Shorts at Mass??

[Padraig1972]

I do, why is it so hard for people to dress in a orderly manner when entering the House of God?

 

[Padraig1972]

Aaaand we’re back to “if you don’t dress with my definition of ‘well’ you’re a bad Catholic”.

It has nothing to do with that all, but with the fact of showing God respect and being decent in his presence.

You can’t mean bare arms as in a t-shirt, can you? That’s like everyone who goes to Mass here.

I do. Why does this seems so hard to people?

 

[severus68]

That’s not impression I attempted to portray. I’ve never considered myself to look very good. I have that average guy look. Nothing special. One of the guys in these photos is me.

That dog is so adorable. If you like dogs, you can’t be so bad but I must still respond to some of the things you have said.

 

[severus68]

If I was a pastor of a parish I would find a supplier for cheap, utilitarian grey albs. Readers, EMsHC, cantors, and choir members would wear them with ZERO adornment and proper shoes else they would no longer be readers, EMsHC, cantors, and choir members. Servers would wear white albs ofr the cassock/surplice combo.

I wonder how many would drop out of ministry just because of this requirement? /QUOTE

They can be made of sackcloth or burlap and all the congregation should be required to wear them before entering the church.

 

[odile53]

I like the idea of inexpensive choir robes or whatever have you for servers or extraordinary ministers. It would solve the problem of “what to wear” or “what not to wear,” look uniform, and aesthetically pleasing. The lay servers and others with an active part in the Mass at my parish dress modestly, but most of them have no clue as to how to dress suitably. For example, an extremely large woman lector who wears dresses that look like muumuus, a man who wears what we used to call flood pants (in a large wild looking plaid,) with a striped tie, no less. Just plain ugly clothing. For all I know, that might be the nicest things they own, so maybe a choir robe or alb or whatever you call it would look one heck of a lot nicer. I’m sure God isn’t bothered by their frumpy clothes, but from a fashion sense, they look jarring.

 

[pnewton]

I think the OP poses two questions at once in his poll, and I have polar answers (bad pun) to both. The first is personal. I did not answer the poll that way, but I wear slacks, dress shirt and tie 99% of the time, short sleeve in the summer, and jacket or suit in the winter. My son is now six and does the same, but is about 50/50 on the tie. He wore shorts when he was younger. My wife wears dress, skirts or dress pants, always looking her best. I have worn shorts twice to Mass. Both times I was traveling and had the option of short or no Mass at all. I felt uncomfortable, but I recognize that it was my problem, not God’s. It was the right decision.

The second question is how we feel about shorts being worn to Mass. I agree with the bishop that responded as if it were no problem. It simply is not for me. I do not go to Mass for either a fashion show, or to judge others by their ourward appearance. To me, that is the height of phariseeism.

Now immodesty is a different issue. Both dresses and shorts can be immodest.

 

[Bluegoat]

No, that’s not the case. It’s a viewpoint I hold that I hope to lose. Coming from my background, women would never do such things. My family is very conservative. It’s just the select ones that seem to want attention.

Here’s a photo of just one example of some women attending mass.

Though they are cute, they are not appropriate for mass. I threw all of my wife’s short skirts away because I was embarrassed to attend church with her. I replaced them with skirts that went down to her ankles. But it was the style of the time. They were Ralph Lauren and very classy.

I believe that some of the women that went to the podium to read were ignorant of how they looked. But I noticed that after father’s reaction they stopped. There is a woman, beautiful, that dresses cute, but also inappropriate for distributing communion. I noticed her cleaning up her act as well. Our bishop is tightening down and father has always done his best to keep it G rated.

I’m serious, when some of those women bent over you could see right through their legs. Some of the dresses are not opaque enough. I witness one woman do the hoochy coo with our associate pastor once. I nearly croaked. It was way over the top and animated with her arms above her head as she swung her hips back and forth like a go-go dancer. My wife was also offended by it.

I just don’t appreciate narcissistic women that try to draw attention with their bodies. Such women are the types I teach my son’s to avoid.

You threw your wives clothes away and replaced them with your own choice!

Ever consider that you have baggage from your last church that you need to let go of?

 

[Bluegoat]

I like the idea of inexpensive choir robes or whatever have you for servers or extraordinary ministers. It would solve the problem of “what to wear” or “what not to wear,” look uniform, and aesthetically pleasing. The lay servers and others with an active part in the Mass at my parish dress modestly, but most of them have no clue as to how to dress suitably. For example, an extremely large woman lector who wears dresses that look like muumuus, a man who wears what we used to call flood pants (in a large wild looking plaid,) with a striped tie, no less. Just plain ugly clothing. For all I know, that might be the nicest things they own, so maybe a choir robe or alb or whatever you call it would look one heck of a lot nicer. I’m sure God isn’t bothered by their frumpy clothes, but from a fashion sense, they look jarring.

This is IMO a good idea. But I think it would tend to give the impression that people were all “servers” and not “laity participating in the service” which seems to be what people want.

Now, in my parish that is what we do. The servers, sub-deacon, and lay readers are all in appropriate cassocks, surplices, and vestments. That is the lay participation, other than they people who bring up the collection.

But I’m not Catholic, so I guess there are different expectations.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

If I was a pastor of a parish I would find a supplier for cheap, utilitarian grey albs. Readers, EMsHC, cantors, and choir members would wear them with ZERO adornment and proper shoes else they would no longer be readers, EMsHC, cantors, and choir members. Servers would wear white albs ofr the cassock/surplice combo.

I wonder how many would drop out of ministry just because of this requirement?

If holding hands or using the orans position during the Our Father is “blurring the lines” between the ordained and the laity, wouldn’t this do the same?

 

[Gift_from_God]

When people dress casually for mass, I think it may indicate their lack of understanding and belief in the True Presence. Lately I have found myself looking at people at mass who are dressed very casually and questioning their faith in Jesus in the Eucharist. I know it is a sin on my part to “look down” on them or judge them in any way for that. I need to assume that their heart is in the right place and do my best to make sure mine is too.

You cannot be making such judgements and assumptions like that. Their attire does not say anything about their faith in any way.

 

[johnridgway]

.** I threw all of my wife’s short skirts away because I was embarrassed to attend church with her**. I replaced them with skirts that went down to her ankles. But it was the style of the time. They were Ralph Lauren and very classy.

.

Isn’t that control-ism and sexism???

 

[Jack_Bauer]

That dog is so adorable. If you like dogs, you can’t be so bad but I must still respond to some of the things you have said.

Let’s just clear the air. First, that dog is my brother, long gone. His ashes are buried with my stepfather. My older brother’s ashes are buried with my mom - just a side note that grosses me out.

Unless you wear short skirts to mass and bow for all the world to see your panties or high inner thighs, there really isn’t anything to discuss. My wife is the one that notices this and draws my attention to it. When noticing it it strikes me as imprudent. My wife believes that some of those women do it on purpose to get attention, which after years of dealing with some of those women I’ve come to agree - if I know what’s good for me.

My assessment of “Catholics” is largely the cultural Catholic, not the faithful Catholic. Many cultural Catholics attend mass. Those types of people were driven off by our former faith leaders. Either conform or you’re asked to leave - not that I agree with that lack of charity. It should be noted that that lack of charity is one of the things that kept my wife and me seeking truth. Imagine for a moment that we’re talking about a difference race or country. You suddenly by choice no longer in a group of your own culture (religion, race, culinary, etc.) but one that seems very foreign to what you’re accustomed to living. It takes time to adjust. While stationed in Germany for 2 years, the initial excitement of being in Europe wore off towards the end. The guys used to say “back in the world”. It’s significatn.

 

[Gift_from_God]

I often ask myself… “If these same folks who wear shorts to mass were invited to the White House for dinner, would they wear shorts?”

That’s just human etiquette. God’s not like public officials. He probably does’t care if I wear suit or not

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

No, that’s not the case. It’s a viewpoint I hold that I hope to lose. Coming from my background, women would never do such things. My family is very conservative. It’s just the select ones that seem to want attention.

Here’s a photo of just one example of some women attending mass.

Though they are cute, they are not appropriate for mass. I threw all of my wife’s short skirts away because I was embarrassed to attend church with her. I replaced them with skirts that went down to her ankles. But it was the style of the time. They were Ralph Lauren and very classy.

I believe that some of the women that went to the podium to read were ignorant of how they looked. But I noticed that after father’s reaction they stopped. There is a woman, beautiful, that dresses cute, but also inappropriate for distributing communion. I noticed her cleaning up her act as well. Our bishop is tightening down and father has always done his best to keep it G rated.

I’m serious, when some of those women bent over you could see right through their legs. Some of the dresses are not opaque enough. I witness one woman do the hoochy coo with our associate pastor once. I nearly croaked. It was way over the top and animated with her arms above her head as she swung her hips back and forth like a go-go dancer. My wife was also offended by it.

I just don’t appreciate narcissistic women that try to draw attention with their bodies. Such women are the types I teach my son’s to avoid.

Is it just me…but these are not only not appropriate for Mass…but really what are they appropriate for?..besides walking a street corner! Just saying…

 

[Gift_from_God]

Of course you can wear shorts. Your leg being exposed is not disrespectful

 

[johnridgway]

That’s just human etiquette. God’s not like public officials. He probably does’t care if I wear suit or not
Originally Posted by Will B forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_khaki/viewpost.gif
*I often ask myself… “If these same folks who wear shorts to mass were invited to the White House for dinner, would they wear shorts?” *

No I would not dress up, as i would not go…

 

[Jack_Bauer]

You threw your wives clothes away and replaced them with your own choice!

Ever consider that you have baggage from your last church that you need to let go of?

I think that’s the point of me posting. Of course I have baggage from my last church. It takes time. I’ve found Catholics to hold similar views though. The difference is whether one acts upon them. I don’t act upon them. But I do notice the issue. We’re talking about short skirts.

Those skirts were eyars old before I “migrated them out” slowly. They were not indecent, but they were out of style and I knew it was a problem among our “clergy” or rather church leaders. I replaced a cheep $2 skirt with a $100 skirt to take the sting out of my action. Time for another picture.

Before and after.

An example of shorts. She’s holding our first baby.

 

[Bearontherun]

You cannot be making such judgements and assumptions like that. Their attire does not say anything about their faith in any way.

Did you read my whole whole post on the matter? I was admitting guilt and admonishing mysel for making such judgements of people.

Bearontherun

 

[MtnDwellar]

Let’s just clear the air. First, that dog is my brother, long gone. His ashes are buried with my stepfather. My older brother’s ashes are buried with my mom - just a side note that grosses me out.

Sorry, but are we looking at the correct picture? There is a man and a dog. The dog appears to be a cocker spaniel.

 

[Bluegoat]

In the end I think in most places there is so much variation of circumstance that we really can’t comment on how formally people dress for church. There are generational, regional. and class differences in how people dress, and these don’t represent some kind of objective “better or worse” scenario. There are differences in resources. There are differences in circumstance. (This winter, I was really limited in more dressy outfits because I lacked a pair of shoes, and couldn’t get new ones for a while. A fellow I know at our parish dresses oddly as a result of mental illness.) There are even differences in individual spiritual path. While one person might do well to be more conscious in his efforts to wear nice clothing, another person might be fighting a temptation towards pride with regard to clothing and so choose to dress more simply. Some people are simply clueless about clothes or unaware of appearances.

Unless we actually know all the circumstances with relation to an individual, we really shouldn’t comment. We don’t know enough to judge. Learning to see Christ shining out of all people, so we can’t even see where they fall short, is our responsibility as Christians, and worrying about how others dress is detrimental to that effort.

And learning to put on the mind of Christ - including what we wear, takes time. If we haven’t yet learned not to notice what others wear, can we really criticize them for clothing mistakes? (Especially if they have already learned to accept people as they are.)

There are only a few people we need to worry about teaching or advising; our children, god-children, and maybe others we are close to. Those we have an authority and teaching role over. Otherwise we should refrain.