Do you feel offended by people who come to the CC dressed as if they were at a barbeque in their backyard?

[wisdomseeker]

Maybe what I consider my best, is what you consider not “dressing up.” Its modest, but it might not meet your standards. That’s the problem, when we start measuring people’s choice of clothes by our individual standards and measuring stick.

and just how do you think God would want you to be dressed in His House?

 

[xsuasox]

Perhaps you can change your views on this and begin to be an example for other Catholics. remember our Lord says, …to those who cause scandals.

Except…I’m not causing a scandal. I’m going to mass, and that one woman was creating a scandal in her own mind because she couldn’t prioritize her focus on the mass instead of my back. If I had been sporting a 2 ft mohawk, that would be a different story.

I believe coming to mass in the firstplace, on a weekday, and mainainting an appropriate reverence is setting a great example to other Catholics to make room for God in their daily lives outside of Sunday mass.

As for the cigarette buts, of course it was me in my ilk! We like to sit out by the doors and look surly to intimidate the skateboarders who think the statue of St. Benedict is a great thing to use as a skating prop…j/k about the cigarette part, but we really did used to have a skateboarder problem, which is why our railing is now all wobbly and loose. Dang kids! shakes fist

 

[wisdomseeker]

Except…I’m not causing a scandal. I’m going to mass, and that one woman was creating a scandal in her own mind because she couldn’t prioritize her focus on the mass instead of my back. If I had been sporting a 2 ft mohawk, that would be a different story.

I believe coming to mass in the firstplace, on a weekday, and mainainting an appropriate reverence is setting a great example to other Catholics to make room for God in their daily lives outside of Sunday mass.

As for the cigarette buts, of course it was me in my ilk! We like to sit out by the doors and look surly to intimidate the skateboarders who think the statue of St. Benedict is a great thing to use as a skating prop…j/k about the cigarette part, but we really did used to have a skateboarder problem, which is why our railing is now all wobbly and loose. Dang kids! shakes fist

and what kind of reverence are you showing by not dress appropriately in the House of God?

 

[Bob_Aliano]

Let’s assume we establish a rule that requires semi-formal attire at Mass; coat and tie for men, blouse and skirt or dress for women. Well it might eliminate some “holey” jeans or golf shorts and tee shirts for the guys but what does that rule do to prevent a low-cut top and high-slit skirt or dress?

We must understand Who we are visiting and why we are visiting when we attend the Mass, that alone should be sufficient to dictate our attire. This whole discussion indicates to me that many Catholics either don’t have a clue or don’t have a care about the respect due Our Lord.

As for men in kilts, I guess it’s no different than we knights in plumage and capes as long as they aren’t “mini-kilts”.

 

[pnewton]

I am a dress-up-for-Mass person who almost always wears a tie, sometimes a suit and rarely slacks and a dress shirt. However, I would hope I am never offended by what others wear. Does anyone remember the gospel from this Sunday? The Pharisees took the focus off their own spirituality to point in incredulity at Zaccaeus. Yes, it there is inappropriate attire that we can wear to Mass. For most at Mass though, they have yet to arrive at sainthood and some still have a long way to go, perhaps much further than we here have. We should always respect the fact that our neighbor may not be as far on the pilgrimage that we are, or think we are.

 

[PatrickSebast]

and you think it is ok for women to show their butts when they bow in the Sanctuary when all the men have their eyes in the Sanctuary?

do you really think that God is pleased with that?

Dresses are purely cultural, and as I recall God designed those butts you are complaining about.

Pants are in no way sinful or disrespectful, they are simply different. Clothing Culture has changed, and you are simply demonstrating a cultural lag/shock.

 

[Gloria1]

I am not asking anyone to dress up modestly for me. I am asking everyone to dress up, at least a complete dress when going to the House of God. as it too much to ask?
show some respect for the House of the Almighty.
shorts, women wearing pants and bowing with their backs to the people. not a very nice scene to look at it.

Thank you very much for this thread. I agree with you! In my opinion it is very disrespectful to dress anyhow to the house of God. When people are going to the White house for example they dress decently but these same people dress anyhow to the house of God which is very disrespectful.

 

[zab]

I am a dress-up-for-Mass person who almost always wears a tie, sometimes a suit and rarely slacks and a dress shirt. However, I would hope I am never offended by what others wear. Does anyone remember the gospel from this Sunday? The Pharisees took the focus off their own spirituality to point in incredulity at Zaccaeus. Yes, it there is inappropriate attire that we can wear to Mass. For most at Mass though, they have yet to arrive at sainthood and some still have a long way to go, perhaps much further than we here have. We should always respect the fact that our neighbor may not be as far on the pilgrimage that we are, or think we are.

BANG!
I mean

 

[Pregustator]

As for the cigarette buts, of course it was me in my ilk!

I knew it. But you’re forgiven. Because if there’s anyone the Catholic Church should burn at the stake these days, it’s skateboarders.

Hey, burning people at the stake…can we still do that? I’m all for preserving our traditions. If we did that at every church, it would solve the problem about where one might properly flick his cigarette butts, for one thing. Perhaps we could even dress the offenders to be burned in the oatmeal colored albs! Two birds with one stone!

Burning at the stake. SIGH Good times.

 

[PatriceA]

and just how do you think God would want you to be dressed in His House?

The way I dress every day, modestly and clean.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

and just how do you think God would want you to be dressed in His House?

Me personally, I don’t think God really cares how I am dressed. I think He is more concerned that I am at church.

*Mark 7:14-15
He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand.
Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” *

Are “daisy dukes” and short skirts appropriate?
IMHO,*** NO. ***

Is it my business? ***NO ***
If how someone else is dressed causes me distractions, that is my problem, and obviously something that I have to work on!

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I attend the most casual Mass at a pretty casual church. We get all kinds of clothing mostly during the summer. I try hard not to raise my eyebrows since our Pastor is proud of his “come as you are” atmosphere. There is a much more formal and traditional church nearby, and I can take my pick if I wish.

The one thing I would caution women about is strapless dresses. Once, a girl was wearing one, sitting a couple of rows up from us, and since we couldn’t see the dress at all, it looked for all the world as if she was sitting there stark naked! Really distracting for my teenage sons. If you have to wear a strapless dress, please take a shawl so we know that you actually do have something on.

I think Americans are much more casual in general these days and the line has blurred between hanging out at the house and social occasions including religious ceremonies. I guess we parents aren’t doing a great job at this, because I have also seen young men having their first child baptized, chewing gum as they stand on the altar waiting for Father’s blessing!

 

[archangel04]

To the OP you are just going to offend all these bleeding-hearts who only come to this forum to attack people who wish to show just some respect to the true presence, by doing the maximum and not the minimum. Most of you know that those that come immodestly dress are there to show off, or there because family or freinds will be there. I just can’t think how anyone who truly believes the Mass is heaven on earth can dress up so little that they are almost naked or looking like slob. Don’t give the excuse of “well they might be homeless” trust me I’ve seen homeless people at mass and the respect and reverence some of them give make the rest of us look pathetic. If you can focus on the Mass w/o distractions then give thanks to God He has given you that gift, but some of us don’t have that.

 

[StTommyMore]

This whole thread is making a mountain out of a molehill. How people dress for Mass is a personal decision. Certainly, modesty should be taken into consideration, but to “require” coat and tie is utterly ridiculous! For Sunday Mass/Holy days of obligation, yes I feel you should dress your best, which is of course variable based on economic situation. But for daily mass, which is in the midst of your day, during lunch hour, or between classes, it is unreasonable to expect someone to rush home, change clothes, rush to Mass, then rush back home, change back, then go back to work or school. Personally I err on th side of formality (I can count on one hand the number if times I went without a tie on Sunday in the last year). The thing to remember about fashion is that it is by its very nature very fluid. The first thing to consider is modesty, but as far as everything else, it is up to thejudgment of the individual.

 

[wisdomseeker]

I am a dress-up-for-Mass person who almost always wears a tie, sometimes a suit and rarely slacks and a dress shirt. However, I would hope I am never offended by what others wear. Does anyone remember the gospel from this Sunday? The Pharisees took the focus off their own spirituality to point in incredulity at Zaccaeus. Yes, it there is inappropriate attire that we can wear to Mass. For most at Mass though, they have yet to arrive at sainthood and some still have a long way to go, perhaps much further than we here have. We should always respect the fact that our neighbor may not be as far on the pilgrimage that we are, or think we are.

we cant use the pharisees as an example for this. i am talking about about how one should behave in teh House of God. that includes dressing up in respectfull manner for our Lord. I am not talking about dressing up for you or me but for our Lord.

 

[wisdomseeker]

Thank you very much for this thread. I agree with you! In my opinion it is very disrespectful to dress anyhow to the house of God. When people are going to the White house for example they dress decently but these same people dress anyhow to the house of God which is very disrespectful.

Thank you. that is exactly what I am talking about. it is all about our Lord.

 

[zab]

we cant use the pharisees as an example for this. i am talking about about how one should behave in teh House of God. that includes dressing up in respectfull manner for our Lord. I am not talking about dressing up for you or me but for our Lord.

What makes you think he wasn’t talking about dressing up in a respectfull manner for the Lord? That is what I understood him to be talking about.

 

[wisdomseeker]

Me personally, I don’t think God really cares how I am dressed. I think He is more concerned that I am at church.

*Mark 7:14-15
He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand.
Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” *

Are “daisy dukes” and short skirts appropriate?
IMHO,*** NO. ***

Is it my business? ***NO ***
If how someone else is dressed causes me distractions, that is my problem, and obviously something that I have to work on!

I dont think our Lord had to worry about how the Jews dressed. i think they were dressed pretty well. besides i dont think people are going around eating their clothes. are they?

 

[wisdomseeker]

To the OP you are just going to offend all these bleeding-hearts who only come to this forum to attack people who wish to show just some respect to the true presence, by doing the maximum and not the minimum. Most of you know that those that come immodestly dress are there to show off, or there because family or freinds will be there. I just can’t think how anyone who truly believes the Mass is heaven on earth can dress up so little that they are almost naked or looking like slob. Don’t give the excuse of “well they might be homeless” trust me I’ve seen homeless people at mass and the respect and reverence some of them give make the rest of us look pathetic. If you can focus on the Mass w/o distractions then give thanks to God He has given you that gift, but some of us don’t have that.

all good. but the main issue is this, can we show respect to the House of the Almighty by dressing appropriately and pleasing to the Lord. just think of the example we could be for the world.

 

[StTommyMore]

I dont think our Lord had to worry about how the Jews dressed. i think they were dressed pretty well. besides i dont think people are going around eating their clothes. are they?

This is an example of being overly literal in the interpretation of Scripture. I am pretty sure that the interior attitude, and not outward dress is of primary concern to the Lord.