Scared of mass

[Blood_Angel]

I watched some of the mass videos on Youtube, and although it seems a bit cultest you know. I take it, that I don’t have to talk to anybody if I were to go one sunday. I’ve never been in person, I think something is preventing me from doing so.
Another thing, I don’t think I can be Catholic, because I don’t wish to make a commitment to the church, I don’t believe in doing things repetitevely, and believe if I need to become closer to God, then I will go. But going every week, for the sake of it. I can’t picture myself doing it.
Plus I work all nights on a saturday every other week, I’d only wish to go on the sunday mornings I have free.

This is a modern age, I guess I havn’t got my head around the idea of worshipping yet.

 

[puzzleannie]

you have explained why as yet you do not see yourself attending Mass weekly, but don’t give any reasons for being afraid of Mass.

If there any questions or issues Catholics can answer for you, try the liturgy and sacraments forum. You may find your question has already been discussed. You may attend any Mass in any Church, Catholic liturgy is public and you are always welcome. Do only what feels comfortable to you at this time. You may sit, stand or kneel as seems appropriate to you, as long as of course you are as respectful and reverent here as you would be in any sacred space of any religion. You may not of course participate in receiving communion as Catholics do not have open communion. Many of your questions will be answered simply by coming and observing.

 

[Blood_Angel]

I guess it’s because it’s still very alien to me. I don’t understand the traditionality of it, being brought up with so much media and atheist values, that it’s hard for me. I guess scared, because I lack the belief and values, to be welcome.

 

[vsedriver]

I guess it’s because it’s still very alien to me. I don’t understand the traditionality of it, being brought up with so much media and atheist values, that it’s hard for me. I guess scared, because I lack the belief and values, to be welcome.

but you are welcome!

The traditions are quite beautiful. They are an outward sign of the Church’s lifespan. It connects us right to the life of Christ and his Apostles in a real, living way. You may not understand the meaning behind the traditions but there is meaning there. Think of it as a great adventure! Don’t try to absorb it all at once, as it is like trying to sit and eat a banquet when you have been living on fast food. Take each part to learn about so you will eventually understand the whole. Do it at your own pace. And remember, Jesus said, “Where ever two or more are gathered in my name, there I am also.” Don’t you want that for yourself? It’s not an obligation it is a privilege!

 

[FightingFat]

I guess it’s because it’s still very alien to me. I don’t understand the traditionality of it, being brought up with so much media and atheist values, that it’s hard for me. I guess scared, because I lack the belief and values, to be welcome.

Investigate some, you will need to learn what the Mass is about before you can understand and enjoy it

catholic.com/library/Institution_of_the_Mass.asp

I would recommend you read this: amazon.com/Lambs-Supper-Mass-Heaven-Earth/dp/0385496591/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1301412164&sr=1-1

 

[piejesu]

I guess scared, because I lack the belief and values, to be welcome.

You are welcome because it is Christ Himself who welcomes you, Christ who put the curiosity in you, Christ who is giving you the grace to respond, Christ who calms all your fears.

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

"No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up on the last day.’’ (John 6:44)

 

[Mumbles140]

Another thing, I don’t think I can be Catholic, because I don’t wish to make a commitment to the church, I don’t believe in doing things repetitevely, and believe if I need to become closer to God, then I will go. But going every week, for the sake of it. I can’t picture myself doing it.

Plus I work all nights on a saturday every other week, I’d only wish to go on the sunday mornings I have free.

1. First off - it isn’t about repetition. You talk about being closer to God, but how can someone get closer than receiving the Body of Blood of Our Lord? You are physically in contact with God, and that gives you grace and forgiveness of sins (lesser, venial sins - can’t receive if you have unconfessed mortal sins).
2. Depending on when you work on Saturdays, many Churches offer Saturday mass starting roughly 4-7ish. Also, a common trend is Sunday evening mass, typically around 5 pm. You can search online and find local mass times.

Look - you obviously have some interest with Catholicism or you wouldn’t be up here. It isn’t about inconveniences or making sacrifices that should affect your decision. You have to look into your heart, and using the God-given intellect you have, determine if Catholicism is true. And if you believe it to be true, than any attempt not to practice it is only lying to yourself. You are no longer ignorant (in the sense of ‘not knowing’) at that point, but you then become a hypocrite (knowing and not believing).

If you go in thinking about how it will change your life, you’ve already missed the idea. You need to think about the universal truths the Church offers. If you determine this to be so, your next step should be thinking about how it will affect your soul after death, and how you now have the opportunity to be redeemed. Meditate on that and you’ll realize that going to Mass every week isn’t a hindrance - it helps redirect you so you can make it to Paradise.

 

[Barbkw]

The Mass isn’t about current tradition, repetition, or worship that personally suits you.

Mass is a communion event where people of one mind come together for a wedding feast.

Jesus gives Himself to us and we give our self to Jesus.

 

[StrawberryJam]

I am not a theist and I attend Mass. I have never been made to feel unwelcome at Mass.
You said you were brought up with media and athiest values.
I was raised by atheist parents that married after graduating college and remain married to each other. They bought a home, cars and raised two children that they love. Active in the community and in the schools we attended over the years. They have a healthy and active social life filled with friends and family. They are not living beyond their means, give to charity and donate blood. If they missed any values along the way, I sure haven’t noticed it.

 

[Juliebug108]

Funny, but the traditions of the Catholic Church are why I love learning about it…it’s beautiful that these traditions began about 2,000 years ago. Idk about you, but I think there’s something truly awesome about that. Lol and I’m a Lutheran haha. Ah well, consider it my appreciation for my denomination’s heritage I suppose.

Anywho, you will be welcomed into any Church! Maybe try taking baby steps?

Peace and blessings,
Julie

 

[Juliebug108]

I am not a theist and I attend Mass. I have never been made to feel unwelcome at Mass.
You said you were brought up with media and athiest values.
I was raised by atheist parents that married after graduating college and remain married to each other. They bought a home, cars and raised two children that they love. Active in the community and in the schools we attended over the years. They have a healthy and active social life filled with friends and family. They are not living beyond their means, give to charity and donate blood. If they missed any values along the way, I sure haven’t noticed it.

Your parents sound like nice people. Graduating from college, buying a home and cars, and having a social life don’t exactly have a lot to do with morality though. I can’t be sure by what this individual meant by “atheist values,” but I assume it means “secular” or “worldly.” If your parents missed the value of having a relationship with God, then I’d actually argue that they missed quite a lot. But that certainly is no judgement against their morality or value to society. Just a thought.

Peace and blessings,
Julie

 

[StrawberryJam]

Your parents sound like nice people. Graduating from college, buying a home and cars, and having a social life don’t exactly have a lot to do with morality though. I can’t be sure by what this individual meant by “atheist values,” but I assume it means “secular” or “worldly.” If your parents missed the value of having a relationship with God, then I’d actually argue that they missed quite a lot. But that certainly is no judgement against their morality or value to society. Just a thought.

Peace and blessings,
Julie

We can argue it in apologetics if you like.

But, I do not argue with you on two points you made. For the most part, I think most churches will welcome a visitor. And secondly, the traditions of the Church are compelling.

I would reccomend learning the basics of the Mass with someone here before going in order to feel more comfortable. I also reccomend sitting up closer so you can see and hear more. I know that is hard to do especially if you don’t want to draw attention to yourself. This is why I suggest you know what to expect first. There are some excellent videos Rolltide posted here once.

 

[Deconi]

I guess it’s because it’s still very alien to me. I don’t understand the traditionality of it, being brought up with so much media and atheist values, that it’s hard for me. I guess scared, because I lack the belief and values, to be welcome.

Matey, don’t sweat it! Think of it in simple terms…

It’s about some guy that people say LOVES you whether you’re good or bad, but you don’t know that much about him.

You wanna go see about him for yourself but not sure what to do? Find out when Mass is that you can get to.

Dress up clean to show respect as you would like someone visiting you to be tidy; not fancy and showy; just respectful.

Get to Mass just early enough to grab one of the back seats…although you can seat wherever you like (but you don’t know that)

When Mass starts, LISTEN, but do just like the others do, so you don’t feel ‘funny.’ The truth is, no one will be paying any attention to you and you can just sit through the ENTIRE thing without any worries or problems; (but you don’t now that either)

There’s a time when almost everyone go up to the front for ‘something’ (Communion) but you can just sit there and let them pass and they will return. Others won’t go up either so don’t fret.

When Mass ends, just walk out quietly and smile at anyone smiling at you or saying ‘Hi’

Catholics don’t even notice anyone when Mass is on or ended! That’s because they only go there for ‘That Guy’ you heard about too! Some don’t even notice their relatives are at the same Mass sometimes.

Some say they’re not social or friendly! Don’t be fooled! If you stop one and ask them a question, they won’t shut up!..and they follow you home! (I’m taking the mickey Matey!)

Matey, that’s all there is to the ‘appearance’ of attending Mass. Just go once or twice until you feel ‘comfortable’ enough to HEAR and reflect on what is really going on.

There’s no ‘special offers’ or ‘guaranteed money back’ deals. You can just ‘disappear’ as easy as you appeared there and never go back! There’s no ‘up to you’ if you want salvation either!..

You can just come and go as you please!

God Almighty is, well, God Almighty! He does what He does and you’ll do as you want. You’ll see the rest…when you rest to see.

God Bless, Matey.

 

[Rolltide]

Blood Angel,
I don’t usually make this offer because as a college professor, I have very limited free time, but if you have some sort of program that allows you to chat live online, like MSN or even a Facebook account, I would be willing to watch an online video of a typical Mass with you and explain the various parts and what’s going on (to the best of my ability, at least). Whenever you have a question, or I feel there’s something important to comment on, we can pause the video and I’ll elaborate. It would give you a much better idea of what’s going on before going to an actual Mass, so you might appreciate it more. Now, I’m in the US and you’re in England, so we’d have to find a time that would work that we’re both on AND that I’m not busy, but I could probably manage it. With all the pausing, it would probably take about 90 minutes I’d guess. You can PM me if you’re interested.

That said, it would also be perfectly fine for you to just “jump in” and attend a Mass. No one will say anything, and you can sit in the back. You don’t have to participate at all, although you can participate as much as you like short of going up and receiving Communion, which is reserved for Catholics only.

 

[CentralFLJames]

I watched some of the mass videos on Youtube, and although it seems a bit cultest you know. I take it, that I don’t have to talk to anybody if I were to go one sunday. I’ve never been in person, I think something is preventing me from doing so.
Another thing, I don’t think I can be Catholic, because I don’t wish to make a commitment to the church, I don’t believe in doing things repetitevely, and believe if I need to become closer to God, then I will go. But going every week, for the sake of it. I can’t picture myself doing it.
Plus I work all nights on a saturday every other week, I’d only wish to go on the sunday mornings I have free.

This is a modern age, I guess I havn’t got my head around the idea of worshipping yet.

I can understand how being all new to even the concept of worship that this all seems very strange to you. Here are a few thoughts that may help you ease into it.

First of all Catholicism is ancient by modern secular standards. We are 2,000 years old and have been celebrating the mass and worshiping God daily all around the globe in all this time. The Catholic Church is longer lived than most nations and peoples. So the customs and traditions go way back - some where formed from the Judaic practices. Catholicism is the fulfillment of Judaism even. So its roots are even more ancient and extend back to the beliefs held from the earliest recorded history of the planet. Once you get your head around that you will see that embracing a modern secular perspective is experientially inferior and completely unfit to even comprehend the experience of the mass in terms that are even approximate and relevant to the “stranger’s” range of life experiences. In the mass Catholics are entering into a supernatural experience (mystical) that reaches back in history to the early Christians (and all the early hopes and promises made to the Jews) while looking forward to the promises still pending fulfillment (the 2nd coming) as well as communing with God to give him authentic worship that pleases Him. There’s a LOT going on in the mass that is transparent to a visitor not steeped in our beliefs, traditions and faith. Thus some aspects may seem as simple and arbitrary ritual when in fact its highly integrative with thousands of years of prophecy, historical events, continuously handed down traditions and miraculous promises. We are “a people” that live among nations - a nation within nations - a family of God.

That bit of information may or may not “scare” you more since it is so alien to the secular that is your predominant life experience.

I might ask you to re-examine your personal “dogma” that is also probably transparent to you. You said: " I don’t believe in doing things repetitevely, and believe if I need to become closer to God, then I will go. . But going every week, for the sake of it. I can’t picture myself doing it.

Well, that held attitude is a repetitively held belief itself my friend that is a kind of religion - a secular religion that probably comes from a composite of chance encounters with others in your sphere of influence and social range. You do “go to church” with those you associate with - but its just a different ritual. Think about it…

I recommend you try to keep an open mind as you have done thus far in coming into these forums to dialog with us. I am certain that it will all start coming together as you continue to ask questions and gain some experiences. And of course the Holy Spirit of God is also at work here and will lead you to truth and comfort you in your search. We are all called by our nature to seek truth. You are on that path now. Hang in there and have faith that things will begin to “gel” in time.

Thanks for coming to CAF.

 

[ricmat]

I watched some of the mass videos on Youtube, and although it seems a bit cultest you know. I take it, that I don’t have to talk to anybody if I were to go one sunday. I’ve never been in person, I think something is preventing me from doing so.
Another thing, I don’t think I can be Catholic, because I don’t wish to make a commitment to the church, I don’t believe in doing things repetitevely, and believe if I need to become closer to God, then I will go. But going every week, for the sake of it. I can’t picture myself doing it.
Plus I work all nights on a saturday every other week, I’d only wish to go on the sunday mornings I have free.

This is a modern age, I guess I havn’t got my head around the idea of worshipping yet.

Try going to Mass on a weekday. There are fewer people, fewer distractions (crying babies, kids doing somersaults on the pews, etc.) You could just sit in the back, look, and listen. I attend Mass daily, and actually prefer it to Sunday Mass.

It would be a lot to absorb, but try to listen to all the words. The words said at Mass are words of love.

May God bless you on your journey.

ricmat

 

[CentralFLJames]

Another thing, I don’t think I can be Catholic, because I don’t wish to make a commitment to the church, I don’t believe in doing things repetitevely, and believe if I need to become closer to God, then I will go. But going every week, for the sake of it. I can’t picture myself doing it.

Something else I’d like to comment on about this part of what you said:

Hold open the possibility that you just may WANT to go worship AT LEAST every Sunday when you come to understand the depth of what is going on in the mass and are in a more personal and intimate relationship with God. What person goes into a marriage relationship and says “I can’t see myself telling my partner ‘I love them’ every day so I won’t bother getting into a relationship”? Love is addicting…

And finally I have to smile because the very word structure you use to express doubts is formed just like what we would call a creed of faith but in the negation sense:

“I don’t think… I don’t wish… I don’t believe…I can’t picture myself…”

Ask yourself where this personal anti-creed comes from and I think you will shrug your shoulders and might see that it lacks any sort of originating pedigree and can scarcely really account for “why” you have these negative beliefs. I give you credit for being honest though. You are signaling an attempt at an honest self-assessment. Authenticity is a necessary first step here…

For fun you might want to compare the structure of that with the following Catholic Creed of Faith that has been handed down to us from the beginnings of the early Church:

Apostle’s Creed

1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
2. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
   3.** He was conceived** by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
3. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
4. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.
5. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
6. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
   8.** I believe** in the Holy Spirit,
7. the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
8. the forgiveness of sins,
9. the resurrection of the body,
10. and life everlasting.

Peace!

 

[InternetWoman]

Going to Mass for me is about being in love with Jesus. If you are in love with someone you want to spend time with that person. The more you love them the more time you want to spend with them. If someone were to ask you why you “have to” spend so much time with the person you love you’d probably laugh at them. In the Mass Catholics have “communion” or “the Eucharist”. This is Jesus IN PERSON! Physical! Right there, in my hand!!!

Hello Jesus, I love you! Come into me, be with me!

It’s better than sex!