How can I help a friend who doesn't like going to Church alone?

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I have a friend who says he likes to go to Mass, but does not like to go by himself; he only likes going with a friend(s).
He says he doesn’t have any friends who go regularly. We live in different towns, so we can’t go together. I do not know the reason why this makes him feel uncomfortable, but I know it is not a good reason.

What can I say to help him with this problem without being too pushy?
 
Help him understand what the Mass IS. What age bracket is this friend it? I’d be happy to suggest some things, but, some of the stuff for teens and adults would be different.
 
kage_ar said:
Help him understand what the Mass IS. What age bracket is this friend it? I’d be happy to suggest some things, but, some of the stuff for teens and adults would be different.
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Thanks Kage,
He’s about 43, old enough to know. This seems more like something a teen or young adult might say, but maybe there are some older who think like this.
 
The only thing I can think of is for him to go to Mass and get involved in his parish. Then he’ll start to make friends there who will be at Mass with him. Maybe he could talk with some staff person at the parish and ask about ways of meeting people there.
 
Tell him YOU will be his “mass friend.” Pick a time when you both can attend mass at the same hour – in your different locations – then have a phone call to discuss similarities, differences, how you were inspired, etc. Give him something to look forward to each week. It is hard to be lonely.
 
Once he gets what Mass IS, it will not matter if he is with one other person or 10,000.

Perhaps a book geared to teens?

“Do I Have to Go?” by Matthew Pinto

On the grown up side of the books helf, Scott Hahn’s “The Lamb’s Supper” is amazing.

This DVD by Fr Stan Fortuna speaks to all ages…

francescoproductions.com/dvd/Dvd_InstructionalMass.asp
 
In some ways I think I can understand how he feels. I am a convert from the evangelical church where people were very intentional about making friends at church and deeping relationships with newcomers. I have missed that a bit since converting to Catholicism. Now I know that the purpose of Mass is really about prayer and worship and a celebration of the sacrifice of Christ and not about chatting with friends. I appreciate being able to come early to Mass and kneel and pray as I prepare my mind and heart for the celebration and not having the distraction of people chatting and laughing and making noise. I noticed recently that since most of the others in my parish are also doing the same, they spread apart and sit at some distance from each other. Even some of my good friends don’t even notice that I am there and will sit far away on the other side. I miss having a big group of friends sitting together on Sunday to worship together.

I just wanted to say that I struggle with the knowledge that the celebration of Mass is about keeping our eyes and hearts on Christ, but I wish there was a way to have it both ways! :o
 
Thank you to everyone for the responses. I appreciate the good ideas and suggestions.
 
SCALCO said:
I have a friend who says he likes to go to Mass, but does not like to go by himself; he only likes going with a friend(s).
He says he doesn’t have any friends who go regularly. We live in different towns, so we can’t go together. I do not know the reason why this makes him feel uncomfortable, but I know it is not a good reason.

What can I say to help him with this problem without being too pushy?
Click to expand...
He is never alone even if the Church is empty, Christ is always present in a Catholic Church.
 
Just thought I’d share an update about my friend who doesn’t like to go to Church alone.

I found out the reason he doesn’t like to go alone is because he loses focus easily. Basically, he feels he needs to have somebody to help him stay focused and disciplined.

Since we live far apart, it is unreasonable for us to go with each other on a weekly basis, but we could go together once a month. He said he would try doing that. That’s a start.
 
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