Water Bottles durring Mass

[st_ignatius110]

Is there an exception for water? I didn’t think so, but no doubt there is someone here who knows for sure.

Water does not break your fast nor does medication.

 

[paramedicgirl]

I would question why adults are getting up to get drinks as much as why they need to bring water in with them. Again, aren’t we supposed to fast from food and drink an hour before communion? So no one should be getting out of their pew for a drink.

As to the woman with three kids, we have complete control over bringing a water bottle into mass; parents with young children do not have complete control over how those children behave. Bringing a water bottle is optional. Bringing your children really isn’t (shouldn’t be) as they need to learn about God and Mass somehow.

Some people will never get the concept of going without anything. It’s all about ME, ME, ME. Tthat’s what society has produced. There is no self immolation anymore.

 

[daeve]

There are very few medical conditions where someone would have to have a water bottle at Mass. The sense of sacrifice is gone from this generation. Personal comfort and convenience ranks high, though.

I’m diabetic, and everything I take dries my already dry mouth out more. I have water in my purse at all times, because sometimes I can’t even swallow. I take the label off the small bottle I have on the choir risers, and I sip (not chug-a-lug) at frequent intervals. I need the water. I leave home about 8:15, and I’m at church until about 11 for Mass and choir activities. That’s a long time for a diabetic not to eat…and I offer that up.

 

[mommyof4]

I’m diabetic, and everything I take dries my already dry mouth out more. I have water in my purse at all times, because sometimes I can’t even swallow. I take the label off the small bottle I have on the choir risers, and I sip (not chug-a-lug) at frequent intervals. I need the water. I leave home about 8:15, and I’m at church until about 11 for Mass and choir activities. That’s a long time for a diabetic not to eat…and I offer that up.

I think that circumstances like this would make it acceptable to have water in church. I’m just against the water bottles for “recreational purposes.”

 

[RobNY]

I was reading, just yesterday, this excerpt from Fr. Dubay’s book, Fire Within: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross and the Gospel-- on Prayer:

We must also learn to carry out St. Paul’s admonition to the Thessalonians: “Live quietly and mind your own business.” St. John of the Cross considered this idea so important that when he wote a three-page work on how to reach perfection in short order, he made it the first of four counsels:

You should live in the monastery as though no one else were in it. And thus you should never, by word or by thought, meddle in things that happen in the community, nor with individuals in it, desiring not to notice their good or bad qualities or their conduct. And in order to preserve your tranquility of soul, even if the whole world crumbles, you should not desire to advert to this or interfere.

What is the connection between minding our own affairs and growth in prayer? One reason for the advice is that serious people are likely to be agitated and even shocked at all sorts of things that occur through the typical day. Their inner peace is unsettled, and prayer is hindered. Another reason is that those who meddle in other people’s concerns are likely to make mistakes in their judgments and even to offer misguiding advice. Thus, says Teresa, we ought to let God take care of His own. She observes likewise that pain is often enough caused to the one in whose business we are meddling, but the most pointed reason is that people who are minding others’ affairs are not minding their own. If our mind is free enough to notice what others are doing, it is free enough to carry out what Scripture repeatedly tells us, namely, to keep our eyes always on the Lord, to sing to Him in our hearts always and everywhere. The saint considers distress over the sins and failings of others in everyday life as a demonic temptation. The devil puts it into people’s heads that their meddling really arises from a desire that God be not offended and be better served. They usually focus on the petty faults of which the world is full. A pervasive concern disturbs peace. All the while meddlers consider that they are being virtuous in their preoccupations. Teresa’s conclusion is that “the safe path for the soul that practices prayer will be not to bother about anything or anyone and to pay attention to itself and to pleasing God.”

I hope it has some bearing on our discussion.

-Rob

 

[paramedicgirl]

I’m diabetic, and everything I take dries my already dry mouth out more. I have water in my purse at all times, because sometimes I can’t even swallow. I take the label off the small bottle I have on the choir risers, and I sip (not chug-a-lug) at frequent intervals. I need the water. I leave home about 8:15, and I’m at church until about 11 for Mass and choir activities. That’s a long time for a diabetic not to eat…and I offer that up.

That is a good example of a medical neccesity. I’m really glad you remember to offer up going without food. God will bless you for it, I’m sure.

 

[daeve]

I am curious if there are ANY medical conditions that prevent a person from going a whole hour without water. If so, how do they sleep at night? They would have to set their alarm to be up every 30 or 45 minutes to have a drink.

Pregnancy has been mentioned as a need for water. I have been pregnant quite a few times, including with multiples, and a couple of more difficult pregnancies, and I have never once been unable to last an hour without drinking.

I was under the impression that any food or drink was not allowed an hour before communion, the reason being, you are receiving Jesus, and as an issue of respect and reverence, you don’t toss him in with your omelette and coffee. Is there an exception for water? I didn’t think so, but no doubt there is someone here who knows for sure.

Even if there is, there is the issue of cleanliness in the sanctuary. Many places frown on food and drink simply to avoid the spills that invariably follow.

And it is tacky and disrespectful to sit and sip your water in front of God HImself, as if you’re at a sporting event.

Here’s the diabetic alto again. I have water at the side of the bed. I wake up 3 to 4 times a night for a sip or two of water. Every night. For years. Boy, am I sleepy.

 

[mercygate]

smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_29_135.gif next thing you know folks will want to have

smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_71.gif in the pews

At a church where I used to attend daily Mass in East Harlem, apparently they did bring their picnic lunches. Every Monday the place was littered with debris: candy wrappers, water bottles, cracker bits.

There is no reason in the world that a normal, healthy person over the age of 10 months cannot survive for 90 minutes without an infusion of food and water.

As for the choir: I don’t buy it. I sang in choirs for years and NEVER until the mid-1980s did anybody keep a water bottle in his stall.

In the “Rules of Engagement” for my sixth grade CCD class, no one is allowed to leave for a bathroom break or to get a drink. They are expected to take care of that before class. If they suddenly become sick, they are to leave class for the bathroom, then report to the office so the secretary can call for their parents to pick them up.

Water bottles in the pew? Mastery of the base appetites is something to be mastered by 2nd grade. Grow up, people!

 

[awindrose]

How did He put it, " Or how sayest thou to thy brother: Let me cast the mote our of thy eye; and behold a beam is in thy own eye?" The ones with the water bottles may be the ones actually paying attention at Mass, while perhaps the ones counting the water bottles are too busy…
I think that if one were concentrating more on what is happening on the Altar, one would probably not notice the water bottles so much.

[SIGN]AMEN![/SIGN]

 

[CathMass]

On hot days this water bottle practice seems very appropriate to me. I do not believe it is wrong since I priests drink water.
However, no drinking during the consecration.

 

[Faith1960]

we pick up a dozen water bottles after every Mass when we run through picking up used kleenex, hymnals, toys, lost keys etc., a sign of laziness, the besetting epidemic disease of our time. Not until the generation when water bottles are the new fashion accessory did anyone feel the need for them, amazing. That being said, I have developed a swallowing problem after an ulcer, and am having increasing difficulty in communion, so I probably will resort to carrying a small water bottle in my purse, but if I leave it behind, shoot me.

I always carry a water bottle in my purse (and before water bottles became popular, I had a cup of water in my car or a can of soda in my purse) because I used to have frequent anxiety attacks which caused my throat to feel like it was closing and I’d begin to gag. Now I have anxiety attacks rarely but still feel better knowing I have water with me. Drinking something helps clear the feeling in my throat when I start to feel like I’m about to choke or gag. I keep the bottle in my purse and if I need it during Mass, which hasn’t happened yet, I wouldn’t drink it there, but instead I’d get up to take a sip or two in another part of the building or maybe stand outside for a few minutes.

 

[Jason_Hurd]

I was reading, just yesterday, this excerpt from Fr. Dubay’s book, Fire Within: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross and the Gospel-- on Prayer:

I hope it has some bearing on our discussion.

-Rob

Thank you, Rob for this wonderful passage. I am a great believer in minding one’s own business, and I feel that if we all did the same it would free up quite a bit of energy for worship, energy that is currently being dissipated in the petty and finger-pointing criticisms of others. I’m not quite sure when we became a country of meddlers and busybodies, but the sooner we all return to a prayer-focused life, the better for all concerned.

 

[boppaid]

I would question why adults are getting up to get drinks as much as why they need to bring water in with them. Again, aren’t we supposed to fast from food and drink an hour before communion? So no one should be getting out of their pew for a drink.

As to the woman with three kids, we have complete control over bringing a water bottle into mass; parents with young children do not have complete control over how those children behave. Bringing a water bottle is optional. Bringing your children really isn’t (shouldn’t be) as they need to learn about God and Mass somehow.

Again, what is it about drinking water in church that makes it a sign of disrespect? That’s the heart of the issue.

 

[paramedicgirl]

Again, what is it about drinking water in church that makes it a sign of disrespect? That’s the heart of the issue.

Some people may never understand that the Mass is sacred, and everything you do should reflect reverence. That’s the real heart of the issue.

 

[boppaid]

Some people may never understand that the Mass is sacred, and everything you do should reflect reverence. That’s the real heart of the issue.

I understand that mass is sacred. I guess I just don’t see a sip of water taking away that sacredness. You say everything you do should reflect reverence. I don’t think denying yourself a drink of water when your mouth is dry or your thirsty makes a person any more reverent. I feel that whether or not drinking water during mass is disrespectful is personal opinion. If you feel it’s wrong, then I would say don’t do it. But until it comes down from the Vatican itself that it’s wrong or irreverant, I would try not to be so judgemental about people who have a different opinion than you.

And if this is something that the Church has declared as “wrong”, then I’ll agree with all of you. I honestly am not sure if there is something like that. Thus, the reason I asked “what makes it wrong”.

 

[ktp]

Here’s the diabetic alto again. I have water at the side of the bed. I wake up 3 to 4 times a night for a sip or two of water. Every night. For years. Boy, am I sleepy.

Thank you. That’s what I wanted to know. I will add that 3 to 4 times a night is still not every hour. Can you truly not go one hour without water?

I am asking sincerely. I don’t believe anyone has a problem with true medical necessity. The issue here is that it has become common place.

As to those saying we should all mind our own business, I would be more inclined to agree with you if it were really just a few people across the globe who truly NEEDED water more than every hour. But that’s not what’s happening.

Our houses of worship are beginning to look more like movie theaters or the playland at MacDonald’s, with children eating and playing with toys and even adults now having a drink while listening to the sermon. There is nothing sacred and respectful about such an atmosphere, and we also have the command to tell our brothers and sisters when they are doing something wrong, which is decidedly NOT ‘minding our own business.’ The question at hand seems to be: is it wrong to sip on water bottles during mass? Was it wrong for Jesus to admonish the money changers in the temple? Talk about not minding your own business!

 

[paramedicgirl]

I understand that mass is sacred. I guess I just don’t see a sip of water taking away that sacredness. You say everything you do should reflect reverence. I don’t think denying yourself a drink of water when your mouth is dry or your thirsty makes a person any less reverent. You say some people may never understand that the mass is sacred. Likewise, I feel that some people may never understand that whether or not drinking water during mass is disrespectful is personal opinion. If you feel it’s wrong, then I would say don’t do it. But until it comes down from the Vatican itself that it’s wrong or irreverant, I would try not to be so judgemental about people who have a different opinion than you.

And if this is something that the Church has declared as “wrong”, then I’ll agree with all of you. I honestly am not sure if there is something like that. Thus, the reason I asked “what makes it wrong”.

A forum is for expressing opinions. What I see in this discussion is the ME generation who wants to have everything right now, their way, who can’t conceive of ever having to give anything up in the form of self-sacrifice. God loves our sacrifices, no matter how small. Have you ever read about St. Therese of the Child Jesus? She achieved sanctity by holiness in small things, and she was proclaimed a doctor of the Church by Pope John Paul II. She knew how to make small sacrifices count towards holiness. It’s time this generation did the same.

 

[boppaid]

we also have the command to tell our brothers and sisters when they are doing something wrong, which is decidedly NOT ‘minding our own business.’ The question at hand seems to be: is it wrong to sip on water bottles during mass? Was it wrong for Jesus to admonish the money changers in the temple? Talk about not minding your own business!

I agree. However, if this were wrong, I think it’s up to the Church to first decide if it’s wrong, rather than admonishing people based on personal opinion.

 

[mommyof4]

A forum is for expressing opinions. What I see in this discussion is the ME generation who wants to have everything right now, their way, who can’t conceive of ever having to give anything up in the form of self-sacrifice. God loves our sacrifices, no matter how small. Have you ever read about St. Therese of the Child Jesus? She achieved sanctity by holiness in small things, and she was proclaimed a doctor of the Church by Pope John Paul II. She knew how to make small sacrifices count towards holiness. It’s time this generation did the same.

 

[boppaid]

A forum is for expressing opinions. What I see in this discussion is the ME generation who wants to have everything right now, their way, who can’t conceive of ever having to give anything up in the form of self-sacrifice. God loves our sacrifices, no matter how small. Have you ever read about St. Therese of the Child Jesus? She achieved sanctity by holiness in small things, and she was proclaimed a doctor of the Church by Pope John Paul II. She knew how to make small sacrifices count towards holiness. It’s time this generation did the same.

I understand that this is a forum for expressing opinions. I guess I just don’t understand why your opinions have to be everyone’s opinions. Mine are different than yours, and you are insinuating that I have a ME mentality. Truthfully, you don’t know me. And just because I see nothing wrong with someone drinking water during Mass doesn’t make it so. I know God loves our sacrifices. I just don’t believe YOU should tell ME what I should or should not sacrifice. I do sacrifice, and maybe I sacrifice things that you do not. You have no way of knowing that. Regardless, I don’t think it’s up to me to tell you what to sacrifice. I just get such a judgemental vibe from you in y our posting on this thread.

I may be misreading you, because I really don’tknow you. And if I am, I’m sorry. This is just a “hotspot” for me. (no, not the water, but judging others based on personal opinion not grounded in Church doctrine or scripture). I get very angry when I see this for so many reasons. I guess it just raises my ire a bit.