Got frowns for my views on mass

[DiscerningDave]

Tell me if I am wrong for feeling this way.
This is more of a vent for me.

I was invited to a youth listening session by the diocese for people in their 20s and 30s (I’m in my 30s).
The main reason for this session was to get views and opinions from younger people on how to get our peers more involved in mass, ministries, the parish, etc…

The group session went great with everyone expressing their views, which was how the forum was meant to be.
Afterwards, I was one of the last to leave and was asked by the facilitators if I wanted to become involved in these sessions because to them, it was obvious I am very strong in my faith and beliefs towards Catholocism.
I told them they might not want me (I was being honest) because I am very traditional in my views on the Catechism, Catholic Law and Doctrine, and Catholocism as a whole. I attend saturday vigil because it is more solemn and their are less people meaning less distractions. I attend daily mass and pray the rosary with the “little old ladies” prior to mass. I am studying apologetics as a hobby to defend the faith against protestants and other Catholics who like to dismiss some church teachings. An older lady who is one of our parish leaders in the office and a nun were there and overheard me telling this to the facilitators. They came over and started asking my opinion.

I told them I did not feel like the other 9 people there that were of my age because of my views. One of the group’s points on drawing younger people was to make mass more entertaining. I told the two ladies that I do not view mass as a “charismatic protestant service.” I also said that I do not view mass as a community event (the bomb exploded). Before I could explain what I meant by that they attacked me. I then went on to explain that in my view, for me, mass is a personal experience between the Trinity and myself. The Sister asked me if I would be open to the groups ideas. I said yes, but not to changing mass.

To sum it up, I left with a bad taste in my mouth. Because my views were not in line with theirs (meaning the two ladies) I was dismissed and bawked at because I do not want my church heading down the road opposite of traditonalism.

Am I wrong for wanting our church to stay true to the tradition of the church? Or do I need to be more open-minded to other options?
Thanks for listening.
Peace

 

[baltobetsy]

You just need a better strategy. Instead of laying all your cards on the table in the beginning, you might have done better to accept the invitation and plan to bring up the reasons why you believe as you do one at a time, when the issues arise.

For example, when they start on making Mass more entertaining, you might bring up how realizing what’s happening at Mass is really awesome for you, and you might prefer to concentrate on that instead of being entertained. But without getting negative and preachy. The key is always to be positive when selling your ideas. If they are true and good, they will have an attraction all their own, which the silly things will lack.

You may have blown your chance with this group, but certainly you can prepare your strategy for next time.

Betsy

 

[chicago]

To sum it up, I left with a bad taste in my mouth. Because my views were not in line with theirs (meaning the two ladies) I was dismissed and bawked at because I do not want my church heading down the road opposite of traditonalism.

Sounds like they really didn’t want to honestly hear the views of young people, afterall, unless it was in agreement with what they wanted.

Am I wrong for wanting our church to stay true to the tradition of the church? Or do I need to be more open-minded to other options?
Thanks for listening.
Peace

From what you’ve articulated, it sounds like perhaps a little of both/and.

 

[scylla]

It is very difficult to deal with people who want a more community, good feeling Mass, as they think more with feelings than right reason.

Your statements about the truth wont make any difference as truth doesn’t matter to this type of thinking, feelings do.

You need to speak their language and strategically speak to them or they wont listen. Most liberals are only tolerant of their views and since they think with their feelings they are generally pretty volatile to faithful Catholicism.

It would be better to be involved and quietly teach them what real Catholicism is no matter how much dissent is being taught. It is so hard to keep quiet, so just use these forums to vent and quietly share what it is to be Catholic with them.

Liturgical dancers would rather dance than listen to you.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[bluehen]

Tell me if I am wrong for feeling this way.
This is more of a vent for me.

I also said that I do not view mass as a community event (the bomb exploded). Before I could explain what I meant by that they attacked me. I then went on to explain that in my view, for me, mass is a personal experience between the Trinity and myself.

I think that would be a statement that would put me off- Mass is not a community event? It’s a personal experience between the Trinity and you? That doesn’t sound orthodox to me.

Mass IS a community event. It’s a gathering of the church. If you didn’t have everyone else in the room, it wouldn’t be a Mass! And the way you describe it here- a personal experience between the Trinity and you- seems to ignore the importance of the priest, the importance of the church going through the sacraments as a body, the importance of the congregational responses.

Perhaps you should clarify what you meant, if I’m getting it wrong, because the idea that we should all have our personal Mass experiences doesn’t seem to fit.

 

[netmilsmom]

Mass IS a community event. It’s a gathering of the church. If you didn’t have everyone else in the room, it wouldn’t be a Mass! And the way you describe it here- a personal experience between the Trinity and you- seems to ignore the importance of the priest, the importance of the church going through the sacraments as a body, the importance of the congregational responses.

Perhaps you should clarify what you meant, if I’m getting it wrong, because the idea that we should all have our personal Mass experiences doesn’t seem to fit.

Did you know that Holy Mass can be said by a priest without anyone else there?
So by your standards, that is not a mass, right?

How about a reference to this thought?

 

[bluehen]

Did you know that Holy Mass can be said by a priest without anyone else there?
So by your standards, that is not a mass, right?

I said - “If you didn’t have everyone else in the room, it wouldn’t be a Mass!”

Unless the original poster was a priest- which he’s not- that statement is true. A mass, for him as a layperson, cannot be a personal experience between him and the Trinity. It requires other people- a priest, at the very minimum, to be in the room. And I’m pretty sure that’s not the ideal attendance at a Mass- one parishioner.

And the more I re-read the original post, I get bothered by the idea of “the fewer the better” at Mass. Not a very welcoming attitude, at least as conveyed here.

 

[buffalo]

I said - “If you didn’t have everyone else in the room, it wouldn’t be a Mass!”

Unless the original poster was a priest- which he’s not- that statement is true. A mass, for him as a layperson, cannot be a personal experience between him and the Trinity. It requires other people- a priest, at the very minimum, to be in the room. And I’m pretty sure that’s not the ideal attendance at a Mass- one parishioner.

And the more I re-read the original post, I get bothered by the idea of “the fewer the better” at Mass. Not a very welcoming attitude, at least as conveyed here.

There are more angels at every Mass than people.

 

[netmilsmom]

I said - “If you didn’t have everyone else in the room, it wouldn’t be a Mass!”

Unless the original poster was a priest- which he’s not- that statement is true. A mass, for him as a layperson, cannot be a personal experience between him and the Trinity. It requires other people- a priest, at the very minimum, to be in the room. And I’m pretty sure that’s not the ideal attendance at a Mass- one parishioner.

And the more I re-read the original post, I get bothered by the idea of “the fewer the better” at Mass. Not a very welcoming attitude, at least as conveyed here.

bluehen:

Mass IS a community event. It’s a gathering of the church. If you didn’t have everyone else in the room, it wouldn’t be a Mass! And the way you describe it here- a personal experience between the Trinity and you- seems to ignore the importance of the priest, the importance of the church going through the sacraments as a body, the importance of the congregational responses.

That’s a little more than the Priest, friend.

 

[buffalo]

’Bishop, I Have the Pope on Line One’

 

[netmilsmom]

There are more angels at every Mass than people.

 

[az_4_faith]

I was in a similar situation at one time.

I was asked to be on an advisory council pretty high up in the diocese.

I was very nervous because I knew that most on the council had a different approach to their faith than I. But I did it anyway.

I made sure that I only spoke when I needed to be heard. I didn’t get involved in every discussion and I usually waited until everyone had added their two cents before I added mine.
The last thing I wanted to do was to label myself. So I chose my battles.

I have to say, I got alot more respect from members of that council than I’d have ever guessed I would. I spoke my opinion, but usually it was well thought out before I opened my mouth. I never attacked, but spoke firmly.

We can all get along. It’s all in the approach. And people will respect what they don’t relate to much better if it is articulated well without sarcasm and hostility.

Choosing your battles goes a long way. These things take time.

 

[Uncle_David]

I agree Dave!!!
The focus should be on Christ, His sacrifice and the Eucharist.

I am all for community but that should be after Mass not during.

 

[jmcrae]

The “me and Jesus” attitude is just the other extreme of Protestantism; it’s not Catholic - no more so than the "let’s get together and have a good time while calling it “worship,” which is also not very good.

The Mass is a community event, but it’s not a party-like get-together, and the focus is not ourselves - it’s Jesus.

Mass is not: Me and Jesus.

Mass is not: Me and my neighbors.

Rather, Mass is: Us and Jesus.

 

[netmilsmom]

Mass is not: Me and Jesus.

Mass is not: Me and my neighbors.

Rather, Mass is: Us and Jesus.

You are so smart!

 

[Karin]

The Mass is a community event, but it’s not a party-like get-together, and the focus is not ourselves - it’s Jesus.

Mass is not: Me and Jesus.

Mass is not: Me and my neighbors.

Rather, Mass is: Us and Jesus.

beautifully stated and thank you for making it easy enough for my 3y/o to understand:thumbsup:

 

[Ahimsa]

The “me and Jesus” attitude is just the other extreme of Protestantism; it’s not Catholic - no more so than the "let’s get together and have a good time while calling it “worship,” which is also not very good.

The Mass is a community event, but it’s not a party-like get-together, and the focus is not ourselves - it’s Jesus.

Mass is not: Me and Jesus.

Mass is not: Me and my neighbors.

Rather, Mass is: Us and Jesus.

Yes, put the “Us” back in “Jesus”.

 

[Em_in_FL]

I agree with the other posters here that the Mass is between US and JESUS… it involves community…
So, in that regard, I disagree with the OP thoughts…

Wanting to maintain tradition within the Mass is a beautiful notion, though!
Instead of saying "You might not want me because… " I probably would have said "SURE, I’ll join!"… that way someone with your traditional views may be a positive influence on the group!

Stand up for what you believe about tradition in the Mass… and share your views with others! Just remember that the Mass is between US and JESUS!

 

[DiscerningDave]

I think that would be a statement that would put me off- Mass is not a community event? It’s a personal experience between the Trinity and you? That doesn’t sound orthodox to me.

Mass IS a community event. It’s a gathering of the church. If you didn’t have everyone else in the room, it wouldn’t be a Mass! And the way you describe it here- a personal experience between the Trinity and you- seems to ignore the importance of the priest, the importance of the church going through the sacraments as a body, the importance of the congregational responses.

Perhaps you should clarify what you meant, if I’m getting it wrong, because the idea that we should all have our personal Mass experiences doesn’t seem to fit.

I thought about this last night after I posted this. And I came to the determination (before reading any of these posts) that the error of my ways was in how I chose my words. I should not have used the word “community.” Instead, what I was meaning to say, and what I should have said, was that mass was not a “social” event. I am not for holding hands during the Lord’s prayer (because of what is stated in the GIRM), people raising their hands like the priest, etc… I do not want mass becoming a non-demonitional type fest-for-all service.

My choice of words was the mistake and I can see how it came across differently than I meant it.

 

[maryjk]

The “me and Jesus” attitude is just the other extreme of Protestantism; it’s not Catholic - no more so than the "let’s get together and have a good time while calling it “worship,” which is also not very good.

The Mass is a community event, but it’s not a party-like get-together, and the focus is not ourselves - it’s Jesus.

Mass is not: Me and Jesus.

Mass is not: Me and my neighbors.

Rather, Mass is: Us and Jesus.

Yet another . What a great, easy way to explain it.

This will work great at Religious Ed and VBS.