Mass Yes YES's

[the_phoenix]

I have two excellent parishes … my English-language parish, and my Latin-language parish.

Love them both, because in both there is reverence for the Eucharist, courtesy among the Mass-goers around you, good solid sermons in agreement with the Pope and the Teachings of the Church, and worshipful music!

I formally belong to the English-language parish, and sometimes attend the Latin-language parish as a treat because it’s a farther drive.

~~ the phoenix

 

[Brenda_V]

I LOVE my parish!

It is overflowing with families!!! On Sunday it is get there early or stand in the back. Who said Catholics are leaving in droves? Not at my parish!

Our Priest is the sweetest, most humble man & his homilies never fail to inspire me to try to do better.

Our Knights of Columbus make the BEST breakfasts and they offer a discounted family rate.

If you didn’t have “where” you were from I would have said you must belong to my Parish!

We have a wonderful Pastor and associate Pastor who is also Pastor of the Mission I attend. We have people flocking here from other areas! The Parish is well known to orthodox Catholics in NM! They prefer going there when visiting the “big city” than any of the other parishes.

Children are everywhere and so welcome. We have three families who attend the Mission with over 5 children, one is expecting number 9 and we are all excited for them.

Brenda V.

 

[LilyM]

This may sound unfriendly, but the reason I stuck with the Mass I found at the church I attend is that we do not share the sign of peace except at Christmas! I’ve almost always had to attend church alone, so when the sign of peace came up, or even right before it came up, as the time approached, I would have a near anxiety attack!! Who do I turn to first? How many hands do I shake? When can I stop? The awkard moments when there’s two or three folks in front of you all ready to shake your hand… But most of all… the period immediately after the invitation to share the sign of peace where everyone turns to their loved ones first, and I stand there alone waiting for a stranger to take pity on me. ARG! When the time came at the first Mass I attended at my present parish, and the moment came and went without any general invitation, you have no idea the relief I felt. I knew right then and there I would return to that parish. Some folks still turn to their loved ones and share a kiss or an embrace, and I think that’s nice too.

Same here with regard to the Sign of Peace. It’s all part of the fun and nothing to be anxious about.

 

[SORROWS]

I live close to many Catholic parishes and each one is special and magnificent in it’s own way.

My Sunday Mass is very devout wilth amazing music and passion as well as a spiritualism so profound. The church is very old and has the most beautiful statutes and paintings.

My daily 7:00 a.m. Mass is at the Chapel of Poor Clares - the cloistrered Nuns. Extremely devout! I LOVE it! They sing so softly and sweetly.

My favorite Priest is an Irish fellow with a big hello and wonderful homilies.

 

[InLight247]

Our new sanctuary is the most beautiful contemporary Catholic church! To me anyway! The design is full of God’s glory. Seriously!

But what I like the most is our priests! I respect them both very much!

People in our Parish are also nice and generous.
Thank God for my church!

 

[cecilia97]

This may sound unfriendly, but the reason I stuck with the Mass I found at the church I attend is that we do not share the sign of peace except at Christmas! I’ve almost always had to attend church alone, so when the sign of peace came up, or even right before it came up, as the time approached, I would have a near anxiety attack!! Who do I turn to first? How many hands do I shake? When can I stop? The awkard moments when there’s two or three folks in front of you all ready to shake your hand… But most of all… the period immediately after the invitation to share the sign of peace where everyone turns to their loved ones first, and I stand there alone waiting for a stranger to take pity on me. ARG! When the time came at the first Mass I attended at my present parish, and the moment came and went without any general invitation, you have no idea the relief I felt. I knew right then and there I would return to that parish. Some folks still turn to their loved ones and share a kiss or an embrace, and I think that’s nice too.

You know, Bee, I was thinking about that last Sunday. I’m newly single and now I understand the akward pause while everyone else hugs friends and family first. Someone should start a new trend…greet a stranger first, then hug your family last…they will still be there!

c

 

[Faith1960]

You know, Bee, I was thinking about that last Sunday. I’m newly single and now I understand the akward pause while everyone else hugs friends and family first. Someone should start a new trend…greet a stranger first, then hug your family last…they will still be there!

c

I’d like that, too. Neither my husband or daughter are Catholic so I go to Mass by myself. There are usually one or two other people there by themselves too, though.

 

[pnewton]

I too have a wonderful priest who loves children. He is very faithful about teaching the orthodox faith without apology or hedging. We may have Catholics which deny fundamental truths of the faith, but no body is ignorant of what Catholic dogma is.

 

[cheese_sdc]

For the most part, I really like my parish, and I’m thankful that we seem to have avoided the worst liturgical irregularities.

We have a excellent music director who choose the music monthes in advance, and based on the readings for each Mass. All of the instrumentalists (guitars, flute, piano, organ, bass, electric guitar), understand that the purpose of the music is to support the prayer of the community.

Our priest doesn’t change the words of the Mass. We use standard hosts for communion.

Our main cruxifix was sculpted by a parishioner and is quite excellent.

The community is very laid back and accepting. Come to Mass in a suit and tie, or jeans, and you are just as welcome. I’m in the choir myself and can count on one hand the number times I haven’t worn jeans in the past 10 years, and it is just not a problem.

Many times during the year, the parish offers a free meal to every of the parishioner after mass. Around St. Patrick’s Day (the parish patron) we have a shephard pie dinner, at the parish anniversary we have BBQ chicken, and various receptions at other times.

 

[Rykell]

http://bestsmileys.com/signs9/21.gif Why is it that there are always a few kill-joys who can’t stand to see positive feelings about worship? This thread was supposed to be “yes” experiences.

Can I invite them to go to the multitudes of negative posts, Chrismyster?

Thanks for stepping into censorious territory. It was refreshing to read that there is joy in worship.

 

[Rand_Al_Thor]

Pax vobiscum!

The Mass I normally attend, the 11 o’clock at Holy Rosary, is a NO Gregorian chant Mass. All the propers and ordinaries are chanted in Latin, there is incense, 6 altar servers, the Pater Noster and Credo, post consecration is in Latin, Communion rail. And, no hand holding during the Our Father! No orans from the congregation with sursum corda! No folk or rock music!

In Christ,
Rand

 

[Em_in_FL]

there are two polarized camps in the Catholic world. quite reflective of the real world. the pessimists and the optimists. There is another thread that lists the things wrong with Masses people have attended. WAYYYYY to much of a downer to read those dour and heavy threads that chronicle the things that are wrong with our Masses, those points of views, to me, are more part of the problem instead of the solution. Scrutinizing and nit-picky attitutes are a dime a dozen in todays world. they solve nothing and foster a mean spirit based on judgemental and non-constructive ways of thinking.

So this thread is for the optimists. What’s GREAT about your Church. What makes you happy about your Parish?

My old Parish was the best, the Children’s Choir was the greatest at the 10:00 mass. All those little voices trying their hardest, but the funniest thing was that 6 year old in the choir robe about to sing a little solo part who walked to the microphone and proceeded to say “hi mom and dad, i’m over here” before he started singing.

c’mon people, make us smile with your nice stories!

Ahhh… refreshing! THANKS!

I LOVE my parish because it’s so HUGE! Every weekend we have 6 packed Masses… and that’s a 1500 person sanctuary!
It’s such an active parish with hundreds of opportunities for fellowship and volunteering… the sense of community and love that I feel there is amazing!
Our pastor also invites many international priests to come work for the summer months… so we have a wonderful exposure to the universal nature of our beautiful faith!

 

[thechrismyster]

Can I invite them to go to the multitudes of negative posts

check out the negative thread this one mirrors… there are 260+ posts on that one. this one may get 50.
It doesn’t surprise me, people in general, Catholics included, are usually pessimistic and enjoy nit-picking. Its much easier to get higher by pushing down on someone elses shoulders than it is to stand up on your own.
Thats the reason for the endless banters we have on jeans and shorts, children, bad church music, irreverant deacons and invalid NO masses… same old same old…Argumentum ad nauseam

I also love how during the coldest months, january and february, when needed most… the sunlight shines perfectly through the stained glass at our Parish making the entire altar shine in brilliant colored light. Hues from yellow to purple dance across the altar during the entire 10am Mass.

 

[netmilsmom]

I love my parish!
I love our wonderful Pastor who is Holy yet fun.
I love our parishoners who, “Play hard and Pray hard”
I love the pomp and circumstance, May Crowning, Corpus Christi, even the three hour Holy Thursday mass. (last year the children’s choir got bumped for that Holy Mass. They were given the recessional to sing. Most people stayed until their last note - God Love them!)
I love that we are breaking ground to build a new church.
I love that we have tripled our congregation in three years.
I love hearing that someone showed up for our 6:30 or 8:30pm masses and are now joining our parish.
I love the Kyrie in Greek and the Latin we sprinkle in.
I love our African priest who pulls no punches in his Homily. (even to say that if we don’t stand up for Christ we will be saying Allahu Akbar!)
I love the Rosary Society Ladies who were the first to welcome me.
I love the other families who clean the bathrooms in rotation with my family. Yuck, but needed.
I love the ladies who run our K4J Program through pregancies and new babies. (I especially love when I get to hold the new babies)
I love our St. Nicholas party.
I love having my kids dress up as a favorite saint and take up the gifts on All Saints Day.
I love the people who devote nine months of their lives to teach CCD without anymore than a thank you.
I love seeing the family buses (with the Pro-Life bumperstickers) filling our parking lot.
I love seeing a family of 12 fill a pew.
I love when our pastor does a baptism of a baby girl and lifts her to the altar while we say a Hail Mary for her.
I love our Senior Priests, may they live long.
I love the Rosary before Holy Mass and Divine Mercy Hour every Wednesday.
I love that we have (at least) two masses every weekday and Confessions before each one.
I love that we have five masses on Sunday.

I even love when I have to get up at 5:00am to pick up bagels to sell at the 7:00am Holy Mass once a month.

I love my parish!

 

[Faith1960]

check out the negative thread this one mirrors… there are 260+ posts on that one. this one may get 50.
It doesn’t surprise me, people in general, Catholics included, are usually pessimistic and enjoy nit-picking. Its much easier to get higher by pushing down on someone elses shoulders than it is to stand up on your own.
Thats the reason for the endless banters we have on jeans and shorts, children, bad church music, irreverant deacons and invalid NO masses… same old same old…Argumentum ad nauseam

I also love how during the coldest months, january and february, when needed most… the sunlight shines perfectly through the stained glass at our Parish making the entire altar shine in brilliant colored light. Hues from yellow to purple dance across the altar during the entire 10am Mass.

An argument isn’t an argument until people become defensive about something a poster says and keep harping on the OPs perceived negativity. When someone says “I don’t like such and such,” that’s pretty much the beginning, middle and end of the conversation until others choose to further the discussion by turning it into an argument.

 

[Rykell]

If the shoe fits, Faith.

Those who enter a formally-stated “positive” thread with intentional negativity are bold and looking for an argument, showing little respect for the wishes of the original poster in creating the thread.

http://bestsmileys.com/signs11/3.gif

 

[leonie]

I love our statues of St. Mary and St. Joseph.

I love the stained glass windows.

I love the crucifix above the altar. It is so moving.

I love the way the ushers all have conspired to wear matching suits and ties.

I love the interesting homilies.

I love the reverence our priests have during the Eucharistic prayers.

I love the fact that when the nursery was offered for Mass, no one used it because all the babies were at Mass with their parents.

I love the fact that it’s hard to find a parking space.

God bless my parish and our priests.

 

[Faith1960]

If the shoe fits, Faith.

Those who enter a formally-stated “positive” thread with intentional negativity are bold and looking for an argument, showing little respect for the wishes of the original poster in creating the thread.

http://bestsmileys.com/signs11/3.gif

No. Apparently you don’t understand. Let me clarify for you, shall I? The “Mass no no’s” thread was a thread someone initiated for the sole purpose of discussing things we dislike about the Masses in our parishes. So, you see, when people responded to the OP with various examples of things we disliked about the Masses in our parishes, a group of posters became offended by the negativity and began arguing when there was nothing to argue about.

At the beginning of THIS thread, and later, after it began gaining momentum, the OP once again deliberately made mention of the Mass no no’s thread, obviously in an attempt to continue the previous discussion here. I replied, which is most likely what he wanted me to do, and I, for one, consider it to be my daily act of charity in the off chance it brightened his day in some small way. Now, I gather by your response to my reply to thechrismyster, you’re wanting to further prove the point I made to him. So, if you must…

 

[Faith1960]

I love our statues of St. Mary and St. Joseph.

I love the stained glass windows.

I love the crucifix above the altar. It is so moving.

I love the way the ushers all have conspired to wear matching suits and ties.

I love the interesting homilies.

I love the reverence our priests have during the Eucharistic prayers.

I love the fact that when the nursery was offered for Mass, no one used it because all the babies were at Mass with their parents.

I love the fact that it’s hard to find a parking space.

God bless my parish and our priests.

Leonie, does your church have the statues inside the church?
We have two smallish to medium statues in our church but they’re in the back, off to the side. I’ve never gotten a good look at them because they’re so far out of the way but I think one is of Jesus and the other, of St. Joseph. We have a statue of Mary which is also on the smaller side and is located in our lobby. There’s a large statue of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus outside of our church.

I also wanted to ask about your (and other posters) crucifix and tabernacle. Is your crucifix very large? Again, ours is on the smaller side and it’s somewhat off to the side, behind the altar. We have a huge Mary and baby Jesus mosaic directly behind and above the altar instead of where I usually see the crucifix.
Our taberacle is in an alcove-type area and the first couple of times I went there it took me a while to find it. Our priest has been talking about having some renovations done and if we raise enough money, they want to have a larger altar, larger crucifix and move our tabernacle back behind the altar. I can’t wait.

 

[BeeSweet]

check out the negative thread this one mirrors… there are 260+ posts on that one. this one may get 50.
It doesn’t surprise me, people in general, Catholics included, are usually pessimistic and enjoy nit-picking. Its much easier to get higher by pushing down on someone elses shoulders than it is to stand up on your own.
Thats the reason for the endless banters we have on jeans and shorts, children, bad church music, irreverant deacons and invalid NO masses… same old same old…Argumentum ad nauseam

I also love how during the coldest months, january and february, when needed most… the sunlight shines perfectly through the stained glass at our Parish making the entire altar shine in brilliant colored light. Hues from yellow to purple dance across the altar during the entire 10am Mass.

In the interest of increasing the # of positive posts, I’m posting again, and I may post again, and again…

I love the dark wood up behind the altar at my church, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Dominican priests who live in community there!!!

Also love the religious education teacher who is so kind and generous hearted.

Love that we kneel for Communion.

Love that we have a new young priest in among all the really old guys. Just one… it’s kinda sweet… he’s young enough to be the grandson of all the others!

I’ll be back… there’s more…