Should Catholic Churches Have Cell-Phone Blocking Devices to Block Signals???

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I just though of another solution for those who need to be on-call. They make batteries that buzz when the phone rings. That way people can have thier phone on silent during Mass and still know when they are getting phone calls.

Of course, there will be always one person who would be nodding off when the phone goes off and react like they were zapped by a cattleprod :bigyikes:

PF
 
Mine has a very subdued tone that just does a subtle build up, with first just one tone,then two, then three, depending on if you answer it. But, it’s never an issue, I think I’ve only been on call once for Mass. Plus, I never hear cellpnones at Mass. Everyone knows I’m a nurse, I’m sure they would understand. I think I sat near the back the one time I did attend while on call.

But, apparently some parishes have a lot of inconsiderate people who leave their cell phones on. I’ve never been to one though. I’ve never heard a cell phone anywhere at Mass.
 
Well, in case of emergency, a cell may need to be turned on vibrate, but there is no reason to call anybody or receive social calls during the Mass. That is just unacceptable.

God Bless–JMJ
Laura:)
 
I’ve heard that there are some churches and cathedrals that use cell phone blockers. I can’t remember the event but I remember hearing about one at which quite a few media persons were in attendance and they were quite surprised to find they couldn’t contact their offices.

In general, I think cell phone blockers should only be used as a last resort, if announcements before Mass and messages in the bulletin are unsuccessful. And it would only be fair to tell those in attendance if such a device were being used so that they have the option of not attending this particular Mass. While it may be true that people attended Mass for years without cell phones, such phones have also made it possible for people to attend a special Mass when they otherwise would have had to miss it.

In general, I think it should be up to the individual to insure the silence of his or her own cell phone during Mass. Most people understand that they should turn off their phone, leave it in the car, or put it on vibrate for Mass. I’d like to think that most people have simply forgotten that the phone is in their pocket or purse and are quite embarassed if the phone goes off during Mass.
 
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fix:
Cell phones are not nearly as bad as all the hand holding, non ordained homilists, holding one arm up by everyone to bless one person, “litugical” dancing, rainbow sashers, superficial homilies, etc. After all these things are corrected I will start to worry about cell phones.
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AMEN to that!

This is all ado about nothing, lets fix the Mass before we start quibbling over someone’s stupid ringtone going off. A sign at the front of the church asking people to put their phones on vibrate would certainly elliminate all the problems associated with them.
 
The last time we visited the Cathedral, before Mass the gentleman who was the reader that day stood up front, welcomed everyone to the service and said “before mass begins, we ask everyone to raise your right hand” - everyone did - he then said “now lower that hand to your cell phone or beeper and set them to silent mode”. He then announced that “today’s mass will be celebrated by Fr…etc”.

Worked! Back in the old days when I was on call for my company, my boss knew that I would be unavailable for one hour on Sunday - he was fine with that. When you think about it, unless you live next door to your place of work - you are not at the office 5 minutes after being paged/called anyway!
 
Since I live in a rural area where emergency responders are all volunteers, I would gladly put up with the occasional ring rather than take the chance that a responder may not get his call. I do have to say that I have yet to hear a phone ring at the Mass I attend though.
 
I really prefer a three pound hammer. I find that one light tap usually does the job.
 
*pro-life_teen*:
aren’t these illegal in the US?
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Yes. They are illegal in the US. Too many people would use them everywhere they go: the beach, the park, the mall, etc. They are illegal, and should remain that way.

Our former pastor would announce at the beginning of every Mass that everyone needs to check their phones and pagers right now and make sure they are on silent, or off. It one went off during Mass, he would stop the Mass, wait for the distraction to stop, comment about how distracting it is, and then continue. Believe me, it didn’t happen twice! :rotfl:
 
Why is eveyone so concerned about cellphones? How about blocking the secular conversations that go on in most Catholic Churches before, during and in the pews immediately after the last song is sung? I travel in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas and I can tell you that there is so much talking in most Churches that it would be difficult to hear a cell phone beep.
 
WhiteDove said:
SilencePlease.com

Just came across an ad for a Cellphone blocking device.
Should our Churches install these? Check out link above. It looks as if an idividual can carry it on their person and block cell phones whereever they go.

http://www.silenceplease.com/images/silencehead.jpg
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Sure… lets also have payroll deduction and automatic draft for our tithe and how about having a priest present at all births for an immediate baptism or why not I.D. cards that state our faith so McDonalds won’t serve us during lent. At some point in time we need to start accepting personal responsibility and make the choices we know are right
 
I inquired about installing it for CCD and was told it is illegal, too bad, but even without instant messaging, after we spend an annoying 20 minutes confiscating cell phones, they still find plenty of old fashioned ways to disrupt the class and prove their rudeness and poor upbringing by insulting the presenter. I told them last night after Ash Wednesday services that part of preparation for Confirmation is demonstration of maturity and responsibility, including the essesntials of civil speech and behavior. If there is a repeat of last night next week during the Confirmation session with a guest priest as presenter, the violators will be out of the Confirmation class, having proved they are not ready.
 
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turboEDvo:
This is for weekday masses when my parents aren’t home to watch my sister. Yes, she does need to be able to get ahold of me if she needs to. I’m not saying I need to be available 24/7, regardless of where I am. You talked about my priorities: family is a priority. If I have no reason to keep my phone on at mass, then I don’t. During Sunday masses, or when someone is watching her, I turn it off. I do hope I haven’t offended you by looking out for my family.

Eamon
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You are much more patient and nice than I am. Way to take two accusatory comments and respond to them with with charity. I don’t know if I would have been able to do so.
 
  • JMJ +
We normally attend a Byzantine Rite Mass on Sunday. But on the times we attended a Ltin Rite, the choir leader announces before the procession to please turn off cell phones or put them on vibrate if they are on call. Then he moves on with the name of the celebrant and the opening hymn.
 
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turboEDvo:
This is for weekday masses when my parents aren’t home to watch my sister. Yes, she does need to be able to get ahold of me if she needs to. I’m not saying I need to be available 24/7, regardless of where I am. You talked about my priorities: family is a priority. If I have no reason to keep my phone on at mass, then I don’t. During Sunday masses, or when someone is watching her, I turn it off. I do hope I haven’t offended you by looking out for my family.

Eamon
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Why don’t you just put it on vibrate?
 
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Fashina86:
Well, in case of emergency, a cell may need to be turned on vibrate, but there is no reason to call anybody or receive social calls during the Mass. That is just unacceptable.

God Bless–JMJ
Laura:)
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AMEN!
 
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Exalt:
You are much more patient and nice than I am. Way to take two accusatory comments and respond to them with with charity. I don’t know if I would have been able to do so.
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That’s what a good Christian does.
 
There was a time when we all survived without cell phones.

I leave mine in the car or turn it off.

-Ted
 
Defensor Fidei:
There was a time when we all survived without cell phones.

I leave mine in the car or turn it off.

-Ted
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Ted,
Great for you. I also do this most the time, but when I am on-call for work I can not do so as I have a 15 response time to any page when I am on-call.

Anyways, we have the answer to this question regardless of what the poll numbers are for Catholic Churches in America, the answer is no as it is illegal to jam signals.
 
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