Modern Media in Church

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Cateva

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I see my priests in church walking around with cell phones before preparing for Mass. It seems so odd sometimes to see them walking out of a confessional carrying their cell phones. Then I thought maybe they are using the devices to check the time. I don’t know how I feel about it.

Then I got the idea to download prayers onto my Kindle, so I don’t have to lug around different prayer books. Sometimes I sit during Adoration or before Mass reading my prayers on my Kindle. Does anyone think this is disrespectful? I have the Bible, the Catechism, and many other Catholic books on my Kindle. I carry them with me wherever I go.

What do you think? Am I being disrespectful taking my Kindle out before Mass?
 
I’m hopeful that the Daily Missal will come out on ebook with all 3 years of readings preprogrammed and you just select the date at a menu at the beginning to give that day’s readings, possible Eucharistic prayers, etc… **in order **so I don’t have to flip all over the place!!!
 
You don’t know how you feel about your priest with a phone? :confused: I see nothing wrong with it.

I also see nothing wrong with having apps downloaded and using them before mass.
 
It may take a little time to get used to, but even the clergy know that technology can be used for good purposes.

Some people may look at you curiously, but that’s because some are abusing technology in church. :eek: Hopefully, that will change, if those abusing this are corrected in a civil manner.
 
KendraDZ1902 said:
You don’t know how you feel about your priest with a phone? :confused:
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That’s right. My husband had an incident where a priest was finishing a personal phone call when he walked into the confessional to make his confession. They can be a distraction, and I don’t know if it is necessary for a priest to have a cell phone on as he is taking confessions or preparing the altar before Mass.

One of my priests has his prayers downloaded onto his phone and uses it for that purpose, which I find nothing wrong with. I have mixed feelings about the whole thing.
 
Cateva said:
That’s right. My husband had an incident where a priest was finishing a personal phone call when he walked into the confessional to make his confession. They can be a distraction, and I don’t know if it is necessary for a priest to have a cell phone on as he is taking confessions or preparing the altar before Mass.

One of my priests has his prayers downloaded onto his phone and uses it for that purpose, which I find nothing wrong with. I have mixed feelings about the whole thing.
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My cell is in my purse when I go into confession. My husband’s is in his pocket. While I don’t think the priest should take a personal call while doing confession, you may not know what that call was about. It may have been a very important call. Your husband was able to make is confession, right?
 
KendraDZ1902 said:
It may have been a very important call
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It wasn’t an important call. My husband heard the priest finishing the call. My husband even said he could understand if the priest was being called to the hospital for a dying patient, but that wasn’t what the priest was talking about. It is my opinion if a priest is making personal phone calls in between hearing confessions, he may not be in the right frame of mind to hear confessions. I know this is a rare thing, but it is a statement on how media is a distraction to everyone.
 
Cateva said:
It wasn’t an important call. My husband heard the priest finishing the call. My husband even said he could understand if the priest was being called to the hospital for a dying patient, but that wasn’t what the priest was talking about. It is my opinion if a priest is making personal phone calls in between hearing confessions, he may not be in the right frame of mind to hear confessions. I know this is a rare thing, but it is a statement on how media is a distraction to everyone.
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So, your husband heard a piece of one side of a conversation and knows all about that conversation?

Random thoughts can lead to distraction. Last time I was in confession I lost my train of thought a couple of times and all I was doing was looking at a piece of paper with a list of my sins. lol.

I don’t think we should be assuming what that particular priest is or is not capable of doing or what frame of mind he is in. 👍
 
I think that there’s nothing wrong in using technology because it could be helpful for priests, but it’s a inevitably a distraction if you use it when you’re taking confessions.:rolleyes: Many time peole use their cell phone even if it’s not necessary and in my opinion it’s wrong and the priest have to give the good example.
 
Gary77 said:
I think that there’s nothing wrong in using technology because it could be helpful for priests, but it’s a inevitably a distraction if you use it when you’re taking confessions.:rolleyes: Many time peole use their cell phone even if it’s not necessary and in my opinion it’s wrong and the priest have to give the good example.
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I am glad you understand my point of view. It is when and where and how it is used. Even if a priest is not easily distracted, can make a personal phone call, and then take a confession in the next minute, using the confessional for a private thing like that cheapens the holy sacrament in my opinion.
 
When I saw this post I thought of our great Pope Francis, phone calling those who sent letters to him.

We have had phone calls from our parish priest which were very much appreciated.
And do keep in mind that some people are much more busy than others.

If it was during mass, or during confession, then I can understand.
I don’t think it particularly fair that someone should be deprived of the convenience of a mobile phone just because they are a member of the clergy…

He may have duties outside of church, you never know, and if you don’t it’s better to assume that he does. 😃
 
Cateva said:
I see my priests in church walking around with cell phones before preparing for Mass. It seems so odd sometimes to see them walking out of a confessional carrying their cell phones. Then I thought maybe they are using the devices to check the time. I don’t know how I feel about it.

Then I got the idea to download prayers onto my Kindle, so I don’t have to lug around different prayer books. Sometimes I sit during Adoration or before Mass reading my prayers on my Kindle. Does anyone think this is disrespectful? I have the Bible, the Catechism, and many other Catholic books on my Kindle. I carry them with me wherever I go.

What do you think? Am I being disrespectful taking my Kindle out before Mass?
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I think perceptions are slowly changing in this regard.

There is a certain segment of people that will probably always equate pulling out an electronic device with “playing.” Thus, their first thoughts at seeing one are going to be that the person is doing something they shouldn’t.

As more and more people use these devices, though, I think you’ll find less and less people giving strange looks.

We do always need to be courteous and cognizant of those around us, though.

I know I use my phone as my “watch.” So I’m always taking it out to check the time.
 
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