Went to my first mass today...

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thesearch

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It was…interesting. Perhaps it was the time I chose to go (11 instead of 9), but there were so many distracting people! I tried so hard to listen to the prayers and the sermon but it was so hard I can’t even remember what it was about! The people beside and in front of me kept talking to each other, even during prayer. At one point, the girl in front asked the girl behind her if she was enjoying the view (while shaking her skintight jean clad butt!) this is not what I expected!!! I kept shuffling down the pew the whole time to try to hear! It’s not always like this is it?
 
thesearch said:
It was…interesting. Perhaps it was the time I chose to go (11 instead of 9), but there were so many distracting people! I tried so hard to listen to the prayers and the sermon but it was so hard I can’t even remember what it was about! The people beside and in front of me kept talking to each other, even during prayer. At one point, the girl in front asked the girl behind her if she was enjoying the view (while shaking her skintight jean clad butt!) this is not what I expected!!! I kept shuffling down the pew the whole time to try to hear! It’s not always like this is it?
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In my old parish I went to the 10 o’clock Mass. 8 o’clock was for the old people. Seriously, it was like a nursing home dropped off all of their residents. And the noon Mass was full of people with teens who they probably had to drag out of, that’s why they didn’t make it until noon. lol. 10 o’clock was a mix and it didn’t seem as crowded as the other 2 Masses. Yes, there are distracting people at times. I sat behind a family one time. Their teen son seemed to have brought his GF with him. She kept playing with his hair and when the was kneeling yanking on him and touching his bottom. I seriously wanted to knock her in the head. He was trying very hard to get her to stop but Prissy Britches couldn’t take a hint. And they were sitting close to the front too.
Anyway, if you sit near the front, there are less distractions. And if I had to shuffle down a pew to hear I would have hushed some folks, but I’m sassy.
Hopefully, your next experience isn’t full of distractions. :hug1:
 
thesearch said:
It was…interesting. Perhaps it was the time I chose to go (11 instead of 9), but there were so many distracting people! I tried so hard to listen to the prayers and the sermon but it was so hard I can’t even remember what it was about! The people beside and in front of me kept talking to each other, even during prayer. At one point, the girl in front asked the girl behind her if she was enjoying the view (while shaking her skintight jean clad butt!) this is not what I expected!!! I kept shuffling down the pew the whole time to try to hear! It’s not always like this is it?
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First, congratulations on attending your first Mass. People can be distracting, but there are ways to tune them out.

What I do is arrive early, I like to show up a half hour early so that I have time to pray. Praying centers me, and readies me to hear the word of the Lord and to receive the Eucharist. It also has a tendency to help me tune out the people.

Additionally, I tend to sit up front. The less people in front of you, the less distraction, generally. And I also have trouble hearing, so sitting up front makes it easier for me to be able to hear.

Your Parish may offer Mass at different times- consider checking them out. I’ve attended our Parish’s Vigil Mass (Sat. Night) and the Sunday morning Mass but there is also a Sunday evening Mass at my Parish and I was told today that that one is very quiet. So perhaps try another Mass and see what you think of that.

And you may already know this, but there should be a Missal at each Pew and the Missal can guide you through the entire liturgy so you know what to say, what the readings are, etc. The order of the Mass is generally in the very front (along with some of the things you’ll want to follow along with, such as the Gloria and the Creed), and then find the day of the Mass further on in the Missal and the readings of the day will be there. It helps a lot of following along. If you knew that, great. I just remember when I was starting out I had no idea what a Missal was.
 
Try another Mass and sit closer. I know it can seem intimidating especially if you are new to it, but the priest won’t mind, and no one else’s opinion matters!
Welcome!
 
Attending something unfamiliar for the first time can be such an experience coz it gives the first impressions which heavily affects what the person may think toward someone or something. In their behalf, I would like to apologize for their misconduct for they, the misbehaving Catholics, if properly learned would have recognized the gravity of what they are witnessing, the coming down of Jesus body and blood in the sacraments, thus becoming present in their midst. If one can stay silent for a high honored, guest, they should have learned to do the same thing for God. I would in all honesty feel the same things you did. Disappointment in a sense. There are many parishes I have been to (unfortunately) which differs in their conducts. Some tends to be more reverent and some not reverent. If you can, you may ask your Catholic friends or peers if they can recommend a parish which actually allows one to have a sense of sacredness and reverence. Once again, I am sorry in their behalf and if you would like if you can attend an Extraordinary Form of the Mass AKA Latin Mass, that gives a different environment in the mass!.
 
thesearch said:
It was…interesting. Perhaps it was the time I chose to go (11 instead of 9), but there were so many distracting people! I tried so hard to listen to the prayers and the sermon but it was so hard I can’t even remember what it was about! The people beside and in front of me kept talking to each other, even during prayer. At one point, the girl in front asked the girl behind her if she was enjoying the view (while shaking her skintight jean clad butt!) this is not what I expected!!! I kept shuffling down the pew the whole time to try to hear! It’s not always like this is it?
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Only on rare occasions have I seen this. The worst case was a woman with her grown daughter who constantly conversed throughout, and not too quietly either. Kinda made me wonder why they bothered to attend at all. 🤷
 
People are there from all walks of life for all kinds of reasons.
Should they all be properly formed and pious? SURE!
But then, that’s not real life is it?
Sinners gather. At all kinds of Masses. Some shows their spots more readily.
Just go with a purity of your heart and your intentions.
And let go of any other anxiety about others.
Let’s not give people the notion that even Catholics have a pecking order. :rolleyes:
 
I attend an ethnically Polish parish church in NYC. It is located in a rather tough neighborhood that has a large homeless population. On the rare occasions that people behave disruptively during services - usually only during English language Services- the disruption is handled immediately by the ushers.
However, on one occasion, during a Holy Day Mass an intoxicated homeless man came in and started to loudly beg from the congregation. Since there were no ushers present, the priest stopped the Mass and told the man to show some respect before God, and that if he did not leave, the Police would be called.
Needless to say, the man fled. However, for the next few weeks, there was a uniformed policeman from the local precinct assigned to the vestibule of the church during services.
 
George_Stegmeir said:
I attend an ethnically Polish parish church in NYC. It is located in a rather tough neighborhood that has a large homeless population. …
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Reminds me of the time I was a groomsman in a wedding taking place in the old cathedral in downtown skid row LA [it has since been replaced due to earthquake damage]. Right in the middle of the ceremony, an obviously intoxicated man came up to the front and threw himself down at the foot of the altar and cried out, “I’ve come home, Lord! I’ve come home!” The best man escorted him out, but he returned and repeated the above. The best man escorted him out again. This time he remained outside.
 
thesearch said:
At one point, the girl in front asked the girl behind her if she was enjoying the view (while shaking her skintight jean clad butt!) this is not what I expected!!!
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Say what? What was she expecting, a dollar bill? She deserved some good spanking there and then!

Christus resurrexit!
 
Thanks for the replies! I’m sure it was the time I went so I’m going to go to the earlier mass next time. Other than the distractions, I thought it was very nice. Comforting even. I also found out that in between the two masses, they have a rosary recitation. I think I’ll attend that as well. Has anyone been to one of these? I’ve researched Catholicism for many years and I didn’t realize until today how very little I actually know! For example, during the Eucharist they genuflected at a box at the end. Is this where they keep it? Or is there another purpose?
 
The “box” would be the tabernacle where the Eucharist is kept (the bread and wine that becomes the Body and Blood of Christ at the consecration during Mass). There should be a candle right near the tabernacle (usually red) which signifies the presence of Christ. When you see parishioners genuflecting when entering/exiting their pews, this is usually also directed at the tabernacle and not at the crucifix/altar, as I assumed when I first witnessed this. 🙂
 
PDX, thank you! I thought you genuflected to the crucifix! Good to know!
 
thesearch said:
PDX, thank you! I thought you genuflected to the crucifix! Good to know!
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No problem. I had to learn all these things as a convert,so I am happy to share what I know. Occasionally you might find yourself in a church where the tabernacle is not easy to find, in which case I think it is generally acceptable to genuflect to the altar.
 
PDXSeeker_1975 said:
Occasionally you might find yourself in a church where the tabernacle is not easy to find, in which case I think it is generally acceptable to genuflect to the altar.
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In such cases, or when passing by the altar, one bows at the altar or, more precisely, at the relics of the saint buried in the altar.

Christus resurrexit!
 
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