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Ockham
Guest
Take a deep breath Methodi. The noise under dispute is chatting. Clamshell choir pits are merely being asked to be considerate of fellow parishioners. No road rage here…move on.
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Methodi
Guest
From some of the posts I read on here about noise before mass, it seems like some of them think the Church is there only for them~~
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maggiemay2u
Guest
Anyone who was of the age of reason prior to or in the 5 to 10 years following VC2 can attest to the fact the church was quiet. During Mass, in between, or at 3:30 PM on Monday afternoon. It was quiet. Despite the women in heels, the ushers helping folks to their seats, the oldies with hearing aides, the choir, etc., etc., etc. And if one were to forget for a moment and giggle or speak to their neighbor, a “shhhhh” could be expected from five directions.
What happened? Are women’s shoes noisier now? Are oldies hearing aides non-functioning? Are the choir members in need of hearing aides, too? The ushers too shy to approach people outside? What happened?
It seems to me folks have become self important. Too important to wait until after mass to talk about the game/the dress/ the movie/the anything. Too important to fall on their knees and treat the Real Presence as if they believed it. There’s no power on earth (even on CAF) that will convince me if Christ appeared in His earthly form He’d be treated so cavalierly.
What happened? Are women’s shoes noisier now? Are oldies hearing aides non-functioning? Are the choir members in need of hearing aides, too? The ushers too shy to approach people outside? What happened?
It seems to me folks have become self important. Too important to wait until after mass to talk about the game/the dress/ the movie/the anything. Too important to fall on their knees and treat the Real Presence as if they believed it. There’s no power on earth (even on CAF) that will convince me if Christ appeared in His earthly form He’d be treated so cavalierly.
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Methodi
Guest
Man is weak, he has all kinds of flaws, because of human nature, he will never be perfect, God knows this
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Ockham
Guest
From some of the posts defending the “right” to make noise in church, I’d say you’re right. Are you seriously unable to hold your tongue for one hour a week?
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Methodi
Guest
There is a Catholic Church, that I attend once in a while , only because it is a little far to go, when u arrive before mass, the din is unbelievable, everyone standing up greeting & hugging one another, people going from person to person even if they dont know them, to greet them & welcome them to their church& I mean it is noisy but i have never seen so much love in any other catholic Church,when mass begins, there is silence, they perform the most beautiful liturgy there. The pastor is from Ireland, a saintly man, I left out that everyone has a beautiful smile on their face
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Methodi
Guest
when U join ur congregation for mass, I dont think you should hold your tongue, I think we should greet one another quietly, if someone nods & says hello to me I will respond, its a different story when mass begins. There should be & usually is when mass begins quietness
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maggiemay2u
Guest
why?
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Ockham
Guest
Well then…anecdotal evidence trumps hundreds of years of apostolic tradition once again.
I guess there isn’t any love in proper church decorum.
You are supposed to be expressing love towards your Creator and Redeemer. Not the neighbourhood dog catcher. Save that for the tea party in the basement after Mass.
I guess there isn’t any love in proper church decorum.
You are supposed to be expressing love towards your Creator and Redeemer. Not the neighbourhood dog catcher. Save that for the tea party in the basement after Mass.
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Methodi
Guest
Because we are supposed to be God in action showing love toward our neighbor, dont You know it is us that Does God
s work here on earth. If i see My neighbor across the other side of the church whom I maybe havnt seen for a while , whats wrong if i go to him & ask him How he is doing, answer, Nothing. Some of these cathilics should carry their christianity out the door with them when they leave instead of leaving it there
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maggiemay2u
Guest
Dang those folks in cloistered orders must really be unhappy–no slapping, hooting, hugging, warm fuzzies, giggling, gossiping–just devotion to the Almighty!
As for the obviously lack of catechesis for the noisy “church” one can only pity the whole lot. They’re on their way to becoming just another protestant sect. Is the pastor a SJ by any chance?
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maggiemay2u
Guest
BINGO, YAHTZEE, EXACTAMUNDO!!!
Some of these cathilics(SIC) should carry their christianity(SIC) out the door with them when they leave instead of leaving it there
Take it outside! Then hug, giggle, snuggle, meet and greet—LOUDLY! Don’t make the temple of God your social center—take your good will TO the social center!
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Methodi
Guest
Well You just keep on going to your stuffy catholic church & enjoy it. Dont knock the Church I described, cause it is full of Real love, You dont know what ur missin. So long as there is quiet when mass begins, I see nothing wrong.Some stuffy catholics have to relax & not be bothered by trivial things, I go to mass each week & I always see beauty there, I work with a cradle catholic & all he talks about when he goes is the wrong, finds fault with everything
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Methodi
Guest
Most catholics dont know what christianity even is
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Sarabande
Guest
Normal “noise” that would go on from walking in a church, putting kneelers down (although I remember our teachers scolding all of the kids on Friday mornings at mass and actually bringing us into the church as a class to teach us how to put our kneelers down without making unnecessary noise), taking off coats, rustling of papers, the occassional cries or sounds from babies/toddlers are a given. It doesn’t even really bother me seeing people prepare for mass either in the sanctuary or in the loft as long as they are trying to be quiet and discreet. Some sound, normal sound, isn’t a problem. This is especially in those older churches with really good acoustics and will pick up every little thing no matter how quiet you try to be.
What I think the main concern is the unnecessary chatter/socializing and a basic lack of respect while in the church. And I think for most of the people on the thread, this is what their main concern is as well. For instance, I once sat behind a teenager and her mother who spent the entire mass texting on her phone, then laughing, whispering, etc. whenever the person they were texting wrote back. They weren’t making much noise, but there was a lack of respect and a disregard for why they were there.
I do like the fact that people are more forgiving regarding others failings. And I certainly like that people are not as judgemental about certain things, especially of people like my family and I who basically walk to the beat of a different drummer. But in some ways, I think we’ve gone a little too far to one side of the pendulum. Although we do need to be more open, loving and forgiving of each other, I think it is important for all of us to know or to learn what is acceptable behaviour in various places. Maggiemay2u mentioned how people would shush others while in church. You don’t really hear that now. Why? There is probably a variety of reasons, but I think two of the more prominent ones are that 1) many people now think it’s ok to socialize while in the church and 2) that there are also those who want to be more forgiving and open to those who are being “noisy”. They don’t want to hurt the other person(s)’ feelings or turn them off. And some might be afraid of being considered rigid or old-fashioned.
Again, blurring of the lines. Life has become so do what you want and how you feel that no one really knows what is proper decorum or what is just considered respectful anymore. We’re all doing what we think is proper and right, but for good or ill, the definite lines have been discarded.
What I think the main concern is the unnecessary chatter/socializing and a basic lack of respect while in the church. And I think for most of the people on the thread, this is what their main concern is as well. For instance, I once sat behind a teenager and her mother who spent the entire mass texting on her phone, then laughing, whispering, etc. whenever the person they were texting wrote back. They weren’t making much noise, but there was a lack of respect and a disregard for why they were there.
I do like the fact that people are more forgiving regarding others failings. And I certainly like that people are not as judgemental about certain things, especially of people like my family and I who basically walk to the beat of a different drummer. But in some ways, I think we’ve gone a little too far to one side of the pendulum. Although we do need to be more open, loving and forgiving of each other, I think it is important for all of us to know or to learn what is acceptable behaviour in various places. Maggiemay2u mentioned how people would shush others while in church. You don’t really hear that now. Why? There is probably a variety of reasons, but I think two of the more prominent ones are that 1) many people now think it’s ok to socialize while in the church and 2) that there are also those who want to be more forgiving and open to those who are being “noisy”. They don’t want to hurt the other person(s)’ feelings or turn them off. And some might be afraid of being considered rigid or old-fashioned.
Again, blurring of the lines. Life has become so do what you want and how you feel that no one really knows what is proper decorum or what is just considered respectful anymore. We’re all doing what we think is proper and right, but for good or ill, the definite lines have been discarded.
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Adonis33
Guest
I can’t understand why you can’t greet people after mass - in the parish hall? Or maybe outside where you won’t disturb those in the Church praying.
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Methodi
Guest
A very nice post, Thank You!
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Adonis33
Guest
Good post - especially the bolded part. I think what people object to is the uneccessary chatter.
The parish I go to - there is complete silence leading up to Mass. However - after mass - many of us meet in the parish hall - and the visits are usually jovial.
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Sarabande
Guest
Thanks!
It is pretty much the same at my parish as well - and actually at a number of parishes where I’ve worked at as a musician. There are always the normal sounds, though, and once in a while you’ll get more sound than usual for whatever reason. Because it isn’t consistent every Sunday people are more “forgiving” about it.
Quite honestly, growing up in a noisy family and a huge extended family who is also really loud, I’ve actually learned to tune out most noise. You have to learn that ability when you’re a quiet, shy, introverted kid who is surrounded by a bunch of A-type personalities always trying to be heard and talk over each other at the same time.
You live for and love silence. Despite being able to successfully tune out most noise, though, I still have a good idea what is disrespectful and unnecessary noise in certain situations. When I get out of my “zone” and I feel totally kicked in the head by too much chatter and noise, that’s a pretty good sign to me that something isn’t right. Wedding guests in churches are some of the worst “offenders” - much more so than the typical parishioner on a Sunday morning. Although I’ve been to some real, major headache producers Sunday mornings. And they are usually the parishes where the priest encourages that kind of behaviour. It’s a hard habit to break once it’s started.P.S. I love St. Thomas More!!!
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Katie1723
Guest
Socialize outside…pray inside…what’s all the fuss? Maybe it’s the age I am.Maybe it’s the way I was brought up. But there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of respect when people in the church are obviously praying(or trying to anyway). And don’t even get me started on the noisy kneelers. They really don’t make a lot of noise if you are careful. Some people just let them drop and bang and make all kinds of racket. And shoes…there’s another thing. But even my 9 y/o grand daughter has enough common sense to try and not walk like she weighs 500 lbs…
I’ll get off my soap box now.
Kathy
I’ll get off my soap box now.
Kathy
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