I'd like Catholicism more if it weren't for the Catholics

[yellowbicycle]

I have attended protestant worship services of all sorts of denominations. The people who attend those services look like this:

:extrahappy:
:clapping:
:grouphug:

And at the Catholic services, they look like this:



What is GOING ON HERE PEOPLE?!?!
I want my Protestant friends to at least WITNESS the truth and beauty of the Catholic faith, but how can I do that when the participants at Mass don’t even witness the truth and beauty of it? I don’t blame my protestant brothers and sisters for turning away from the Catholic faith. If someone told me that the Lord is Joy and then I took them to one of the Catholic masses in my area, and they saw these mopey sorry faces, they’d have every right to think I was crazy.

Look, I’m not trying to turn Mass into a discotheque. It’s solemn. It’s holy. I get it. But is it really that hard for people to smile at eachother? Is it so hard for people to at least ACT like they want to be at Mass?

I know, I’m probably preaching to the choir here, but what’s a person to do to sort of, I don’t know, INVIGORATE the masses? (get it, masses, masses. Ha! Hmmm…probably using puns won’t invigorate anyone…)

 

[redrosetea]

I like it just the way it is…It is dignified and respectful, and filled with the Holy Spirit…People popping up and screaming isn’t anything I am interested in watching

 

[Cat]

I was an evangelical Protestant for over 40 years.

I think many of your Protestant friends realize that what is on the face does not necessarily reflect what is in the heart.

We had Protestant friends who could raise their hands, sing halleluah, cry for joy, and do flips down the aisle, but their lives were a misery due to sin and they struggled constantly with belief and real life. Some of them didn’t make it, and ended up denouncing their faith.

OTOH, we had Protestant friends who looked like dill pickles sitting in the pews. Nary a smile or even a twinkle in the eye. Yet they lived lives of joy and service to Our Lord and sacrificed many of the world’s “pleasures” to build up the Kingdom of God here on this earth. In private, they were peaceful and loving people who always built us up by their words and attitude.

I think that most Protestants realize that Catholics are the same way. The Catholic with the beautific facial expression may be thinking evil thoughts during Mass, while the Catholic with the sour face and dull eyes may be so enrapt in worship and aloft in the heavenlies that he/she is totally unaware of how they look to others.

 

[Jenny_Z]

I wouldn’t say Catholics are … more like

And I wouldn’t have it any other way. The Mass isn’t there for my entertainment.

 

[jeannemarie18]

The ambience in church, at mass should be solemn and holy , however it doesnt mean that you arent allowed or shouldn’t smile, i.e abit happiness at church wouldnt go amiss . i think we should smile so long as we arent straying from why we are at mass by looking around and smiling at people.

 

[maurin]

I’d like protestants more if it weren’t for all the heresies–but then again I’m no fan of the cult of man. That’s a difficult one for the protestants to ‘get over.’

 

[justinkolo]

I wouldn’t say Catholics are … more like

And I wouldn’t have it any other way. The Mass isn’t there for my entertainment.

Well, the question is, what would YOU do if Jesus suddenly showed up? Which he does at Mass, only cunningly disguised as bread and wine

Speaking of the Mass being entertainment, though… Who else has been annoyed with the applause at the end of Mass, as though it was some sort of concert? of course I’m talking about your standard Sunday Mass, not weekday or EF Masses.

 

[VociMike]

OTOH, we had Protestant friends who looked like dill pickles sitting in the pews…

I’m gonna be stuck with that image all day.

 

[bubba451]

" I’d like Catholicism more if it weren’t for the Catholics"-- OH Yeah? We don’t like you much either, thanks ever SO much…

Wow–I see the point made later but, WOW. Having a bad day are we? How about remembering WHY we are there–it’s not a social or a party, it’s worship. Let’s focus for an hour here people…things like this make me REALLY like my dog…

 

[yellowbicycle]

Did anyone really read what I wrote?
Is anyone looking to help me, or just make snarky comments?

I’m not talking about hooting and hollering. I’m not talking about mass needs to be more ‘entertaining’. Goodness gracious.

I’m talking about this is a COMMUNITY, and what do I see? I see the back pews filled, and the front ones empty. I see people sitting so far apart, they can’t even shake hands in peace. If I went to a family meal, and everyone was sitting in different rooms, I can certainly say, it would not be a family I would want to be a part of.

I’m talking about people don’t even sing along with the hymns. I can’t carry a tune worth squat, but I sing. Why am I the only one?

I’m talking about people are mumbling the responses and creed. Speak up! Say it with joy and conviction!

I’m talking about people are walking in like someone just ran over their dog and are leaving with the same expression when they leave. Doesn’t ‘may the Lord be with you’ actually MEAN something?!?!

So, I ask again, where is the christian joy that Catholics should be exuding? I feel it, but singing all by my lonesome gets old.

 

[yellowbicycle]

" I’d like Catholicism more if it weren’t for the Catholics"-- OH Yeah? We don’t like you much either, thanks ever SO much…

Wow–I see the point made later but, WOW. Having a bad day are we? How about remembering WHY we are there–it’s not a social or a party, it’s worship. Let’s focus for an hour here people…things like this make me REALLY like my dog…

Um, I AM Catholic. And I LOVE being Catholic. And I want others to LOVE being Catholic too. But I don’t see that at Mass. I see people who are not even interested in being there long enough to stay through the end of it! I see people so eager to be ANYWHERE but at Mass that they RUSH out after communion. As for me? I’ve really got NO place better to be than in the Lord’s house.

So, no, I’m not having a bad day. I’m having a great day. I just wish the other people at Mass were, too.

 

[yellowbicycle]

Well, the question is, what would YOU do if Jesus suddenly showed up? Which he does at Mass, only cunningly disguised as bread and wine

Speaking of the Mass being entertainment, though… Who else has been annoyed with the applause at the end of Mass, as though it was some sort of concert? of course I’m talking about your standard Sunday Mass, not weekday or EF Masses.

What would I do? Smile. Sing. All the stuff I’m NOT seeing my Catholic brothers and sisters do.
Did you read my post, where I said I was NOT looking to turn this into some party? I just want people to be HAPPY TO BE AT MASS.

I pray. I pray solemnly. Oh yeah, and I smile, too. Can’t all of that happen at once?

 

[yellowbicycle]

I wouldn’t say Catholics are … more like

And I wouldn’t have it any other way. The Mass isn’t there for my entertainment.

Not there for mine, either. If I wanted entertainment I’d buy a television.
I am looking for real, tangible ways to show people that Catholics actually ENJOY being in the presence of Jesus.

 

[yellowbicycle]

I like it just the way it is…It is dignified and respectful, and filled with the Holy Spirit…People popping up and screaming isn’t anything I am interested in watching

maybe I should go to your church, because of all the catholic churches I’ve been to (I used to travel alot for work, so I’ve been to many) people were leaving early, playing with their cell phones, and popping up…to leave early. Slamming the kneelers up. Nothing dignified or respectful about any of THAT. And it SHOULD be dignified and respectful.

 

[yellowbicycle]

I was an evangelical Protestant for over 40 years.

I think many of your Protestant friends realize that what is on the face does not necessarily reflect what is in the heart.

We had Protestant friends who could raise their hands, sing halleluah, cry for joy, and do flips down the aisle, but their lives were a misery due to sin and they struggled constantly with belief and real life. Some of them didn’t make it, and ended up denouncing their faith.

OTOH, we had Protestant friends who looked like dill pickles sitting in the pews. Nary a smile or even a twinkle in the eye. Yet they lived lives of joy and service to Our Lord and sacrificed many of the world’s “pleasures” to build up the Kingdom of God here on this earth. In private, they were peaceful and loving people who always built us up by their words and attitude.

I think that most Protestants realize that Catholics are the same way. The Catholic with the beautific facial expression may be thinking evil thoughts during Mass, while the Catholic with the sour face and dull eyes may be so enrapt in worship and aloft in the heavenlies that he/she is totally unaware of how they look to others.

You are right - on an individula level, one’s facial expressions and actions don’t necessarily reflect their heart. But on the whole, shouldn’t the church be filled with some sort of joy and happiness? I’ve seen happier people in the dentist’s office.

 

[redrosetea]

I guess you should everyone, piles into the front pews

 

[HappyRevert]

Did anyone really read what I wrote?
Is anyone looking to help me, or just make snarky comments?

I’m not talking about hooting and hollering. I’m not talking about mass needs to be more ‘entertaining’. Goodness gracious.

I’m talking about this is a COMMUNITY, and what do I see? I see the back pews filled, and the front ones empty. I see people sitting so far apart, they can’t even shake hands in peace. If I went to a family meal, and everyone was sitting in different rooms, I can certainly say, it would not be a family I would want to be a part of.

I’m talking about people don’t even sing along with the hymns. I can’t carry a tune worth squat, but I sing. Why am I the only one?

I’m talking about people are mumbling the responses and creed. Speak up! Say it with joy and conviction!

I’m talking about people are walking in like someone just ran over their dog and are leaving with the same expression when they leave. Doesn’t ‘may the Lord be with you’ actually MEAN something?!?!

So, I ask again, where is the christian joy that Catholics should be exuding? I feel it, but singing all by my lonesome gets old.

I would suggest that perhaps you need a different parish. I love my parish and although I’m not sure if we look all heated up during the service (I also love the dill pickle comment), when you meet with people outside the mass, they are definitely head over heels in love with Christ.

I would also like to point out that there are times I’ve had a hard time controlling myself with excitement over being about to receive the body and blood of Christ, but I can’t say how I looked from the outside. Perhaps we overcompensate with self control so it doesn’t look thrilling, but many of us there are thrilled to be there.

 

[yellowbicycle]

I would suggest that perhaps you need a different parish. I love my parish and although I’m not sure if we look all heated up during the service (I also love the dill pickle comment), when you meet with people outside the mass, they are definitely head over heels in love with Christ.

I would also like to point out that there are times I’ve had a hard time controlling myself with excitement over being about to receive the body and blood of Christ, but I can’t say how I looked from the outside. Perhaps we overcompensate with self control so it doesn’t look thrilling, but many of us there are thrilled to be there.

My home parish is very pleasant and nice. It’s all these OTHER parishes that I would go to when I would travel for work. It makes me think a parish with joy in it is the exception, not the rule.

 

[yellowbicycle]

I guess you should everyone, piles into the front pews

Would I like for people to sit more than one person to a pew? Yes, if that’s what you’re getting at. Jesus is THERE, at the Mass. Why would I want to sit way in the back? Don’t tell me everyone’s got a cold or is shy. I’m not buying it.

 

[samcarter14]

Well, I do not miss the services I attended at a nondenominational Christian church. Yes, the people were presumably on fire for the Lord, but there was so much dancing and hopping and waving of arms sometimes it felt like a Sesame Street muppets reunion. And so much touchy-feely stuff; people coming up to me out of the blue and saying, “The Lord told me to pray with you,” and hugging me while they prayed and putting their hands on my head…argh. I get twitchy at a RC church when people hold hands during the Lord’s Prayer, so maybe I just have issues with…being grabbed at.

Another thing I noticed at the Protestant service, was, if you weren’t waving your arms around during the worship songs, if you were standing there in a relatively calm manner, you got asked if you needed prayers. Or if you were having difficulties with sin. Because, you know, anybody who isn’t feeling moved by the guitar music and folk-rock lyrics must not be on fire for the Lord. I wonder how much of that dancing and clapping is for form’s sake, so they look like God-loving Christians.

I attend a Byzantine church, and I love the eastern Divine Liturgy. I love that we stand reverently and sing our prayers to the Lord, without having to wonder if our posture is “happy” enough. There are people who do not sing all the prayers, or who may not make the sign of the Cross every time the Trinity is mentioned, and nobody asks them if they’re having trouble with sin.