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Bizob
Guest
LoL
Ridiculous looking outfit at daily Mass today! Maybe a dress code WOULD be in order!
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Mandi
Guest
I think the point that everyone is missing is that for every justified reason for attending Mass, whether in “scrubs” or "your “scrubbys” there are an unreasonable amount of abuses that counter act that.
Our Churches are in a state of ho hum, whatever will do! I’ll just schlep myself to church today. It’s like the “Presence of Jesus” is not worthy of any consideration.
Hello, wake up, this is not about judging people, this is about raising the standard. Our Lord is worth our best! Period! If you’re comfortable that after you have visited Our Lord you have just given him your best and your best is a pair of jeans and a T shirt then that’s your problem. because it will be your problem. I don’t want to hear your excuses, give them to God, because you will have too.
Unless you put yourself in the category of the ignorant, simple and poor you will be held accountable.
I have known people who run to Church with their work boots on or run to Church because they need to talk to God. This is not the same thing. You know it, I know and God knows it!
Our Churches are in a state of ho hum, whatever will do! I’ll just schlep myself to church today. It’s like the “Presence of Jesus” is not worthy of any consideration.
Hello, wake up, this is not about judging people, this is about raising the standard. Our Lord is worth our best! Period! If you’re comfortable that after you have visited Our Lord you have just given him your best and your best is a pair of jeans and a T shirt then that’s your problem. because it will be your problem. I don’t want to hear your excuses, give them to God, because you will have too.
Unless you put yourself in the category of the ignorant, simple and poor you will be held accountable.
I have known people who run to Church with their work boots on or run to Church because they need to talk to God. This is not the same thing. You know it, I know and God knows it!
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raphaela
Guest
I agree, the people who have the ability to wear their best and choose to wear something not so good, are the ones that need to change. It’s not judgemental. I bet everyone wants their church to improve in some way or another. If discussing the problems in your church and giving a few examples is judgemental well then i guess there is no room for improvement.
I see you point that this thread can be judgemental in nature, though i don’t think we’ve reached that point yet.
I consider it constructive critism. Finding the faults and using these examples to work toward a greater end.
I see you point that this thread can be judgemental in nature, though i don’t think we’ve reached that point yet.
I consider it constructive critism. Finding the faults and using these examples to work toward a greater end.
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robertaf
Guest
Greetings Church
Mandi…held accountable?
Do you seriously believe that when you stand before Jesus for judgement, He is going to “hold you accountable” for what you wear to Mass?
I think you should go back and spend a little more time in Scripture. I say this will all love and respect.
Somehow, I think Jesus will be more concerned with how we have treated each other, our genuine devotion and thanks for what He has done for us, how much and how well we have spread the Good News (that does not include rules on dress codes for attending Mass) and our general spiritual growth.
From the very beginning, we have failed to “get it”.
Mandi…held accountable?
Do you seriously believe that when you stand before Jesus for judgement, He is going to “hold you accountable” for what you wear to Mass?
I think you should go back and spend a little more time in Scripture. I say this will all love and respect.
Somehow, I think Jesus will be more concerned with how we have treated each other, our genuine devotion and thanks for what He has done for us, how much and how well we have spread the Good News (that does not include rules on dress codes for attending Mass) and our general spiritual growth.
From the very beginning, we have failed to “get it”.
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pnewton
Guest
I do not see WhiteDove’s intial question judgemental at all. She was just expressing how one person’s dress effected her.
We do take some responsibility in how we impact our neighbors, whether through being a distraction during Mass or a cause for sin through lust.
Still, there is a balance, in that we also take responsibility for ourselves in our own lusts or in focusing during Mass. We must each take the highest moral ground in both areas, our own dress and decorum, and in not judging others for their actions. We may find ourselves in their shoes (or blouse) some day.
We do take some responsibility in how we impact our neighbors, whether through being a distraction during Mass or a cause for sin through lust.
Still, there is a balance, in that we also take responsibility for ourselves in our own lusts or in focusing during Mass. We must each take the highest moral ground in both areas, our own dress and decorum, and in not judging others for their actions. We may find ourselves in their shoes (or blouse) some day.
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kamz
Guest
I think the best one can do in this situation is to dress nicely yourselves and set a good example for those around you and pray for that person, we can’t know the reason behind everything in every person’s life so ask God to help that person and ask God to help you not be judgemental, sure we may feel that certain attire is not ok but some people just don’t get it but that doesn’t mean they are not really good christians they just really lack in the area of knowing that “this is really not good to wear to mass” I think its sad and those people should be prayed for and reached out to. I know as a teen I dressed terrible and my parents couldn’t do a thing about it once I turned 18 but the thing is I wanted the schock value of what people would think and when they just acted normal and nice and just accepted me no matter what, really, I felt so dumb and I shaped up my clothes mighty fast, some people dress like this to see if they can get a rise out of you, I don’t know why but they just do and if you get huffy they get huffy but if you take them totally by surprise and reach out to them, they are so boweld over its just amazing, maybe God sends us situations like these just to see how we will deal with them, God uses everything in our lives to show us he is with us, I find that so often, so maybe the person dressed so badly just needs some good role models and if you become her friend then you can gently help her in her dress. just my humble opinion.
Peace
Peace
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Jdg164
Guest
I brought a friend of mine to church with me once. Midnight mass in fact. What she wore was hideous. She had (still has) outrageous taste and what she wore was way too short, way too thin, and way too… summery for Michigan on December 24th. But we had no time for me to coach her though a wardrobe change when I picked her up as we were running late. Should I have refused to take her? Perhaps. But part of me likes to think that God was extremely happy to have her in His house on that night.
You see, my friend was, and still is, an “atheist” (at least she calls herself an atheist; I call her an agnostic because I don’t believe in atheists). When she was 3; she, her sister, and her mother got kicked out of a protestant church because her mother filed for a divorce from her husband who was related to clergy and elders at that church. My friend’s mother was told that she and her daughters would be written out of the book of life (aka not saved, not one of God’s people). And since that day my friend did not give God a second thought. But she came to mass. She sang. She even knelt. She participated as well as one can, coming to mass for the first time. Since then she has come to mass with me almost every Christmas (better dressed) - she even went to a Tenebrae service with me at Notre Dame. I don’t know why she keeps coming to these services with me, and yet ceases to acknowledge God. But I do know that if I had turned her away that first night because of what she wore- she would never have come back. My hope for her conversion is almost 15 years in the making.
My point is this- yes, people should wear appropriate attire to mass because they should not be distractions and most of all because it is respectful to our Creator and Savior (after all, we get dressed up for dates, weddings, and other special events, right?) But we must also realize that we do not know what all the circumstances are behind everyone’s poor wardrobe choices. And to discuss this woman so crudely- particularly her body- well, I hurt for her. No, luckily she is not on these forums (well, we assume not). But still, does that make discussing her body in such a way ok? There could be any number of circumstances (mental illness, poverty, etc) that contributed here. I just think to myself, if she knew how she was being discussed (by me included) how likely would she be to worship in comfort in that same church again?
You see, my friend was, and still is, an “atheist” (at least she calls herself an atheist; I call her an agnostic because I don’t believe in atheists). When she was 3; she, her sister, and her mother got kicked out of a protestant church because her mother filed for a divorce from her husband who was related to clergy and elders at that church. My friend’s mother was told that she and her daughters would be written out of the book of life (aka not saved, not one of God’s people). And since that day my friend did not give God a second thought. But she came to mass. She sang. She even knelt. She participated as well as one can, coming to mass for the first time. Since then she has come to mass with me almost every Christmas (better dressed) - she even went to a Tenebrae service with me at Notre Dame. I don’t know why she keeps coming to these services with me, and yet ceases to acknowledge God. But I do know that if I had turned her away that first night because of what she wore- she would never have come back. My hope for her conversion is almost 15 years in the making.
My point is this- yes, people should wear appropriate attire to mass because they should not be distractions and most of all because it is respectful to our Creator and Savior (after all, we get dressed up for dates, weddings, and other special events, right?) But we must also realize that we do not know what all the circumstances are behind everyone’s poor wardrobe choices. And to discuss this woman so crudely- particularly her body- well, I hurt for her. No, luckily she is not on these forums (well, we assume not). But still, does that make discussing her body in such a way ok? There could be any number of circumstances (mental illness, poverty, etc) that contributed here. I just think to myself, if she knew how she was being discussed (by me included) how likely would she be to worship in comfort in that same church again?
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Mandi
Guest
Hold accountable! … absolutely - we are under serious obligation to Offer God our Best and it may be minor but this still shows through in what we choose to wear before him. . One of the earliest lessons in the bible is Cain and Abel. What did God do to Cain when he offered inadequate sacrifice?
The rules and dress codes of Church apparently NEED discussing because in general people have lost note of where they are and what they are doing when they go to Mass.
Mass is the greatest sacrifice ever offered.
Christ is the Victim of that Sacrifice.
The victim of sacrifice is offered to God by a priest. But the victim is also the gift of those present at the sacrifice. The victim of a sacrifice is not only a gift. It is also a sign. It is a sign that those who are offering it are also offering themselves to God.
If you are going to offer yourself to God … if I were you I’d be dress appropriately!
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Mandi
Guest
Take her to Mass - absolutely - it is those who believe and profess faith that will be held accountable - She has to many other problems that she’ll have to answer for … and it won’t be the way she dress her 1st time to Mass.
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WhiteDove
Guest
Dear Roberta,
Now, you aren’t uncharitably mocking me, are you?
Or, are you accusing me of agism towards readers of AARP? Just wondering…
When I meet you in person, Roberta, I just hope you take a little time and please do look in the mirror before presenting yourself to me, otherwise I’ll start a thread about you!!!
I might be driving through Calif this fall, I need to go there to buy my Mini Cooper, there’s too long of a waiting list in Washington. I wanna come see you!!! 
Now, you aren’t uncharitably mocking me, are you?
Or, are you accusing me of agism towards readers of AARP? Just wondering…When I meet you in person, Roberta, I just hope you take a little time and please do look in the mirror before presenting yourself to me, otherwise I’ll start a thread about you!!!
I might be driving through Calif this fall, I need to go there to buy my Mini Cooper, there’s too long of a waiting list in Washington. I wanna come see you!!!
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Panis_Angelicas
Guest
The Blessed Mother to the shepherd children of Fatima in 1917:
**“Certain fashions and styles will be introduced, that will offend Our Lord very much.” **
Yes, I would say that we will be held accountable. The Blessed Mother doesn’t lie.
Pax Christi. <><
**“Certain fashions and styles will be introduced, that will offend Our Lord very much.” **
Yes, I would say that we will be held accountable. The Blessed Mother doesn’t lie.
Pax Christi. <><
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robertaf
Guest
Hi Church
Don’t you worry White Dove. I will look my very best. Rest assured, I buy many of my outfits through AARP magazine. As you might have guessed, I am also fully into the good buys in the VFW magazine as well. Were you aware that many of their items are not only extremely comfortable but unisex as well?
In fact, what size do you wear. I have a small bag of things from both these fine places that are barely worn. I think it would be the **charitable **thing to do to offer them to you.
They are fine things. You should see the looks I get when I dress up.
Don’t you worry White Dove. I will look my very best. Rest assured, I buy many of my outfits through AARP magazine. As you might have guessed, I am also fully into the good buys in the VFW magazine as well. Were you aware that many of their items are not only extremely comfortable but unisex as well?
In fact, what size do you wear. I have a small bag of things from both these fine places that are barely worn. I think it would be the **charitable **thing to do to offer them to you.
They are fine things. You should see the looks I get when I dress up.
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cecelia
Guest
Hi everyone,
From what I’ve read on this post it looks as though some people are more concerned about hurting people’s feelings and not judging them. I’m stunned really that some feel that we can dress casually before the Lord Himself. We wouldn’t even be having this discussion about appropriate dress for a job interview. Everyone would assume that one should dress one’s best. We are going before the Lord and in doing so we offer Him our first fruits. Why is it that we rationalize our dress, convincing ourselves that God doesn’t care. He does. Because our outward dress is a representation of our inner motivation. Have we no fear (respect) for the Lord God Almighty who made heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen? Can we not look our best as a way of honoring Him?
Yes, I do judge people by the way they dress at Mass. Very few people are ignorant in the true sense of the word. Many are just cavalier. They haven’t stopped and taken the time to reflect upon who God really is. Now this may come across as very presumptuous on my part. It may be, but all I’m doing is inferring from the dress that the person wears. It’s funny, but in the “poorer,” more ethnic parishes one sees more attention to dress. In the “suburban” parishes, in general, there is a laxity, a sense that “I’m so important, so busy, so indifferent, that I don’t even have to dress for God.” You mean to tell me that for one hour a week, a person cannot dress in his or her Sunday best? Can someone please tell me what greater event takes place on the face of the earth than the holy sacrifice of the Mass. It’s the most sublime event that we as human beings have. Hyperbole? No. Fact? Yes. And because of what the Mass is, we should proclaim to the world our union with this awesome event by dressing appropriately. We should not be so casual with God, that we slid into the Mass as an afterthought.
As I said, I’m really stunned by the debate over this issue. We need to give God the glory in all that we do and our dress is a vital part of that offering.
From what I’ve read on this post it looks as though some people are more concerned about hurting people’s feelings and not judging them. I’m stunned really that some feel that we can dress casually before the Lord Himself. We wouldn’t even be having this discussion about appropriate dress for a job interview. Everyone would assume that one should dress one’s best. We are going before the Lord and in doing so we offer Him our first fruits. Why is it that we rationalize our dress, convincing ourselves that God doesn’t care. He does. Because our outward dress is a representation of our inner motivation. Have we no fear (respect) for the Lord God Almighty who made heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen? Can we not look our best as a way of honoring Him?
Yes, I do judge people by the way they dress at Mass. Very few people are ignorant in the true sense of the word. Many are just cavalier. They haven’t stopped and taken the time to reflect upon who God really is. Now this may come across as very presumptuous on my part. It may be, but all I’m doing is inferring from the dress that the person wears. It’s funny, but in the “poorer,” more ethnic parishes one sees more attention to dress. In the “suburban” parishes, in general, there is a laxity, a sense that “I’m so important, so busy, so indifferent, that I don’t even have to dress for God.” You mean to tell me that for one hour a week, a person cannot dress in his or her Sunday best? Can someone please tell me what greater event takes place on the face of the earth than the holy sacrifice of the Mass. It’s the most sublime event that we as human beings have. Hyperbole? No. Fact? Yes. And because of what the Mass is, we should proclaim to the world our union with this awesome event by dressing appropriately. We should not be so casual with God, that we slid into the Mass as an afterthought.
As I said, I’m really stunned by the debate over this issue. We need to give God the glory in all that we do and our dress is a vital part of that offering.
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robertaf
Guest
By the way folks.
White Dove said before this was meant to be a humorous thread. I am guessing the object of her first post was fictitious. I know this gal and I know her sense of humor.
Don’t you think you should lighten up. You could hurt yourself or strain something.
White Dove said before this was meant to be a humorous thread. I am guessing the object of her first post was fictitious. I know this gal and I know her sense of humor.
Don’t you think you should lighten up. You could hurt yourself or strain something.
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maggiec
Guest
My gosh, I wouldn’t even go to the store like that!
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misericordie
Guest
Excellent. This is a great comment, and so true:clapping:My gosh, I wouldn’t even go to the store like that!
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Panis_Angelicas
Guest
The charitable thing would be to offer them to the lady who served the Precious Blood.
Dibs on the leopard print bra.
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robertaf
Guest
Shall we compare sizes?
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JCPhoenix
Guest
This question/comment reminds me of this last Easter Sunday. We arrived to Mass late (my brother as usual dragged his behind and we were all too late to get a seat) so he and I stood in back. There were seats here and there so we encouraged Mom to go ahead and sit…she would not have been able to stand through Mass.
My brother, his girlfriend and I stood in back with the rest of the crowd, thankful that Mom both had a seat and got to not see what we saw. Two high school girls with too-short skirts (almost to the underwear line) and spaghetti strap tops literally paraded back and forth throughout Mass. My brother’s girlfriend commented that they reminded her of a football game!
Although my brother isn’t exceptionally devout, and in fact seems to attend Mass only if required my Mom, was actually offended by the attire AND behavior. Those girls were constantly greeting people in the crowd…and NOT ONE reacted in a manner which indicated to them that their behavior was not appropriate!
Where were their parents? Why were they allowed to parade like that? For some reason I believe they attended the Catholic school at the church…but I can’t remember what gave me that impression
In any case I was shocked not only by the dress but that the behavior would not have been allowed in any church I ever attended before. I wish now I had stepped out and asked them to either have a seat or pick a spot…maybe parental supervision isn’t enough…maybe a little correction via strangers would have been in order.
It’s hard to know what to do sometimes.
My brother, his girlfriend and I stood in back with the rest of the crowd, thankful that Mom both had a seat and got to not see what we saw. Two high school girls with too-short skirts (almost to the underwear line) and spaghetti strap tops literally paraded back and forth throughout Mass. My brother’s girlfriend commented that they reminded her of a football game!
Although my brother isn’t exceptionally devout, and in fact seems to attend Mass only if required my Mom, was actually offended by the attire AND behavior. Those girls were constantly greeting people in the crowd…and NOT ONE reacted in a manner which indicated to them that their behavior was not appropriate!
Where were their parents? Why were they allowed to parade like that? For some reason I believe they attended the Catholic school at the church…but I can’t remember what gave me that impression
In any case I was shocked not only by the dress but that the behavior would not have been allowed in any church I ever attended before. I wish now I had stepped out and asked them to either have a seat or pick a spot…maybe parental supervision isn’t enough…maybe a little correction via strangers would have been in order.
It’s hard to know what to do sometimes.
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misericordie
Guest
Yes, and when we as catholics point these things out, we are labled as old fashioned, rigid, radical, etc. It is important to say, “guess what? To bad.” We MUST continue to be the voice in the desert. Or like the salmon, against the current. As to the examples above, i say it all begins at home(morals, good examples, etc).
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