Converts & Reverts: What are your pet peeves about new Church practices?

[distracted]

Do you, like me, have a problem with certain new practices going on (that weren’t going on years ago)?

I’m a revert. When i came back to the Church years ago, i noticed many changes… I didn’t like most of them (especially when i heard those changes disparaged by traditional Catholics, who explained, in some detail why those changes were irritating to them…).
Personally, i never liked shaking hands in the middle of the Holy Celebration… when our minds should be focused on Christ. One other reason i dont like it: People are often freindlier toward some people than toward others… which can cause “disturbed” feelings… thereby, again, distracting us from the Mass… My opinion is: We have all week long to socialize w/ each other, why should we do it during Mass? Can’t we have ONE hour a week to focus on God only??

 

[Kera]

I asked my RCIA teacher almost that exact question one time. (I am a convert…just baptised, confirmed, etc. at Easter Vigil) Anyway, she said that we do the sign of peace to remind us that as Catholics we are part of a community. That it is this community that makes us part of the church. A church is not a building, but a gathering of God’s people. So, rather than the sign of peace taking your mind off of God, it should be reminding you that you are part of God’s community.
Personally, I have noticed that some people are friendlier to some than others… I also notice that the priest only shakes hands with some people.

 

[lizaanne]

I also notice that the priest only shakes hands with some people.

Welcome to the Holy Catholic Church, and to CA, Kera!

The priest should never wander from the sanctuary and walk around (as some do) shaking hands, that is not appropriate. So if it appears that he only shakes hands with some, that may be why.

I have to agree with the OP, I don’t like the sign of peace in the middle of the Mass either. I’d be perfectly happy if it were done away with.

I guess I could count as a revert/convert - I was not baptized till I was 35. I think what I miss the most is the sense of reverence and respect people used to have for just BEING in Church. When I was little, you did not talk or read your bulletin, or visit with people, and some how little ones survived for an hour without pretzels and Cheerios all over the pews. You observed holy silence, and I miss that. Some Churches do still do this, but my home parish does not, and it is very sad.

~Liza

 

[PatienceAndLove]

I am guilty of giving snacks. I hate myself.

 

[Genesis315]

Just be happy you don’t have to do the kiss of peace like they did in the really ancient liturgies (like the ones described by St. Justin Martyr). They may still do it in the East …

 

[PatienceAndLove]

Just be happy you don’t have to do the kiss of peace like they did in the really ancient liturgies (like the ones described by St. Justin Martyr). They may still do it in the East …

I only just realized that it’s called the Sign of Peace and the Kiss of Peace. That’s what I was taught.
Yep… if I know ya, you’re gettin’ kissed (on the cheek)!

 

[PatienceAndLove]

Do you, like me, have a problem with certain new practices going on (that weren’t going on years ago)?

I’m a revert. When i came back to the Church years ago, i noticed many changes… I didn’t like most of them (especially when i heard those changes disparaged by traditional Catholics, who explained, in some detail why those changes were irritating to them…).

Have you attended an TLM or LNO? You might prefer those!

 

[Jesus1]

Now that I know what the Eucharist is all about, that it is truly the Body and Blood of our Dear Savior, I wish that people would

1. remain kneeling during the Our Father - the Consecration is such a holy moment, and I think standing distracts all of that reverence that is going on
2. kneel once they got back from receiving the Precious Body and Blood. We have just received our Lord! We should truly be in a state of reverence, awe and total thanksgiving, not looking around to see how perhaps others are dressed as they walk back from the Communion line.

So, personally, I kneel during those times, and kneel to receive Christ! I feel that when I go to Heaven (still working out my salvation in fear and trembling), that I will be kneeling in adoration and thanksgiving, not just standing and looking around at the architecture (that will come much later!)

Welcome back and in the Catholic Faith!

 

[Anne1964]

I like the Sign of Peace. What I don’t like is holding hands during the Our Father, and I just won’t do it. When I came back to the Church last year I spent 9 months looking for the right parish and I finally found it.

Wonderful older priest, always includes some latin in the Mass, everyone genuflects when passing in front of the tabernacle, and there is silence in the church before Mass. Most people kneel when back in the pews after receiving Communion.

I really miss being able to kneel at the altar rail to receive Communion. Some people in my parish do kneel to receive but if I tried to do that with nothing to hold onto I would probably fall over trying to get up.

 

[PatienceAndLove]

Now that I know what the Eucharist is all about, that it is truly the Body and Blood of our Dear Savior, I wish that people would

1. remain kneeling during the Our Father - the Consecration is such a holy moment, and I think standing distracts all of that reverence that is going on
2. kneel once they got back from receiving the Precious Body and Blood. We have just received our Lord! We should truly be in a state of reverence, awe and total thanksgiving, not looking around to see how perhaps others are dressed as they walk back from the Communion line.

I kneel, and people look at me funny. Or they sit and hit my hands and glare at me.

 

[puzzleannie]

the forum for bitchin’ and moanin’ about various changes in church practices seems to be the traditional Catholicism forum, that should give you an earful, probably more than you want or need to hear.

I would only offer this observation, for the spiritual health of someone who is returning to or entering the Catholic Church at this time (welcome home, by the way).

I will be far more beneficial if you find a parish that offers the Mass as given to us by the Church, reverently and properly, and approach each Mass with the prayer and intent to worship God, hear His Word and receive Christ, and leave off the exceedingly destructive habit of expecting and noting “abuses” or making comparisons to our childhood memories.

 

[scylla]

I am so happy to be back with the Church and to realize what a precious thing the faith in Jesus is. I want everyone to be Catholic as it is so wonderful, I enjoy every day I am Catholic.

I do get bugged because many Catholics don’t realize how beautiful the Church really is and they think that if they change the Church more people will like it. So instead of realizing the beauty they have they fight against the Pope, the Bishops and our faith trying to remake it in their own image, heck some Bishops are guilty of this.

I don’t think it is because they want to destroy the faith they just want to make it accessible to everyone and they sometimes compromise truth in their zeal for change.

It is easy to complain, I do it all the time, but sometime we need to just enjoy the beauty of the Catholic faith and focus on that to refresh ourselves. Then get back to defending it.

In Christ
Scylla

 

[NaturalEnquirer]

I am guilty of giving snacks. I hate myself.

I also give snacks to our almost-two year old. Or I’ll let her play quietly with some little toys. Is it so bad? Should I hate myself? The way I see it, she’s way too little to understand what’s going on, so as long as she’s not causing a disturbance to others, so be it.

 

[PatienceAndLove]

I also give snacks to our almost-two year old. Or I’ll let her play quietly with some little toys. Is it so bad? Should I hate myself? The way I see it, she’s way too little to understand what’s going on, so as long as she’s not causing a disturbance to others, so be it.

Lately, though, mine (2.5) has gotten into sitting and listening and saying some of the prayers.
That makes me happy.

 

[rwoehmke]

Ah yes, the sign, the kiss of peace. I seem to recall that back in the dark ages before Vatican II that the priest, deacon, and sub-deacon exchanged a kiss of peace during the Solemn High Mass. It was nothing new after Vatican II, but something very old which was apparently exhumed for use by the laity. I suppose for some exhumed things stink. Oh well…

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

I’m a revert, and the only thing I really don’t like is the hand-shaking for the sign of peace. I would prefer a bow. In my mind, there is just no way to make hand-shaking reverent – it always looks like political glad-handing to me.

I would say I object to hand-holding during the “Our Father”, but I don’t see that as an actual approved part of the Mass – from my understanding, we’re not supposed to hold hands.

Another thing I don’t like (luckily fairly uncommon in my parish) is the cutesy-poo strummed-guitar “folk” (sic) ditties in place of real music. We have a traditional choir, childrens’ choir, and a contemporary group, but thankfully, no folk group.

(I don’t object to parents giving snacks to a toddler, as long as they don’t leave Cheerios all over the pew or the floor. )

Crazy Internet Junkies Society (Mudgie/Junkie Hybrid)
Carrier of the Angelic Sparkles Sprinkle Bag

 

[puzzleannie]

I also give snacks to our almost-two year old. Or I’ll let her play quietly with some little toys. Is it so bad? Should I hate myself? The way I see it, she’s way too little to understand what’s going on, so as long as she’s not causing a disturbance to others, so be it.

except for those of us who volunteer to clean up the cheerios and goldfish after each Mass, and while doing so are disturbing those who say the rosary after Mass or want to pray quietly, but we only have a few minutes to do it. As a parent, I question whether quieting a child with food is a good idea as far as feeding habits go, but when kids are a certain age you have to do whatever works.

 

[contramundum7]

I asked my RCIA teacher almost that exact question one time. (I am a convert…just baptised, confirmed, etc. at Easter Vigil) Anyway, she said that we do the sign of peace to remind us that as Catholics we are part of a community. That it is this community that makes us part of the church. A church is not a building, but a gathering of God’s people. So, rather than the sign of peace taking your mind off of God, it should be reminding you that you are part of God’s community.
Personally, I have noticed that some people are friendlier to some than others… I also notice that the priest only shakes hands with some people.

Right and those who have low self-esteem feel “less than” all over again. I know people who are so sensitive to this kind of thing, they don’t even go to Church… This 1 guy i know isolates totally, & that is unhealthy… Anyway, i know most people are not that sensitive… and i continue to encourage this one 2 overcome that… but i don’t believe the Church should do anything that could possibly alienate members/potential members. I mean, many people DO have emotional/psychological disabilities… (& they r as real as physical ones…).
i have also noticed, as u say, priests who only shake hands with certain people. I have heard that this practice is heterodox (the priest shouldn’t leave the altar…). That reminds me of another pet peeve i have: The priest not staying in the pulpit during the homily… That, i am SURE, is unorthodox behavior and not condoned by Rome… There is a move in this country to make the priesthood nothing more than a “glorified laity” or whatever… and 2 me, the devil is the one behind it… it means a lowering of respect 4 authority & the office of the priesthood… When priests are the same as the laity, well, we don’t have to listen to them… (etc). With only 30% believing in the church’s stand on birth control, i would say we are already “there”…

 

[contramundum7]

Welcome to the Holy Catholic Church, and to CA, Kera!

The priest should never wander from the sanctuary and walk around (as some do) shaking hands, that is not appropriate. So if it appears that he only shakes hands with some, that may be why.

I have to agree with the OP, I don’t like the sign of peace in the middle of the Mass either. I’d be perfectly happy if it were done away with.

I guess I could count as a revert/convert - I was not baptized till I was 35. I think what I miss the most is the sense of reverence and respect people used to have for just BEING in Church. When I was little, you did not talk or read your bulletin, or visit with people, and some how little ones survived for an hour without pretzels and Cheerios all over the pews. You observed holy silence, and I miss that. Some Churches do still do this, but my home parish does not, and it is very sad.

~Liza

Enjoyed reading this… i feel the same way…
I think you should inform your priest that you don’t like the lack of reverence… If u feel uncomfortable doing that, send an anonymous letter… And/or contact the Bishop.
I miss the Old Way like i miss a friend who has died… Maybe that sounds extreme, but that’s the wya i feel…

 

[contramundum7]

I am guilty of giving snacks. I hate myself.

Isn’t there a rule about using sarcasm?

Just kidding… Personally, kids having snacks in Church doesn’t bother me - kids under, say 4… We can have reverence in the church w/o telling parents to refrain from that…

But one time, i saw a teenager chewing gum (at a funeral mind u )…