K
kalt
Guest
Do you think you would feel comfortable coming to a Catholic Church for Mass?
If you have come, what is your experience?
If you have come, what is your experience?
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4Squarebaby
Guest
That little thing about the closed communion leads to feelings of being a bit less then an honored guest. i will admit its not as bad as some faiths were a visitor needs an official escort or can’t enter into a temple or some other special Holy place.
C
Cat
Guest
kalt, before we converted to Catholicism in 2004, my husband and I were evangelical Protestants.
So I’ll try to answer your question the way we would have answered back then.
No, we did not feel comfortable at Mass.
The first Masses we attended in 2002 were OF Masses, with contemporary (Haugen, Hass, etc.) hymns, in a clamshell nave, with a pastor who wears a Chicago Bears jersey under his vestments.
But in spite of all these innovations which many on CAF would derisively call “Protestant,” my husband and I felt extremely uncomfortable at the Mass.
We found it ancient, ritualistic, formal, and…well, uncomfortable is a good word.
We had no idea what was happening, although we did understand (because of some old Catholic elementary school story books that I had at home) that the Communion was the time when Jesus became Truly Present on the altar.
To us, the use of any type of liturgy was very strange, as evangelical churches never use a liturgy because it is “a work of man.”
We didn’t know any of the liturgical responses except for the Lord’s Prayer, and even that was different because they added the “ending” (Thine is the Kingdom, Power, and Glory) after a lot of “man-made” words. (We thought that “Thine is the Kingdom, Power, and Glory” were in the Bible, therefore not man-made! Joke’s on us!)
We didn’t know ANY of the hymns, in spite of their 20th century authorship (and in spite of the fact that many on CAF call these hymns “Protestant”. I don’t get that at all.) We found these Jesuit hymns extremely old-fashioned and quaint and poetical and very deep spiritually compared to the rock music and repetitious, simplistic lyrics that we were used to in the praise and worship songs. I really liked the use of 6/8 time in so many of the Catholic (yes, Catholic, even though Marty Haugen is a Protestant) hymns–it seemed more ancient to me than the 4/4 that we were used to with so many comtemporary praise and worship songs.
We weren’t used to kneeling, although in my husband’s Assemblies of God church where he grew up, the people often knelt (facing the back of their pews).
Also, people wore their coats–we still find that strange (does anyone remember the infamous “coat rack” thread that I started a few years ago on this board?! And the inglorious closing of the thread due to the terrific fight that erupted?!)
And people didn’t speak to each other, except during the few seconds of the Sign of Peace. That was very strange to us–it felt terribly uncomfortable to just sit in silence. We were used to meeting and greeting people before and after worship services. (We have since learned that our parish is actually very noisy compared to the “TLM” Mass that is held in our city, and we are considered “irreverent” because people do whisper greetings to each other.)
The vestments that the priest wore were strange. The decorations (statues, even though our parish only has a few), pictures, candles, etc. were all strange.
We had no idea when to stand, sit, kneel, sing, etc.
I could go on and on, kalt, but in short, yes, we were extremely uncomfortable. Even though a lot of people call the OF Mass “Protestantized,” absolutely never, ever in a million years would most evangelical Protestants feel comfortable in even the most contemporary of OF settings (which ours was, even though we didn’t know it at the time).
My husband and I actually made an appointment with one of the priests after the first few Masses we attended, and asked him to explain everything in the Mass to us so that we wouldn’t feel so uncomfortable.
Our parish now has a very nice tract rack in the narthex, and one of the tracts explains the Mass to newcomers. This tract disappears quickly every week. I think a lot of Catholics, not just Protestant visitors, take it home!
So I’ll try to answer your question the way we would have answered back then.
No, we did not feel comfortable at Mass.
The first Masses we attended in 2002 were OF Masses, with contemporary (Haugen, Hass, etc.) hymns, in a clamshell nave, with a pastor who wears a Chicago Bears jersey under his vestments.
But in spite of all these innovations which many on CAF would derisively call “Protestant,” my husband and I felt extremely uncomfortable at the Mass.
We found it ancient, ritualistic, formal, and…well, uncomfortable is a good word.
We had no idea what was happening, although we did understand (because of some old Catholic elementary school story books that I had at home) that the Communion was the time when Jesus became Truly Present on the altar.
To us, the use of any type of liturgy was very strange, as evangelical churches never use a liturgy because it is “a work of man.”
We didn’t know any of the liturgical responses except for the Lord’s Prayer, and even that was different because they added the “ending” (Thine is the Kingdom, Power, and Glory) after a lot of “man-made” words. (We thought that “Thine is the Kingdom, Power, and Glory” were in the Bible, therefore not man-made! Joke’s on us!)
We didn’t know ANY of the hymns, in spite of their 20th century authorship (and in spite of the fact that many on CAF call these hymns “Protestant”. I don’t get that at all.) We found these Jesuit hymns extremely old-fashioned and quaint and poetical and very deep spiritually compared to the rock music and repetitious, simplistic lyrics that we were used to in the praise and worship songs. I really liked the use of 6/8 time in so many of the Catholic (yes, Catholic, even though Marty Haugen is a Protestant) hymns–it seemed more ancient to me than the 4/4 that we were used to with so many comtemporary praise and worship songs.
We weren’t used to kneeling, although in my husband’s Assemblies of God church where he grew up, the people often knelt (facing the back of their pews).
Also, people wore their coats–we still find that strange (does anyone remember the infamous “coat rack” thread that I started a few years ago on this board?! And the inglorious closing of the thread due to the terrific fight that erupted?!)
And people didn’t speak to each other, except during the few seconds of the Sign of Peace. That was very strange to us–it felt terribly uncomfortable to just sit in silence. We were used to meeting and greeting people before and after worship services. (We have since learned that our parish is actually very noisy compared to the “TLM” Mass that is held in our city, and we are considered “irreverent” because people do whisper greetings to each other.)
The vestments that the priest wore were strange. The decorations (statues, even though our parish only has a few), pictures, candles, etc. were all strange.
We had no idea when to stand, sit, kneel, sing, etc.
I could go on and on, kalt, but in short, yes, we were extremely uncomfortable. Even though a lot of people call the OF Mass “Protestantized,” absolutely never, ever in a million years would most evangelical Protestants feel comfortable in even the most contemporary of OF settings (which ours was, even though we didn’t know it at the time).
My husband and I actually made an appointment with one of the priests after the first few Masses we attended, and asked him to explain everything in the Mass to us so that we wouldn’t feel so uncomfortable.
Our parish now has a very nice tract rack in the narthex, and one of the tracts explains the Mass to newcomers. This tract disappears quickly every week. I think a lot of Catholics, not just Protestant visitors, take it home!
S
schaick
Guest
I miss the great Lutheran sermons that I enjoy and learn so much from when I go to Catholic Mass.
The closed communion might be loosening up a bit We used to have closed communion-you had to talk to Pastor if you wanted to join in. Now Pastor invites all who believe.
I have noticed that some priests invite all who believe to communion, some say only Catholics may come.
The closed communion might be loosening up a bit We used to have closed communion-you had to talk to Pastor if you wanted to join in. Now Pastor invites all who believe.
I have noticed that some priests invite all who believe to communion, some say only Catholics may come.
C
Cat
Guest
This is not permitted. Receiving the Catholic Communion means agreement with the Catholic Church. This is made very clear in the missalettes found in the pews of Catholic churches. The priests who invite all to partake are in the wrong.
R
RomanCath379
Guest
Frankly, I am a sceptic to what most non-Catholics say about the churches anyway. I don’t believe any of it and I went to Mass all over the world. Whoever says that a priest woulld wear a “Bears shirt” under his vestments is not telling the truth, and one who claims a priest said all are invited, I do not believe either. Unless he meant all which is the Catholics only. And a priest would assume that only a Catholic would attend a Catholic Mass anyway.
G
geometer
Guest
I live in Maryland so just about every non-catholic has attended a mass now and then. I had heard it said during a high mass the priest seemed like a magician, it was very entertaining.
E
EmergencyOps
Guest
I was uneasy at first. The calisthenics, the candles, kissing the altar/scripture, altar boys/girls, the bowing during the Nicene Creed at the line “born of the Virgin Mary…”, parishoners doing “the Judas shuffle”…
I attend weekly with my Catholic wife, and have gone through half of RCIA to learn more. I still have reservations about certain Catholic beliefs and Traditions, but other than that it is just hearing The Word from another point-of-view and receiving a blessing after sitting through Communion. I try not to get in the way of the Catholics attending, exiting the pew and sitting back down after everyone exits during Communion so they don’t have to step over me…and leaning forward in my pew so those behind me can kneel comfortably.
She reciprocates and sits through my church’s worship service earlier that morning.
I attend weekly with my Catholic wife, and have gone through half of RCIA to learn more. I still have reservations about certain Catholic beliefs and Traditions, but other than that it is just hearing The Word from another point-of-view and receiving a blessing after sitting through Communion. I try not to get in the way of the Catholics attending, exiting the pew and sitting back down after everyone exits during Communion so they don’t have to step over me…and leaning forward in my pew so those behind me can kneel comfortably.
She reciprocates and sits through my church’s worship service earlier that morning.
K
katrntogo
Guest
Obviously you haven’t “attended Mass all over the world” or you would know better…
K
kalt
Guest
I’m a little afraid to ask what you’re calling the “Judas shuffle”.
Edit - I looked it up. I like it.
T
TinaG
Guest
Hi!
I thought I would give you some scattered impressions, as it has been a while since I went, and I have gone sporadically over the years. I’ve attended a number of Masses. I like the liturgy and the number of things that are efficiently accomplished. However, sometimes it seems a little too efficient.
There is a dignity to the service I find appealing.
The music has varied from “take this guy out and shoot him, please, before I do” to sublime, uplifting music by a crack choir.
The people range from those who are inattentive and I wonder why they are there to those who really work at being involved. There is a casual approach to Communion that I find irreverant on the part of those approaching. IMHO you should go back to altar rails, but now I am editorializing.
I think I have heard maybe one homily that was worth the time. Most of the time what is said makes me less inclined to believe in Catholicism. Our preachers rock; yours do not.
The CC has had some great preachers in the past.
What I like best, I think, is the connection between the offering, the Eucharist, and the efficient concentration on Christ rather than on anyone else. It is not at all personality driven.
I look at the statues. They don’t look back. When I am in a Catholic Church, I decide that if they won’t bother me, I won’t bother them. I haven’t seen anyone bow down and worship them. We have artwork but no statues in our church. I temporarily declare a truce because this has been a major issue between us, and when I am with you, I want to be peaceful.
I don’t know what to do with the holy water. I mean, as a Protestant in attendance at a Catholic Church.
Nobody says hello or good-bye to me before or after the service.
We pass the peace also. This is nice.
If we combined services - your liturgy and our preaching - it would not be such a bad thing.
Anyway those are my impressions.
-Tina
Z
Zooey
Guest
Well, the first time I went to a Catholic Church, I was uncomfortable, but that was because the friend I went with had not warned me about the fact that she would be (genuflecting?) half-kneeling before entering the pew, and I nearly :blush:went all the way over her, before I caught myslef.
I should have seen what other people were doing, but I had my eyes on the most amazing statue (later identified as the Sacred Heart of Jesus), which just riveted me.
Actually, I love the beautiful art in Catholic Churches, & and delighted to say that my own Methodist Church has quite a bit of art ourselves…enough that a few grumblers around town think we look “too Catholic”. (They think of this as a bad thing, you see.
)
The prayerfulness of the worshippers is wonderful during Mass…more like what I remember from a childhood where everybody prayed on entering church. (Free Methodist, in the '50s).
I should have seen what other people were doing, but I had my eyes on the most amazing statue (later identified as the Sacred Heart of Jesus), which just riveted me.
Actually, I love the beautiful art in Catholic Churches, & and delighted to say that my own Methodist Church has quite a bit of art ourselves…enough that a few grumblers around town think we look “too Catholic”. (They think of this as a bad thing, you see.
)The prayerfulness of the worshippers is wonderful during Mass…more like what I remember from a childhood where everybody prayed on entering church. (Free Methodist, in the '50s).
G
graceandglory
Guest
Your observations are correct. Consider scripture and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Each pastor has his own spiritual gift, some are administrators, some are teachers, some have the gift of prophecy, some are great preachers and evangelists.
You really should check out the Dominicans, (OP). They are the ones who are called to preach, the OP signifies they are of the Order of the Preachers. As someone who listened to evangelical preaching and teaching for 20 yrs, I will go to great lengths to get myself to a Dominican preached homily.
I don’t go to Church anymore to be taught, or to pick up my honorary degree in theology, but to*** worship.*** I read and listen to good preaching and teaching on CD, DVD, and online to be taught, I go to Mass to be intimate with Christ. Just a paradigm shift for me.
I have been, and am quite comfortable, as Novus ordo and the Lutheran divine liturgy are similar. Unlike the poster who is bothered by close communion, I am not, though I am saddened by it. The LCMS practice is the same, for the same reasons. It reminds me to pray for the day of unity, when we will share the table of the Lord together.
Jon
G
graceandglory
Guest
I love how children are welcome at Mass, and families sit together, not teenagers with their friends, or children completely absent from worship. Just watch a televangelist sometime, there are NO children or youth present. They are shuffled off someplace else. Jesus said let the little children come unto Me. The art and stained glass is a sermon for children.Actually, I love the beautiful art in Catholic Churches, & and delighted to say that my own Methodist Church has quite a bit of art ourselves…enough that a few grumblers around town think we look “too Catholic”. (They think of this as a bad thing, you see.
Z
Zooey
Guest
That is very true!!
Think of all the people, in past ages, when few could read & write, and how the art & the stained glass windows told them about the love of God.
A beautiful thing happened in my church several years ago: A young couple was attending with their child with mental & emotional handicaps, and she slipped away from them, and made her way to the pulpit where my pastor was preaching. He stepped down, took her hand in his, and, standing there with her, he quoted those very words: “Let the little children come”…Not many years that, she
slipped away from this world altogether, & I think of her, meeting the One Who spoke those words first, so long ago…It is a beautiful thing for little ones to be in church. I could never trust one of the TV preachers who care more for show than for the beloved children of God.
C
Cat
Guest
I’d probably be banned if I tried to post a link! Honest, it closed after about 15 pages of fighting. I believe the moderators closed it because it became so uncharitable. I still can’t believe the hostility towards coat racks in a church building. I think there would be more acceptance of a church hot tub or bar than a coat rack!YES! :yup: I remember the thread. I don’t remember it closing. Can you find it and post a link? That would be entertaining.Love the lions…
My husband and I have been Catholics for five years now, and we still hang our coats on the coat rack in the narthex. Only a few other people in the parish use these coat racks. They’re probably converts, too. I just can’t see why anyone would want to sit in church wearing a coat. If I were a cold person (which I am not), I would wear Cuddle Duds or long underwear, and several layers on top, and hang my coat on the rack. To me, it’s just weird to wear a coat indoors. It’s like wearing ice skates indoors, or a swimsuit in the bathtub. Weird.
(Yes, I usually take my coat off in a supermarket or mall, too.)
C
Cat
Guest
You’ve been to Mass all over the world, but I’m guessing you’ve never been to Mass in the Chicago area. On game days, many people, including our priest, wear their Bears fan apparel to Mass.
I think the Bears could use some prayer this season. Sigh. Next year.
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