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Newbie2
Guest
And it’s not only colds, or dry mouth but allergies. Despite allergy injections, nasal sprays and antihistimines, I still have to clear my throat nearly constantly; cough drops definitely help. Otherwise, sitting next to me is like sitting next to a garbage disposal with a bad electrical connection.
Thankfully when the ragweed goes away it gets better.
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DexUK
Guest
Whenever I’ve had a problem with my throat (which is frequent due to an infection I had some years ago leaving me with a constriction), I’ve found that plain water makes things worse rather than helps. For me, water dilutes or washes away the saliva and then leaves me with a dry tongue and throat. Saliva tends to be manufactured (for me at least) as a response to something with a taste. Normally it isn’t a problem - I can just gag a bit, but if I’m expected to read at Mass or assist at Communion (where nobody would want to come near me if I was apparently gagging!) then it can pose a real terror for me.
I don’t break the hour’s fast, but I’ve had to time it real close on occasion, to be able to get through Mass and be able to carry out my duties.
Don’t forget, of course, that the fast is for an hour before receiving Communion, NOT before the beginning of Mass. With practise you’re usually quite able to time it right. If you’re really desperate and cutting it fine, seat yourself in the church so you’re last up in the line. If you REALLY can’t manage the fast, then it’s probable that you have a genuine reason for doing so, so check with the priest. Otherwise, you’re not compelled to receive Communion more than once in a year anyway. You can make a spiritual communion at Mass and/or approach the priest for a blessing instead.
As for chewing gum as an alternative to smoking, well I have to admit to being much less convinced by that argument. There’s no reason why a smoker should not have a cigarette just before Mass (if public smoking is prohibited, then smoke in the car). I genuinely do not believe that a smoker is incapable of going for an hour without a cigarette. Otherwise how do they sleep? One is not put in a life-or-death situation by the pangs of craving for a cigarette. If anything, it’s a life-giving situation, considering the incontrovertible evidence of the harm that’s done by cigarette use. Give up for an hour or so. Offer up the discomfort as a penance. Unite it, in a pitifully small way, with the suffering of Christ on the Cross.
I don’t break the hour’s fast, but I’ve had to time it real close on occasion, to be able to get through Mass and be able to carry out my duties.
Don’t forget, of course, that the fast is for an hour before receiving Communion, NOT before the beginning of Mass. With practise you’re usually quite able to time it right. If you’re really desperate and cutting it fine, seat yourself in the church so you’re last up in the line. If you REALLY can’t manage the fast, then it’s probable that you have a genuine reason for doing so, so check with the priest. Otherwise, you’re not compelled to receive Communion more than once in a year anyway. You can make a spiritual communion at Mass and/or approach the priest for a blessing instead.
As for chewing gum as an alternative to smoking, well I have to admit to being much less convinced by that argument. There’s no reason why a smoker should not have a cigarette just before Mass (if public smoking is prohibited, then smoke in the car). I genuinely do not believe that a smoker is incapable of going for an hour without a cigarette. Otherwise how do they sleep? One is not put in a life-or-death situation by the pangs of craving for a cigarette. If anything, it’s a life-giving situation, considering the incontrovertible evidence of the harm that’s done by cigarette use. Give up for an hour or so. Offer up the discomfort as a penance. Unite it, in a pitifully small way, with the suffering of Christ on the Cross.
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mellowcalico
Guest
It’s pretty clear that treating a medical condition (no matter what it is) medically is okay. Every source I find from the Church says so and I can’t find one that says it’s not okay. I’ve even found where some people with medical conditions are allowed to eat food before Mass (mainly diabetics).
The purpose of the fast is devotion, not suffering.
I would think cough drops or hard candies would be better than gum for those with dry mouths, throats (it quiet and discrete). I read that natural, raw licorice helps too (but I’ve never tried it. Then again, I don’t have dry mouth/throat problems either unless I am sick).
If someone is truly sick and contagious, they should probably not attend Mass. But for people with chronic medical conditions (like allergies or side effects from medication, etc), this isn’t really an option because then they’d almost never go to Mass.
The purpose of the fast is devotion, not suffering.
I would think cough drops or hard candies would be better than gum for those with dry mouths, throats (it quiet and discrete). I read that natural, raw licorice helps too (but I’ve never tried it. Then again, I don’t have dry mouth/throat problems either unless I am sick).
If someone is truly sick and contagious, they should probably not attend Mass. But for people with chronic medical conditions (like allergies or side effects from medication, etc), this isn’t really an option because then they’d almost never go to Mass.
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pnewton
Guest
Same here. I think HCC asks a great question. However, those of us with seasonal allergies are not contagious in the least. When I am scheduled to lead the music, I have to come up with some creative solutions if I am ailing in this regard. Once in a blue moon I can pass off the Mass to another, or enlist help singing. Sometimes there simply is no one else and I have to do the best I can. In such cases, I do keep cough drops handy.
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jmcrae
Guest
Medicine is fine; cough drops are medicine. 
Out of charity for those of us with ADD, I would ask that those who need to take medicine during Mass would pop the drop out of its wrapper quickly, rather than uncrackle the wrapper slowly - because the sound of the crackling is very distracting, and the slower you do it, the louder it seems to get.
Out of charity for those of us with ADD, I would ask that those who need to take medicine during Mass would pop the drop out of its wrapper quickly, rather than uncrackle the wrapper slowly - because the sound of the crackling is very distracting, and the slower you do it, the louder it seems to get.
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dreamingformore
Guest
I am probably fueling a fire here, but I feel the need to point out in many threads I read, this kind of fight breaks out. I was asking if it is allowed, b/c I had heard it wasn’t.
In these threads, it almost always ends up in a judgment match, judgment fight… “Well, I need it. Screw you. Don’t judge me!” I’ve found (on my short time here on Earth so far) that there will ALWAYS be people who can’t follow a rule for some legit reason. And that’s ok! I’m asking, in general, is this thing ok.
Yes, I have my answer. The point of this thread is done. But, there will always be someone who disagrees with the common answer, and then disrespect starts flying as people start to “Don’t judge me!” No one is necessarily judging you. I see people do all kinds of things at church. Are what the people doing always by the book? No, but I don’t know why. I notice that it’s different and move on. If I notice is a whole lot, I may ask “is this supposed to be done A or B?” b/c there is many who don’t follow some rule/I don’t know a rule/etc and I may be confused on what the rule is. That doesn’t mean anyone is judging you.
We are genetically designed to notice things that happen and compare it to what we know “should” or “should not” happen. If it breaks what we know to be true/not true, we question. That does not mean judgement is passed.
Sorry for this rant. I’ve just noticed it A LOT on here. Unless you know someone is judging you “Like, man, you are really dumb for doing XYZ!” then assume otherwise. Please. These forums often make many good people look like big jerks.
And when someone says “I’m point out what the other side might be seeing shrug” then, for the love of God, don’t go ballistic. They ARE NOT JUDGING YOU.
Have a great, peaceful, loving day
In these threads, it almost always ends up in a judgment match, judgment fight… “Well, I need it. Screw you. Don’t judge me!” I’ve found (on my short time here on Earth so far) that there will ALWAYS be people who can’t follow a rule for some legit reason. And that’s ok! I’m asking, in general, is this thing ok.
Yes, I have my answer. The point of this thread is done. But, there will always be someone who disagrees with the common answer, and then disrespect starts flying as people start to “Don’t judge me!” No one is necessarily judging you. I see people do all kinds of things at church. Are what the people doing always by the book? No, but I don’t know why. I notice that it’s different and move on. If I notice is a whole lot, I may ask “is this supposed to be done A or B?” b/c there is many who don’t follow some rule/I don’t know a rule/etc and I may be confused on what the rule is. That doesn’t mean anyone is judging you.
We are genetically designed to notice things that happen and compare it to what we know “should” or “should not” happen. If it breaks what we know to be true/not true, we question. That does not mean judgement is passed.
Sorry for this rant. I’ve just noticed it A LOT on here. Unless you know someone is judging you “Like, man, you are really dumb for doing XYZ!” then assume otherwise. Please. These forums often make many good people look like big jerks.
And when someone says “I’m point out what the other side might be seeing shrug” then, for the love of God, don’t go ballistic. They ARE NOT JUDGING YOU.
Have a great, peaceful, loving day
P
PAboy57
Guest
eating a cough drop has never given me much satisfaction other than helping me not to cough and disturb everyone.
Use the cough drops as it is medicinal.
Use the cough drops as it is medicinal.
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m134e5
Guest
I do assist in singing. I have been in many church choirs over the years. I have found that the ones that take what they do seriously, recognizing their music as a gift they want to give to God, sound ok. They may not all be great, but if they try and they have a director who knows how to work with them, church choirs can be pretty good. My experience has been that members of church choirs that do not sound good tend to see choir rehearsal time as just a time to socialize.
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