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Nicea325
Guest
Ahhhhh…notice I said sandals and SHORTS. What priestly order wears shorts at Mass?
Jesus not also wore sandals,but the entie garb which covered his entire body.
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Jesus not also wore sandals,but the entie garb which covered his entire body.
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Nicea325
Guest
Whether I am capapable of worship and adoring is not the issue here. Worry? It is not a worry,but observations.Why are so many of you getting offended? And are we entering God’s House or a barn? Answering the cell during Mass? At least get up and answer it outside,if it is an emergency.Why am I Catholic?
Because I was baptized as an infant in the Catholic church MANY years ago
And now a question for you: Are you capable of going to church to worship and adore God without worrying about how ithers are behaving?? If not, why not?
Nana
Common sense does come a long way when utilized correct.
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revert_jen
Guest
Well, they are prayer request threads, not support threads. Sometimes I have time to respond, and sometimes I only have time to pray. I can pray for more people if I don’t take time to type the prayer. Plus it normally makes me less self-conscious to pray in private if I am praying an extempore prayer, and I do not personally feel that I want to post copies of Hail Marys and so forth, as I’m not sure of the point. I have no problem whatsoever with people who do that, and it’s perfectly fine, I just wouldn’t be comfortable doing it myself.
Neither you nor the posters in the threads should assume that, just because people haven’t written a response, people haven’t prayed for them like they asked.
To the OP/subject of the thread, I would be interested to know how this fits into the Non-Catholic Religions forum. I don’t know why we need a thread specifically for Catholics to complain about other Catholics. But if there were a need for such a thread, it seems like this would be the least appropriate place to put it. If you need to vent, a less permanent medium would perhaps be better, and certainly avoiding giving scandal to those outside the Church would seem wise.
What am I missing?
–Jen
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HCC
Guest
And sadly you are talking about the majority of American Catholics.
When I taught preparation for first Holy Communion, we weren’t allowed to mention:
Read this for more answers:
losangelesmission.com/ed/articles/2006/0606ds.htm
When I taught preparation for first Holy Communion, we weren’t allowed to mention:
- Mortal sin because, we were told, some of the children’s parents didn’t go to Mass regularly and that would confuse and cause pain for the child. (To know that their parents were committing a serious sin)
- Teaching about Sunday/Holy Days of Obligation–same reason
- The concept of Hell–it would scare children.
- The Brown Scapular–The pastor said the Church didn’t “do that” any more.
- A group of “Rosary Ladies” were permitted to come and show a children’s video on Fatima as long as the parts concerning the vision of Hell were edited out.
- The book they wanted us to use conveyed a very watered down, vague and ambiguous understanding of the Eucharist.
Read this for more answers:
losangelesmission.com/ed/articles/2006/0606ds.htm
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phoenixrrt62
Guest
I do get what you are saying…I try to say something to some people who really seem to be in distress, but, see, I don’t really pray, and I’m not one to post prayers as a response…just strikes me as a bit odd, but that’s just me.
I keep thinking that people would want someone to comment to say that they could relate or something…but…then…well, I thought that wasn’t the case, so I just stopped commenting…
If you think my comments would be of some comfort, well, hey, I’ll comment, but, again, I don’t really pray…like…the rosary or a specific prayer to a saint, etc…
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Nicea325
Guest
FINALLY! Someone who understands. And as a Director of Catechesis, your above list is very familiar to me…not shocked one bit.
I had a mom get mad at me because I discussed Hell with a group of 5th graders. These were her words: When did the church start teaching Hell to children?
Sad part: Mom is in charge of Liturgy of the Word for children.
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Greg27
Guest
In Australia only about 15% of Catholics attend Mass on the weekend. While a part of this no doubt is due to social trends in Australian culture that have little to do with the church itself, I think the church has to ask itself some serious questions about itself and why it is no longer attractive to 85% of its members. Similar questions are being asked (and must be asked) by the other churches like the Anglicans, who have similar problems.
I don’t think condemning those who refuse to participate regularly in the Mass or those who only come at Easter and Christmas will help. The church needs to ask itself: What is it that is keeping people away from the church? I can’t say reading a lot of the horrible condemnations here of people who don’t attend church regularly, who don’t exactly obey certain liturgical rubrics, or who break some obscure canon law, inspire me at all, and I doubt any Catholic alienated from the church for whatever reason would find it inspiring either. It just gives me the impression the church is like a rather snobbish club with rigid exclusionary rules and only a few are welcome.
I think it would be refreshing to see a church which welcomed everyone, including Catholics whose lives don’t comform with the ‘idealised’ image of Catholicism or the family (i.e. the divorced, the single, the single parents, those with a weak faith, enquirers, etc), non-Catholic Christians, and others. I often get the feeling when I go to a Catholic church the atmosphere is cold, hostile and unwelcoming. There seems to be a stark difference between those ‘inside’ and those ‘outside’, which is not made easier by the complex and clearly unwelcoming laws the church has in relation to reception of the Eucharist, mixed marriages, and so on. The church also seems to have done little to make people like homosexuals, the unmarried, divorced, women, and so on, as welcome as they should be. The church also seems to not be as active in speaking out on important things like the environment, treatment of asylum seekers and migrants, criminals, and Aboriginal people as much as it should.
What is the church doing to reach out to these people? To the general public? Does the church offer hope, justice and a welcoming and loving community for the failures, the rejected, and the social outcasts? Is a homeless and unwashed man who stinks as welcome at the Eucharist as the wealthy, well-dressed Catholic businessman who swears unswerving loyalty to the Magesterium? Is the divorced Catholic or returning Catholic or dissenting Catholic as welcome? Or the single parent? Will they be howled down by the ‘pure’ members of the church who regularly attend Mass and obey the church’s laws? What image does the church present to the world when it protects priests who abuse children but strips dissenting theologians of their jobs and entitlements?
I don’t think condemning those who refuse to participate regularly in the Mass or those who only come at Easter and Christmas will help. The church needs to ask itself: What is it that is keeping people away from the church? I can’t say reading a lot of the horrible condemnations here of people who don’t attend church regularly, who don’t exactly obey certain liturgical rubrics, or who break some obscure canon law, inspire me at all, and I doubt any Catholic alienated from the church for whatever reason would find it inspiring either. It just gives me the impression the church is like a rather snobbish club with rigid exclusionary rules and only a few are welcome.
I think it would be refreshing to see a church which welcomed everyone, including Catholics whose lives don’t comform with the ‘idealised’ image of Catholicism or the family (i.e. the divorced, the single, the single parents, those with a weak faith, enquirers, etc), non-Catholic Christians, and others. I often get the feeling when I go to a Catholic church the atmosphere is cold, hostile and unwelcoming. There seems to be a stark difference between those ‘inside’ and those ‘outside’, which is not made easier by the complex and clearly unwelcoming laws the church has in relation to reception of the Eucharist, mixed marriages, and so on. The church also seems to have done little to make people like homosexuals, the unmarried, divorced, women, and so on, as welcome as they should be. The church also seems to not be as active in speaking out on important things like the environment, treatment of asylum seekers and migrants, criminals, and Aboriginal people as much as it should.
What is the church doing to reach out to these people? To the general public? Does the church offer hope, justice and a welcoming and loving community for the failures, the rejected, and the social outcasts? Is a homeless and unwashed man who stinks as welcome at the Eucharist as the wealthy, well-dressed Catholic businessman who swears unswerving loyalty to the Magesterium? Is the divorced Catholic or returning Catholic or dissenting Catholic as welcome? Or the single parent? Will they be howled down by the ‘pure’ members of the church who regularly attend Mass and obey the church’s laws? What image does the church present to the world when it protects priests who abuse children but strips dissenting theologians of their jobs and entitlements?
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Angels_Eyes
Guest
I see the point to this thread…but hey, I think we are all just human and trying to do the right thing by attending Church anyway…are we really the ones that should be judging anyone else, and maybe some of these people can only afford a pair of thongs or sandals…Catholics should not ‘judge’ anyone, Jesus did not judge, aren’t we suppose to be guided by the Lord…not our criticizing minds?
As humans we judge to a certain extent, and this cannot be helped, but to judge all of those that attend our Church, our own brothers and sisters, well it sounds like some people are very insecure within themselves and should be concerntrating on the mass and stop looking at everyone around them.
As humans we judge to a certain extent, and this cannot be helped, but to judge all of those that attend our Church, our own brothers and sisters, well it sounds like some people are very insecure within themselves and should be concerntrating on the mass and stop looking at everyone around them.
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tuscany
Guest
Phoenixrrt62,
Thank you for understanding what I was trying to say.
revert_jen,
Re-read what I said. I didn’t say anything about praying, let alone assuming about people not praying. You are the one assuming. All I said was that there were people hurting, and if you are at the end of your rope,so to speak, and people are basically “driving by your car wreck” and not stopping to help, wouldn’t you feel no one cared? I never said a word about anyone saying a prayer, but how about a “I’ll keep you in my thoughts"or “God be with you”,or “hoping for the best for you”, you know, something nice. When you go in there to read the prayer requests, you know people are in a rough way, can’t we all, Catholics and non, just be a little nicer?” That’s all I was saying.
Thank you for understanding what I was trying to say.
revert_jen,
Re-read what I said. I didn’t say anything about praying, let alone assuming about people not praying. You are the one assuming. All I said was that there were people hurting, and if you are at the end of your rope,so to speak, and people are basically “driving by your car wreck” and not stopping to help, wouldn’t you feel no one cared? I never said a word about anyone saying a prayer, but how about a “I’ll keep you in my thoughts"or “God be with you”,or “hoping for the best for you”, you know, something nice. When you go in there to read the prayer requests, you know people are in a rough way, can’t we all, Catholics and non, just be a little nicer?” That’s all I was saying.
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Sufjon
Guest
Dear Nicea, if you work at the church, maybe you could talk to one of the priests about giving a homily about all of that one day. I went to a Catholic service one time where the priest was talking about proper attire and some of the things you mentioned, so I’ve seen it done. Or maybe they’d let you make a sign to put in the lobby that lists some of the things like attire, chewing gum, noisy children cell phones and things along that line. I’m sure most people are generally aware of those things, but sometimes they need reminders, and reinforcing the rules from time to time might be a help. Maybe every now and then the person who reads the announcements could read off some of those reminders. These are just some suggestions.
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TedDC
Guest
I would add to the list:The truth always offends people…ask Jesus.
Under “fraternal correction”, “rebuking the sinner” and all that rot as an excuse to be offensive for their own pleasure and satisfaction rather than out of genuine concern for another’s spiritual welfare.
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NEWCATHOLICJEFF
Guest
I am pretty sure Jesus wore sandals and a dress, I mean robe. Kinda like what our Priests wear. Oh shoot, our priest does wear sandals too. We are not on the beach but we are in the Keys and he should be reprimanded. In fact I don’t think any shoes are good enough since everybody has their own preferences and nobody can be correct. He should come barefooted and naked after all those are the clothes God made for him and truly must be the only acceptable suite to be worn in his presence. He would then not offend anybody, well except those people that don’t like feet or nudity. Then again he is pretty old and has a pot belly so that might be kinda ugly. What a terrible image…
Then again maybe it is more important to be less judgmental? However it seems to be a lot of fun to judge others, after all didn’t our Lord tell everybody to throw rocks at that woman? He did tell them to throw stones as I recall, although he had a small requirement they had to meet prior to casting, but nevertheless he did have a call for judging and punishment. People seem to like to categorize and judge others, after all it is so much fun. I have to admit I often judge others, but I am not to good at it I keep tripping over my own inadequacies and usually I end up with my face in the dirt.
I wonder if we should study and promote the differences or focus more on the adoration of our Lord? I guess for some people that have children that are Attention Deficit Disordered they should stay home, or those with a mental disorder that are loud. We do have a cry room so maybe they can go there, then again I can still hear the crying of the babies even behind the glass so they should stay at home too. We could turn the cry room into a sitting room for old people, we don’t need children any way as they don’t contribute anything to the church and we could save a lot of money not having to pay for all the books and stuff. In fact we could spend more time in a very silent church praying in adoration.
We have a disabled man in his 50’s that takes a LONG time to be guided by his 70+ year old parents up for communion. He is such a distraction. He often stumbles and at times brushes up next to people sitting in the aisle. He should stay at home too. In fact his parents have some nerve bringing him at all. At their age they should know by now that these distractions are just not needed or desired. All these distractions from all these people, just like all the distractions in your list. They should get the point and leave him at home. You know we could make cubicles and then we would not have to worry about this. We could also just put a camera up and stay at home on our computers. They could mail us the species, shoot that won’t work, but it was a good idea we would not have to be with anybody else. We could be all alone with our God.
We have a single mother with 3 young children, she cannot control all three of them. She should stay home too. They obviously don’t need to be at Mass distracting others that are fervently praying. Honestly we don’t have many children at Mass anymore, why do they need to come at all anyway? It is not like we have a lot of kids they can play with anyway.
What were the criteria that Christ used for inclusion of people? I am pretty sure we could make a list of all the good people that he allowed in his presence, those that don’t fit in that group should just not come. I wonder what that list would look like? I am confident that the list would be full of just beautiful people, well behaved, highly educated, groomed and dressed to the hilt. We need people at church that look and behave like they are religious and like they should be there. After all we have people that are watching and we need to send a signal. We have standards and this list should be the most important requirement for attending mass. Image after all is everything. Nike says that so it must be true…They make a LOT of money and know what they are talking about.
Well enough of my agreeing with the OP.
Seriously, I think the heart is far more important. Love… The love of those 3 kids, and the older couple bringing their son every Sunday. Our Priest in his sandals and the joy of listening to the laughter of children, and parents correcting them are all part of a healthy church. I love it and hope I hear more. We don’t have enough children and if that requires wearing shorts and t-shirts so that a family can be increased by 3 or 4 kids then I am ALL for it. We have enough exclusions in our society. I want inclusion. I want them to come to Mass. I don’t want to judge, let God do that, I just want to worship and sing together, even if my voice is terrible, it is what I can offer.
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Sailor_Kenshin
Guest
While I am as sick of the next person of 'I’m holier than you" threads, please do keep in mind that it is a mortal sin to skip Mass unless one is sick or has a similarly grave reason.
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Nicea325
Guest
Well it is difficult to focus on the mass,especially when so many distractions going on.I see the point to this thread…but hey, I think we are all just human and trying to do the right thing by attending Church anyway…are we really the ones that should be judging anyone else, and maybe some of these people can only afford a pair of thongs or sandals…Catholics should not ‘judge’ anyone, Jesus did not judge, aren’t we suppose to be guided by the Lord…not our criticizing minds?
As humans we judge to a certain extent, and this cannot be helped, but to judge all of those that attend our Church, our own brothers and sisters, well it sounds like some people are very insecure within themselves and should be concerntrating on the mass and stop looking at everyone around them.
N
NEWCATHOLICJEFF
Guest
Church is no place for children…
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Nicea325
Guest
I think to many here are viewing at as though I am judging others and I am not. These are real issues/problems and people get all bent out-of-shape when they hear these issues.Church is no place for children…
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NEWCATHOLICJEFF
Guest
You are right, but I am teasing you anyway…
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Nicea325
Guest
Oh I knew you were just teasing. I guess I am old school…You are right, but I am teasing you anyway…
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The_Old_Medic
Guest
Judge not, lest you be judged?
What gives you the right to question any other persons claim to be a Catholic?
What gives you the right to question any other persons claim to be a Catholic?
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