Thought I'd Seen Everything at Mass...

[phil8888]

Thanks, the person who posted the comment about the OF seemed a little angry…

 

[Condottiero]

Some people have bad experiences with it and/or prefer The Latin Mass. It’s the only thing I’ve ever known, but even I get worried when I got to a different parish and have to wonder if I accidently walked into a non-Catholic church.

I remember those same Masses in the 80s where I acted like a spastic lemur, even though they were OF, always filled me with awe, et. al. Not like the Mass now with the piano and folksong-ish Responsorials. Honestly, one more ‘Ale-ale-ale, luu-uuuu-ia’ and I might flip. ;^P

 

[ericka1701]

Honestly, one more ‘Ale-ale-ale, luu-uuuu-ia’ and I might flip. ;^P

I just laughed my bottom off! I completely agree. Also, someone said that this behavior is a symptom of society as a whole, and I cannot tell you exactly how much I agree with that. Everything now-a-days is instant gratification. Instant message instead of letters, Digital photos you print yourself instead of 24 hour photos, drive-thrus instead of actually cooking for yourself, etc… It seems to me that most of the people I know, their theme song is “I Want it Now” from Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. And with phones ringing, people have to be connected to each other at all times, and will freak out if they are completly cut off. I can’t imagine having a phone turned on in church. As soon as I get there, I will turn in off in the car.

A little side story, but my mom went to mass with me last Friday, and she got out of the car and locked it up with her bluetooth headset still on her ear. I asked her if she were going to wear it in mass, and she said YES!! I asked her to take it off, and when she started to aruge, I asked her if she wore it to her church. She quickly took it off and apologized.

God Bless!
Ericka

 

[Phemie]

People can do anything and nothing surprises me anymore either. Just common courtesy not to mention an understanding of what the Mass is. It is sad…teachccd

I’m never surprised because it’s an extension of the ‘coffee syndrome’. Nowadays people feel free to bring a coffee with them no matter where they are going. It’s a small step from the coffee to the full breakfast (whatever form that breakfast might take).

This past summer after a wedding I found the wastebasket by the door overflowing with empty coffee cups, Burger King wrappers, etc. Empty water bottles and pop cans littered the floor.

It was interesting to have the episcopal vicar drop in for a visit recently and see the steam coming out of his ears when he returned to my office after witnessing a wedding rehearsal. He couldn’t believe his eyes when everyone came in with food and drink and I heard him tell the priest how he would have dealt with the people. Priest just pretended their behaviour wasn’t happening. The behaviour won’t change because no one is willing to teach them what is proper.

 

[Phemie]

I agree, but with reservation. I was badly parented myself and I didn’t know how to act because I was never taught. These teenagers are acting in ignorance and if they are approached, it would need to be with great care and compassion.

I personally wouldn’t approach them at all. I would just sit away from them.

Jesus threw tables, yes, but he directed his anger at adults (for that time), not youths. These teenagers with Gameboys are kids. They do not have the ability to understand fully yet.

Oh, for Pete’s sake, not another ‘poor babies don’t understand’. They’ll never understand if they are not taught and it doesn’t sound as though the parents are teaching so someone has to. How is it that we knew when we were 8 but they’re too young to understand when they’re teenagers?

 

[FickleFreckled]

There seems to be some concern that somebody’s going to react in anger or unkindly toward a misbehaving kid. Nobody here is suggesting that.

I agree compassion and understanding play a vital role with kids, especially troubled ones. That doesn’t mean you let certain things go by. Being firm doesn’t mean you’re attacking the kid; neither does pointing out that there’s the expectation of different behavior and explaining why. Silence, however, simply reinforces that what they’re doing is ok. If the parents aren’t teaching what they need to know, and the kids aren’t religious ed types, it’s pretty much up to the adults of the congregation to teach them, isn’t it? Isn’t that what the Body of Christ does for each other? They might smirk or they might apologize, but they’ll get it.

 

[ericka1701]

I am reminded of a quote. “God loves you just the way you are, but God loves you too much to let you stay the way you are!” I was told this when I was a small child, and it has reminded me I need to do better for the most of my life.

God Bless!
Ericka

 

[LeroyCRHP]

Everyone is at a different point in their spiritual journey. I’m sure I’ve been that person with a crackly bag 18 years ago and was so proud when our 20 year old son asked when we were going to church because he wanted to go with us. I would never take food in now.

As Minister of Welcome for 12:30 mass I get to pick up small number of water bottles, food and food wrappers. It is a small price to pay and I’m sure sooner or later most people get it.

 

[Fludgecow101]

He chased out the animals and overturned the tables of the money changers.
Lux

true, i don’t think he was thankful for all those merchants and such for being there. i think you should be thankful for people being there if they’re there for the right reasons or is at least going to respect everyone else and Jesus who is present.

 

[anon77300002]

Serap,
What do I think Jesus would do? I think He’d say "If you invite your friends for a beautiful dinner it took you all day to prepare, and they fill up on their own food right in front of you so they can’t enjoy the dinner, would you be respected or disrespected? Do you understand what Communion is? It’s Me. I want you to respect My house and the Gift I’m giving you of My Body and Blood."

Exactly!

 

[ericka1701]

true, i don’t think he was thankful for all those merchants and such for being there. i think you should be thankful for people being there if they’re there for the right reasons or is at least going to respect everyone else and Jesus who is present.

I do have to disagree about the respect. I don’t see it as respectful to God and Jesus, and fellow man when someone is eating in Mass and crinkling their bag. It is most certaintly not respectful to God and Jesus when someone is paying more attention to their iPod than they are to church. In fact, that breaks the first and third comandments, because if eating and listening to iPods are more important than mass, then God is made less important. Also, how is that keeping the Saboth holy, when someone can’t take a break from technology long enough to pay respect and reverence to God? There are extremely rare cases that I take my phone inside a church (usually when a family member is in the hospital), and I make sure that it is at least on vibrate. It is not too much for God to ask for an hour a week to set aside to focus on him and praise him above all else.

God Bless,
Ericka

 

[Fludgecow101]

I do have to disagree about the respect. I don’t see it as respectful to God and Jesus, and fellow man when someone is eating in Mass and crinkling their bag. It is most certaintly not respectful to God and Jesus when someone is paying more attention to their iPod than they are to church. In fact, that breaks the first and third comandments, because if eating and listening to iPods are more important than mass, then God is made less important. Also, how is that keeping the Saboth holy, when someone can’t take a break from technology long enough to pay respect and reverence to God? There are extremely rare cases that I take my phone inside a church (usually when a family member is in the hospital), and I make sure that it is at least on vibrate. It is not too much for God to ask for an hour a week to set aside to focus on him and praise him above all else.

God Bless,
Ericka

i think i wrote my post very confusingly or you meant agree, not disagree lol. cuz i agree with what you just said

 

[Serap]

Everyone is at a different point in their spiritual journey. I’m sure I’ve been that person with a crackly bag 18 years ago and was so proud when our 20 year old son asked when we were going to church because he wanted to go with us. I would never take food in now.

As Minister of Welcome for 12:30 mass I get to pick up small number of water bottles, food and food wrappers. It is a small price to pay and I’m sure sooner or later most people get it.

Exactly!

I am being misunderstood in this thread. I’m not saying not to correct their behaviour. I’m saying to be kind to them and send the same message without chasing them out of the church. You can have a chat with them…relate to their level and let them know nicely.

I personally would just let it go if it were me, but that’s me. I figure they’ll come around on their own time. The example of making out in the back of the church…I have never seen anything like that! That’s a stretch!

SHEESH!!! You guys are misunderstanding my message!

 

[ericka1701]

i think i wrote my post very confusingly or you meant agree, not disagree lol. cuz i agree with what you just said

Mea culpa, Fludgecow101… I didn’t read your previous post carefully enough. 2330 (11:30pm) is really late for me, and my eyes (and mind, most likely) don’t work the greatest at night.

As far as people not understanding, my parents did a good job in raising me to respect church. Yes, when I was younger, I was given a coloring book during church to keep me quiet, but when I turned 6, I wasn’t allowed to take anything in church. I think I like the most about the way Presbyterians baptize is the emphasis is made on the person being baptized becoming a part of the family of God, and the congregation (as well as the parents) agree to help raise the child in the faith. This meant that as I was going up that people other than my parents and older siblings were always “getting onto me” for acting out. I eventually got the message, and now I have a greater respect and reverence towards all denominations, and in all denominations’ worship services, not just the RCC.

God Bless!
Ericka

 

[barb_finnegan]

I remember at a Mass, oh its been ten years ago or so. Seeing a homeless man sitting in the front pew. Well when the Priest started communion the old fellow walked up took the cup and in one gulp drank it all, he then walked out of Church as if nothing had happened.

Peace

DocSoos-I have something similiar that happened at a Saturday noontime Mass in the parish I was baptized in. The priests at that time allowed the congregation to come up during Communion to go up to the altar and drink out of the chalice. I didn’t see it, but there was a guy who went up, drank the whole contents, smacked his lips, grinned, nodded, and gave a .

 

[barb_finnegan]

hey i was one of them boys yes i know where you going with this thought,i remember back in the bad old days after the Easter vigil (i think) long time ago right after Mass i went out to a party where i met some one form our parish(who also was at Mass) made the comment about long Mass “i thought we would never get out of there to go partying.” partying was what we used to live for.for myself i have a new master one who is kind and merciful full of love for me and i know He even loved me when partying was my master.

I’m glad you found a ‘new Master’.

 

[Condottiero]

Oh, here’s another one.

So here in the Diocese of Buffalo we have a monthly newspaper-type thing called the Western New York Catholic. Copies are usually located in the same area as bullitens.

Yesterday I saw an older couple (around 60 maybe?) Reading the whole thing during Mass. Not just glancing at it, mind you, like some folks do the bullitens during the homily or something (which is still not cool. :^P), but actually /reading/ it. During the Readings, during the Homily, during any time when active participation wasn’t happening (ie the Our Father and Sign of Peace).

:^P

 

[Apryl]

I recently had the shock of a lifetime.

Friday night, we were doing a Family Hour for a fallen member of our parish. The family asked for the Rosary.

I was at the ambo, leading the Rosary, when I saw the legs of a child go up in the air. The woman in the FIRST row changed her babies diaper.

In the church.

Just INCHES from the deceased.

I just don’t unnerstand!

 

[Condottiero]

How do you handle something like that? I mean, I don’t want to compound it during Mass my reaching across two rows of pews, tapping them on the shoulder and either giving them a stern look or saying, ‘Yeah, we don’t do that here,’ but by the end of Mass most people have made their mad dash for the door. :^P

 

[Apryl]

How do you handle something like that? I mean, I don’t want to compound it during Mass my reaching across two rows of pews, tapping them on the shoulder and either giving them a stern look or saying, ‘Yeah, we don’t do that here,’ but by the end of Mass most people have made their mad dash for the door.

My question as well.

Let’s not forget: I was there! I did NOTHING… Not that I wasn’t willing… but I was leading the Rosary for the family… and no one from the church was towards the front (this wasn’t mass… is was the Family Hour, the night before the funeral)

But even if I was sitting next to her… what can you say? How do you say it? There is the whole, want-to-do-right thing, then you also have to consider ‘feelings’

I see these as ‘Cave People’… and their reactions can’t be predicted!