End-of-pew blockers

[maryjk]

You know what? I like to sit on the end. I got up on time and got to church and that’s the spot I picked. You want to sit in the pew, I’m happy to let you in. You need to get up during Mass, I’ll be happy to let you out. I don’t need a doctor’s note. I don’t have an anxiety disorder. I’m not an OBGYN with patients in labor. I just like the end. If you don’t think I’m worthy to sit on the end in my barren state, then tough turnips tootsie. It’s a free country and I got there first.

:clapping::clapping::clapping:

I love it.

 

[LucyLight]

You know what? I like to sit on the end. I got up on time and got to church and that’s the spot I picked. You want to sit in the pew, I’m happy to let you in. You need to get up during Mass, I’ll be happy to let you out. I don’t need a doctor’s note. I don’t have an anxiety disorder. I’m not an OBGYN with patients in labor. I just like the end. If you don’t think I’m worthy to sit on the end in my barren state, then tough turnips tootsie. It’s a free country and I got there first.

Christianity in action…awesome. Stick it to those handicap people. You got there first!

 

[Allegra]

Christianity in action…awesome. Stick it to those handicap people. You got there first!

Right. This thread grew to 14 pages over people being asked to accomadate people with legitimate physical needs. (Not rude, entitled “mama bears” who can’t figure out why the world won’t join them in orbiting their own child.)

 

[RyanBlack]

Right. This thread grew to 14 pages over people being asked to accomadate people with legitimate physical needs. (Not rude, entitled “mama bears” who can’t figure out why the world won’t join them in orbiting their own child.)

Nice, really nice. I think the “mama bears,” are not the ones in this thread who are being rude.

 

[maryjk]

Christianity in action…awesome. Stick it to those handicap people. You got there first!

Sorry, I didn’t read one post of a handicap person not being able to find a seat. Did you?

What I read, was someone wondering why they had to ask for others to move. And others thinking that since they had children or arrived late, they should get first choice.

I guess those of us that arrive early should just stand until all of the families and late people find where they want to sit. THEN we can be seated.

 

[theistgal]

Well, Depends

Depends on how well they work! (nyuk nyuk!)

 

[Allegra]

Sorry, I didn’t read one post of a handicap person not being able to find a seat. Did you?

What I read, was someone wondering why they had to ask for others to move. And others thinking that since they had children or arrived late, they should get first choice.

I guess those of us that arrive early should just stand until all of the families and late people find where they want to sit. THEN we can be seated.

The pope says that personhood begins when a human being is concieved. I’m disturbed by the alarming number of Catholics that disagree with that teaching. Clearly, many Catholics don’t believe personhood begins until that human being concieves a child of his or her own.

 

[RyanBlack]

Clearly, many Catholics don’t believe personhood begins until that human being concieves a child of his or her own.

This statement is ridiculous.

 

[LucyLight]

Right. This thread grew to 14 pages over people being asked to accomadate people with legitimate physical needs. (Not rude, entitled “mama bears” who can’t figure out why the world won’t join them in orbiting their own child.)

Its common sense and common courtesy to give others extra accommodation if they have a physical need for it.

 

[maryjk]

Its common sense and common courtesy to give others extra accommodation if they have a physical need for it.

The point is, that most that are complaining don’t have a physical need for it. They have a want. They want to sit where they want to sit, and by gosh, you shouldn’t be sitting there when they arrive.

It is simple, when you arrive at Mass, sit down. Where ever you like. If someone arrives later, and they ask to join you in the pew, either move down the pew or allow them to move into the pew. There. Problem solved.

 

[Faithdancer]

I understand perfectly the meaning of the word “chonically” and do not need to have it explained to me. Can you really not see that there are some people, who for reasons related to illnesses or chronic conditions have an excuse for why they are frequently either late or just on time? I gave the example of my wife. She has an illness that frequently makes it difficult for her to muster up the energy just to get out of bed, get herself cleaned up, and dressed. So she has no excuse?

And these preparation activities you mention cannot commence earlier?

Anyway, to get back on track, the issue of the thread is about “end-of-pew blockers.” The term itself suggests an insidious intent to prevent others from using the pew, which is absurd. The cure in some cases for those who find themselves “blocked” is to again, arrive earlier.

 

[RyanBlack]

And these preparation activities you mention cannot commence earlier?

Yes, they can, which means less sleep, which makes her problem with fatigue worse.

 

[Faithdancer]

The point is, that most that are complaining don’t have a physical need for it. They have a want. They want to sit where they want to sit, and by gosh, you shouldn’t be sitting there when they arrive.

It is simple, when you arrive at Mass, sit down. Where ever you like. If someone arrives later, and they ask to join you in the pew, either move down the pew or allow them to move into the pew. There. Problem solved.

Exactly! If I’m sitting on the end and there is space in the middle, I’ll stand up, move into the aisle and let the newcomers in. I shouldn’t be required to slide over to the center of the pew.

 

[Faithdancer]

You know what? I like to sit on the end. I got up on time and got to church and that’s the spot I picked. You want to sit in the pew, I’m happy to let you in. You need to get up during Mass, I’ll be happy to let you out. I don’t need a doctor’s note. I don’t have an anxiety disorder. I’m not an OBGYN with patients in labor. I just like the end. If you don’t think I’m worthy to sit on the end in my barren state, then tough turnips tootsie. It’s a free country and I got there first.

Amen. It seems that some think that latecomers, or those with unruly children, or both, have some special rights.

Parenthetically while it takes no special talent to conceive a child, it does indeed take ability, and concern for the rights of others, to control that child’s behavior in public. This is as true in the Mass as it is in any other public place. The blame for any disruptive behavior of children falls squarely on the parents.

 

[Faithdancer]

Yes, they can, which means less sleep, which makes her problem with fatigue worse.

I guess I would just go to bed earlier…or attend a Vigil Mass instead. Those usually aren’t as well attended anyway, which would mean more seating options.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Toddlers generally lack the capacity to understand this distinction.

Hmmm…I thought that’s what parents were for…to teach them the difference…

It is a problem when it is difficult for people to concentrate at Mass with a screaming toddler. We are supposed to be there to worship God…letting a toddler go on and on teaches them it’s all about them…

 

[Faithdancer]

Hmmm…I thought that’s what parents were for…to teach them the difference…

It is a problem when it is difficult for people to concentrate at Mass with a screaming toddler. We are supposed to be there to worship God…letting a toddler go on and on teaches them it’s all about them…

All about them and their indulgent parents, to the disregard of anyone who is trying to focus on the Liturgy.

 

[RyanBlack]

I guess I would just go to bed earlier…or attend a Vigil Mass instead. Those usually aren’t as well attended anyway, which would mean more seating options.

We are Eastern Catholic and there is no vigil Mass.

 

[Faithdancer]

Sorry, I didn’t read one post of a handicap person not being able to find a seat. Did you?

What I read, was someone wondering why they had to ask for others to move. And others thinking that since they had children or arrived late, they should get first choice.

I guess those of us that arrive early should just stand until all of the families and late people find where they want to sit. THEN we can be seated.

These issues seem to be far less frequent in parishes where the EF Mass is celebrated. Go figure!

 

[RyanBlack]

Hmmm…I thought that’s what parents were for…to teach them the difference…

It is a problem when it is difficult for people to concentrate at Mass with a screaming toddler. We are supposed to be there to worship God…letting a toddler go on and on teaches them it’s all about them…

Of course it is the responsibility of the parents to teach children how to behave in church and that behavior that is acceptable in one place in not necessarily acceptable in other places. That does not change the fact that children 2 or 3 years of age don’t understand the difference. By the way, I’ve not advocated for continuing to allow a child to scream in church. I to think that there reaches a point at which a child needs to be taken to the foyer, or if the child is shouting or screaming loudly enough even outside. This is something my wife and I have to do regularly.