Enough with the cell phones

[tomch]

For what it’s worth…
I just wanted you all to know that while reading this thread, my cell phone rang twice (it was my wife).

Of course, I had it on vibrate so that I wouldn’t disturb anyone.

This cell phone thread reminds me of a good story of my recent “Baptist” past. My wife’s aunt was in her mid-80s. She was totally blind and almost stone deaf.

Since she couldn’t see her wristwatch, she wore one of those “audible watches” - you know - one of those that announce (very loudly) "DING DONG!! The time is … ". (We all especially enjoyed the “DING DONG” part.)

Baptist sermons can get a bit long at times, and one Sunday she was anxious for our pastor (who just happens to be her nephew!) to finish preaching so that she could get some lunch! (note: She always sat in the 3rd row from the front of the church.)

Anyway, every couple minutes, she held it up to her ear, and checked to see what time it was. She couldn’t hear all the people behind her laughing about it. Her nephew (our pastor) asked her several times (from the pulpit) to turn it off, but she couldn’t hear him either. Finally someone sitting behind her was able to help her understand the situation. Of course, this interchange was quite loud as well… and everyone heard her comment on “how long the sermons have gotten lately.” Everyone had a good laugh - even our pastor!

She passed away the day after Easter this past year, and we miss both her and her beloved watch!

 

[Sarabande]

For what it’s worth…
I just wanted you all to know that while reading this thread, my cell phone rang twice (it was my wife).

Of course, I had it on vibrate so that I wouldn’t disturb anyone.

This cell phone thread reminds me of a good story of my recent “Baptist” past. My wife’s aunt was in her mid-80s. She was totally blind and almost stone deaf.

Since she couldn’t see her wristwatch, she wore one of those “audible watches” - you know - one of those that announce (very loudly) "DING DONG!! The time is … ". (We all especially enjoyed the “DING DONG” part.)

Baptist sermons can get a bit long at times, and one Sunday she was anxious for our pastor (who just happens to be her nephew!) to finish preaching so that she could get some lunch! (note: She always sat in the 3rd row from the front of the church.)

Anyway, every couple minutes, she held it up to her ear, and checked to see what time it was. She couldn’t hear all the people behind her laughing about it. Her nephew (our pastor) asked her several times (from the pulpit) to turn it off, but she couldn’t hear him either. Finally someone sitting behind her was able to help her understand the situation. Of course, this interchange was quite loud as well… and everyone heard her comment on “how long the sermons have gotten lately.” Everyone had a good laugh - even our pastor!

She passed away the day after Easter this past year, and we miss both her and her beloved watch!

What a sweet story! Thank you for sharing it.

 

[Yes]

I think you missed Exoflare’s point. Let me help. If people would just leave their cell phones in the car or at home, they wouldn’t need to remember to turn them off. Hence Exoflare’s comment of not understanding “all this commotion over ‘forgetting to turn it off’.” You can’t forget to turn off the cell phone you left at home. You’ll notice that Exoflare’s very first comment is that he/she doesn’t bring it in to Mass.

Let’s check to make sure our cell phones are off, and our charity is on, ladies and gentleman.

Gertie

Ok, I am sorry for the misunderstanding. Still, absolutely no one needs a cell phone at Mass.

About 5 years ago the high school my brother teaches at had a growing problem with cell phones, Finally the principal (with the school board’s 100% support) banned the use of cell phones on campus.

All heck broke loose. The kids “needed” to have their phones, blah, blah, blah. Lawsuits were threatened, etc. The school board backed the principal, as did the teachers. Today it’s a non-issue – use a cell phone on campus or have it ring in class (which is VERY rare) and your parents can pick it up in the principal’s office.

 

[VAC]

About 5 years ago the high school my brother teaches at had a growing problem with cell phones, Finally the principal (with the school board’s 100% support) banned the use of cell phones on campus.
All heck broke loose. The kids “needed” to have their phones, blah, blah, blah. Lawsuits were threatened, etc. The school board backed the principal, as did the teachers. Today it’s a non-issue – use a cell phone on campus or have it ring in class (which is VERY rare) and your parents can pick it up in the principal’s office.

I agree kids don’t need to be talking on or answering cellphones in class…(my 17 year old is the only one of my 3 kids with a cell phone) and I hate to say this, but in this day and age we live in if my kids were in a ‘Colombine’ or ‘Virginia Tech’ situation I would want them to have the phone on them.

My kids are allowed phones in their school, but they must be turned off.

Yes for years we lived without cell phones… but years ago it was much safer to run out of gas or break down on the highway, especially if you were a young woman travelling alone or with small kids at night…

Years ago when we had to make some ‘budget cuts’ my 70+ inlaws told us that there is no way they’d want to be without a cell phone.

 

[Katie1723]

There is one other matter. More than a few actually like the attention a beeping cell phone provides for them…

Isn’t that sad? We are raising a generation of kids who have no face to face people skills.

Kathy

 

[LilyM]

I hear you…

I’m the one who makes the announcement before mass that includes “please stand, silence your cellphones and join us in singing our entrance song…”

I figured that everyone who knows me knows I’m at mass and knows not to call me… plus bad to no signal in the building…

Boy was I embarrased when mine went off playing the ‘star trek’ theme. It was my brother calling from the airport on his way back home from Iraq…he ended up paying a fortune for a taxi… but I would not answer or check it during mass…

I for one would step outside the church if my cellphone vibrated and check who it was - could be family with some emergency (or need, as in your case!)

 

[Yes]

Isn’t that sad? We are raising a generation of kids who have no face to face people skills.

Kathy

I was at a pizza place the other day. Four people in their very early 20’s were sitting in a booth. ALL FOUR had phones pushed to their ears!

In the old days people held cigarettes to “have something to do with their hands.” Today if people feel ackward, they flip open their cell phones and place a junk call.

I was an usher at a Holy Thursday Mass about 5 years ago. A 20 something person walked in, sat down in a pew with sort of an anxious look on her face. Out comes the cell phone – a drug of choice today! As an usher I told her to put it away or to step outside. She looked at me like I had the plague. Ain’t times just great?

 

[Yes]

I for one would step outside the church if my cellphone vibrated and check who it was - could be family with some emergency (or need, as in your case!)

And how would either (no matter what they are) be more important than you staying focused on the Mass until the end?

 

[jay29]

I leave my phone out in the car. I figure the world can live without me for an hour or so.

 

[LilyM]

And how would either (no matter what they are) be more important than you staying focused on the Mass until the end?

Well, given that most people most Sundays have more than one Mass they can attend, whereas they would only have one brother returning from overseas or one relative or friend who needs help, there’s no contest.

Pick up the brother or help your friend and go to a later Mass.

 

[water]

Well, given that most people most Sundays have more than one Mass they can attend, whereas they would only have one brother returning from overseas or one relative or friend who needs help, there’s no contest.

Pick up the brother or help your friend and go to a later Mass.

Good case.

 

[anamchara]

For those who bring their cell phones into Mass:

I sincerely doubt that every cell phone ring that I hear at Mass is a life-threating situation unfolding. For one hour, pretty please, turn your cell phones off or leave them out in the car. Please, don’t wait until you get inside the sanctuary to turn them off. We don’t need to hear the cute little power-off music that they play. Nor do we need to hear the volume-down tone 5 times while you adjust the volume. The music ministry doesn’t need your cell phone’s assistance.

If you need to be that close to a cell phone that you cannot go one hour without responding to a phone call, put the phone on vibrate, and leave the sanctuary before answering the phone.

Honestly, how in the world did we function as a society just 10 years ago without these phones?

I have to agree with you. I started turning mine off on the way to church. What drives me absolutely batty is people who can’t turn it off when it does start ringing! Don’t bring it into Mass if you don’t know how to work the darn thing! It’s mainly women that I see do this and then it’s always at the bottom of their purse and then when they finally do get it out the sound just gets louder.

 

[whatevergirl]

My husband and I don’t even bring our phones to mass…I mean…if a crisis happened in the family…we will just have to deal with it when we get home.

Actually, there is an announcement at this new parish we’re attending…asking everyone to shut their cell phones OFF. Thank you very much!!!

 

[anamchara]

My husband and I don’t even bring our phones to mass…I mean…if a crisis happened in the family…we will just have to deal with it when we get home.

Actually, there is an announcement at this new parish we’re attending…asking everyone to shut their cell phones OFF. Thank you very much!!!

Our old parish did this. The other thing to think about is even if you do have a cell phone on silent and not turned off it can actually still cause interference with the sound system. The last play dh was in,they asked us to turn them completely off due to this problem.

 

[whatevergirl]

I just think it’s easier to leave it in the glove compartment or at home…now, if you have plans after church…then maybe leave it in the car. or turn it off before entering. either way…what’s an hour without a cell, ya know?

 

[anamchara]

I just think it’s easier to leave it in the glove compartment or at home…now, if you have plans after church…then maybe leave it in the car. or turn it off before entering. either way…what’s an hour without a cell, ya know?

yep, I agree. It’s only an hour and people can leave messages. I always check after Mass incase my mom tried to call or their was an emergency

 

[VAC]

Well, given that most people most Sundays have more than one Mass they can attend, whereas they would only have one brother returning from overseas or one relative or friend who needs help, there’s no contest.

Pick up the brother or help your friend and go to a later Mass.

I did feel guilty about it afterwards… We knew my brother was coming, but he wasn’t able to give us a really straight answer as to his arrival time… He wasn’t upset… He was so happy to be home in time for the birth of his first son… His wife, who he met while serving in Iraq, had been staying with us until his return. It took forever for her to get a visa, and meanwhile he got shipped back to Iraq. They were so happy to be together at last, I don’t think he cared about the taxi fare…

Sorry for the hijack…

 

[VAC]

Our old parish did this. The other thing to think about is even if you do have a cell phone on silent and not turned off it can actually still cause interference with the sound system. The last play dh was in,they asked us to turn them completely off due to this problem.

I’m not so sure about the interference theory. I work in a hospital in an ICU and last year we were told we could allow visitors and patients to use cell phones… I guess it was proven that it didn’t interfere with the monitoring systems. It was so nice not to have to be the ‘cell phone police’ anymore.

 

[LilyM]

I did feel guilty about it afterwards… We knew my brother was coming, but he wasn’t able to give us a really straight answer as to his arrival time… He wasn’t upset… He was so happy to be home in time for the birth of his first son… His wife, who he met while serving in Iraq, had been staying with us until his return. It took forever for her to get a visa, and meanwhile he got shipped back to Iraq. They were so happy to be together at last, I don’t think he cared about the taxi fare…

Sorry for the hijack…

That’s OK, don’t feel guilty, he would’ve probably wanted to see his wife first anyways

 

[Yes]

I leave my phone out in the car. I figure the world can live without me for an hour or so.

Indeed, but there is more to it then that alone.

Leaving the cell phone in your car allows you two do two things. First you are truly allowed to focus on the Mass. You don’t have to worry (whether you are aware of it or not) about springing into action and leaving Heaven on Earth to see whose calling. Further you can give that truly uniterrupted 30-60 minutes to God – without compromise. You also do your pewmates a service by not getting up and leaving to see who is calling…