Parish noise level before and after mass

[Love_Divine]

One has to distinguish between the worship space and the “fellowship” areas. In many churches, there is plently of room outside the worship space for community activities, discussions of favorite recipes, sports, priest meeting the people, etc. The Church has already defined the limits of “fellowship” during the Mass. (Responses together, exchange of peace, presentation of gifts, etc.)

Exactly. We have a place to get together to visit before and after Mass. It’s called The Place of Welcome.

 

[MissRose73]

My parents’ church has a large gathering/fellowship area. More people need to take advantage of it before or after Mass for loud conversations. I don’t mind people talking in low voices before Mass or after, but to watch what they are talking about and the volume of their voices.

 

[Little_One0307]

I’m pretty sure the disciples were blabbing about all sorts of things when Jesus was with them. It was a true fellowship. They fished together, ate together,. washed up together, had deep conversations and yes, small talk.

I do agree there should be as much silence as possible before and after mass. That doesn’t mean if you need to communicate something to someone, you can’t whisper in their ear.

Also, some churches don’t have a gathering place after mass and I don’t think it is enough to say, come out to the functions.

I have actually found a parish with a coffee hour and we had lively, spirited conversation yesterday. I thank God for that.

Hi,

Somehow it does not register with me that the disciples were blabbing when the Last Supper was being prepared and during the Instituion of the Eucharist. I bet they were reflective after the Last Supper as well. Yes Scripture records them maybe singing a psalm afterwards, but that is a far cry from blabbing and talking.

I am not saying that you cannot communicate by not whispering in their ear, but my take on it is if it has to do with the Mass then fine, whisper discretely, but if it is anything having to do with secular events and things, then I would suggest doing it another time besides before and after Mass.

Sry, I don’t think I am budging on this.

God Bless.

 

[Love_Divine]

Sry, I don’t think I am budging on this.

God Bless.

No, and you shouldn’t have to. It’s ridiculous that for those of us who come to church to pray should have to put up with all the cacophony of other people. If the Church was a library, all those people would be thrown out. Why are we more respectful of the library than we are of Church? Honestly, with the busy hectic world we live in, if people would just shut up in Church and take in the quiet atmosphere they’d really enjoy it and find it quite relaxing.

Perhaps these people need to be educated on the sin of loquaciousness.

 

[TrueLight]

Hi,

Somehow it does not register with me that the disciples were blabbing when the Last Supper was being prepared and during the Instituion of the Eucharist.

God Bless.

I’m pretty sure you could see by my response, I wasn’t referring to the last supper specifically. Why else would I mention fishing and washing? I was referring to the disciples’ interaction with Jesus while he was with them on earth. Besides, the original post was really about before or after mass.

Secondly, we don’t know if the disciples were talking amongst themselves before Jesus began to speak. I’m sure for the most part they were quiet when he taught.

But if you remember, during the last supper when Jesus spoke about someone who would betray him, Peter whispered to “the Disciple Jesus loved” that he should ask Jesus who would betray him. Guess what? John actually did ask Jesus and Jesus answered.

So I’m not saying there should be talking during mass, but sometimes you may need to communicate something quietly.

 

[Little_One0307]

I’m pretty sure you could see by my response, I wasn’t referring to the last supper specifically. Why else would I mention fishing and washing? I was referring to the disciples’ interaction with Jesus while he was with them on earth. Besides, the original post was really about before or after mass.

Secondly, we don’t know if the disciples were talking amongst themselves before Jesus began to speak. I’m sure for the most part they were quiet when he taught.

But if you remember, during the last supper when Jesus spoke about someone who would betray him, Peter whispered to “the Disciple Jesus loved” that he should ask Jesus who would betray him. Guess what? John actually did ask Jesus and Jesus answered.

So I’m not saying there should be talking during mass, but sometimes you may need to communicate something quietly.

I would agree that there are times to communicate quietly. So I do agree with you there on that one. I guess what I am opposing is the loud chitter chatter before and after Mass. This is what I am reacting against so strongly.

Thanks for sharing you POV. God bless.

 

[TrueLight]

I would agree that there are times to communicate quietly. So I do agree with you there on that one. I guess what I am opposing is the loud chitter chatter before and after Mass. This is what I am reacting against so strongly.

Thanks for sharing you POV. God bless.

I brought a Catholic friend to mass with me once and I was a little embarrassed because she kept on talking to me before the mass started and there was a gentleman kneeling right behind me trying to pray.

During the mass she kept on saying stuff to me and you know those people who don’t know how to whisper? She is one of those.

Eventually, I had to whisper to her that in this parish people don’t really talk during mass.

She said, “I noticed” and was quiet after that.

 

[MissRose73]

I remember going to Holy Thursday Mass, and how quiet it got when things were being stripped and moved out in preparation for Good Friday. You could have heard a pin drop after it was all done as people moved quietly to the gathering space or to the chapel for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

I am not asking for complete silence at all times, but people should keep their voices down before and after Mass, as some people do wish to pray and reflect.