Eep! Sitting at the front at mass... Any tips?

[confusedgirl]

RCIA starts next week yay! We attend mass before and we sit right at the front. I have been waaaaaaaaay too nervous to sit at the front :nope::nope::nope::nope:

The front has always seemed so intimidating. Haha is there something that will help me overcome my nerves?

 

[adamhovey1988]

Hmmm. Other than when I came into the Church, during RCIA I sat in the middle row on the left side of the church. Then again, it was a rural church (well, densely populated, unincorporated area, but historically rural area). I sit much closer to the front the church now (not the same church I went to). My advice (and I know easier said than done): Get used to it. (Okay, I honestly don’t know what else to do)

 

[Bruised_Reed]

RCIA starts next week yay! We attend mass before and we sit right at the front. I have been waaaaaaaaay too nervous to sit at the front :nope::nope::nope::nope:

The front has always seemed so intimidating. Haha is there something that will help me overcome my nerves?

If you aren’t sitting alone think safety in numbers. Are you worried about the right gesture or posture? Don’t. People aren’t watching you; they are listening to the readings, the gospel, or homily and later they are watching what is happening on the altar. Or they might be minding their children, or making faces at the littles in front of them or following along in their missal. If something funny does happen and you want to fall through the floor, keep your eyes on the altar and people will follow your lead.

Years ago a gentleman who lives in a group home was acting funny early on during Mass. He kept turning around and even though nothing had ever happened before I knew it was going to involve me. Sure enough, when it came time for the Our Father he walked back to where I was standing to hold my hand. EVERYONE on my side of the church can see this. I trained my eyes toward the altar and acted like he had been siting in my pew all along, but I was ever so grateful that he returned to his pew after the prayer. I know I was still being watched so I did my best to be a gracious. If I can handle that, I think you can handle sitting up front.

Full disclosure, I sit in the back now.

 

[DesertSister62]

Posted by confusedgirl;
RCIA starts next week yay! We attend mass before and we sit right at the front. I have been waaaaaaaaay too nervous to sit at the front

The front has always seemed so intimidating. Haha is there something that will help me overcome my nerves?

**
Hi “confusedgirl”

I don’t mean to make light of your intimidation about sitting up at the front, but truthfully, I sit in the second row when I attend a large church in the next town. The reason is that I wear a veil to Church and I prefer to sit where I can’t see any disapproval just in case there might be some. (headcoverings can be a ticklish issue with some women).

Perhaps it would be better for you to sit at either end of the pew? That way you would only have people on one side of you. For me, I get a little claustrophobic so sitting at the ends of the pew works for me. As a previous poster had to say; . . .

*“If you aren’t sitting alone think safety in numbers. Are you worried about the right gesture or posture? Don’t. People aren’t watching you; they are listening to the readings, the gospel, or homily and later they are watching what is happening on the altar. Or they might be minding their children, or making faces at the littles in front of them or following along in their missal. If something funny does happen and you want to fall through the floor, keep your eyes on the altar and people will follow your lead.” ***

What Bruised Reed has to say is actually very true! No one at church is worried about anyone, they ARE paying attention to either their kids or the altar or any of the other things mentioned. Being a part of the RCIA class, everyone welcomes you, so don’t worry! Trust me, there are many in the congregation that are relieved that they are not the ones up front! :yup: By the way, WELCOME to our Catholic Community,. . .its a great place to be! I will add you to my rosary intentions and pray you have a great day!

DesertSister62

 

[Catholic1954]

RCIA starts next week yay! We attend mass before and we sit right at the front. I have been waaaaaaaaay too nervous to sit at the front :nope::nope::nope::nope:

The front has always seemed so intimidating. Haha is there something that will help me overcome my nerves?

It will feel weird the first few times, but then you will get used to it and it won’t be a big deal any more. Try to get there early, when fewer people have arrived.

 

[Cathoholic]

confusedgirl. You asked (concerning being asked to be sitting in the front at Mass) . . .

We attend mass before and we sit right at the front. I have been waaaaaaaaay too nervous to sit at the front

The front has always seemed so intimidating. Haha is there something that will help me overcome my nerves?

There might be.

If the Tabernacle is in the front up in the Sanctuary (up by the Altar) think of it as you receiving the privilege of being asked to sit closer to our Lord Jesus (who of course is really in the Tabernacle).

Interiorly tell our Lord how happy you are to be ASKED to move “up” and sit at a place of honor near Him at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb–The Mass…

**LUKE 14:7-10 ** 7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he marked how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 “When you are invited by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest a more eminent man than you be invited by him; 9 and he who invited you both will come, and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.

God bless.

Cathoholic

 

[peter26]

I usually sit in the front few rows. Its good to be away from distractions and able to focus and what is being said and done at the altar.

 

[lifeandhope]

My husband, daughters, and I sit in the very front and center row every week. There is so much that I miss when I am not up front where I can concentrate, have zero distractions in front of me, and when I kneel to pray I don’t have someone’s head and showers dropping in and crowding me. I do not think the front row is superior to the back; it is merely a preference. I have adult ADHD and brain tumors, so I am extremely prone to distraction.

Relish this time of focused learning, be grateful to be unencumbered and without distractions between you and the priest, and when RCIA is done you can sit wherever you’re comfortable. And like a previous poster indicated, people are in their own world. People think of us far less than we fear. May God richly bless you as you begin this incredible journey. Life will never be the same!

 

[pianistclare]

Just sit with your Catholic sponsor, or Friend for the Journey.
That way you will know what to do when, and enjoy the view form the front row.
God bless you!!!

 

[Isca]

The front of the church is the place to be, especially if you’re on the short side!

Lately I’ve been sitting right at the front, as there are cut-away pews there where my MIL can sit with her mobility walker in front of her for support. At first I wasn’t too keen on sitting there, but now I like it - I can see everything.

Don’t worry about sitting at the front - you have your fellow RCIA candidates with you.

 

[Irishmom2]

I also find it less distracting to sit up closer to the front. My eyes do not catch sight of people doing “things” that annoy or distract me.

I think once you are there a few times, it will feel less Eep! to you!

 

[PaulfromIowa]

OP, if you have a real anxiety problem, you could probably get permission to sit by a door or in the back. My mother generally had to sit near a door when in a crowded church or auditorium.

 

[Franciscan_Way]

Don’t be intimidated! I love to sit in the 1st or 2nd row!
For me, it keeps my focus where it should be; at the alter of our Lord and Saviour. If you’re not sure about when to sit, stand or kneel, no worries! You will hear each movement. Turn your head slightly and you will see what you should do. As you attend mass, the sitting, standing, kneeling thing will become second nature! The Church has people of all ages moving at different speeds.
Nobody will fault you for not being the first person to move!
It may help your nerves to just ask the Lord to give you tranquility and to keep your focus on Him.
Congratulations on beginning RCIA!!!
Peace and all good!

 

[confusedgirl]

If you aren’t sitting alone think safety in numbers. Are you worried about the right gesture or posture? Don’t. People aren’t watching you; they are listening to the readings, the gospel, or homily and later they are watching what is happening on the altar. Or they might be minding their children, or making faces at the littles in front of them or following along in their missal. If something funny does happen and you want to fall through the floor, keep your eyes on the altar and people will follow your lead.

That is true. There are 5 other people going through RCIA as well. I guess it will be a great opportunity to get to know other people.

It will feel weird the first few times, but then you will get used to it and it won’t be a big deal any more. Try to get there early, when fewer people have arrived.

Definitely! But maybe it will be a good way to learn. Plus sometimes you cannot hear very well in the back.

Just sit with your Catholic sponsor, or Friend for the Journey.
That way you will know what to do when, and enjoy the view form the front row.
God bless you!!!

Haha sometimes people don’t kneel and I have someones hair really close to my face. So maybe the front not be so bad

 

[confusedgirl]

The front of the church is the place to be, especially if you’re on the short side!

Lately I’ve been sitting right at the front, as there are cut-away pews there where my MIL can sit with her mobility walker in front of her for support. At first I wasn’t too keen on sitting there, but now I like it - I can see everything.

Don’t worry about sitting at the front - you have your fellow RCIA candidates with you.

Once I sat in the back and a really tall couple sat behind me and I couldn’t see a thing! I hope that I get to know the other candidates better

 

[utah_rose]

I usually sit in the front few rows. Its good to be away from distractions and able to focus and what is being said and done at the altar.

There are many people who sit in the front at our parish who are too ill to walk toCommunion so the priest or Deacon first gives it to them before the rest of the congregation. Our lecters and EC ministers also sit in the front aisles. We prefer to sit toward the front as our hearing isn’t as good and we can listen to the homily easier.

As an aside, so nice to see a poster from England here. I envy your liturgies as they’re more like our earlier TLM Masses and seem more reverent.

 

[confusedgirl]

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/49/1d/ab/491dab11c06a5af2f74b4f799028b293.jpg
**
Hi “confusedgirl”

I don’t mean to make light of your intimidation about sitting up at the front, but truthfully, I sit in the second row when I attend a large church in the next town. The reason is that I wear a veil to Church and I prefer to sit where I can’t see any disapproval just in case there might be some. (headcoverings can be a ticklish issue with some women).

Perhaps it would be better for you to sit at either end of the pew? That way you would only have people on one side of you. For me, I get a little claustrophobic so sitting at the ends of the pew works for me. As a previous poster had to say; . . .

*“If you aren’t sitting alone think safety in numbers. Are you worried about the right gesture or posture? Don’t. People aren’t watching you; they are listening to the readings, the gospel, or homily and later they are watching what is happening on the altar. Or they might be minding their children, or making faces at the littles in front of them or following along in their missal. If something funny does happen and you want to fall through the floor, keep your eyes on the altar and people will follow your lead.” ***

What Bruised Reed has to say is actually very true! No one at church is worried about anyone, they ARE paying attention to either their kids or the altar or any of the other things mentioned. Being a part of the RCIA class, everyone welcomes you, so don’t worry! Trust me, there are many in the congregation that are relieved that they are not the ones up front! :yup: By the way, WELCOME to our Catholic Community,. . .its a great place to be! I will add you to my rosary intentions and pray you have a great day!

DesertSister62

Haha thanks DesertSister62 I actually laughed at the little comic haha! I guess I have always been a little bit shy but I guess there is nothing wrong with trying new things even if they seem a little scary. Thank you so much for your kind words

 

[Casilda]

RCIA starts next week yay! We attend mass before and we sit right at the front. I have been waaaaaaaaay too nervous to sit at the front :nope::nope::nope::nope:

The front has always seemed so intimidating. Haha is there something that will help me overcome my nerves?

I am in a discipleship class, kind of like rcia part 2, they make us all sit in the front two rows. I like that I am closer to the cross. I can see the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe much clearer now. I gaze on their faces and I feel a little better. This is not my parish, so it’s all new. At my own parish I move around because there are so many images of the saints besides Our Lady and Christ. I actually like the front because the altar is lit up by the morning sunrise and it’s beautiful with the colors streaming in from the stain glass windows. Breathtaking. Every Sunday it reminds me of the Ressurection when the women went to the tomb and found the angel. I hope you enjoy your time in rcia.

 

[puzzledtoo]

Here is what I think I would do. As a matter of fact I did these things this morning before and during a dentist appointment. I really hate the Novocain shots that come with getting fillings, etc… For years because I get quite anxious about them I would also get nitrous oxide(laughing gas) to take the edge off. The last few years if they were small fillings I could forego the nitrous but today they were larger than small. I decided before I left the house to not use nitrous.
I prayed-for me prayers are more reminders than requests or petitions. I prayed “Be not afraid” before I left the house and once in the waiting room and right before the shots. I also prayed to be comfortable with discomfort before and during. I also thought of Christ on the cross-enduring that for everyone(and I’m not Christian). I did these all at home, in the waiting room, and during the procedures. This practice really helped to lessen the anxiety immensely and then I mentally recited Thank you a few times.
I’ve not been diagnosed with anxiety but believe we all suffer from it to some degree and for me it has to do with dental work. Be well-breathe-smile-relax.

 

[Reuben_J]

RCIA starts next week yay! We attend mass before and we sit right at the front. I have been waaaaaaaaay too nervous to sit at the front :nope::nope::nope::nope:

The front has always seemed so intimidating. Haha is there something that will help me overcome my nerves?

Welcome home. Have a blessed time at the mass.

Being a cradle Catholic where mass was an integral part of my life, since I was born and as a kid I grew up all my life attending and serving mass, those days every single day I would not miss the mass, not much because I chose it but because of my situation then, I cannot advise you on your nervousness. But I can only say, enjoy the occasion. It is actually not a very big deal, the mass is a big deal but for the people in the congregation, virtually everybody would be occupied in following the mass to notice attentively what other people are doing. So you can rest assured, you won’t be noticed much, at least during the mass itself, but of course they would be very glad for the arrival of new comers. So revel the occasion.

God bless you.