I think the Catholic Church needs some change

[joshkt79]

In respect to Mass and Confirmation.

I think Mass isn’t long enough. I believe it should be a standard 2 hour mass across the board. One hour of mass, one hour of bible study. I find many people look for churches that have the shortest mass times and that is just wrong.

When I made my Confirmation(1996), all we did was have weekly Wednesday Catechism classes. No tests and the majority of the time, the teacher, or Priest wasn’t even there. So, we mainly just sat there for about 20 minutes and then we all left. I think Confirmation should not be made until after you turn 18, graduate high school, and take a year to do a “mission”, kind of like the LDS.

 

[kristacecilia]

In respect to Mass and Confirmation.

I think Mass isn’t long enough. I believe it should be a standard 2 hour mass across the board. One hour of mass, one hour of bible study. I find many people look for churches that have the shortest mass times and that is just wrong.

When I made my Confirmation(1996), all we did was have weekly Wednesday Catechism classes. No tests and the majority of the time, the teacher, or Priest wasn’t even there. So, we mainly just sat there for about 20 minutes and then we all left. I think Confirmation should not be made until after you turn 18, graduate high school, and take a year to do a “mission”, kind of like the LDS.

I dunno. I think the Church likes to treat people like adults, not children, which is why they don’t make this sort of requirement. Adults are expected to do the studying, praying, and Mass attending on their own. Children have obligations placed on them and punishments if they don’t fulfill them.

So I am really glad you aren’t in charge.

I do think there need to be changes, but I don’t think they need to be the changes you are suggesting.

 

[Em_in_FL]

No, the Mass is special, complete, and perfect. It doesn’t need to change.

Does that mean that we don’t need some Adult Faith Formation? Of course not! If your parish doesn’t have Adult Faith Formation classes available, talk to your pastor! We have several different types at our parish.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

In respect to Mass and Confirmation.

I think Mass isn’t long enough. I believe it should be a standard 2 hour mass across the board. One hour of mass, one hour of bible study. I find many people look for churches that have the shortest mass times and that is just wrong.

When I made my Confirmation(1996), all we did was have weekly Wednesday Catechism classes. No tests and the majority of the time, the teacher, or Priest wasn’t even there. So, we mainly just sat there for about 20 minutes and then we all left. I think Confirmation should not be made until after you turn 18, graduate high school, and take a year to do a “mission”, kind of like the LDS.

Come to my parish! Our pastor sometimes gives 45 minute homilies! You’ll LOVE IT! His Masses are never less than 90 minutes, not surprisingly. Even when there’s a substitute priest, he’s been known to do the homily just so we won’t have a 50 minute Mass.

 

[BettyBoop416]

I think Mass isn’t long enough. I believe it should be a standard 2 hour mass across the board.

I can’t think of a faster, more efficient way to kill a parish than to offer only two-hour masses.

 

[jawgee]

I think Mass isn’t long enough. I believe it should be a standard 2 hour mass across the board. One hour of mass, one hour of bible study. I find many people look for churches that have the shortest mass times and that is just wrong.

Do you have kids?!



Whew. Two hours?! With toddlers?! That sounds…interesting.

 

[1ke]

In respect to Mass and Confirmation.

I think Mass isn’t long enough. I believe it should be a standard 2 hour mass across the board. One hour of mass, one hour of bible study. I find many people look for churches that have the shortest mass times and that is just wrong.

When I made my Confirmation(1996), all we did was have weekly Wednesday Catechism classes. No tests and the majority of the time, the teacher, or Priest wasn’t even there. So, we mainly just sat there for about 20 minutes and then we all left. I think Confirmation should not be made until after you turn 18, graduate high school, and take a year to do a “mission”, kind of like the LDS.

It seems you misunderstand both the Mass and the sacrament of Confirmation.

 

[joshkt79]

Do you have kids?!



Whew. Two hours?! With toddlers?! That sounds…interesting.

LDS and Baptist churches have 4 hour services. How do you think married couples with young children handle that?

 

[Kelfa28]

Do you have kids?!



Whew. Two hours?! With toddlers?! That sounds…interesting.

That was exactly what I was thinking!

My LO slept on my chest through the entire 2.5 hour Easter Vigil. My back would thank you not to instill mandatory 2 hour masses.

 

[thewanderer]

In respect to Mass and Confirmation.

I think Mass isn’t long enough. I believe it should be a standard 2 hour mass across the board. One hour of mass, one hour of bible study. I find many people look for churches that have the shortest mass times and that is just wrong.

When I made my Confirmation(1996), all we did was have weekly Wednesday Catechism classes. No tests and the majority of the time, the teacher, or Priest wasn’t even there. So, we mainly just sat there for about 20 minutes and then we all left. I think Confirmation should not be made until after you turn 18, graduate high school, and take a year to do a “mission”, kind of like the LDS.

I must say, I really dont understand where you are coming from. I can understand wanting better catechesis for confirmation, but I don’t see why you would want to delay it until one is 18… The sacrament of confirmation imparts graces to those who receive it to live a christian life. Isn’t it a good idea for teenagers to receive this extra help? I can’t see why it would be better to delay it.

As to having a 2 hour lonog mass… you suggested having 1 hour for mass and one hour for the homily… You do realize that the teaching the faithful is not the primary purpose of mass? yes, you want them to receive sound catechesis, but the mass should not be the only venue for this. As to having the rest of the mass last an hour… maybe if you have a lot of singing and a lot of people… but what is wrong with it being shorter if you have a small parish and sing appropriate hymns that don’t go on for ten minutes at a time… do you really think that such a mass (not counting time for homily) would last an hour?? or that it would be a bad or irreverent mass? The quality of a mass is not determined by its length.

 

[joshkt79]

While we’re on the subject oof changes, I also think one should not watch TV on Sunday. Sunday should be for worship. That goes for football season too

I’m sure some of the wives here will agree to that one!

 

[joshkt79]

I must say, I really dont understand where you are coming from. I can understand wanting better catechesis for confirmation, but I don’t see why you would want to delay it until one is 18… The sacrament of confirmation imparts graces to those who receive it to live a christian life. Isn’t it a good idea for teenagers to receive this extra help? I can’t see why it would be better to delay it.

As to having a 2 hour lonog mass… you suggested having 1 hour for mass and one hour for the homily… You do realize that the teaching the faithful is not the primary purpose of mass? yes, you want them to receive sound catechesis, but the mass should not be the only venue for this. As to having the rest of the mass last an hour… maybe if you have a lot of singing and a lot of people… but what is wrong with it being shorter if you have a small parish and sing appropriate hymns that don’t go on for ten minutes at a time… do you really think that such a mass (not counting time for homily) would last an hour?? or that it would be a bad or irreverent mass? The quality of a mass is not determined by its length.

Well, maybe not wait until they turn 18, but I think they should do a year of Mission, like LDS. I believ it will help the young get closer and more familiar with the Catholic religion

 

[asia53]

LDS and Baptist churches have 4 hour services. How do you think married couples with young children handle that?

I imagine, some of them put their kids in the church’s nursery, or Sunday school. I’ve been to a few Protestant services (before I was Catholic), where the children join the congregation later, after their own classes, or remain in the nursery till services are over.

Our parish Mass typically runs from 65 to 75 minutes for Saturday Vigil, Sunday Masses.

Bible class. I take Bible classes on my own time, paid for with my own money sponsored by my parish. The parish supplies the room, and video equipment.

 

[thewanderer]

Well, maybe not wait until they turn 18, but I think they should do a year of Mission, like LDS. I believ it will help the young get closer and more familiar with the Catholic religion

Yes, doing a year of mission would be a wonderful thing, but should it be a requirement for every Catholic seeking confirmation? That I am not so sure about. For one, where exactly is the money to send them out on mission going to come from? What about the fact that not every person is called or suited to that kind of life? Or the fact that it will have to disrupt their schooling… which is I believe often required by government below a certain age… What about converts who can’t take time off their jobs or they will be fired? Are we supposed to deny them confirmation because they need to support a family? I see a lot of logistical problems coming from trying to demand that everyone be required to do such a mission before confirmation.

 

[stephe1987]

The mass is one hour. As for the second hour (Bible study), there should be faith formation in every parish. Maybe on Sundays after Mass, or maybe on a different day of the week.

I don’t think people should search town for the shortest mass, but at the same time I know it’s hard especially for families with small children to stay for a long time.

I like the idea of Confirmation being given when people understand their faith more and choose the faith for themselves (although infant confirmation is still used in some places). But I don’t think you necessarily need to be 18 to know your faith and understand what the catechism teaches.

I do think there should be some sort of quiz (maybe pass/fail) for the Catechism classes to make sure you’re paying attention and you’re learning what you’re supposed to be learning. The kids with weak faith (those kids who say they are atheists, parents don’t take them to mass regularly, maybe they don’t practice their faith at home) should wait at least an extra year until they’re up to speed with the rest of the Confirmation class… if they get Confirmed at all.

 

[PeterJohn]

I dunno. I think the Church likes to treat people like adults, not children, which is why they don’t make this sort of requirement. Adults are expected to do the studying, praying, and Mass attending on their own. Children have obligations placed on them and punishments if they don’t fulfill them.

So I am really glad you aren’t in charge.

I do think there need to be changes, but I don’t think they need to be the changes you are suggesting.

Wow slap him for expressing his opinion!

 

[garn9173]

While we’re on the subject oof changes, I also think one should not watch TV on Sunday. Sunday should be for worship. That goes for football season too

I’m sure some of the wives here will agree to that one!

As long as one meets their Sunday obligation, of attending Mass, why would you care about this?

BTW, just wondering, do you practice what you preach?

In respect to Mass and Confirmation.

I think Mass isn’t long enough. I believe it should be a standard 2 hour mass across the board. One hour of mass, one hour of bible study. I find many people look for churches that have the shortest mass times and that is just wrong.

My Parish has optional bible study throughout the week. In this busy world we live in, church membership will decline big time if you make 2 hour mandatory attendance every week.

 

[joshkt79]

Yes, doing a year of mission would be a wonderful thing, but should it be a requirement for every Catholic seeking confirmation? That I am not so sure about. For one, where exactly is the money to send them out on mission going to come from? What about the fact that not every person is called or suited to that kind of life? Or the fact that it will have to disrupt their schooling… which is I believe often required by government below a certain age… What about converts who can’t take time off their jobs or they will be fired? Are we supposed to deny them confirmation because they need to support a family? I see a lot of logistical problems coming from trying to demand that everyone be required to do such a mission before confirmation.

Ok, maybe not a year. How about children do a 3 month mission(during summer) between Junior and Senior year of high school. Converts do classes and take one week of vacation from work to complete their mission. The money? Not sure about that one. The government hands money out like candy, so maybe we can start there

 

[TheRealJuliane]

While we’re on the subject oof changes, I also think one should not watch TV on Sunday. Sunday should be for worship. That goes for football season too

I’m sure some of the wives here will agree to that one!

You are going to live in a wicked fun house when you’re married, you know?

 

[joshkt79]

As long as one meets their Sunday obligation, of attending Mass, why would you care about this?

BTW, just wondering, do you practice what you preach?

I do practice what I preach. I watch football. I actually LOVE football. I normally DVR it and watch it another day. People tend to think “Oh, I went to church today, so I’m allowed to do what I want”. I think giving one day(Sunday) to devote your time to the Lord is not much to ask, and I’m not talking about attending a 25 minute mass.