Non-Catholics, would you feel comfortable at a CC Mass?

[gamewell45]

Do you think you would feel comfortable coming to a Catholic Church for Mass?

If you have come, what is your experience?

Honestly it was a piece of cake. The Mass is very similar to the Episcopal Church with the exception that instead of partaking in communion, I get a blessing instead. The homilies are just as boring as the ones in the Episcopal Church. Either way for me it was no big deal.

 

[BrianH]

First Mass was as a young adult in Austin after a friend’s wedding the next morning. It was fairly big. I was in the back and could not see real well. I had always heard the jokes about up and down. So the kneelers were different I recall. The sermon (homily) was very very short. Something I was not used to.
I went once or twice more in Texas and probably 3 or 4 times where I live now.
I do not have any especially negative or positive feelings. I was not uncomfortable. I have been in almost every kind of church. The only uncomfortable experience I have every had was in a Pentecostal church because I do not speak in tongues. Back to the Catholic service, It is always very crowded which I consider a good thing. Everyone knows what to say so I do not try to keep up; I just listen.
Thats what I recall.

 

[Dokimas]

Do you think you would feel comfortable coming to a Catholic Church for Mass?

If you have come, what is your experience?

I’ve felt comfortable. I also felt I got more out of it than many of the others that were there.​

I like the idea of kneelers, not as a ‘have to’ but for anyone who would like to kneel while praying.

 

[Brywan]

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.

This is actually something about the Mass which my evangelical, mega-church niece does NOT like. She says she would get nothing out of attending a church service if she had to pay attention to her fussy baby at the same time. She loves it that her mega-church has great nurseries and child care and children’s worship running simulutaneously throughout all the services. I think the difference in mindset has to do with the emphasis of Protestant church services. The proclamation of the word is usually the center, the climax of the service. A baby can’t understand or respond to a brilliant sermon–so what’s the point of a baby being present? In the Catholic Mass, however, Jesus Christ Himself is substantially present–so it is a good thing for children to be present where Christ Himself is present–even if they don’t understand or know it.

Sometimes I watch the Catholic families in my parish with their young children–trying to manage them during the Mass, and I know it can be difficult for them. But I never find their children a distraction, myself. I love to see children in church. It is a blessing. If they cry and fuss, so what?

 

[TinaG]

This is actually something about the Mass which my evangelical, mega-church niece does NOT like. She says she would get nothing out of attending a church service if she had to pay attention to her fussy baby at the same time. She loves it that her mega-church has great nurseries and child care and children’s worship running simulutaneously throughout all the services. I think the difference in mindset has to do with the emphasis of Protestant church services. The proclamation of the word is usually the center, the climax of the service. A baby can’t understand or respond to a brilliant sermon–so what’s the point of a baby being present? In the Catholic Mass, however, Jesus Christ Himself is substantially present–so it is a good thing for children to be present where Christ Himself is present–even if they don’t understand or know it.

Sometimes I watch the Catholic families in my parish with their young children–trying to manage them during the Mass, and I know it can be difficult for them. But I never find their children a distraction, myself. I love to see children in church. It is a blessing. If they cry and fuss, so what?

We’re having a lot of discussion in our church on why in the world are we there on Sunday morning and what are we trying to do. We have two services, fully staffed with nurseries and adult ed. People are supposed to split up for teaching as appropriate to age and then come together as a family. This is new. Some people really don’t know how to be a family together in church and it is very hard on them.

The sermon is an important part of the service, but I would say worship and Communion outrank it. Some churches overemphasize the sermon. It is prominent, it is long, it is important, but so is meeting God in worship. We meet Him in the Word, in worship and in Communion. And in each other.

In KC I have seen statuary in Catholic Churches that is really, really good, like down at Our Lady of Sorrows (where they have the Latin Mass). I tried to find some pictures on line but couldn’t. There is other “artwork” in other churches that I will not comment on in charity.

-Tina “Art Critic” G

 

[DihydrogenOxide]

The music has varied from “take this guy out and shoot him, please, before I do” to sublime, uplifting music

xD I think a lot of people would agree with this statement. Many music directors need some help.

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.

Many churches still utilize altar rails. Mine still has them and we still use them every time we receive the Blessed Sacrament. Vatican II said nothing about removing them.

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.

It depends on the priest. Some are better speakers than others.

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.

We don’t worship statues. They remind us of saints as anyone is reminded of relatives with photos.

Nobody says hello or good-bye to me before or after the service.

Sometimes it depends on the size of the congregation. They may notice you’re new. Please, please don’t take it personally. I, myself, am a very shy person, so I’d likely not be the first person to say hello.

 

[EmergencyOps]

I’m a little afraid to ask what you’re calling the “Judas shuffle”.
Edit - I looked it up. I like it.

I think I first came across it in a Scott Hahn book.

 

[gcnuss]

I have no problem with attending a Mass, although I don’t have many opportunities to do so.

Like Jon, I am saddened that it is not possible to share the Body and Blood of Christ with my Catholic brothers and sisters and I join with him in praying for our unification.

 

[Lutheranteach]

I have no problem going to a mass now, but the first few I went to I did not feel comfortable. I think it had more to do with having gone to a small rural Lutheran church where the pastor could easily make eye contact with everyone in attendance, knew nearly everyone, where people were invited to make a few announcements before the service even began (who needed your prayers because of recent surgery…so and so is here today back from the Army on leave, etc) And, there was always coffee and cookies in the basement following the service etc. Usually (but an occasional dud) there was a good sermon, with a very short children’s sermon beforehand where the children came up for a short mini-lesson at while sitting the pastor near the altar. When you first got to church at least 5 people said hello and went out of their way to make you feel welcome.

I found my first few masses to be large, cold, distant affairs compared to what I was accustomed to, and I took it very personally. But it really wasn’t. It was a numbers game. There simply isn’t the time, etc. when 1,000 people are at a mass compared to under 100 at my old small church’s services there isn’t the time for some of those touches. I still don’t find masses at large churches to be very welcoming.

When my wife visited my church for the first time she said she felt “smothered,” but came to love the familiarity of it. She also likes some of the “delightfully odd” (as she puts it things) we sometimes do. It’s not unheard of to arrive at church and hear our pastor say: “It’s beautiful today. Let’s do this outside” and services will be held in the court yard. There is also a Sunday service held each year at a local apple orchard

As for the liturgy and the service itself, it was familiar. I do still have a problem with the closed communion since I do believe in a real presence, etc., but it is what it is.

 

[RomanCath379]

This is actually something about the Mass which my evangelical, mega-church niece does NOT like. She says she would get nothing out of attending a church service if she had to pay attention to her fussy baby at the same time. She loves it that her mega-church has great nurseries and child care and children’s worship running simulutaneously throughout all the services. I think the difference in mindset has to do with the emphasis of Protestant church services. The proclamation of the word is usually the center, the climax of the service. A baby can’t understand or respond to a brilliant sermon–so what’s the point of a baby being present? In the Catholic Mass, however, Jesus Christ Himself is substantially present–so it is a good thing for children to be present where Christ Himself is present–even if they don’t understand or know it.

Sometimes I watch the Catholic families in my parish with their young children–trying to manage them during the Mass, and I know it can be difficult for them. But I never find their children a distraction, myself. I love to see children in church. It is a blessing. If they cry and fuss, so what?

That’s why in almost every church we have “crying rooms”. Rooms made specially for babies. You can still hear the Mass in there.

 

[RomanCath379]

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.

Concentrating on Christ is what’s important, not the Bears game.

 

[schaick]

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.

Why would a priest assume that only Catholics go to mass?

I do believe that the Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ in, under and with the bread and wine. I have been told by people from that same parish that there are many catholics that don’t believe that much about the Eucharist.

 

[T_More]

Do you think you would feel comfortable coming to a Catholic Church for Mass?

If you have come, what is your experience?

I was a cradle JW until about 15 years ago. My first Mass experience was off the charts awesome. My wife and I were in France and visited Chartres, as I love architecture. When we arrived, Mass was beginning, so we decided to watch. At the end, a lone woman sang a song that moved my wife and I almost to tears. I have never in my life felt that close to God in a place of worship. It changed me and how I looked at the CC.

 

[jericho777]

Almost anybody would feel uncomfortabel in an unfamilar circumstance or situation. It’s human nature. You are going to draw attention to yourself if you are not doing what every body else is. Also if something is said you don’t agree with or believe would trigger a response.

That being said church first is for believers to assemble and worship G-d and be built up by his word. Strangers should always be made to feel welcome.

When I was a catholic I witnessed a horrible instance of somebody being made to feel unwelcome and wonder if it effected thst persons faith.

There was a man who entered the church who looked Japaneese. He sat down near my wife and I. There was also a man of WW II vintage glaring at him. You could tell the Japaneese man was becoming very uncomfortable and the WW II vet was turning up the heat. When It came to the sign of peace the vet would not shake hands with the man. The man uncomfortably skulked out of the church. I never saw him again. How sad.

I blame no one other than the person harboring ill feelings to a fellow brother in Christ. To this day when I think of this incident it still makes me cringe. We all can learn from this incident and welcome others as Jesus would.

 

[EmergencyOps]

Concentrating on Christ is what’s important, not the Bears game.

I understand your ill feelings toward anything but absolute reverence at Mass. However, that is why many non-Catholics feel uncomfortable attending Mass: no one greeting you as you walk in, fellow pew-sitters keeping to themselves, the feigned friendliness at “peace be with you”, those who keep their hands to themselves during “Our Father”…

Many non-Catholics come from churches where socialization occurs before, during, and after the service. My Catholic wife couldn’t find the words to describe one particular deacon at my church who kept shaking our hands and walking with us; I said “persistent?” and she nodded in heavy agreement and said that many Baptists seem to be that way. But having perused CAF for years with interest in this category and the Traditional Catholicism category, I know that some Catholics feel that Mass is no place for socializing and that things like holding hands aren’t in the rubrics of the Mass (or other documents). Basically, it’s the legalistic atmosphere that makes outsiders uneasy.

Just my two cents as an outsider

 

[AmateurPianist]

Do you think you would feel comfortable coming to a Catholic Church for Mass?

If you have come, what is your experience?

I have been to mass for funerals, weddings, and a couple of times at invites of friends.

I have watched masses at EWTN.

My impressions / memories

The first time was at a funeral where three fellow teenagers were killed by a drunk driver. I took communion. Nobody told me I shouldn’t.

I have not taken communion since. I realize that is how you choose to do business. I wouldn’t if it were my church, but it isn’t.

It always seems that I never could get when to stand, kneel, etc. I hope I didn’t stick out like a sore thumb.

The messages were always forgettable. So was the music.

I saw a mass on EWTN in Poland when the pope was there. That was impressive. It was as big of an event as any Billy Graham crusade.

Anyway, I’m not particularly uncomfortable at mass.

 

[AmericanJosiah]

Do you think you would feel comfortable coming to a Catholic Church for Mass?

Sure. It’s very similar to the Lutheran worship service…

I rather vividly remember the first time I ever worshiped in a Catholic Church. I was 11. I was the overnight guest of my new friend from Little League Baseball (we are still very good friends, although he now lives in Spain). This family (like mine) had the expectation that overnight guests joined the family for worship - with permission of the parents. My father (a Protestant minister) granted such.

The service was quite different than the very simple Protestant worship with which I was familiar (I had gone to dozens of churches, but all had relatively similar and largely unliturgical worship). I was mostly overwhelmed by the “choreography” (as I called it - no offense intended) - what we are to do at various points, one cannot sleep through Catholic worship! You gotta stay alert! And I was surprised that the sermon was so short. But OBVIOUSLY I felt drawn to it, because I went back the next Sunday! And almost every Sunday after that for about 5 years (although this first time was a Sunday morning, the Mendez family typically worshipped on Saturday, 5:00 Mass, since the mister found that worked much better with his work schedule and needs).

There were things I never really liked about Catholic worship… The short (and in MY parish, poorly done) sermon, the tendency for people to talk and move about (it IS distracting) the odd tendency of Catholics to just not sing (I did - LOUD) but I quickly became very liturgical (especially as all of it was carefully and fully explained to me) and it was the single biggest factor that drew me to Catholicism (I loved the spirituality of Catholicism, too - my “struggles” were with a handful of dogmas and those were why I left). To this day, I look for pretty formal, liturgical worship and appreciate the ecumenical lectionary, the keeping of the Church Year, the embrace of feast days, etc. I still Cross myself in all the Catholic places (but I now do it the Lutheran way, lol) and when the pastor says, “The peace of the Lord be with you…” Well, you know what comes automatically in response, lol.

Lutheranism’s issue with Catholicism was not about worship (well, the language thing) or customs or Tradition or tradition. It was a FEW teachings (most then not dogmas), and in the areas of eccleiology and epistemology.

When I visited Mark in Spain, we visited several BEAUTIFUL churches and I participated in Mass (in Spanish - which I don’t know, but the liturgy is the liturgy - I knew exactly what was being said). I don’t receive the Eucharist (in respect for Catholic sensitivities there) but otherwise, I fully participated. It’s beautiful and blessed - even in Spanish, lol



.

 

[Lutheranteach]

One of my favorite parts of the Lutheran service, the children’s sermon, which takes place just before the sermon. It last about 5 minutes and usually provides an easy to follow mini-lesson This one is from the early 8 a.m. service There are usually double or triple this number of kids at the 11 a.m. service:

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

 

[wmscott]

Do you think you would feel comfortable coming to a Catholic Church for Mass?

If you have come, what is your experience?

As a convert of over 26 years now, used to be Southern Baptist, I find that I am not comfortable in the Southern Baptist church. I walk away feeling like I am lacking something, something was missing, or unsatisfied. Its kind like expecting Dr Pepper and getting water. I do not know how to explain it any other way. I am not trying to be rude because I know these folks are Christians and love the Lord.

 

[Miserys_Fence]

Although I initially found the service a bit confusing and hard to keep up, I loved it. I felt such a deep sense of Spirit that I started crying, and had to reassure my fiance (who was Catholic, and took me to Mass) that I wasn’t upset!

We went together several times, and I always cried. Funny though, when I go now by myself (my fiance passed away in August), I never cry from the service itself–although I get weepy sometimes when praying.

Miz