Using Catholic iPhone Apps in Mass/Adoration?

[LilyM]

Are you comparing handstands to reading scripture? I guess I don’t see the connection.
.

Well, people won’t SEE you reading scripture. They WILL see you using a mobile phone - it’s far more obvious than you think. Texting, playing games and the like are far more common uses of a mobile phone than reading an iphone scripture or prayer app. In fact 99.9% of people aren’t even aware that any such apps exist, so how can they possibly know that that’s what you’re doing?

The conclusion 99.9% of people who see you using your phone in church are going to reach, therefore, is that you are texting or playing a game, not that you are following along with the Mass, or reading scripture or using another relevant iphone app.

Texting or playing a game (which is what people are going to assume you’re doing in Mass when EVER they see you using your phone) is a no-no and as much a distraction to others around you as doing headstands.

Ergo, because you don’t want to distract/offend them (which ANY use jof your mobile in church assuredly will), just leave your phone ALONE when you’re in church.

 

[ACarmelo]

As stated before I use my Catholic app off my iPhone every Sunday. I don’t see why everyone is worried what others think of them for using it and by the way aren’t you guys Catholic? What happened to thou shall not judge others?

 

[KostyaJMJ]

It is easy to tell the difference between someone that is texting or playing a game on their device and someone who’s reading a book so I wouldn’t worry about other people thinking the wrong thing. If you like to use an ereader for your prayers I don’t see any problem with it and I think it is a wonderful use of technology.

 

[LilyM]

"ACarmelo:

As stated before I use my Catholic app off my iPhone every Sunday. I don’t see why everyone is worried what others think of them for using it and by the way aren’t you guys Catholic? What happened to thou shall not judge others?

Paul warned us about putting stumbling blocks before our weaker brothers. His exact words also were ‘everything may be lawful, but not everything is good’. So being a Catholic means that there is an obligation to avoid, where possible, what is called ‘scandal’ (behaviour that may weaken the faith of others) as the Catechism puts it, and at times avoid something which you know is harmless to you but may lead others into sin.

As a practical example - I know a percentage of people would not be worried, would not be tempted to the sin of lust or any other sin, if I were to wear a bikini into church. However, I ALSO know there is a sizeable percentage of guys (not to mention girls) who WOULD be worried and WOULD find it a source of temptation. So I avoid wearing bikinis to church.

Are they judging me? Possibly, that’s for them and God to determine. Am I, as a Christian, in charity meant to consider the high possibility that their human frailties will get the better of them and help them avoid occasions of sin? In other words dress modestly for their sake? Of course I am.

It is easy to tell the difference between someone that is texting or playing a game on their device and someone who’s reading a book so I wouldn’t worry about other people thinking the wrong thing. If you like to use an ereader for your prayers I don’t see any problem with it and I think it is a wonderful use of technology.

Reading something on your iphone looks like reading something on your iphone. Unless I’m close enough to see the text, I can’t tell what it is you’re reading, I just know you’re reading. It could be a text or email about your work or your lunch or dinner plans after church, or Bible passages or prayers.

Like I said, your average joe in the pews doesn’t even know there are iphone apps for prayers, Mass readings etc, so they see you reading and they’ll assume it’s something secular and not Mass or prayer-related.

 

[KostyaJMJ]

Reading something on your iphone looks like reading something on your iphone. Unless I’m close enough to see the text, I can’t tell what it is you’re reading, I just know you’re reading. It could be a text or email about your work or your lunch or dinner plans after church, or Bible passages or prayers.

Reading something in a book looks like reading something in a book. Unless you’re close enough to the person to see the title, you can’t tell whether they are reading a copy of the Bible or Moby Dick or maybe The Brothers Karamazov.

My point is if you’re texting you will have to type something and if you’re playing a game you will be playing with controls. If you’re reading something and you’re in church it is fair to assume that you’re reading something religious

Like I said, your average joe in the pews doesn’t even know there are iphone apps for prayers, Mass readings etc, so they see you reading and they’ll assume it’s something secular and not Mass or prayer-related.

You’re average joe in the pews probably has an iphone or some other smart phone and is well aware that you can read anything you please on it.

 

[sharmin]

Well, people won’t SEE you reading scripture. They WILL see you using a mobile phone - it’s far more obvious than you think. Texting, playing games and the like are far more common uses of a mobile phone than reading an iphone scripture or prayer app. In fact 99.9% of people aren’t even aware that any such apps exist, so how can they possibly know that that’s what you’re doing?

Can you provide your source for that? Because that doesn’t seem very accurate at all. I can’t believe 99% of people aren’t aware there are Bible aps on IPod.

The conclusion 99.9% of people who see you using your phone in church are going to reach, therefore, is that you are texting or playing a game, not that you are following along with the Mass, or reading scripture or using another relevant iphone app.

Even if a lot of people don’t know about religious aps, maybe the better thing would be to educate people rather than say “because it’s new, we can’t use it because don’t understand it.”

 

[GwenL]

I use iMissal (for readings) at Mass and iPieta and my St. Josemaria app (for prayers) at adoration and prior to Mass. My iPhone can be silenced and the vibration is such that I can barely feel it. No possibility that an incoming call, text, or email is distracting to another person. I hold the device between my hands, at lap level (same as a book) and since it’s much smaller than a book, I think it’s less obvious and less distracting than paging through a missal. I know the regular Mass prayers and responses, so don’t use the missal or the iPhone for these, only the readings.

During adoration, I have the device between my elbows on the kneeler in front of me. You would have to be in between me and the kneeler to see the iPhone and what I am reading. If you are there, you probably are not focusing real well on Jesus!

I have shown everyone who sits around me at daily Mass the device, and the readings/prayers on it. I did this in an enthusiastic “isn’t this neat” sort of way, but my underlying motive was to educate them to prevent any distractions. I’ve done similar things with the people around me a Sunday Mass (like most people, I tend to sit in the same place). Now they walk up before Mass and want to see the readings. If the generally more “seasoned” crowd at daily Mass can understand and appreciate the device, I imagine that most any Catholic can.

 

[Lycorth]

If I were to see you looking at your phone in mass or adoration, my assumption would be that you were using it to view a text message or something relative to that. While I think that it is a great thing that they have that app and that you can use it, I guess the question then lies on the perception that you want to give. I would suggest maybe investing in a prayer book with some prayer cards that you particularly like, that would be more "appropriate,:

Just my two cents.

I agree. Invest in the necessary materials and you’ll not just keep track of the prayers you can’t memorize, you’ll set a good example to others who will see you reading along like any good Catholic should.

It sounds like a handy tool for private devotions, though, where no one else can get the wrong idea.

 

[sharmin]

Well, people won’t SEE you reading scripture. They WILL see you using a mobile phone - it’s far more obvious than you think.

Why won’t they see me reading scripture? I see people reading in Mass all the time. I’m confused.

 

[LilyM]

Why won’t they see me reading scripture? I see people reading in Mass all the time. I’m confused.

You mean reading their iphone screens? So do you actually look at all their phone screens over their shoulder so that you actually know what text they are looking at on their phone? Unless I look at the text you’re reading, which I’m not rude enough to do unless you are right next to me when I can’t avoid seeing it, I don’t know what it is you’re reading, I just know you’re reading on your phone. Hope I’ve made myself clear.

A book, on the other hand, will at least usually have a cross on the cover, or a picture of Our Lord or one of the saints, or the words ‘Holy Bible’ or ‘Imitation of Christ’ in large letters on the cover or whatever - so it’s much easier to see what you’re reading. It’s not really comparable to an iphone.

Let me put it another way. Ever since text messages were invented, in other words for a good number of years before the iphone and associated apps came along, a percentage of people have been ‘reading’ on their mobile phones in church. They most certainly were not reading scripture or prayers, those weren’t yet available for the mobile phone. They were reading text messages or secular emails.

I know this because I’ve sat next to people who were doing it and seen what they were doing. And you know what, I’ve NEVER sat next to someone in church who was reading their phone and it was a religious app or scripture. Not once. I’m sure my experience isn’t particularly unusual, although of course there are others with different experiences.

If you want to use iphones in church, absolutely educate people about what you’re doing very thoroughly beforehand.

My personal view, which you can take as exactly that, is that some technologies have no place in Mass, some have no place in church at all. Plasma tv screens are one (sorry, I’m at church, not at a rock concert where I feel cheated if I don’t see everything that’s going on up front or anything), electric guitars (again, sorry, I’m at church, not at a rock concert, I don’t need my ears blasted with high-decibel music) and the like.

Iphones and ipods are another for me. Is being in church really so boring that you can’t just sit and pray - in your own words, without even needing written prayers or audio, or by paying attention to what is being said and read at Mass - and leave the private reading or listening for home?

Are you really so allergic to paper that you can’t even abide using a small prayerbook or a pocket New Testament if you MUST have something to read? Both of which I often have in my handbag - not that I usually use them in church but may do at other times?

 

[CountrySinger]

I use my ipod touch in daily Mass (carrying the LOTH, prayer book, and a Magnificat is a pain when you ride the bus). And all the people thought it was neat that I have all the readings, iconfess, rosary, Catholic calendar, Mass time locator (a life saver when I first moved and had no internet service for a week), Divine Office, St. Augustine’s books, and the Catholic Cheat Sheet all in something the size of cell phone. A couple of the older people got their own ipods so they could follow along with the readings.
At daily Mass, we all know each other, and it is hard to misbehave in the tiny chapel. At Sunday Mass in the main church, I don’t use it. There are too many kids who would yell, “Mom, but that lady is using her ipod!!!”

 

[turboEDvo]

I wonder if there are liturgical apps for the Kindle. Sure would save an lot in printing costs of missals.

Eamon

 

[LilyM]

At Sunday Mass in the main church, I don’t use it. There are too many kids who would yell, “Mom, but that lady is using her ipod!!!”

AMEN! THAT is exactly why they should not be used in Mass (at least unless you’re in a tiny parish where everyone knows you and your iphone)

 

[CountrySinger]

AMEN! THAT is exactly why they should not be used in Mass (at least unless you’re in a tiny parish where everyone knows you and your iphone)

At Daily Mass, there are maybe 20-30 people tops, and they all know about my ipod (ever since I led the rosary, and forgot my rosary). I also like to use them when I’m on the bus, especially on the hour long trip to Seattle). Is it sad that I have the Divine Office next to the Lolcats app?

 

[sharmin]

You mean reading their iphone screens? So do you actually look at all their phone screens over their shoulder so that you actually know what text they are looking at on their phone? Unless I look at the text you’re reading, which I’m not rude enough to do unless you are right next to me when I can’t avoid seeing it, I don’t know what it is you’re reading, I just know you’re reading on your phone. Hope I’ve made myself clear.

Hmmm…I’m not sure. I guess I just don’t understand why you care what anyone else is reading. I would leave it between that person and the Lord. For all you know someone could bring their own Bible to read. What if, God forbid, that book didn’t have a cross on it? I know mine has a plain black cover. Should I leave that home because no one can know for sure it’s a Bible? Perhaps it could be Moby Dick! Either way, I don’t think you should worry about what s/he is reading, whether it be a book or an I-phone.

A book, on the other hand, will at least usually have a cross on the cover, or a picture of Our Lord or one of the saints, or the words ‘Holy Bible’ or ‘Imitation of Christ’ in large letters on the cover or whatever - so it’s much easier to see what you’re reading. It’s not really comparable to an iphone.

Mine doesn’t. As I said, it’s a plain cover. Is that okay? Or will I be judged if I bring it?

If you want to use iphones in church, absolutely educate people about what you’re doing very thoroughly beforehand.

We’ll just have to agree to disagree here. I frankly believe it’s no one’s business that I am reading scripture on my i-phone OR my plain coverd Bible.

My personal view, which you can take as exactly that, is that some technologies have no place in Mass, some have no place in church at all. Plasma tv screens are one (sorry, I’m at church, not at a rock concert where I feel cheated if I don’t see everything that’s going on up front or anything), electric guitars (again, sorry, I’m at church, not at a rock concert, I don’t need my eaasted with high-decibel music) and the like.

I absolutely respect your viewpoint. We all have different tastes for sure!

Iphones and ipods are another for me. Is being in church really so boring that you can’t just sit and pray - in your own words, without even needing written prayers or audio, or by paying attention to what is being said and read at Mass - and leave the private reading or listening for home?

Do you say the same to those reading Bibles or prayer books?

Are you really so allergic to paper that you can’t even abide using a small prayerbook or a pocket New Testament if you MUST have something to read? Both of which I often have in my handbag - not that I usually use them in church but may do at other times?

 

[BlackBeard54]

I understand the concern of some that this might be a distraction, but I must weigh in on the side of the technology users. I have an iPod Touch, so there is no danger of getting a phone call on it. Never the less, I turn the sounds all the way off when I enter the church, right after I turn off my cell phone. Heard one of those go off at Stations last week, talk about a distraction!

I don’t wave it around, I hold it between my hands, as I would a small book. I presume people know I’m praying along because my lips are moving and I am making the same sounds as everyone else.

I just returned to the Church after over 30 years, and what I do remember tends towards Latin (and having little idea what was going on). iMissal has been a Godsend to me. I can concentrate on the flow of the Mass so much better than bouncing back and forth through the pages of the paper Missal. Since the hearing is going, I like to read along through the whole Mass, and iMissal has TODAY’S Mass all in a straight line down the screen.

iRosary helped me recapture that beautiful habit, and introduced me to the Mysteries (I don’t know if I was never taught that way of praying the Rosary, or I just forgot). I don’t use the technology for it’s own sake, because once I got the hang of it, and re-memorized it all, I went back to my mother’s Rosary, I prefer the feel of the beads to a screen.

Now I am learning how to pray the LOTH, using CatholicCalendar and The Divine Office for DODOS (the paper copy). I haven’t tried it the traditional way, but this sure looks easier (and less expensive) than a hard copy of the Divine Office.

My point is, it is a tool like anything else. No one has said anything, they never even glance my way. I think they are all paying attention to where the action is. (I tended to look around a lot the first few weeks back, just amazed I was there. And I was looking for clues on when to kneel/sit/stand. I managed to get so fascinated with the simple beauty of watching the priest “tidy up” after Communion that it was all over before I realized I was the only one standing!)

I believe God put this tool in my hands at the same time that I felt His call back to His Church. I am grateful for it, and will continue to use it discreetly.

I may however, use one poster’s idea of calling attention to it before the Mass with a “look at this neat Missal app” to my neighbor!

 

[BlackBeard54]

Sorry that last was so long, just had to get that out…

Now, I haven’t tried iBreviary and iPieta yet. Does anyone have an opinion on catholic Calendar for praying the LOTH? Is there a better app for that?

FYI, my “Catholic Home Screen” currently holds:

OliveTree Bible Reader
Pocket Sword (another Bible app)
Answers 4 Catholics
Saint A Day
iMissal
iRosary
iConfess
Stations of The Cross
Catholic Calendar
Mass Times (it’s a Church directory)
Catholic TV
and my Kindle app with Catholics For Dummies

 

[James924]

Sigh.

Years ago the nuns taught us never to do anything in church that would bother others.
:twocents:

I agree with this. I own an iPhone with all of these mentioned apps and more but I avoid using it in Church unless I absolutely need to (i.e. forgot actual Rosary at home) and when I do need to use it to view the readings or say certain prayers or do some spiritual readings, I turn the brightness down to zero and hold the device cupped in my hands and down in my lap so nobody see’s it, not because I care about judgement but because it can be distracting and we should make every effort to NOT distract others during Mass or Adoration. I believe that people with a “if they’re looking at you its their own fault” attitude are in the wrong and are being uncharitable. None of us are immune to being distracted at Mass sometimes and our goal should be to help eachother avoid distraction.

For those interested in Catholic Bible study on the iPhone or iPod Touch, there is a very real possibility of getting the best Bible Study app on the iPhone/iPod (Mantis Bible Study) to make the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible (By Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch) available on their software. Its in the works but what we need now is for Catholics and/or Eastern Orthodox Christians to voice interest in possibly buying it if they were to make it available. I’ve spoken to both Ignatius Press and Mantis Bible Company and what we need is a display of interest (obviously they need to know that someone other than your’s truly is going to buy it.)

I’ve posted all the details on this thread in the “popular media” section of the CA Forums.
Or you can just head straight to the Mantis Website’s forums, read my recommendation and post a reply voicing interest (only if its genuine interest in possibly buying it if it comes available). That recommendation is here

Here are those URLs in case the links don’t work:

The details on the Catholic Answers Forums:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=485028

The recommendation on the Mantis Bible Study website:
mantisbible.com/Support/DiscussionForums/tabid/112/aff/7/aft/1241/afv/topic/Default.aspx

Please consider taking the time to help with this.
Thanks!

 

[sherriemelton52]

Using catholic apps on mobile devices during mass/adoration may take some time to gain acceptance among people. However, it is a great way to worship by following the prayers said during mass/ adoration. .