Question on iPhones during Mass

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I’m not saying I think it should be promoted either. I just think people tend to focus too much on what others are doing during Liturgy and assume bad intent. If I see someone with their phone or ipad, I don’t give it too much concern as (1) it’s not my business and (2) i know a lot of people have religious apps on their phone. I don’t automatically assume bad intent.
 
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These two verses came to my mind when reading this thread, in particular to what others may think when they see people using phones or tablets during mass:

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”
  • Matthew 6:5
”Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
  • Ephesians 6:4
I use my phone for daily mass since churches don’t have daily mass missals and while I could buy one, they are a bit expensive. I can get the readings for daily mass free here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/011819.cfm

I do get some looks though sometimes, and I don’t want to distract anyone so sometimes I have my phone between my legs so people can’t see or I will just read the readings before mass so I am familiar with them
 
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I admit the advantage of phones is they’re also much handier for those like me who are perpetually disorganized and not on time. My phone is already in my purse. I expect even if I got a missal I’d lose it within the month.
 
phil19034 said:
Yes, of course. But it’s not as easy to check sports scores when using the missal.
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You keep bringing up sports, as though everyone is obsessed with them. If you are, then it would certainly be best for you not to use a missal app. However, there are a large number of us who consider Mass more important
 
If I’m using my phone for the readings, if there is a sports game on I’m following/want to watch, I’ll turn off the notifications so that way there are no distractions. I’ve missed plenty of games of my favorite teams (including playoffs) in order to go to daily mass or confession or adoration. These things are more important and I’d feel guilty tbh if I skipped adoration to watch sports, I wouldn’t enjoy the sports. But that might just be me haha
 
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DeniseNY said:
I’m not saying I think it should be promoted either. I just think people tend to focus too much on what others are doing during Liturgy and assume bad intent. If I see someone with their phone or ipad, I don’t give it too much concern as (1) it’s not my business and (2) i know a lot of people have religious apps on their phone. I don’t automatically assume bad intent.
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I agree with that statement. However, the OP asked it if was “permissible to use an iPhone to follow along at Mass.”

My response was:
Permissible, yes.
Advisable, no.
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Our bulletin is usually about 12 pages long. Two to four of those pages provide an “order of service” for the Sunday Mass, including hymn numbers and music for any hymns and Mass parts that aren’t in the hymnal. The verse numbers for the readings are given but not the readings themselves.

My pastor goes out of his way to make sure there is decorum at Mass but I just don’t think he sees individuals using electronic media devices as an issue. And I guess I don’t either.
 
angel12 said:
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phil19034:
Yes, of course. But it’s not as easy to check sports scores when using the missal.
Click to expand...
You keep bringing up sports, as though everyone is obsessed with them. If you are, then it would certainly be best for you not to use a missal app. However, there are a large number of us who consider Mass more important
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I’m not obsessed with them. I’m using it as a real life example. I’m also quoting a priest.

Again: I NEVER said people can’t use them. I’m saying it’s not advisable and I would not support promoting it’s use.

I would much rather see the parishes by missiles or print the readings in the bulletin. And, as my priest says, the phone is a tether to the secular world. We should turn it off so we disconnect from technology for just 1 hour and completely focus on God.
 
That’s what the Missal is for. Cell phones are to be turned off during Mass.
 
The text on the screen can be made larger but the text on the missal cannot.
 
No, the possible temptation was a reason given by your priest to not do it, I geot what you said. Just pointing out that likely doesn’t pertain toany people who take time out if their day for daily mass.
 
0331 said:
In case anyone is interested, here’s a nice missal:

https://www.ccwatershed.org/jogues/

CCW also sells a daily Mass companion book.

It costs less than an iPhone!
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Here are some good Missals also.

www.catholiccompany.com

St. Joseph Daily and Sunday Missal (3 Volume Set)

St. Joseph Missal Daily and Sunday Missal Complete gift box - 3 Volume Set Includes Sunday & Daily readings Beautiful heirloom edition Wonderful resource for your parish and parishioners This comprehensive Saint Joseph Daily and Sunday Missal Complete Gift Box 3-Volume Set by Catholic Book...
www.catholiccompany.com www.catholiccompany.com
 
SMHW said:
My pastor goes out of his way to make sure there is decorum at Mass but I just don’t think he sees individuals using electronic media devices as an issue. And I guess I don’t either.
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I wouldn’t say it’s an “issue,” I would say it’s unwise. However, my assistant pastor might say it’s an issue. He also said during that homily (or really more of a sermon) that’s why we put missals in the pews. 🙂
 
tafan2 said:
No, the possible temptation was a reason given by your priest to not do it, I geot what you said. Just pointing out that likely doesn’t pertain toany people who take time out if their day for daily mass.
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Daily Mass, most likely not. I agree.

Sunday Mass, that’s another story.
 
It’s not unwise, it’s the easiest way for me to follow along with the readings. As I said before, relying on most lay lectors is impossible for me.
 
I never see anyone do it in Sunday mass ( although I have in foriegn countries)
 
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