Personal Vent About Parish Community

[Marian_Carroll]

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[marci]

" It was the fact that our priest asked us to raise our right hands and bless the children going off to Sunday School, the catechumens, the baptized babies, and other people. It just didn’t look right to me. It sent chills up my spine.

They do this at my parish as well. After everyone has stood to be recognized for birthdays, aniversaries, etc., everyone (except me and my family) raises they right arms straight out and slightly elevated. When you sit at the back of the church it looks like something one would have seen in nazi Germany.

I can’t stand it! I think it’s just awful and I too feel shivers up my spine. Not to mention the fact that it has always been my understanding that you shouldn’t do any actions which would mimic the priest and those duties which are reserved for the ordained.

 

[Elzee]

It wasn’t the holding hands or the hugs that got to me. It was the fact that our priest asked us to raise our right hands and bless the children going off to Sunday School, the catechumens, the baptized babies, and other people. It just didn’t look right to me. It sent chills up my spine.

Our priest has us do this each year for our First Communicants and the people in RICA. I used to do it “just to go along with everyone else” but stopped a few years ago. The line between clergy and laity gets more blurry every year in our parish.

 

[Cavaille-Coll]

They do this at my parish as well. After everyone has stood to be recognized for birthdays, aniversaries, etc., everyone (except me and my family) raises they right arms straight out and slightly elevated. When you sit at the back of the church it looks like something one would have seen in nazi Germany.

 

[pumpkinbeast]

In the parish I attend when I’m at school, we hond hands during the Our Father… I like it, but I know some people aren’t comfortable with that sort of thing, and I would totally understand if someone didn’t join hands with me. That’s rude to give looks about something that you don’t have to do!

We also don’t kneel during the consecration… I miss that, but I’ve forgotten when, exactly, I should…

I like the raised hands for blessings, actually… I think it’s taking back a simple hand guesture that, though once used for something bad, can now mean something holy and good. Though I see what you mean about lessening the priest’s blessing, and making him blend…

The Mass is for hearing the readings and learning from them through the homily, and most importantly the Eucharist!!! If people want to socialize, do it after Mass. Hold a coffee hour! Sure, some people will decide to leave and never meet anyone else in the church, but it’s better for them to be able to receive Jesus and concentrate on that fact and never feel part of a ‘community’ than to be smothered in huggy-feely communitiness and miss out of the center of the Mass… Put touchy-feely stuff back where it belongs, between couples on romantic dates and mothers oohing over their babies.

 

[netmilsmom]

I’ve been to parishes where they did this, and yes, I was halfway expecting everyone to yell “Sieg, Heil!” I was probably the only person there not raising my hand, because I believe that this reduces the importance and the unique qualities of the blessing imparted by a priest. It seems just one more way by which a priest can “blend in with the crowd” and reduce any semblance of ontological difference between himself and the laity.

Why can’t we just use the old “prayer position”?

I double, dog, dare one person to shout “Sieg Heil” while the congregation is doing this. If you post it here and PM me with your address, I’ll send you a dollar!

Why do some people feel that they can do better than perfect?

 

[Victorious]

I’m going to say something a bit different from everyone else. If this is your home parish, then you should attend there. You can find the quietest Mass time, but I really think we should attend the parish we belong to.

Also, you speak alot about giving money within your church, but I don’t hear too much about you actually being involved with the other people. Can you start the ministry to the homebound? Can you invite other families to make those rosarys with you?

Perhaps if there were more “real” community in your church, people would feel less need to add it on to the mass time.

We’re not all built to go out and personally get “involved” with lots of strangers. Some of us actually prefer to do our bit behind the scenes. But that does not make our bit any less valuable.

I for one hate to have touchy-feely imposed on me by strangers, and of having people invade my personal space in the name of “community” and in utter disregard for my legitimate sensibilities, and I am sick to death of the assumption that that means there’s something wrong with me. On the contrary, it’s the busybodies that are in the wrong. And by the way, Rome is on the side of those who object being to being forced to do things like hold hands during the Our Father.

 

[irish1]

If I may vent as well, the Director of Worship/Music Director has the choir practicing immediately before mass, which makes it very difficult to spend any peaceful time at prayer. I would especially enjoy some quiet time with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, but it is just too loud to concentrate.

Another thing about the Music Director (who is a wonderfully kind man) is that shortly before mass begins, he insists that everyone rehearse the responsorial Psalm. He becomes very irritated if people ignore him (some are chatting, and some are actually trying to pray).

 

[Jaz_B07]

Don’t everyone jump on me at once, but i’m kinda not understanding this. Some people on here have this attitude like “I’m here to worship God on my own, not to gather with a community” As if they’d rather be at mass all by themselves.

But if that’s the case then why do we all gather at mass in the first place? If it’s so personal then why not stay at home and have mass in your closet? There’s a reason why God wanted us all to worship together. Yes, there’s a personal part about being at mass, but there’s also a community part…

 

[Kevin42]

Don’t everyone jump on me at once, but i’m kinda not understanding this. Some people on here have this attitude like “I’m here to worship God on my own, not to gather with a community” As if they’d rather be at mass all by themselves.

But if that’s the case then why do we all gather at mass in the first place? If it’s so personal then why not stay at home and have mass in your closet? There’s a reason why God wanted us all to worship together. Yes, there’s a personal part about being at mass, but there’s also a community part…

I definately agree with that. The approach that this is all about me coming here to worship and the focus of it for me is all on just me and God seems to be almost protestant. Yes, there is an extent to where people go overboard…hugging, participating in the consecration, perhaps even holding hands during the Our Father. However the community aspect itself is very important and I think its important that we are there to worship God as the Body of Christ. We are all single members, but the one of the main reasons people all go to one place to worship on Sundays is to participate as one body in the eucharist and in worshipping God. Right now, it appears as though the Church is at a point where it is trying to find the balance between the two extremes. I don’t know what the right balance is, and perhaps it may be slightly different to each person, but hopefully more Churches will level out and find the right balance.

 

[Jared123]

Don’t everyone jump on me at once, but i’m kinda not understanding this. Some people on here have this attitude like “I’m here to worship God on my own, not to gather with a community” As if they’d rather be at mass all by themselves.

But if that’s the case then why do we all gather at mass in the first place? If it’s so personal then why not stay at home and have mass in your closet? There’s a reason why God wanted us all to worship together. Yes, there’s a personal part about being at mass, but there’s also a community part…

A couple of reasons the first being reverence for being in the true presence of Jesus Christ and secondly because there is a set of rules called the GIRM. (General, Instructions, for the Roman Mass) that each parish is suspose to follow during mass. The reason for this is because we are one Church and if anything goes I could only imagine what some parishes would be doing. That is why we have parameters or rules to follow.
As far as celebrating mass in a closet that would be hard to get a priest to come to each persons house to consecrate the eucharist. We are all joined in community through the Eucharist…not holding hands.

 

[Jaz_B07]

I definately agree with that. The approach that this is all about me coming here to worship and the focus of it for me is all on just me and God seems to be almost protestant.

Exactly! I know many Protestants who say “Oh I don’t have to go to church. I’ll just stay at home and worship God on my own” This is basically the same way some people on here think except they actually do go to church. But it seems pointless to go to church and gather with a community but act as if the community isn’t even there.

 

[Kevin42]

Exactly! I know many Protestants who say “Oh I don’t have to go to church. I’ll just stay at home and worship God on my own” This is basically the same way some people on here think except they actually do go to church. But it seems pointless to go to church and gather with a community but act as if the community isn’t even there.

Definately. I certainly would not intend to imply that all, or even many Catholics think this way. However, from some posts that I have seen (here and elsewhere) this is almost the feeling that I get. “I come here, and it’s soley about me and God, so no one else touch me or speak to me!” I could just be mistaken in my interpretation of some of the past posts that I have read, however, I sometimes get this feeling.

I also want to say my opinion on this general topic is somewhat confused. I see the points that both “sides” make, and some of each are valid (in my opinion at least). Thankfully in the end we just have to pray, and let mother Church do her job and do the real decision making on this. I trust the Church is much more wise on this than I am, and can see the “big picture” better than I can.

 

[Jaz_B07]

Just to clear things up, my post wasn’t condoning such practices as holding hands. I was simply addressing some of those people who dont want to “get involved with lots of strangers”

Actually I should have just replied to that post. I don’t see how a community gathered in Christ is just a bunch of “strangers” that you want nothing to do with.

 

[Jared123]

You are very much correct having a sense of community at mass with fellow neighbors and friends is very important. What greater sense of community can one have than sitting and watching the consecration of the Eucharist in front of your eyes. Being in the actual presence of Jesus Christ! Then walking up to receive Jesus one by one with fellow people of the community. We are all joined through the Eucharist.

However we must show reverence while in the true presence. When people are talking, holding hands, etc it takes away from Christ. You must remember this is Catholic mass, not a protestant worship service. Big difference. Protestants don’t have the actual presence so what do they do to make up for this? They have live bands, laser light shows, lots of singing and praising, a pastor who is a great speaker to get everyone motivated, etc. I personally don’t have anything against protestants and was once a Baptist before conversion to Catholicism, but they don’t have the true presence. So many people who have either seen a protestant worship service, or don’t believe in the true presence think we should do it this way because it seems like this is the way to have a true religious community. Unfortunantly many Catholic Churches are also going down this road.

 

[Jared123]

Just to clear things up, my post wasn’t condoning such practices as holding hands. I was simply addressing some of those people who dont want to “get involved with lots of strangers”

Actually I should have just replied to that post. I don’t see how a community gathered in Christ is just a bunch of “strangers” that you want nothing to do with.

For the record holding hands during mass is a minor violation against the GIRM and we as Catholics are not suspose to do this. But in many parishes this has became the norm and some priest encourage this.

 

[Kevin42]

You are very much correct having a sense of community at mass with fellow neighbors and friends is very important. What greater sense of community can one have than sitting and watching the consecration of the Eucharist in front of your eyes. Being in the actual presence of Jesus Christ! Then walking up to receive Jesus one by one with fellow people of the community. We are all joined through the Eucharist.

However we must show reverence while in the true presence. When people are talking, holding hands, etc it takes away from Christ. You must remember this is Catholic mass, not a protestant worship service. Big difference. Protestants don’t have the actual presence so what do they do to make up for this? They have live bands, laser light shows, lots of singing and praising, a pastor who is a great speaker to get everyone motivated, etc. I personally don’t have anything against protestants and was once a Baptist before conversion to Catholicism, but they don’t have the true presence. So many people who have either seen a protestant worship service, or don’t believe in the true presence think we should do it this way because it seems like this is the way to have a true religious community. Unfortunantly many Catholic Churches are also going down this road.

Oh goodness. Now you have me picturing some extreme parish with a eucharistic laser-light show followed by liturgical dancing. So much for trying to get to sleep .

 

[Jared123]

Oh goodness. Now you have me picturing some extreme parish with a eucharistic laser-light show followed by liturgical dancing. So much for trying to get to sleep .

I’m sure you could find some parish that is doing this.

 

[netmilsmom]

Exactly! I know many Protestants who say “Oh I don’t have to go to church. I’ll just stay at home and worship God on my own” This is basically the same way some people on here think except they actually do go to church. But it seems pointless to go to church and gather with a community but act as if the community isn’t even there.

PLEEZ! It’s amazing to me that after reading some words on internet posts, you know how people think. How do you do that?
“My soul doth magnify the Lord”

We are a community of souls. We come together and we are one. Not body, we are one soul. I don’t have to physically touch anyone to be in the middle of the community.

The hippies of the 60’s and all the Kumbaya stuff is going away. Thank you Holy Lord.

Maybe YOU must touch someone to be part of the community, but they don’t have to physically touch you.

 

[irish1]

Don’t everyone jump on me at once, but i’m kinda not understanding this. Some people on here have this attitude like “I’m here to worship God on my own, not to gather with a community” As if they’d rather be at mass all by themselves.

But if that’s the case then why do we all gather at mass in the first place? If it’s so personal then why not stay at home and have mass in your closet? There’s a reason why God wanted us all to worship together. Yes, there’s a personal part about being at mass, but there’s also a community part…

I understand what you’re saying about coming together as a community, but PRIOR TO Mass beginning, people should be able to have some private prayer time to assist in changing their focus from their everyday life to the Eucharist.