Is it a sin to look forward to Mass to be over?

[Neil_Anthony]

It happens in any church. I tried to go last Saturday night, but the thought of it just gave me a bad headache (like I had to sit in a dark room in order to not be in excruciating pain, so light and music is OUT, and I had about 10 Advil). So I didn’t go and just went to bed. And I didn’t feel better until Sunday night.

Hmm… besidse the physical symptoms do you really dislike being there? If so, what bothers you the most about it? Is it just excruciatingly boring? Do you ever pray when you’re not at mass?

 

[CountrySinger]

Hmm… besidse the physical symptoms do you really dislike being there? If so, what bothers you the most about it? Is it just excruciatingly boring? Do you ever pray when you’re not at mass?

I hate Mass so much. My parish is just so snotty and rude (for example, my first time there, someone said “you are sitting in my pew, and I need you to move”.) And then they ask for more money. The priest is boring, the music is horrible (I mean, cats in heat have more talent), it takes so long to get there (I ride the bus). There isn’t ANYTHING like about it. And I tried to look other places, but they are either the same or worse. God bless living in the “Unchurched Belt”.

I liked going to my hometown Mass (but that is 5 hours south). A teensy bit out of the way. I do pray outside of Mass, I like it better! I get to pray with my boyfriend, and I can wear what I want.

 

[Neil_Anthony]

I hate Mass so much. My parish is just so snotty and rude (for example, my first time there, someone said “you are sitting in my pew, and I need you to move”.) And then they ask for more money. The priest is boring, the music is horrible (I mean, cats in heat have more talent), it takes so long to get there (I ride the bus). There isn’t ANYTHING like about it. And I tried to look other places, but they are either the same or worse. God bless living in the “Unchurched Belt”.

I liked going to my hometown Mass (but that is 5 hours south). A teensy bit out of the way. I do pray outside of Mass, I like it better! I get to pray with my boyfriend, and I can wear what I want.

That sounds pretty bad! I have two ideas:

1. Offer it up for a specific intention. Seriously. Before mass tell God you’re going to endure it smilingly for the sake of (insert your petition here). You could ask him to make the singer get a better voice, for example. Or something you really need.
2. Focus on the prayers of the mass and focus on the sacrifice of the mass and offering your own sufferings up with it. In other words block all that annoying stuff out and focus on just the prayer. If you enjoy praying elsewhere, it might be possible, if you try hard enough.

BTW I’ve often wondered if there was such a thing as people “claiming a pew” at church, and if anyone would be rude enough to actually ask someone to get out of their pew. I’ve never seen it or heard of it before, but your story is shocking! That person needs prayers bad!

 

[CountrySinger]

That sounds pretty bad! I have two ideas:

1. Offer it up for a specific intention. Seriously. Before mass tell God you’re going to endure it smilingly for the sake of (insert your petition here). You could ask him to make the singer get a better voice, for example. Or something you really need.
2. Focus on the prayers of the mass and focus on the sacrifice of the mass and offering your own sufferings up with it. In other words block all that annoying stuff out and focus on just the prayer. If you enjoy praying elsewhere, it might be possible, if you try hard enough.

BTW I’ve often wondered if there was such a thing as people “claiming a pew” at church, and if anyone would be rude enough to actually ask someone to get out of their pew. I’ve never seen it or heard of it before, but your story is shocking! That person needs prayers bad!

I think that person needs more than prayers. More like lessons in manners.

When it is time for the choir to sing, I put in my earphones and listen to my ipod. It might be a sin, but man, listening to the choir is too painful. I have left during the first song because of it at times. If I didn’t have a migraine when I came in, I would have one then. So my ipod is my saving grace. Once the song is over, the ipod goes away (at least till the next song). And I know people will say “why don’t YOU join?”. Well, I don’t like singing religious songs (I only like two Catholic songs, the rest are just cheesy). The day I can sing country in the church choir, I’m in.

I usually sit in the back, so I can leave if Mass runs too long (the bus by there doesn’t run very often, so I usually have to leave right after the Eucharist). So it is not like I’m in prime pew area.

 

[Neil_Anthony]

I think that person needs more than prayers. More like lessons in manners.

When it is time for the choir to sing, I put in my earphones and listen to my ipod. It might be a sin, but man, listening to the choir is too painful. I have left during the first song because of it at times. If I didn’t have a migraine when I came in, I would have one then. So my ipod is my saving grace. Once the song is over, the ipod goes away (at least till the next song). And I know people will say “why don’t YOU join?”. Well, I don’t like singing religious songs (I only like two Catholic songs, the rest are just cheesy). The day I can sing country in the church choir, I’m in.

I usually sit in the back, so I can leave if Mass runs too long (the bus by there doesn’t run very often, so I usually have to leave right after the Eucharist). So it is not like I’m in prime pew area.

Oh… well… I don’t think you’ll get much credit out of offering it up if you have your ipod on! And if you leave early! All that work for nothing, thats hardly any penance at all!

 

[CountrySinger]

Oh… well… I don’t think you’ll get much credit out of offering it up if you have your ipod on! And if you leave early! All that work for nothing, thats hardly any penance at all!

Riding a city bus is penance enough!

 

[CountrySinger]

Where I live in the Seattle area, buses run every hour, so if I miss the bus, I’m waiting for another hour for the next bus. With two connections still to go. So leaving early can mean making the bus or not. And with this heat that has been around, me standing on the side of the road can be dangerous (my parish is in a suburb, so I can’t just pop into a coffeeshop).

brings crowbar to next Mass sneaks into the house next to the church

 

[ProVobis]

Where I live in the Seattle area, buses run every hour, so if I miss the bus, I’m waiting for another hour for the next bus. With two connections still to go. So leaving early can mean making the bus or not. And with this heat that has been around, me standing on the side of the road can be dangerous (my parish is in a suburb, so I can’t just pop into a coffeeshop).

brings crowbar to next Mass sneaks into the house next to the church

So it isn’t the Mass itself that’s a problem. It’s wondering how to beat the traffic or make the bus that occupies your mind. That’s understandable, in my opinion. Here’s my suggestion, plan to pray on the bus. You could always look forward to doing that too. And if you carry a rosary or missal, what a great example that would set. However, you can pray quietly as well.

 

[lovemyboys]

I hope it’s not a sin! I look forward to it being over even before it begins! It just seems to be the longest hour and a half EVER.

Mass makes very uncomfortable, like I’m going to be sick. I usually get these really bad migraines while I’m there. So Mass over= head pain gone.

But the weird thing is that once I leave, I’m good. I only get uncomfortable in religious places.

This made me laugh–it’s like you’re allergic to Mass. Probably inappropriate, but I couldn’t help myself.

 

[CountrySinger]

This made me laugh–it’s like you’re allergic to Mass. Probably inappropriate, but I couldn’t help myself.

I do sneeze, have a runny nose, and itchy eyes in Mass.

Tonight I’m going to Mass, but if Father continues his series of homilies called “give us more money”, I’m walking out. And saying exactly why. I miss my old parish.

And I will counting down the seconds until it is over.

 

[CountrySinger]

It was a different priest, so the homily was about the Gospel (AMAZING!) Not about how the school needs more money or the lame youth group need money for snacks (that was a classic week). I did have to leave before Communion so I could catch the last bus (Saturday and Sunday service starts late and ends early). I wonder if that priest does that Mass every week. I detest our regular priest. He has this slimy grin, reminds me of a salesman. Grr.

 

[DexUK]

Someone should perhaps remind the regular priest that the Homily is supposed to be the teaching element of the Mass. If he wants to make appeals for this, that or the other financial requirement of the parish, the place for that is after the Post Communion prayer.

 

[CountrySinger]

Someone should perhaps remind the regular priest that the Homily is supposed to be the teaching element of the Mass. If he wants to make appeals for this, that or the other financial requirement of the parish, the place for that is after the Post Communion prayer.

But the Youth Group needs Cheesy Poofs in order to function! How dare you take away their Cheesy Poofs! .

 

[DexUK]

But the Youth Group needs Cheesy Poofs in order to function! How dare you take away their Cheesy Poofs! .

Erm…

For the British amongst us, that P word there means something quite different from what you probably think it means! (Or at least what I HOPE you think it means! It’s quite rude here!)

Ah the trouble that regional idioms can get you in to…

:doh2:

 

[CountrySinger]

Erm…

For the British amongst us, that P word there means something quite different from what you probably think it means! (Or at least what I HOPE you think it means! It’s quite rude here!)

Ah the trouble that regional idioms can get you in to…

:doh2:

Ooops! I am so sorry! I meant things like Cheese Curls.

I might be moving to the UK, so I need to be careful.