Looking at Iphone all during Mass

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John_of_Woking

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A devout young man (much holier than me) at my parish goes to mass (possibly on a daily basis). He has a missal on his i-phone and reads it as part of his participation at Mass.

Now obviously most people in the parish who don’t know him will believe he is looking at texts (or playing snake :eek:) as the functionality of I-phones and the existence of apps which serve as a breviary/missal are (rightfully?) unknown to many.

My question is: Do you think this is acceptable practice? I would counsel against it but I am just trying to gauge opinion.
 
Technology is not to be feared.

If he has the missal on there, why SHOULDN’T he use it if he wants to?
 
Catholic90 said:
Technology is not to be feared.

If he has the missal on there, why SHOULDN’T he use it if he wants to?
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I agree that objectively speaking its not wrong. I suppose my fear is someone sees it and gets the false impression that its ok to use their phone (in its more usual way) during mass. I would say prudence should err on the side of caution but I am happy to be corrected.

Indeed, if opinion is that it is ok I might take it up myself…I have all sort of Catholic apps including the Mass readings etc:)
 
John_of_Woking said:
A devout young man (much holier than me) at my parish goes to mass (possibly on a daily basis). He has a missal on his i-phone and reads it as part of his participation at Mass.

Now obviously most people in the parish who don’t know him will believe he is looking at texts (or playing snake :eek:) as the functionality of I-phones and the existence of apps which serve as a breviary/missal are (rightfully?) unknown to many.

My question is: Do you think this is acceptable practice? I would counsel against it but I am just trying to gauge opinion.
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Snake?? Is that seriously still around? hahaha. I wish my phone had it 😉

Seriously though, I think he’s to be commended for that! He’s saving parish resources (printed materials) and can even do quick referencing to scripture (I have often thought about bringing my bible to mass so I can look up other passages that I am thinking about during a reading or homily).

Technology is a tool and can certainly abused. But we have to remember that it is a tool, and can be exceedingly useful!
 
I agree fully that the missal app is appropriate. I suspect, however, that most in your parish know him sufficiently to not assume the worst (games, texts, video).

Next time you speak to him you might mention the awkward thought you had. It may help get it off your mind. But that’s probably why you’re bringing it up here, anyway. 😃
 
John_of_Woking said:
I agree that objectively speaking its not wrong. I suppose my fear is someone sees it and gets the false impression that its ok to use their phone (in its more usual way) during mass.
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Then I would say those people should not be jumping to conclusions. Rash judgment is a sin, you know. 😉
 
Well, here is another way to look at it. Would you want to attend a Mass where everyone in the congregation is staring into their iPhones? Perhaps the priest could have one too, only bigger and fancier of course.
 
momor said:
Well, here is another way to look at it. Would you want to attend a Mass where everyone in the congregation is staring into their iPhones? Perhaps the priest could have one too, only bigger and fancier of course.
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The celebrant can use an iPad!
 
momor said:
Well, here is another way to look at it. Would you want to attend a Mass where everyone in the congregation is staring into their iPhones? Perhaps the priest could have one too, only bigger and fancier of course./quote)

Yes let’s not be having the Priest reading the Gospel from his Ipad…
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It’s obviously not objectively wrong in itself. My priest uses his Iphone for blessings, prayers, Rituale, etc. However, we definitely must exercise prudence. This could cause scandal. Many people, especially older ones, don’t have any idea what an app is, and probably have never even heard the term. While it’s true that people shouldn’t come to rash conclusions, the fact of the matter is that a lot of them don’t have many other conclusions to come to.
 
Joe_5859 said:
Then I would say those people should not be jumping to conclusions. Rash judgment is a sin, you know. 😉
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Mea Culpa! When I’m next there forgive me for peeping over his shoulder…just to make sure he’s not on facebook :eek:
 
momor said:
Well, here is another way to look at it. Would you want to attend a Mass where everyone in the congregation is staring into their iPhones? Perhaps the priest could have one too, only bigger and fancier of course.
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I think this touches on an important point which needs to be considered, and probably will be before too long. A lot of this technology is just too new that the Holy See hasn’t really worked through it all yet. I’m sure that, in the years to come, we will see some more specific guidelines on what can or cannot be replaced with an electronic device in the celebration of the liturgy.
 
John_of_Woking said:
Now obviously most people in the parish who don’t know him will believe he is looking at texts (or playing snake :eek:) as the functionality of I-phones and the existence of apps which serve as a breviary/missal are (rightfully?) unknown to many.
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I dont see anything wrong with using the i phone, but this question does present itself as a wonderful teaching lesson on why we should not judge others because appearances can be so deceiving.

:harp:
 
After reading the article about the app for the missal I got an image in my head of the priest holding up his iPad as he processes around the altar to read the Gospel.

You ought to take this thread over to the Traditional Catholic forum. 😃
 
momor said:
Well, here is another way to look at it. Would you want to attend a Mass where everyone in the congregation is staring into their iPhones? Perhaps the priest could have one too, only bigger and fancier of course.
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I can imagine something similar being said shortly after the introduction of the printing press. Imagine - everyone having a missal! 😃

Betsy
 
momor said:
After reading the article about the app for the missal I got an image in my head of the priest holding up his iPad as he processes around the altar to read the Gospel.

You ought to take this thread over to the Traditional Catholic forum. 😃
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🍿
 
I think in the interest of not causing scandal, or setting a bad example for young ones or those weak in the faith, we should put away the electronics when Mass starts. I myself will use my phone to read the daily reading before Mass so I can focus on the oral reading during Mass. But having it out and others seeing could cause them to take Mass less seriously.
 
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