End-of-pew blockers

[SMHW]

Yes…of course I don’t mind if others let us by. We slide over, but whatever works…I was taught to slide in so I still do. Potty breaks or not. Sliding in to the middle actually helps deter the mysterious potty breaks

It didn’t work that way in my family. My mother would regularly send me back to the restroom to accompany my younger sister. Every week. Almost always right during the Consecration.

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I seem to recall that those who sat near the front of the Church were more likely to be people who stepped out to allow people to get past them. Front row sitters claimed their spots early.

Those who liked the last few rows tended to like the end seats too.

Large families were more likely to scoot over while single people and couples tended to stand up and move into the aisles. However most people did not even try to take seats near big families. Back then the ushers did seat latecomers and they would sometimes ask families to move over.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

When my kids were little we also had “our place” in the church. It was the second pew from the front (the first didn’t have a kneeler) It was in the point of the “wedge” so it was shorter - no one else could fit in the pew with us. So no dirty looks if we didn’t squish over.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

True…I always knew that there was a chocolate creme filled doughnut or blueberry waffle with my name on it if i behaved…if I didnt…well my brothers were going to gloat about them getting one and me not…

YES! Although with me it was big sisters. Another “treat” we got was to be allowed to light a candle after Mass if we behaved.

 

[504Katrin]

Why? Oh, why do people block the ends?..Plenty of room (sadly) to slide towards the center. Singles and couples mostly do this at our parish.

Yes, yes I know…‘Get there earlier’ ‘They are older’ ‘Ask them nicely to slide over’ and all that. Why is the onus on us (4 kids ranging from 4 months to 15 years). It is a small miracle that we even make it on time. We are usually stressed out enough after all the prep work that goes into Sunady mornings! Then I have to be the bad guy and beg some relaxed, well rested and care-free person to slide over?

A rant. Bad mood today and I’m gonna face this situation again Sunday. Maybe I should do a prayer request instead.

Lol! I like you.

 

[zab]

True, but not on a week-in week-out basis unless the entire household is always in an uproar. Kids get to school on time, parents get to work on time, piano lessons, sports practices, etc all manage to work out. Why is Mass different?

Can we compare getting to school, work, piano lessons, sports practices, etc. five or ten minutes early with getting to Mass five or ten minutes early as if they are not there on time?

 

[iloveangels]

Why? Oh, why do people block the ends?..Plenty of room (sadly) to slide towards the center. Singles and couples mostly do this at our parish.

Yes, yes I know…‘Get there earlier’ ‘They are older’ ‘Ask them nicely to slide over’ and all that. Why is the onus on us (4 kids ranging from 4 months to 15 years). It is a small miracle that we even make it on time. We are usually stressed out enough after all the prep work that goes into Sunady mornings! Then I have to be the bad guy and beg some relaxed, well rested and care-free person to slide over?

A rant. Bad mood today and I’m gonna face this situation again Sunday. Maybe I should do a prayer request instead.

ROFLOL. Yeah, I know. I was surprised as a convert to encounter this. And if you stand there and wait for them to move, they look for all the world like an annoyed cow. I don’t know whether it’s more un-Christian or more funny, to tell the truth. I sometimes intentionally just stand there and play dense until they move. I figure it probably does them good, and they get over it eventually.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Can we compare getting to school, work, piano lessons, sports practices, etc. five or ten minutes early with getting to Mass five or ten minutes early as if they are not there on time?

Agreed that if you arrive at 10am Mass 5 minutes before 10 you aren’t going to get the coveted end spot in the pew.

However, my point was that families with children manage to get their act together to be “on time” for lots of other activites, so there is no excuse for folks to be late to Mass each week. And if necessary, you shoot to arrive for the 10am Mass at 9:30 and so when you get there at 9:50 you at least aren’t late - even if you need to ask someone to let you into the open spot in the middle of the pew.

 

[zab]

Agreed that if you arrive at 10am Mass 5 minutes before 10 you aren’t going to get the coveted end spot in the pew.

However, my point was that families with children manage to get their act together to be “on time” for lots of other activites, so there is no excuse for folks to be late to Mass each week. And if necessary, you shoot to arrive for the 10am Mass at 9:30 and so when you get there at 9:50 you at least aren’t late - even if you need to ask someone to let you into the open spot in the middle of the pew.

Being late for Mass has not been the topic of discussion.

 

[iloveangels]

Being late for Mass has not been the topic of discussion.

Into the open spot in the middle of the pew??? WHY???

If there’s room for 1 person, and 1 person comes along, why isn’t the open spot on the end of the pew?

 

[zab]

Into the open spot in the middle of the pew??? WHY???

If there’s room for 1 person, and 1 person comes along, why isn’t the open spot on the end of the pew?

huh???

 

[Lormar]

Is there nothing concerning attending Mass that doesn’t annoy someone somewhere?

 

[iloveangels]

huh???

What do you mean huh?

If there’s still room for one person to sit down on the pew.
And one person comes along and asks to sit down.
Why can’t he sit on the end of the pew?

AKA why can’t people slide their butts down to make room for him on the end of the pew?

 

[Mrs_Sally]

I have one child who loves to middle of the pew (in the middle section) because then we are right in front of the altar! So we sit there when no one has responsibilities during Mass (usher, EMHC, etc.)

In general, I have nothing against the middle of the pew, but I think people just don’t think about it much and slide in only as far as they need to for their family. Also, people tend to leave largish gaps between families.

It’s the same in any general seating situation. Theaters and other venues often make announcements telling people to move in to make room for more. I think it is just human nature.

 

[Lormar]

ROFLOL. Yeah, I know. I was surprised as a convert to encounter this. And if you stand there and wait for them to move, they look for all the world like an annoyed cow. I don’t know whether it’s more un-Christian or more funny, to tell the truth. I sometimes intentionally just stand there and play dense until they move. I figure it probably does them good, and they get over it eventually.

So…your reaction to what you have judged to be un-Christian behavior is to provoke them?

 

[iloveangels]

So…your reaction to what you have judged to be un-Christian behavior is to provoke them?

My reaction is to expect them to do the decent thing and move down so I can sit down, since there is room in the pew.

I’m a convert, and I love the Church, but the antics of some Catholics are over the top. It’s not a fun thing being a convert a lot of times, you should know.

 

[zab]

What do you mean huh?

If there’s still room for one person to sit down on the pew.
And one person comes along and asks to sit down.
Why can’t he sit on the end of the pew?

AKA why can’t people slide their butts down to make room for him on the end of the pew?

By “huh???” I meant that I did not understand your response to my post that was in response to another post. It didn’t make sense before you edited your post. As to your question, see previous posts.

 

[iloveangels]

By “huh???” I meant that I did not understand your response to my post that was in response to another post. It didn’t make sense before you edited your post. As to your question, see previous posts.

I’m out of this thread. I’m a convert and I’ve learned not to engage Catholics after a certain point on some of this stuff, both in here and in real life. I manage and I will keep on managing. Have a great day.

 

[fastenatingguy]

I am about 265# so for me it is comfortable to be on the aisle. I always stand up and make room for anyone else that wants to sit in the same pew, but I prefer the end. Our Basilica is enormous and so there really are enough aisle options to go around

Also, I don’t always make it to penance on Saturday morning, which means I would then not be going up to to receive holy communion. It is less cumbersome for me to stand up in the aisle as people are returning from communion and allow them to get back to the pew without having to trample over me.

I guess you could count me in the group of: just be a good Christian neighbor/much ado about nothin’

 

[Jala]

My church arranges chairs in a circle, so everyone is happy.

When I do attend a different church with pews, I like to sit on the end because I’m ochlophobic. I do move in if asked, but then I can’t concentrate on anything else for the rest of the service.

Jala

 

[maltmom]

Is there nothing concerning attending Mass that doesn’t annoy someone somewhere?

I don’t think so.

What do you mean huh?

If there’s still room for one person to sit down on the pew.
And one person comes along and asks to sit down.
Why can’t he sit on the end of the pew?

AKA why can’t people slide their butts down to make room for him on the end of the pew?

Please read the responses. Some people have physical reasons, some have psychological reasons and there a few who don’t want to move because they arrived early enough to sit where they want.

Those on the end should graciously either move over or stand to allow someone to enter. If they don’t want to sit in the middle they probably have a good reason and their choice should be respected.