough, although people, who are often not well maintained, may be carriers of lice, diseases, viruses, and many other similar things. . .