Group Blessings During Mass. Liturgical Abuse?

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Kevin12 said:
When I see threads like these, I seriously begin to doubt the merit my faith as a Catholic. When I was a kid, my aunt told my mother that what was a Baptist summer camp was open to Christians of all stripes. Little did I know that my 12 year old self would have to defend my faith against various charges of vanity and generally straining out the gnat to swallow the camel. It was my indignation at that camp that kept me strong in my faith, stronger than perhaps I would have been had I gone to a Catholic camp, throughout my teens.

But then, several years ago, I joined this forums, and I saw, to my horror, that there were indeed all sorts of Catholics who not only lived up to the stereotypes I had heard bandied about at that camp, but far exceeded them.

I’m sorry, and I know I am being uncharitable here, but some of the things I see here have just made me so frustrated. I know I have to right to judge anyone because I am a sinful person, but…well, I am just still frustrated. Especially when I see that there is a Protestant considering the church here.
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Kevin,

As I mentioned in the previous post, I’m a brand new Catholic. My intent wasn’t to come off like some Pharisee who is infatuated with legal technicalities of the law. If my question created that impression, I sincerely apologize. God forbid I dissuade any Protestant from coming home to the Church. Please keep me in your prayers. God bless.
 
Bonnie said:
Many years ago I read an old book written by a convert - possibly from the '50s. I wish I could remember her name & the exact quote I’m going to mangle here, but it went something like this. Shortly after joining the Church she witnessed some uncharitable behavior by fellow Catholics. Her response was (more or less): These are my brothers and sisters in Christ - God help us all!

I try to remember that. Along with Robert Heinlein quote: Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by stupidity. 😃
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Bonnie,

“Stupidity” seems a bit harsh of a description. But as I said above, my question was based on ignorance, not ill-will.
 
Kevin12 said:
I’m not trying to blame anyone in particular. Nor am I trying to say that Mass shouldn’t be done in the right way according to the rubrics. But when I see words like “horrified” being used (I’m sure out of a love of God, but still “horrified”), I feel like, what sort of world do you live in, that you’re horrified by something like that?

I think I actually hear way more here about liturgical abuses, like the wrong people standing in the wrong places at the wrong times, than the, you know, sexual abuses by the clergy. It feels like to some of these posters, a priest wiping the chalice the wrong way (and I’m not saying it shouldn’t be wiped the right way, but still) is a much bigger fault than if that same priest molested a child.

I’m a bad person, so I know I can’t judge, but it seems like the people who do these things, they don’t even see the disconnect, they totally think they should have as much righteous indignation as possible, and that really seems off to me.
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I don’t think I used the word “horrified.” Maybe somebody else did. Again though, my question and concern was based completely on my love for the Mass.
 
nhamm10 said:
Why not focus on the blessings for your fellow Catholics instead of being annoyed? If Jesus was sitting right next to you during all this I’m pretty sure he would bow and bless them himself. Just love, love, love. That is what the sacrifice is all about. What a wonderful uplifting thing to be acknowledged and celebrated and blessed as a community!
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You’re right Nhamm. After prayer and reflection, I see your point more clearly. Being annoyed isn’t an emotion I should ever experience at Mass. Thank you for your thoughts.
 
Proximmaximus said:
Bonnie,

“Stupidity” seems a bit harsh of a description. But as I said above, my question was based on ignorance, not ill-will.
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If you scroll back over the posts, you will see that my post was a response to what someone else said, not to your OP.
 
ProVobis said:
You’re always free to attend Mass at another parish AFAIK.
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Forgive me, but I don’t know was “AFAIK” stands for. In any event, as I said in the post above, I was uncharitable in my thoughts and emotions regarding this issue. I hope I can attend Mass at this Parish for many years - there is so much I love about it.
 
Proximmaximus said:
Forgive me, but I don’t know was “AFAIK” stands for. In any event, as I said in the post above, I was uncharitable in my thoughts and emotions regarding this issue. I hope I can attend Mass at this Parish for many years - there is so much I love about it.
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As Far As I Know. Sorry for the confusion.

Your love for the Mass is praiseworthy for sure, and I’ll leave it at that.
 
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