Do people chew gum during Mass at your parish?

[Jea9]

1.) The fasting has been shown on this thread to be a non-issue.

2.) Plenty of PROFESSIONAL singers sing with gum at concerts. Plenty of amateurs too.

3.) A cough drop or hard candy would break the fast if I were not ill. Beside, how would either be any “better?”

4.) I don’t remove the gum until I get in line for communion.

Personally I don’t think it’s a non-issue because I don’t see it as being about what nutrients you’re taking in or not. I think that the fast is there for us to prepare to receive the Lord. I’m not disagreeing with Michelle Arnold or anyone else who says that technically you are not receiving any nutrients and thus it doesn’t break the fast; I’m saying that it shouldn’t be such a technicality…we shouldn’t be looking for ways to get around it. Breath mints were shown by someone else to not break the fast according to the standards you use for gum. what’s wrong with those? I think cough drop/breath mint/hard candy would not be as disrespectful, and yes I think chewing gum is disrespectful. I’m currently a student and at one of my internships I was informed that chewing gum goes against the dress code and that if you were caught doing so, you could be written up. (I would imagine medical issues aside, it was a hospital ). I do not think it’s respectful to chew gum (no matter how discreetly or politely you think you do it, someone notices) when coming in very close contact with anyone. Someone else mentioned that a professional singer he/she knew of also chewed gum during performances. I will give that I must be incorrect in my line of thought on that. Though, I’m still curious how anyone does so and manages not to choke themselves…I certainly would. Maybe I’m not as good at multi-tasking

 

[Spiller]

The pastor at my geographical parish forbids altar servers from serving if they show up for duty with gum in their mouths. He simply directs them to, first, remove the gum and put it into the trash can, next, wash their hands, and next, go and sit with their parents. He leaves it to them to explain to their parents why they are not serving on their shift, and why there are no altar servers (or not enough, depending on the situation) at that Mass.

I don’t think he has ever had any repeat offenders.

That’s very sad. I wish those servers had a more understanding and compassionate pastor. I think if they were my sons I would have a very serious talk with them – and with their pastor.

On more than one occasion I got rid of my gum just before we lined-up for processing into the church (while serving Mass there would never be an opportunity to discreetly repose one’s gum before communion and I don’t like to swallow it.)

I distinctly remember on more than one occasion about walking over to the trash can while mumbling that I needed to get rid of my gum. My pastor jokingly said something like “you wouldn’t want to upset (a fictitious) Sister Mary Margaret” and we both shared a laugh.

Sorta reminds me of the ABp. Sheen’s story about dropping a crystal cruet while serving Mass as a child, and how his archbishop reacted compared to Josef Stalin’s archbishop when young Josef did the same thing…

 

[Spiller]

**Personally I don’t think it’s a non-issue because I don’t see it as being about what nutrients you’re taking **in or not. I think that the fast is there for us to prepare to receive the Lord. I’m not disagreeing with Michelle Arnold or anyone else who says that technically you are not receiving any nutrients and thus it doesn’t break the fast; I’m saying that it shouldn’t be such a technicality…we shouldn’t be looking for ways to get around it. Breath mints were shown by someone else to not break the fast according to the standards you use for gum. what’s wrong with those? I think cough drop/breath mint/hard candy would not be as disrespectful, and yes I think chewing gum is disrespectful. I’m currently a student and at one of my internships I was informed that chewing gum goes against the dress code and that if you were caught doing so, you could be written up. (I would imagine medical issues aside, it was a hospital ). I do not think it’s respectful to chew gum (no matter how discreetly or politely you think you do it, someone notices) when coming in very close contact with anyone. Someone else mentioned that a professional singer he/she knew of also chewed gum during performances. I will give that I must be incorrect in my line of thought on that. Though, I’m still curious how anyone does so and manages not to choke themselves…I certainly would. Maybe I’m not as good at multi-tasking

This has been asked and answered by an expert. It’s a non-issue .

 

[Spiller]

1.)

2.) Plenty of PROFESSIONAL singers sing with gum at concerts. Plenty of amateurs too.

QUOTE]

Um, professional singers? As I said before, try again. You will not find ONE choir director who allows it.

I am a professional musician/singer, and it is impossible to sing correctly with anything in the mouth. Choking hazard as well. This is a joke.

Prove it.

 

[MarieVeronica]

If only people were truly aware of the Miracle which is taking place on the altar… and Who it is… Whose Sacrifice is being made present, before us. I sincerely doubt that the refreshing, icy burst of minty flavor from the gum would matter SO much, as to take this thread to 6 pages. :nope: How sad. I’m done in this thread. God bless.

 

[Spiller]

If only people were truly aware of the Miracle which is taking place on the altar… and Who it is… Whose Sacrifice is being made present, before us. I sincerely doubt that the refreshing, icy burst of minty flavor from the gum would matter SO much, as to take this thread to 6 pages. :nope: How sad. I’m done in this thread. God bless.

In all sincerity before you post something like this again, take a moment to read this (or something similar):

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man

 

[MusicMan]

I think it’s a bit sad that members of our Forum are so worried about what their neighbor is doing that we have a six page thread on gum chewing at Mass.

 

[Cat]

I think it’s a bit sad that members of our Forum are so worried about what their neighbor is doing that we have a six page thread on gum chewing at Mass.

I agree.

 

[agapewolf]

agapewolf;3506433:

Prove it.

Actually, burden would be on you to find one. Go for it!

I’m not arguing anything here about fasting, disrespectfulness, or anythign else. I’m arguing the ridiculous notion that chewing gum helps singing. It doesn’t, it is a hazard, and words are not formed properly.

 

[Spiller]

I think it’s a bit sad that members of our Forum are so worried about what their neighbor is doing that we have a six page thread on gum chewing at Mass.

What makes me sad is how these misplaced feelings manifest themselves before, during and after Mass? Are gum chewers treated poorly by those who feel offended? No one has ever said a word to me, but based on the tenor of this thread I cannot imagine that everyone remains silent.

 

[Spiller]

Spiller;3506540:

Actually, burden would be on you to find one. Go for it!

I’m not arguing anything here about fasting, disrespectfulness, or anythign else. I’m arguing the ridiculous notion that chewing gum helps singing. It doesn’t, it is a hazard, and words are not formed properly.

Burden of proof is on the person making the assertion…

 

[daeve]

Spiller;3506540:

Actually, burden would be on you to find one. Go for it!

I’m not arguing anything here about fasting, disrespectfulness, or anythign else. I’m arguing the ridiculous notion that chewing gum helps singing. It doesn’t, it is a hazard, and words are not formed properly.

I did give a name. Guy Penrod, Gaither Vocal Band. Bill Gaither is a choir director who allows it.

I don’t condone it. I too would worry about choking, same with a cough drop or lozenge. But Guy has been doing it for years, and there’s nothing wrong with the words coming out of his mouth.

You can try to see it on a video if you really care. Once in a while, you can see him stick it in his cheek.

 

[Spiller]

agapewolf;3506648:

I did give a name. Guy Penrod, Gaither Vocal Band. Bill Gaither is a choir director who allows it.

I don’t condone it. I too would worry about choking, same with a cough drop or lozenge. But Guy has been doing it for years, and there’s nothing wrong with the words coming out of his mouth.

You can try to see it on a video if you really care. Once in a while, you can see him stick it in his cheek.

I guess that’s that. Thanks.

 

[Layp3rs0n]

I find the whole gum chewing at Mass thing the epitome of disrespect…I hadn’t thought of people possibly pushing the gum into their cheeks and atking Communion anyway! The very idea of our Lord’s Precious Body being spat out into the trash after the fact is sickening.

In truth, I have heard of gum chewing at Mass being used for more diabolical purposes. One of my friends from my parish actually found a Host stuck to a wad of gum under his pew when he gripped the bench. (He consumed said Host of course). But he thinks that it may have been placed there by people planning to come back to pick it up later for desacration!

 

[Lovemyfaith]

I find the whole gum chewing at Mass thing the epitome of disrespect…I hadn’t thought of people possibly pushing the gum into their cheeks and atking Communion anyway! The very idea of our Lord’s Precious Body being spat out into the trash after the fact is sickening.

In truth, I have heard of gum chewing at Mass being used for more diabolical purposes. One of my friends from my parish actually found a Host stuck to a wad of gum under his pew when he gripped the bench. (He consumed said Host of course). But he thinks that it may have been placed there by people planning to come back to pick it up later for desacration!

Is this really true???

You know what is really interesting is I notice it repeated in this thread that one is able to chew discretely, but if that were true how is it that so many people notice enought to comment on it? This thread should have been two posts, one asking what people thought of it and the next saying that never happens that they noticed. No need for any other posts.

 

[Spiller]

I find the whole gum chewing at Mass thing the epitome of disrespect…I hadn’t thought of people possibly pushing the gum into their cheeks and atking Communion anyway! The very idea of our Lord’s Precious Body being spat out into the trash after the fact is sickening.

In truth, I have heard of gum chewing at Mass being used for more diabolical purposes. One of my friends from my parish actually found a Host stuck to a wad of gum under his pew when he gripped the bench. (He consumed said Host of course). But he thinks that it may have been placed there by people planning to come back to pick it up later for desacration!

Because somehow it would have been too difficult to smuggle it out at the end of Mass!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

 

[Jean_Anthony]

This thread is closed. Thank you all.