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Rae8
Guest
Because I could not believe some one would be poking me like that. The sounds are usual, the poke wasn’t.
(But regardless, she should not have interrupted in any manner for something that trivial)
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(But regardless, she should not have interrupted in any manner for something that trivial)
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ffg
Guest
An answer to a prayer or growth in grace might be related to the person making the bother.
Taking care of other’s concern’s is a good and noble thing.
We shouldn’t be too caught up in our own lives that when the lives of others cross ours, it’s a bother.
Getting bent out of shape about the little things, like how someone does something is only going to cause undue stress for you as it is likely the other person doesn’t know they are doing something overly bothersome.
Taking care of other’s concern’s is a good and noble thing.
We shouldn’t be too caught up in our own lives that when the lives of others cross ours, it’s a bother.
Getting bent out of shape about the little things, like how someone does something is only going to cause undue stress for you as it is likely the other person doesn’t know they are doing something overly bothersome.
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adrift
Guest
How do you know what she likes to do it? You were annoyed because you didn’t want to be disturbed. No one ever leaves things in pews? You are now starting to demonize her to justify your annoyance. Truth doesn’t rely on votes.
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Rae8
Guest
In light of that history, I can certainly understand that increasing the irritation factor!
Yes, perhaps you can interpret it as a gentle “poke” from the Holy Spirit to forgive and let go.
Yes. I guess I will look at it as another chance to exercise my patience & forgiveness muscles. God has put us all in each others lives for a reason I suppose.
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GenosFutureWife
Guest
Maybe she’s a little OCD and the thought of a booklet out of place would have bothered her all night. I often get bothered by trivial things that other people don’t even notice… I constantly have to decide whether to correct whatever, or just let it go… she might not be able to let whatever go… I think she needs prayer.
Yes. I guess I will look at it as another chance to exercise my patience & forgiveness muscles. God has put us all in each others lives for a reason I suppose.
Sometimes people with OCD drive others away from them because they are so difficult to be around. Saying whatever in the past was a feeble attempt to get attention. Hurt people hurt people… I think she really hurts and is lonely inside, and needs not just prayer, but needs friendship.
I would invite her for tea and talk about how I love praying after church… chances are she doesn’t even remember what she said in the past, or doesn’t realize that it hurt.
[BIBLEDRB]sir 18:20[/BIBLEDRB]
Dear Mother Mary, help this situation to be resolved in a loving, healing way. Amen.
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Dorine_Houston
Guest
If a person kneeling in prayer at church does not acknowledge your rudely interruptive “excuse me”, it is time to walk away quietly. Poking is never, ever acceptable. You know you are interrupting prayer. Just don’t.
Poking some people can cost you your teeth.
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maryjk
Guest
I could see it now.
Some little old lady taps you to see if you are through with a book, and you punch their front teeth out. What is your excuse to the police? “She TOUCHED me.” Hello lockup.
I am sure the lady in the OP thought she was doing something that needed done. In fact, it sounds like gathering the books is something she does every time. I am pretty sure she didn’t expect to be a point of conversation or to be demonized by posters here. Geez, she was picking up booklets not holding babies hostage.
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VivienneJ
Guest
Yes, the poke was rude, just because it is rude to poke people. But all the churches I have been involved in have had volunteers who tidy up the pews after a service. There is certainly a place to put the various booklets after whatever service, but many don’t. In one church I was also one of the sacristans, and many times I’d take a walk down the aisle to check the pews and find odd leaflets still there: last week’s pew bulletin, an order of service from a funeral / wedding, etc. Someone has to put them away.
It is possible that she didn’t quite hear what you said; maybe she was expecting just to hear “yes” or “no” and that is why she asked again, it happens.
Perhaps, next time, before starting to pray, put anything that belongs to you into your purse and the tidy-uppers can see that the pew is tidy of what should not be there and leave you to pray in peace and leave knowing that they have done the task they volunteered to do.
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fred_conty
Guest
This is really interesting. But I am on the side of “no touchy”.
Someone ought to poll this question.
Someone ought to poll this question.
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Joannm
Guest
I work in a parish and I can tell you that it is difficult for any of us parish workers, including priests, to sit quietly in the church and pray. We are always being interrupted by parishioners wanting to ask something or tell us something. I have learned to take these interruptions in stride and as a lesson in patience and compassion.
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VivienneJ
Guest
I worked as secretary at my church some years ago, and on those Sundays when I didn’t have any duties during the service, I would often choose to go to the adjoining parish where only the priest and his secretary knew me. It was a special gift to be able to just ‘go to church’ on those occasions.
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bben15
Guest
I get interrupted all the time by people talking loudly before Mass. I also can’t pray after Mass because every time I do, someone thinks I’m sleeping.
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TheresaLS
Guest
I have been interrupted while praying but I am with you the interruption of people talking before Mass is unacceptable. When did time before Mass become “socialization time”?
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maryjk
Guest
I would think most people are on the side of “no touchy.”
I just think that we shouldn’t go off of the deep end when someone does touch us. It doesn’t seem as though the lady meant any harm. She was simply doing her job, volunteer or not. There is no reason she should lose any teeth.
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fred_conty
Guest
Sounds like she is a bully.
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maryjk
Guest
Who?
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fred_conty
Guest
the “poker”.
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maryjk
Guest
Really?
She was doing her volunteer job. She asked if the OP was through with a booklet that she thought belonged to the church.
Where would you get that she is a bully?
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OraLabora
Guest
Or she could be someone with a psychological disorder, or is simply socially awkward, in which case charity compels one to “offer it up”. People like that don’t know better.
On the other hand people who chat etc. before/after Mass (or heaven forbid, even during, and yes it does happen) should know better and they bug me far worse. As my wife says they need to learn to STFU.
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JimR-OCDS
Guest
It’s why in monasteries and convents, a person’s cell is a treasured place.
The woman in the story obviously doesn’t have experience in having a prayer life of her own, except mostly likely just reciting memorized prayers. Otherwise, she would recognize the treasure that deep prayer is, and would not have robbed you from it by interrupting you.
This is her poverty and as difficult as it is, we must be patient with such people.
Jim
The woman in the story obviously doesn’t have experience in having a prayer life of her own, except mostly likely just reciting memorized prayers. Otherwise, she would recognize the treasure that deep prayer is, and would not have robbed you from it by interrupting you.
This is her poverty and as difficult as it is, we must be patient with such people.
Jim
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