Should you need to attend a class before you can go to Mass?

[mgy100]

I absolutely agree.

It’s not clear to me why the priest doesn’t say more during the homily. One reason perhaps is that we have one (1) priest at our parish. But on any given weekend, we have some visiting priests (due to the number of Masses). The visiting priests are probably reluctant to say anything negative about the parish.

In terms of the parents - a lot of the parents are “check box” Catholics. Got the kids baptized - check. Kids got first communion - check. Confirmed - check. But absolutely nothing in between, not even weekly Mass.

One reason I suggested the “Mass class” is to wake up these folks! Not just tell them what to do and not to do, but also to get them excited about what is really happening!! They really don’t know. And IMHO without some requirement (i.e. class) forcing them to, they will NEVER find out.

They think they’ve got the boxes checked, and that’s all they’re concerned with.

I think what you have in mind as a “mass class” is essentially adult education classes. Those must and should be offered and well attended in every parish, Catholic or Orthodox.

 

[guanophore]

Blyss,

Thanks for the kind reply. I realise there could be plenty of reasons why a person wouldn’t receive the Eucharist. I would never expect someone to ask me that. But I can’t think of one reason why someone couldn’t say “Hi - how are you doing? Do you have any questions?” A rack of pamphlets - goodness, especially ones with a fee, and yes, we do have those at our church - is not a replacement for a kind word.

I guess my only point is - if you seriously started restricting attendance - which I’m sure the OP had no intention of doing - you would be missing out on evangelization - and then I realized that doesn’t happen at my local mass, anyway.

With regards to genuflecting, I tried to copy once and it seemed nothing like what the others were doing. It seemed like I was doing it wrong, and that felt disrespectful so I stopped. I will try to look it up on-line, though, so I can be more respectful.

The priests seem so busy after mass - I hate the idea of bothering them.

I did email one, once though

Thanks for answering me.

You poor dear! I know exactly how you feel, I visited a Greek Orthodox Church adn felt the same way. They came right up to me though, after. Doesn’t your parish have an RCIA? That is a good place to ask those kinds of questions without bothering the priest.

 

[guanophore]

Rick;

I have written a “Is This Your First Time at Mass?” pamphlet that covers all these issues. So far, I have not worked up the courage to publish and distribute it, though, because every time these issues come up (no gum-chewing at Mass, no wandering around during Mass, etc.) one is always descended upon by locust-like hordes of the outraged who all have some absolutely compelling reason why they absolutely must make their St. Joseph Novena prayers in the middle of the Consecration, or why they absolutely can’t survive without a big wad of gum in their mouths at all times, etc.

Of course, the people I really want to give my pamphlet to are people who’ve been coming for years, but somehow nobody has ever explained things to them in a clear and understandable way.

Absolutely, give it out. Ask them to give you some feedback on whether they think it would be good for new people, or if there is anything they think you should add.

 

[ricmat]

I think what you have in mind as a “mass class” is essentially adult education classes. Those must and should be offered and well attended in every parish, Catholic or Orthodox.

I agree with what you say in principle. But in our parish, adult education is a whole nother story.

We have 1400 kids in our CCD program and ALL the classrooms at the catholic school for our parish are used every week day from 4PM to 8 or 9 PM (and most of Sundays). And we have a few hundred kids on the waiting list. No more space.

I’d love to have adult education at our parish, in fact I’ve volunteered to teach that in addition to the 3 CCD & RCIA classes I’m already teaching. But we got no space!

If we do anything with adults, it needs to be quick and to the point, and not take much time. Say you’ve only got an hour to tell mostly uncatechized adult Catholics what is most important to them and their families. My vote is to teach them about the Mass - since that’s someting they should be involved with every week, and central to the faith.

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

Blyss,

Thanks for the kind reply. I realise there could be plenty of reasons why a person wouldn’t receive the Eucharist. I would never expect someone to ask me that. But I can’t think of one reason why someone couldn’t say “Hi - how are you doing? Do you have any questions?” A rack of pamphlets - goodness, especially ones with a fee, and yes, we do have those at our church - is not a replacement for a kind word.

I guess my only point is - if you seriously started restricting attendance - which I’m sure the OP had no intention of doing - you would be missing out on evangelization - and then I realized that doesn’t happen at my local mass, anyway.

With regards to genuflecting, I tried to copy once and it seemed nothing like what the others were doing. It seemed like I was doing it wrong, and that felt disrespectful so I stopped. I will try to look it up on-line, though, so I can be more respectful.

The priests seem so busy after mass - I hate the idea of bothering them.

.

Rachel…you ought to see me genuflect…LOL…it is quite a sight. I think someone mentioned just touch your right knee to the floor and then stand up. I have a bad back, so I actually bow proundly now. Just the thought of you trying to do it is respectful and the Lord recognizes our shortcomings.

I am sorry that I don’t have an answer as to why someone might not come up to you and introduce themselves and ask if you might need assistance. Honestly, I can’t imagine anyone being rude and turning you away if you went up to them and asked them for assistance. Maybe an older person might be the person to ask or introduce yourself to. Just say hi and tell them your name and ask them for help. I know I would not think twice about giving any assistance I could to someone, in fact, I would be honored.

As for the panphlets…yes, that is no substitute for a kind word, but I thought it might answer a few of your questions.

As for the priest after Mass…that is what they are there for and I can’t imagine them turning you away. God Bless…

:heart:Blyss

 

[RachelB]

If there actually HAD been a Mass class - then you could have actually gone to it, right? Then your questions about genuflecting etc. would have been answered

Great point and thanks for the kind words

I do know where the tabernacle is, and I will make sure to try and genuflect next time I go to Mass (yes the instructions actually helped) - and just to let you guys know, I am already training my four year old to be quiet and respectful all the way through. My two year old doesn’t go with yet, because she is not able to be quiet - when she’s old enough, she’ll learn, too. So have hope for the coming generations

Thanks again to each person kind enough to write back to me and sorry if I kinda hijacked your thread here!

 

[maryj]

I hear what you’re saying, but it makes me kinda sad.

Having a hypothetical test - any kind of restriction - would have closed the door on the young protestant lady cradling her 3-year old son, sneaking into the back row of mass - not genuflecting because she didn’t know the proper way - kinda kneeling and following along with the prayers by watching everybody else. Then maybe she would have never found this True Church at all. Instead, too shy to call a priest, and given that she didn’t know any Catholics at all, and certainly no Catholic had every tried to evangelize her, so she would have just passed by the pretty, big church with a wistful sigh.

It’s me, by the way. Obviously.

Oh, yeah, and I’ve been attending Mass for seven months, and not once has one person asked me afterwards if I had any questions, or even tried to talk to me at all. You’d think someone not genuflecting or receiving communion at the same mass every weekend for seven months would invite some sort of polite inquiry, from the priest at least. But, hey, I wouldn’t pass the test anyway.

Hi, (shake hands here) I’m Mary, you must be new here at our parish(catholic answers). Is there anything I could help you with, any questions I could answer for you. (sorry I would never, ever ask you why you were not receiving Holy Communion) but if there’s anything we can do for you please don’t hesitate to ask. Sorry for the Hijack…Hope to see you again.