Electronics at Mass?

[EXdrinker]

Hi all, I recently received a smart phone and find so many apps that replace hand held things that one wants to keep around, calculator, adding machine, inventories, notes, radio, bible, prayer books, any books, etc. What a great convenience! I often go to Mass at a church that does not have missals in the pews. I of course have a missal in my pocket on my phone. Does anyone have thoughts on using these wonderful devices at Mass or adoration? I know it wouldn’t be sinful using it properly but it might be distracting to others or give others an excuse to be texting or surfing the web, etc.

I have not seen a good discussion on this topic. If there is one could someone point me in the right direction.

Thanks.

 

[DebChris]

My parish makes a simple request before the beginning of Mass that all cell phones be turned off. There is always a possibility that your phone might ring during Mass.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Why not? If we would deny technology, then no one should be using microphones and lightbulbs in the Church, as well as air conditioning. These things didn’t exist at the beginning for the Church. Although you are correct that people may think you are texting. But if they would care so much, then they probably would notice by your motions that you are not.

 

[EXdrinker]

Why not? If we would deny technology, then no one should be using microphones and lightbulbs in the Church, as well as air conditioning. These things didn’t exist at the beginning for the Church. Although you are correct that people may think you are texting. But if they would care so much, then they probably would notice by your motions that you are not.

Very good points. I am leaning towards using it, especially when there is no missal. Of course, now that I am using it for a missal and the slightly off priest gives the not quite Catholic homily to his captive audience I will be tempted to read a book or surf the web. I will make a firm rule, only Catholic books when I am taken captive at mass, by the priest or by the choir.

Thanks.

 

[ConstantineTG]

My parish makes a simple request before the beginning of Mass that all cell phones be turned off. There is always a possibility that your phone might ring during Mass.

Smartphones can have their phone capabilities turned off, while their other capabilities remain on. This enables such devices to be used on airplanes without danger of interfering with the aircraft navigational equipment. Cellphones are more than calling devices these days.

 

[ljprevo]

Smartphones can have their phone capabilities turned off, while their other capabilities remain on. This enables such devices to be used on airplanes without danger of interfering with the aircraft navigational equipment. Cellphones are more than calling devices these days.

This is true, most phones have what is called “Airplane Mode”

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_mode

I ran into this VERY issue with my grandmother today, she said that the phone should not be used. I asked why? She said because people may think you are texting.

I said, so they are falsely assuming what I am doing, isn’t that sinful?

I like using my missal app, however I can understand the controversy of it.

I though it would be cool if the phone could be put in a fake book.

I thought about getting and old book, cutting out the pages so my phone would fit in it to hide it.

 

[DebChris]

This is true, most phones have what is called “Airplane Mode”

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_mode

I ran into this VERY issue with my grandmother today, she said that the phone should not be used. I asked why? She said because people may think you are texting.

I said, so they are falsely assuming what I am doing, isn’t that sinful?

I like using my missal app, however I can understand the controversy of it.

I though it would be cool if the phone could be put in a fake book.

I thought about getting and old book, cutting out the pages so my phone would fit in it to hide it.

Instead of bringing an old book to “hide” the electronic version, bring an old-fashioned missal. Hiding the electronics implies a sense of guilt or wrong doing. If you feel you are right in bringing the electronic version, then be open about its use. There is a difference between texting and reading, regardless of format.
For now, the different churches in which I have attended Mass, do request that all electronics be turned off so as not to serve as a distraction.

 

[Joseph_Misango]

It happened to me in the end of 2006. By then I was a resident of Dodoma, a town at the middle of Tanzania in East Africa. My local church was a Jesuit parish known as Blessed Maria Theresa Ledochowska or Airport Parish in the Diocese of Dodoma.

By then we had a special prayer for the Blessed Maria Theresa. The prayer was written in text that would be found in pew on entering the mass.

As the prayer was long to stick in the head we scrambled for each one to get the copy as they were few.

I had a **NOKIA 6680 **in which I stored most of my official document as soft copies. It then came to my mind, if I read my official document anytime on my phone why shouldn’t I use the same technique for prayers at anytime.

With that in mind, the following Sunday I picked one copy of prayer to my home and typed it on my laptop then uploaded it onto my NOKIA 6680.

Happy that I would no longer scramble for those sheets. Then another Sunday came. In a pew while my neighbors struggled to share the prayer paper, I stayed comfortably waiting for the prayer time.

But as usual, the announcement came requesting all phones should be switched off. To me this was not a surprise as always my phone is switched to silence mode before mass.

When the prayer started I read I from scrolling my phone while the ret read from the papers.

Suddenly, people beside me began to take curious attention over me with my phone. That day I was in last pew and one supervisor watched me with y phone and slowly approached me.

For the sake of tranquility I returned my phone I my pocket because I would require even a day for people to understand explanations that my phone had the same prayer.

This is now the discussion here.

But my imagination sent me further. That when a priest concludes the reading of the gospel he raises the book (Missal) and bless the people invoking the words “This is the word of Lord”.

If the electronics will replace the books, and the priest read through the phone, will he raise the phone as they raise the book and say “This is the word of Lord”?

When the Pope pray a mass at Vatican I can see the entire mass via my phone.

Right here we exchanges views no one nows the face of each other but is is the power of technology.

Two wkkes ago, Pope Benedict made conversation with people in space i.e. thousands of kilometres above the earth.

So, the power of technology is something no one cannot stand against. It can only be a matter of time!

 

[Stavros]

I ran into this VERY issue with my grandmother today, she said that the phone should not be used. I asked why? She said because people may think you are texting.

The other day, I saw a man at Daily Mass who was fiddling with his Blackberry in the middle of mass. I thought to myself, “Can’t he wait to email work for 15 minutes until the mass is over?” Then I caught a glimpse of what he was looking at - a devotional prayer.

So that day, God gave me a refresher in two concepts. First, judge not, lest ye be judged. Second, MYOB. I think that sometimes we all get a bit Holier Than Thou when it comes to how others choose to worship, which falls under the category of sinful pride and arrogance. If someone judges you because you are looking at your phone during mass, that falls under the category of “his problem”, not yours, is what I’m trying to say.

I know when I used to attend daily mass in my old parish, I had to go to the Spanish language mass because it was the only daily mass convenient for me to attend. On those days, I always looked at the readings on my iPhone, because there were no missals with the daily readings available. However, I’d do my best to have the reading queued up before the mass began, so all I was doing was turning on the phone when the readings started and turning it off when the readings were over.

 

[MissRose73]

Its great that smart phones have many applications and websites you can access with the missal, daily readings, Sunday readings, prayers, etc pretty much any place you are. But at the same time you may have people give you looks for having it out even if you prove to them you are using an app to pull up a prayer/reading during Mass or Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as an example.

I do have a few websites bookmarked that have access to items like prayers and readings. But I always turn off my mobile when entering Mass and put it in my handbag/purse. I can give God an hour or two of my time without me depending on technology. No need to be tempted to play on a social networking site or check my email while inside the sanctuary.

 

[ljprevo]

The problem is these things are not necessarily phones any more.

As far as the “Old Book” I suggested, I will use the missal every time if there is one there. I just wish there was a cover for my phone so that way when I hold it up to read it, it would look like I was reading a book, so it would not cause distraction for those around me, not to conceal any “wrong doing” of my own.

I go to a VERY traditional conservative church and boy, talk about people being old school.

What if I used a tablet, or and IPAD, would that be better as it is not “a phone”?

The IPAD and tablets are becoming known as a digital reader.

 

[laszlo]

I ran into this VERY issue with my grandmother today, she said that the phone should not be used. I asked why? She said because people may think you are texting.

The assistant (now acting) pastor in the church when I feel home said: “It is not my concern what other people think”.

For the question: airline-mode (w/o outside communication) using religion oriented applications is definitely beneficial. The only problem that the click of the Nook (I did not find out how to mute them) may represent distraction for others in silent adoration.

The eBraviary is already approved for the private recitation of the Liturgy of Hours. May be in the near future a similar interactive Missal will get approval too as handmissal.

 

[puzzleannie]

Very good points. I am leaning towards using it, especially when there is no missal. Of course, now that I am using it for a missal and the slightly off priest gives the not quite Catholic homily to his captive audience I will be tempted to read a book or surf the web. I will make a firm rule, only Catholic books when I am taken captive at mass, by the priest or by the choir.

Thanks.

you should not be reading anything, in any format, during Mass except the readings and prayers of the Mass. This is definitely not the time for any other reading, no matter how solidly Catholic like a devotional, or informative (like the Bulletin). None of us is the arbiter of how the Holy Spirit will speak to us during that Mass so we should not get in his way, since he will use even the lamest sermon, most banal music, and most unenthisiastice prayers and readings to communicate with us.

 

[DebChris]

My thoughts just went to a Soldiers’ Prayer Book, a song about a soldier who brings a deck of cards to church. Of course he is admonished for playing until he explains how the cards help him meditate. songlyrics.com/tex-ritter/deck-of-cards-1948-lyrics/

If you do bring an electronic device, you may need to explain or show how it is helping and not hindering your prayer. I really don’t see a priest lifting a Kindle and saying, “This is the Word of the Lord.” It doesn’t have the same visual effect as holding an open book or rolling and unrolling a scroll.

I also agree with PuzzleAnnie. During the Mass, we are to be focused on the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Other devotions and readings are for outside the Mass.

 

[Mattapoisett64]

Very good points. I am leaning towards using it, especially when there is no missal. Of course, now that I am using it for a missal and the slightly off priest gives the not quite Catholic homily to his captive audience I will be tempted to read a book or surf the web. I will make a firm rule, only Catholic books when I am taken captive at mass, by the priest or by the choir.

Thanks.

*" . . . slightly off . . . not quite Catholic homily . . . taken captive at mass, by the priest or by the choir." *Really? Perhaps your issues go beyond the use of electronic devices. Not sure how you determine what is “slightly off,” or “not quite Catholic.” Perhaps your attention would be better directed toward what the priest is actually saying instead of tuning him out at the first sign of something that in your own opinion is “not quite Catholic,” however you’re determining that.

 

[ljprevo]

After the reading I close my missal and put it down to listen to the homily. or put my digital missal reader (aka cell phone) in my pocket to listen to the priest.

 

[puzzleannie]

no matter how poor the homily I could not, if I tried with both hands for a week, come up with anything ruder or less Catholic than using any electronic device during that time–excption would be amplifier technology for the deaf.

 

[Lapey]

Hi all, I recently received a smart phone and find so many apps that replace hand held things that one wants to keep around, calculator, adding machine, inventories, notes, radio, bible, prayer books, any books, etc. What a great convenience! I often go to Mass at a church that does not have missals in the pews. I of course have a missal in my pocket on my phone. Does anyone have thoughts on using these wonderful devices at Mass or adoration? I know it wouldn’t be sinful using it properly but it might be distracting to others or give others an excuse to be texting or surfing the web, etc.

I have not seen a good discussion on this topic. If there is one could someone point me in the right direction.

Thanks.

At a conference this weekend, our Bishop used an Ipad during his homily at mass yesturday. There were two big screens and he used it to direct the faithfull through a spiritual excersize as part of his homily, this was a conference mass with about 3000 people. It was a good homily and the electronics added so much ability for him to lead us.

 

[DebChris]

At a conference this weekend, our Bishop used an Ipad during his homily at mass yesturday. There were two big screens and he used it to direct the faithfull through a spiritual excersize as part of his homily, this was a conference mass with about 3000 people. It was a good homily and the electronics added so much ability for him to lead us.

I currently attend Mass in a parish of 40,000 families. The former bishop of the vicarariate thinks this is an underestimation. A computer is used to display prayers of the faithful, songs, and the readings throughout the Mass. There are 2 screens, one on either side of the altar. There is also a screen in the courtyard outside. Masses are generally overflowing. The same is true of Holy Hours and Eucharistic Adoration services. The first year I was here, the Auditorium was opened so that the people who could not fit in the church could also participate during the New Year’s Eucharistic Adoration Service via screen.
Before Mass begins, the screen provides those attending with general guidelines: No gum chewing; Please turn off cell phones: etc. A simple notice that Communion is for Catholics only is also displayed when the time comes.
Powerpoint is used not only during Mass, but also during Enriching the Faith programs, Prayer meetings, and novenas.

 

[karow]

I have almost two dozen Catholic apps on my iPad. I don’t know how many my husband has on his, but neither of us attend Mass or Adoration without our devices.

With the sound turned off, which ours always are in church anyways, the iPad makes no noise, so it’s quieter than 400 fingers shuffling though paper missals. Or 200 kneelers being thunked to the floor and slammed back into the upright position several times in a service. And because my daughters can read the Saint a Day app before the service begins, they’re not chit chatting in that pseudo-whisper kids can have in church.

There’s a Christian church in town, I can’t remember the denomination, but there was a story in the paper last spring about it that said the pastor encourages congregants to text him questions during the service. The congegrants interviewed thought highly of this practice.

While I think texting a priest during his homily is taking technology a bit too far, I don’t see a thing wrong with using an electronic missal during Mass or using an electronic device to read the Bible or say a prayer before or after Mass.