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

[contramundum7]

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 …

 

[distracted]

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

If only they weren’t so few and far between…

 

[distracted]

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!

That part about looking @ how peple r dressed as they walk down the aisles after Communion really hit home… I have to admit i appreciate beauty and there are a lot of beautiful people (all of them) & clothes to look @ at Mass… Father, forgive me, i am human .
Anyway, i appreciate your love for Jesus…
I am just thinking of something… I used to be focused on Jesus in the way u speak of… Then “distractions” came into my life… I am still :knight2: -ing them… Maybe i will have to do that extremist thing of cutting off the right foot that offends… because sometimes (like when i read your kinds of Posts), i get the feeling something is wrong between Jesus and me… something that is not always obvious… but is subtle… and hard to always see…
Until something reminds me…
Thanks…
… even though i don’t always relish the idea of cutting off my right foot (I’m sure that hurts a lot … )
Anyway, thanks… uch:

 

[distracted]

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

i don’t really mind the guitar music as long as its reverently done… but it does kind of put one in mind of… well, 60s hippies or something… I just don’t like what usually goes with this kind of music - namely, a liberal attitude toward the Mass…
I also don’t object to children having Cheerios (except that Cheerios aren’t as healthy as other things… ). In fact, i wish more parents would bring their children to Mass with them. I feel many leave them at home or go to the cry room… As long as they don’t scream and holler, i believe they should b with the rest of us…
But then, i’m not so sure Catholics are even having very many babies these days…

 

[distracted]

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

Thats true - they don’t do it 4 any other reason than to attract people… but i think that people would be more strongly attracted if there was MORE, not less, reverence at Mass…
It’s kind of scary that so much reverence has been taken out of the Mass over the years… when such reverence is probably what people of all faiths are looking 4, wehther they realize it or not…
Lack of reverence toward God leads to lack of reverence for human beings… I overheard these teens talking today. They talked about some movie or video game (wasn’t paying much attention) and about how people were getting killed… as if they were talking about race cars making it to the fiish line or something… It was creepy… There is so little respect for human life.
I sometimes hate the entire human race because of what some evil persons have done to me in the past (i was a victim of crime more than once). But then i have to stop & tell myself that 1) not all people are like that and 2) even if they are, they are still created in God’s image… and capable of repentence, etc…
If it is hard for me as a Christian to appreciate -absolutely - the value of human life, imagine what non-Christians are thinking…
Anyway, another example… When i told this one guy about how Ford deliberatly refrained from putting into the Pinto an $11 device that would have saved many lives… the guy acted like, well, he might as well have said, “So? The company has to make money.”
As Marvin Gaye so wonderfully put it in one of his songs in the 70s: “…Oh mercy, mercy me… things aint what thye used to be…”

 

[PatienceAndLove]

I dunno, I kinda like when Father stands on the steps up to the alter and gives his homily. He gets bouncy on his toes when he gets excited. It makes me smile.

 

[Jesus1]

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

I’m so sorry Hang in there, and keep the Faith! I just close my eyes and pray for all of those that are Mass, that the Blessed Mother will wrap them in her loving mantle of protection and that they will feel the presence of the Holy Spirit.

I want to encourage you in that by your example, there are so many people coming to Mass, knowing that something beautiful is there, but they just have never been taught what it is. Your example is touching more hearts and minds than you will ever know.

I praise God for you, and for all of those on this thread. You are the hope of the Church because you understand the beauty and reverence of the blessings and graces that we are receiving at every Mass. Continue to show your reverence, be happy, smile at those that you see, make everyone at Mass hungry for what you have. I have 6 children living, and something very interesting happened. When I would take them shopping, some of them would be looking at the candy, others trying to help, and yes, sometimes some of them begging for something. I was really nervous because of the rude comments that I had received about having too many children, so I would be uptight about what was going on. As I looked at the other people around, hoping to find a friendly face, I would see scowls, disapproving looks, etc. So, as God had and still is, teaching me about patience and love, I one day decided to remain positive, keep smiling, hug my children during that time, etc. As I did this, and looked at those around me, they were picking up on my attitude towards my children, and they were actually!!! smiling too! This has opened up the chance and opportunity for me to witness to them. God is sooo great! People are watching you, so smile! Ask them how they are doing, say, glad to see you here, I look forward to seeing you next week. I have been convicted to wear a mantilla. I am in my early 40’s, and so as people see me in Mass, I get these puzzled looks as I walk by, so, I just smile! And then the confusion passes, and they smile back, and I have just opened up the doors for future sharing of the beauty of our Faith

Praise God for the gift of His Masses for us.

 

[AngelRose81]

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.

I don’t mind the Sign of Peace but I, like you, really DO NOT like holding hands during the Our Father. I go to our 8 am Mass and sit on a pew with 2 other people, a mother and son and you can tell she is very traditional so she doesn’t even attempt to hold hands with anyone.

Our associate pastor, who is from Africa but I’m not sure where, ususally uses some Latin too. Very pretty!

I never thought about kneeling during the Our Father but its a good idea. As far as kneeling after receiving Our Lord, everyone does that but some sit down once everyone has received. I stay kneeling until the priest gets ready to do the prayer after communion and everyone stands.

 

[Jabronie]

I don’t mind the Sign of Peace but I, like you, really DO NOT like holding hands during the Our Father. I go to our 8 am Mass and sit on a pew with 2 other people, a mother and son and you can tell she is very traditional so she doesn’t even attempt to hold hands with anyone.

Our associate pastor, who is from Africa but I’m not sure where, ususally uses some Latin too. Very pretty!

I never thought about kneeling during the Our Father but its a good idea. As far as kneeling after receiving Our Lord, everyone does that but some sit down once everyone has received. I stay kneeling until the priest gets ready to do the prayer after communion and everyone stands.

Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure that the GIRM instructs us to stand during Our Father.

The churches in my diocese kneel after communion until the priest sits down.

 

[AngelRose81]

Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure that the GIRM instructs us to stand during Our Father.

The churches in my diocese kneel after communion until the priest sits down.

I hadn’t thought to check that…
Good point!
…let’'s see…here’s what I could find…

Chapter II

The Structure of the Mass, Its Elements and Its Parts

I. The General Structure of the Mass*The Lord’s Prayer

*81. In the Lord’s Prayer a petition is made for daily food, which for Christians means preeminently the eucharistic bread, and also for purification from sin, so that what is holy may, in fact, be given to those who are holy. The priest says the invitation to the prayer, and all the faithful say it with him; the priest alone adds the embolism, which the people conclude with a doxology. The embolism, enlarging upon the last petition of the Lord’s Prayer itself, begs deliverance from the power of evil for the entire community of the faithful.

The invitation, the Prayer itself, the embolism, and the doxology by which the people conclude these things are sung or said aloud.

and also this

Chapter II

The Structure of the Mass, Its Elements and Its Parts
I. The General Structure of the Mass
Movements and Posture
43. The faithful should stand from the beginning of the Entrance chant, or while the priest approaches the altar, until the end of the Collect; for the Alleluia chant before the Gospel; while the Gospel itself is proclaimed; during the Profession of Faith and the Prayer of the Faithful; from the invitation, Orate, fratres (Pray, brethren), before the prayer over the offerings until the end of Mass, except at the places indicated below.

They should, however, sit while the readings before the Gospel and the responsorial Psalm are proclaimed and for the homily and while the Preparation of the Gifts at the Offertory is taking place; and, as circumstances allow, they may sit or kneel while the period of sacred silence after Communion is observed.

In the dioceses of the United States of America, they should kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer, except when prevented on occasion by reasons of health, lack of space, the large number of people present, or some other good reason. Those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the priest genuflects after the consecration. The faithful kneel after the Agnus Dei unless the Diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.53

With a view to a uniformity in gestures and postures during one and the same celebration, the faithful should follow the directions which the deacon, lay minister, or priest gives according to whatever is indicated in the Missal.

All quotes taken from: usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter2.shtml#sect2

 

[AngelRose81]

The above quotes are what I found on it and I don’t know if I looked in the right place or not so if I didn’t someone please correct me!

 

[contramundum7]

I’m so sorry Hang in there, and keep the Faith! I just close my eyes and pray for all of those that are Mass, that the Blessed Mother will wrap them in her loving mantle of protection and that they will feel the presence of the Holy Spirit.

I want to encourage you in that by your example, there are so many people coming to Mass, knowing that something beautiful is there, but they just have never been taught what it is. Your example is touching more hearts and minds than you will ever know.

I praise God for you, and for all of those on this thread. You are the hope of the Church because you understand the beauty and reverence of the blessings and graces that we are receiving at every Mass. Continue to show your reverence, be happy, smile at those that you see, make everyone at Mass hungry for what you have. I have 6 children living, and something very interesting happened. When I would take them shopping, some of them would be looking at the candy, others trying to help, and yes, sometimes some of them begging for something. I was really nervous because of the rude comments that I had received about having too many children, so I would be uptight about what was going on. As I looked at the other people around, hoping to find a friendly face, I would see scowls, disapproving looks, etc. So, as God had and still is, teaching me about patience and love, I one day decided to remain positive, keep smiling, hug my children during that time, etc. As I did this, and looked at those around me, they were picking up on my attitude towards my children, and they were actually!!! smiling too! This has opened up the chance and opportunity for me to witness to them. God is sooo great! People are watching you, so smile! Ask them how they are doing, say, glad to see you here, I look forward to seeing you next week. I have been convicted to wear a mantilla. I am in my early 40’s, and so as people see me in Mass, I get these puzzled looks as I walk by, so, I just smile! And then the confusion passes, and they smile back, and I have just opened up the doors for future sharing of the beauty of our Faith

Praise God for the gift of His Masses for us.

A very inspiring testimony. Thanks. Now if i could just Do that…

 

[Jesus1]

A very inspiring testimony. Thanks. Now if i could just Do that…

Thanks for the compliment. Trust me, if I can do that, anyone can Just baby steps at first. That is what God had me doing at first. Sometimes I felt like I kept falling on my face all of the time, and I would be back in Confession or repenting for what I was doing wrong, again. As I would ask God to help me do a better job at whatever it was that I was dealing with, He would give me insights, or I would read an article dealing with the very topic. So, God is faithful to answer us, we just need to know how to ask, and for me, just remebering to ask is the first step that I need to take.

God bless all of you:thumbsup:

 

[Jesus1]

I hadn’t thought to check that…
Good point!
…let’'s see…here’s what I could find…

and also this

All quotes taken from: usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter2.shtml#sect2

Thanks so much for looking all of this up. I didn’t think of that
When I remain kneeling during the Our Father, I always tell Jesus that I believe He is truly present on the altar so that it remains for me an act of adoration.

God bless

 

[contramundum7]

Thanks for the compliment. Trust me, if I can do that, anyone can Just baby steps at first. That is what God had me doing at first. Sometimes I felt like I kept falling on my face all of the time, and I would be back in Confession or repenting for what I was doing wrong, again. As I would ask God to help me do a better job at whatever it was that I was dealing with, He would give me insights, or I would read an article dealing with the very topic. So, God is faithful to answer us, we just need to know how to ask, and for me, just remebering to ask is the first step that I need to take.

God bless all of you:thumbsup:

Amen, especially to that last part about remembering to ask, about how that is the first step - & Sometimes… always(?) its the first step that is the hardest… You reminded me of how few first steps i have taken lately … I’ve gotten “lazy” and “despairing” in my “old age”…
(though, really, i am not “old” )

 

[Jesus1]

Amen, especially to that last part about remembering to ask, about how that is the first step - & Sometimes… always(?) its the first step that is the hardest… You reminded me of how few first steps i have taken lately … I’ve gotten “lazy” and “despairing” in my “old age”…
(though, really, i am not “old” )

Please be gentle with yourself! Sometimes we go through different seasons. Sometimes God has me going through my perfecting stages (ie read hardships and painful experiences) so that I can draw closer to Him, and then there are other seasons where He is helping me get better at evangelizing. We are all on a journey, and sometimes we just go on different roads, but they are always strengthening and teaching us about the newer levels that God is getting ready to ask us to deal with and use in our efforts to bring even more people back to Him.
I really see some exciting things going on in the Catholic Church that keep me going. Plus, I remember how far off I was in my own Faith, and I want to help pull as many people as I possibly can out of their own confusion and pain, and bring them into the peace and joy that is only found through Christ and His beloved Catholic Church.

God bless you for all that you do, it is more than you think!

 

[Jesus1]

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…

After I came back into the Catholic Faith, and I really saw how the Bible supports the Catholic Faith to the tee, well, I was sooo excited! With our Lord’s help, I got my husband to agree to using NFP, no more contraception, we went to Mass regularly, all of these beautiful things that you could find in Scripture. When I went to start sharing these exciting Bible verses, and living them out, I started really getting hassled. I was told by people that I had known for years to quit kneeling for Communion, quit wearing a hat/veil, that it was okay to receive Communion when you were on birth control - a deacon told me that, that it was okay to miss Mass, calling God mother, etc. I was so sadened after all that I was hearing and encountering, that one day, I felt as if I finally had found out how to purchase a ticket to get on the Mother Ship (is that the term?) - the Catholic Faith. So, I had run down to the pier with my ticket in hand, and I see her sailing off, and I am left on shore with all of these people around me that are fighting and arguing with me about what to believe and not. I felt sooo alone for awhile. I was so sad. I thought I finally learned, but it was too late. I had missed the boat of other true believers, the days when everyone believed pretty much the same things.
Then, God pulled me out of my confusion and sadness, and started pointing out that just as I had been hungry and searching for the truth for so long, there were millions of others in the Catholic Faith - and out - that were just as hungry, and that I was to start reeling them into the peace and joy that is found in the Catholic Faith. So, I did, and I still do, and praise God, I have found others that believe in the Catholic Faith - they are my oasis at times-. I just keep smiling, sharing, getting back into the Bible when I get down, and keep pulling and keeping in as many people as I possibly can in the Catholic Faith.
God is soo good Keep the Faith, and keep speaking the truth in love. With God’s help, we’ll slowly bring back the Old Way, we just have to keep plugging away at it Mother Ship is still here, waiting for more passengers. Let’s fill her up!

 

[AngelRose81]

Thanks so much for looking all of this up. I didn’t think of that
When I remain kneeling during the Our Father, I always tell Jesus that I believe He is truly present on the altar so that it remains for me an act of adoration.

God bless

No problem. Glad to be of assistance!

 

[distracted]

Please be gentle with yourself! Sometimes we go through different seasons. Sometimes God has me going through my perfecting stages (ie read hardships and painful experiences) so that I can draw closer to Him, and then there are other seasons where He is helping me get better at evangelizing. We are all on a journey, and sometimes we just go on different roads, but they are always strengthening and teaching us about the newer levels that God is getting ready to ask us to deal with and use in our efforts to bring even more people back to Him.
I really see some exciting things going on in the Catholic Church that keep me going. Plus, I remember how far off I was in my own Faith, and I want to help pull as many people as I possibly can out of their own confusion and pain, and bring them into the peace and joy that is only found through Christ and His beloved Catholic Church.

God bless you for all that you do, it is more than you think!

It’s interesting that what you say here is almost word for word what God “told” me about my situation… (it was so interesting it made me start 2 cry… in a good way ) .
I was doing this one “ministry” thing some time ago and (long story), it fell apart… i fell into my usual thought pattern of “God is against me - Why!!!” But then i prayed 2 Jesus, asked him what HE wanted me to do… He “told” me to spend time with him at the Blessed Sacrament… and to do so MORE OFTEN … When i got there, i was shown WHY i needed so badly 2b there… And i realized (4 the 100th time) that God is not against me (some people in my life r – or seem 2b - but Jesus is not like “people”)…
What’s that saying, something about banging your head against a wall… and about how good it feels when u stop?? That’s me… I never seem to stop (believing such falsehoods) 4 very long…
In an unloving world, it’s hard 2 believe in perfect love…

 

[PatienceAndLove]

After I came back into the Catholic Faith, and I really saw how the Bible supports the Catholic Faith to the tee, well, I was sooo excited! With our Lord’s help, I got my husband to agree to using NFP, no more contraception, we went to Mass regularly, all of these beautiful things that you could find in Scripture. When I went to start sharing these exciting Bible verses, and living them out, I started really getting hassled. I was told by people that I had known for years to quit kneeling for Communion, quit wearing a hat/veil, that it was okay to receive Communion when you were on birth control - a deacon told me that, that it was okay to miss Mass, calling God mother, etc. I was so sadened after all that I was hearing and encountering, that one day, I felt as if I finally had found out how to purchase a ticket to get on the Mother Ship (is that the term?) - the Catholic Faith. So, I had run down to the pier with my ticket in hand, and I see her sailing off, and I am left on shore with all of these people around me that are fighting and arguing with me about what to believe and not. I felt sooo alone for awhile. I was so sad. I thought I finally learned, but it was too late. I had missed the boat of other true believers, the days when everyone believed pretty much the same things.
Then, God pulled me out of my confusion and sadness, and started pointing out that just as I had been hungry and searching for the truth for so long, there were millions of others in the Catholic Faith - and out - that were just as hungry, and that I was to start reeling them into the peace and joy that is found in the Catholic Faith. So, I did, and I still do, and praise God, I have found others that believe in the Catholic Faith - they are my oasis at times-. I just keep smiling, sharing, getting back into the Bible when I get down, and keep pulling and keeping in as many people as I possibly can in the Catholic Faith.
God is soo good Keep the Faith, and keep speaking the truth in love. With God’s help, we’ll slowly bring back the Old Way, we just have to keep plugging away at it Mother Ship is still here, waiting for more passengers. Let’s fill her up!

Hugs for you, and prayers as well!