What I don't like about Catholics...as a Catholic.

[Lutheranteach]

1. Catholics who spend time creating lists of Catholics they don’t like.

In spite of being a well catechised, daily Mass attender, frequent confession goer, I’m on your little list @no. 4 because I wear sandals all summer!

I never went to church in anything less than a sport coat and/or tie until I was 30 years old.

 

[John_oxios]

=Apryl;7009680]

I think the person you are talking about is very lucky if their ushers are trained. I have been in many churches, in many states, and I don’t believe the ushers are trained.

I was in another church and the ushers were standing in the back of the church talking, chewing gum, and just enjoying themselves during the Communion portion.:mad

:

Notify the Swiss Guard, maybe they’ll hang outside the church for all to see.

Or make’m where it on their nose the rest of the Mass.

Why do we allow people to come into church whenever they arrive? Why not ask the people who come late to not go to a seat during a prayer, or not to go to their seats during the Reading of the Gospel? These things don’t take that long. If people were discouraged from arriving late, maybe they’ll make a bit more effort to come on time.

Like a twelve step program, your never late! Always welcome!

I don’t know that the ushers have ‘power’, but they** should** help with decorum.

Should’ve would’ve could’ve all from the peanut gallery!

Want to do something Join them, make suggestions within.

There’s goes another

1. Ushers who do not know what there doing!

But sometimes people are called into service, to fill a void

Can’t fault them for that! The Local Church’s around here use the Knights as Ushers, most are fully Practicing and know the faith. Sometimes, they need help and call on someone they see regularly@ the Mass for help, maybe mistakenly thinking they can know what do to by their weekly observations.

and another
32) church members who do not volunteer! But expect not only to take care of o thieir dislikes, but also what they like!

God bless,
John

 

[John_oxios]

I never went to church in anything less than a sport coat and/or tie until I was 30 years old.

And then what happened?

 

[LittleSoldier]

Wow! Amazing

I heard a few years ago about a Deacon reading the Gospel and when he sat, he died.

I think the person you are talking about is very lucky if their ushers are trained. I have been in many churches, in many states, and I don’t believe the ushers are trained.

I was in one church, when it was time for Communion, the usher was trying to get the people to get into line. One of the people said, ‘But I’m not Catholic’, and the usher responded, ‘Oh, that’s ok’, smiled and waved the person up to Communion.

I was in another church and the ushers were standing in the back of the church talking, chewing gum, and just enjoying themselves during the Communion portion.

OK, now I have bared teeth and flames coming out of my ears (not really), but that just isn’t right.

I have asked at my own church, ‘who trains the ushers?’, but so many of the people who choose to be ushers don’t want to ‘say anything’ to any one.

Yeah, it’s better to allow someone to be irreverent to the extreme to God but we can’t actually ask them to stop because that’s scary and they might get mad or embarrassed. I’m starting to understand the problems at some churches.

As a person who has been to Protestant churches and seen ushers who USHER, I’m kind of disappointed with the ‘ushering’ that takes place in Catholic churches.

Why do we allow people to come into church whenever they arrive? Why not ask the people who come late to not go to a seat during a prayer, or not to go to their seats during the Reading of the Gospel? These things don’t take that long. If people were discouraged from arriving late, maybe they’ll make a bit more effort to come on time.

If they don’t make effort to come on time, they may be ok with standing at the door or in the vestibule until those times end.

I don’t know that the ushers have ‘power’, but they should help with decorum.

OK, if the ushers are no longer being trained we have a problem because someone in authority needs to keep order. It should not be up to the people attending Mass and the priest should certainly not have to stop Mass to tell a women to stop stripping.

Things like that just don’t go on in my church. If I decide to remain Catholic and when I move, I will probably see more inappropriate clothing because I’m moving to a very hot climate for my health. I might even wear shorts and sandals to Mass but I promise you I will be modest and respectful. And I never break a promise without an extremely good reason and that is very rare.

If someone comes late (even if it isn’t their own fault) he/she should remain in the back until an appropriate time comes to be seated instead of disrupting people who are trying to attend to God. That is respectful. In the old church we had there were benches against the side walls and for awhile I just couldn’t seem to get to Mass on time. I would very quietly move to that bench and sit as far back as possible and then move to a regular pew when I felt it was appropriate or many times I stayed on the bench for the whole Mass.

(Side note: if the Host had already been consecrated, there was no need for another priest to come to distribute Communion. I don’t see the point of locking the doors. No one’s safety was in question. )

This was a long time ago when priests were the only ones who dispensed Communion. I should have mentioned that. The doors were locked to protect the Host, although the fire department might have had a problem with that.

This same friend has a current problem going on at her church. They are finding Hosts in the little envelopes in the pews. It’s been going on for awhile and they are very very upset, as they should be. Something like that would be so easy to do. And so wrong.

 

[John_oxios]

I sure hope you posted this in an effort to be funny.

But in case you are not: the Church has precepts of being a Catholic. That is, a list of things that are expected of them.

The first on that list is usually the attendance at Mass.

But wait: If a person is not in good health, or has something that could be contracted by others, that person should remain at home. PLEASE STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK!

If your health is poor, the only thing I would ask of is that you contact your parish for those times for someone of the church to bring you Communion so that you can at least have that privilege.

Not only that, they can call the Parish office ask for an Priest, Deacon, or E.M to bring the Eucharist and read the Gospel to them/with them.

People in Hosp. hear the Gospel, say a prayer, and receive the Eucharist daily.

But who knew?

God bless,
John

 

[PatrickSebast]

Personally I’m glad my Church isn’t filled with people who only who dress in a suit and tie every Sunday, know everything there is to know about church teachings, have a perfect track record of mass attendance, have perfect control over every young child they have, and go through all the motions perfectly. Maybe we can make some sort of arrangement where all the “Good Catholics” have to take and pass a quiz to enter your parish and all the ones who fail can come to mine.

 

[LittleSoldier]

I sure hope you posted this in an effort to be funny.

But in case you are not: the Church has precepts of being a Catholic. That is, a list of things that are expected of them.

The first on that list is usually the attendance at Mass.

But wait: If a person is not in good health, or has something that could be contracted by others, that person should remain at home. PLEASE STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK!

If your health is poor, the only thing I would ask of is that you contact your parish for those times for someone of the church to bring you Communion so that you can at least have that privilege.

I’m confused because I am in very poor health and can rarely attend Mass. When I do I receive Communion. This is what my priest told me to do.

Some of my poor health is physical and some is mental (and specific to Mass; I won’t go into details here but my priest is aware of it) and they keep me away from Mass most Sundays. I’m hoping things will change but I will either get worse physically or remain the same. I am not going to get better unless there is a miracle. I may end up in a wheelchair.

I received Communion at home once and then the person who brought it to me never came back. I’m going to call my church office and ask if it can be brought to me on a regular basis. I guess that means I’m not leaving the Church. Whew!

 

[LittleSoldier]

Personally I’m glad my Church isn’t filled with people who only who dress in a suit and tie every Sunday, know everything there is to know about church teachings, have a perfect track record of mass attendance, have perfect control over every young child they have, and go through all the motions perfectly. Maybe we can make some sort of arrangement where all the “Good Catholics” have to take and pass a quiz to enter your parish and all the ones who fail can come to mine.

Hooah!!!

 

[faithfully]

You know… the sad thing about giving $$ to the church… As of late. I was blown away just the other day to find out the diocese I live in has paid out over 25 MILLION to victims of sexual abuse. And here we go again. We have another case coming up. And it actually involves people that I grew up with. I’m so saddened by this. I’m sure the men involved will receive $$ during this case. How will this be financed…when we are trying desperately to raise money to keep our schools open, repair our churches, and to fund the ministry to keep up with our need for new priests.

I know… OT… But I kinda wonder if this impacts how much people give the church, as I hadn’t really thought about it before. But how much does anyone want to contribute to pay for something that NEVER should have happened… or allowed to continue.

Oh… and regarding children in church. This is SOOOOOO Hard! I have 2 little boys. They are 5. They are a disaster in church. They can’t sit still… and one WILL NOT keep his mouth shut. I’ve left mass a few times. It’s very upsetting. Our priest assures me they are fine. Although we get LOOKS… Sometimes they behave so well. And we get compliments from people. It’s been the hardest part of Mass as of late!

 

[John_oxios]

Apryl;7009733]Who said that Catholics don’t tithe? No, the Church doesn’t ASK for us to do so in those terms, but we are asked to contribute. Scripture, which we know is open to interpretation… but the definitive interpretationis reserved for the Church.

Still, tithing is giving the first 10% of what you have The FIRST of what you have. Not the left overs.

Hi Apryl,

Go read it for yourself, Ruth, Mother of David’s father Jesse found and met Boaz, gathering the gleanings of his wheat, left behind for the widows as required under the Law. Book of Ruth, Chapter 2,

commentary:

“Please, let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain” : **Leviticus 19:9-10 **commanded farmers in Israel that they should not completely harvest their fields. **They were commanded/U] to “cut corners” in harvesting, and always leave some behind. Also, if they happened to drop a bundle of grain, they were commanded to leave it on the ground and to not pick it up.
We are not under the Law, we are under Grace…we know what we can give, God knows our hearts… if we give less than we are able, well then we’ll have to deal with that @ the Judgement seat

Then you oughtn’t call it tithing, Is there a limit to what you can give? The poor give less, the rich could give more, no even the Jews today call it tithing, they sell by bidding for them in the synagogue.

We freely support the Church through our donations…

Obviously you know nothing about what tithing was, Find me anywhere in Acts or the Epistles, where the Christians are required to tithe?

you really ought to check out the subject before you speak on the subject.

the 10 % number comes out of the Protestant faiths!

Read Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy Scripture is open to interpretation through the Teaching Authority. For catholics it is the Magisterium, in the Old Testament( Hebrew Scriptures) It was the Law interpreted through those given and recognized as the authority!

In Judaism nor Catholicism there is no such thing as private interpretation of the Bible… there is no such thing (accept on rare occasions) as private revelation.

Tithing is a biblical term under the Law, Paul asked for collections for the laborers, and the poor.

God bless,
John**

 

[LittleSoldier]

You know… the sad thing about giving $$ to the church… As of late. I was blown away just the other day to find out the diocese I live in has paid out over 25 MILLION to victims of sexual abuse. And here we go again. We have another case coming up. And it actually involves people that I grew up with. I’m so saddened by this. I’m sure the men involved will receive $$ during this case. How will this be financed…when we are trying desperately to raise money to keep our schools open, repair our churches, and to fund the ministry to keep up with our need for new priests.

It does hurt financially. Much of the money for our new church, which was desperately needed as the old church was small and our town is growing rapidly in population, was confiscated by the diocese to pay restitution. This is money that came out of the pockets of just about everyone, me included. And it seemed at every Mass the priest would say something like “I’m really sorry guys but we need more money to put in the electric (or whatever) and it looks like we’ll get our money back but it’s going to be several months and we need to do this now” and people would reach even deeper into their pockets.

But what an act of love! People gave and gave and gave and then we got our money back. I think our new church means more to us because there is so much of us in it.

A priest at my childhood parish allegedly molested two boys in my class. I knew them and I believe their allegations. I don’t know what happened with the case. It’s a shock at first but after awhile you start to get over it. I don’t want to minimize the damage molestation caused children, many of whom are now adults, but we do need to forgive the molesters for our own souls’ sake.

I know… OT… But I kinda wonder if this impacts how much people give the church, as I hadn’t really thought about it before. But how much does anyone want to contribute to pay for something that NEVER should have happened… or allowed to continue.

Oh… and regarding children in church. This is SOOOOOO Hard! I have 2 little boys. They are 5. They are a disaster in church. They can’t sit still… and one WILL NOT keep his mouth shut. I’ve left mass a few times. It’s very upsetting. Our priest assures me they are fine. Although we get LOOKS… Sometimes they behave so well. And we get compliments from people. It’s been the hardest part of Mass as of late!

IMHO if your priest says they are fine, they are fine and I hope people can learn the mind control to concentrate on Mass instead of children talking and playing and such. It’s actually a good lesson. I pray the people who give you LOOKS stop.

I know it’s off-topic but I wanted to respond to you. I guess if we want to discuss it more we should start a new thread.

 

[Apryl]

Those roller shoes especially (although I have a pair). But don’t the ushers at your church stop that sort of behavior? From what little I’ve heard I think they are supposed to. I guess I will admit that I would be upset and would probably say something to an usher. Those shoes could ruin a floor. Has that happened in your church? Nobody wearing a thong or roller shoes (or whatever they’re called) would be allowed into the main part of the church.

Actually, sadly, the roller shoes have made an appearance at my church. But see, the kids come in wearing the ‘shoes’, and then, when no one is looking, the kid moved to the wheel. I don’t know that the ushers saw them. I did. I saw the kid, asked him to take me to his ‘grown up’, who told me ‘those are not roller skates. They are shoes with a wheel’

Ushers SHOULD (imo) say something about that, but that doesn’t mean that they would, even if they see the culprits, who may be lost in a crowd.

You responded to a post by Sojo by bringing up the skirt caught in the pantyhose whereas Sojo never said anything remotely like that. I was trying to point out the immense difference between a social faux pas and a serious breach of respect to God.

But if a social faux pas would generate correction, why would any one not correct a breach of respect to God? I just gave that example, not that Sojo said it, but pointing out that such minimal things would be addressed. Why not big stuff?

Are you the Church? No. You are part of the Church. It. is. not. your. call.

You’re right: it’s not my call. So if the Church says it’s wrong, I don’t get to say, ‘awww… that’s ok’. I am instructed to say something when things are wrong, esp when it can affect more than just the one doing it.

Well as far as I know no church has a coffee table; at least I’ve never seen one and if one is eating sunflower seeds (how did you know I was an X-File fan?) and spitting the seeds out onto the floor (which I don’t believe Mulder ever does), that person has broken his/her fast and can’t receive Communion.

Correction: SHOULDN’T receive Communion. Haven’t you been reading the posts on CAF? There are a number of people who have complained of others in church chewing gum through Mass. The get Communion, all the same.

I happened to look at my profile today. One of my very first post on these forums addressed gum chewing and cell phones in church. That was five years ago!

But unless the person is spitting out sunflower seed shells in your pew or is in the pew behind you and is accidentally (or purposely) hitting you with the shells, why would you even notice? When you go to Mass don’t you go to Mass? Or do you go to see what others are doing? Hmmm, I wonder if you have one of those clickers. Nah, probably not. I think you are probably pious and holy and honestly care about respect to God. As do I.

I was visiting someone else’s church on Sunday. There was a guy about two rows ahead of me who was chewing gum. He was chewing so hard it was nearly impossible to not notice him. I didn’t want to look at him. In fact, I was looking at the art work, and looking for some one else I know who usually sang in the choir.

Another way to see it is when you are in the Communion Line, and the person is chewing, and looking around. Their manner of movement draws attention to their actions.

That is why I asked you if you had a list!! No, I’m not trying to be patronizing to anyone and you are misreading me. I’m frustrated and I’m in a heck of a lot of pain right now and I’m referring to the fact that the OP has a list so maybe you might have one too. See?

Are you this cute in real life? 'Cause right now, you are downright adorable.

But while I don’t have a literal list, there are a number of things that bother me. I notice things. I want to find ways to address them in a charitable manner. I pray about them. I discuss this with others. I wonder why I see it as wrong if it’s ok. I wonder if it’s wrong, why don’t others all see the same thing? And if they don’t see it as wrong, where did it fall through the cracks?

But I still say it is not your call and it’s not my call, either, and when or if we go to Mass we should attend to God, not other members of the congregation.

I don’t have that priviledge. I am in charge of the Worship Commission. I teach Religious Education. The members of the church expect me to not only know what is right, but to DO what is right.

You know, I like you. I sure don’t know why but I do. Weird.

I dunno either. Brilliance? Good taste? Symbiosis?

 

[Loboto-Me]

What it all boils down to is showing the basic type of politeness and reverence meant for the King of Kings.

I agree with you Nicea, almost all the way… I don’t care about the sandals part as long as it’s not flipflops and the rest of the clothes shows modesty at least. Actually I don’t care if there’s a hole in the shirt or a scuffed shoe, I do care if it shows more than need be. I understand people may be coming in from the street (my parish is downtown where there are many homeless ppl) I’d actually be pleased to see such a person come and worship with us.

The thing is, in secular circles, most of these objections you mention are frowned upon. Who doesn’t get insulted when in the middle of a visit, the person decides to make a phonecall… or like what happens to my husband and I very often… being invited to dinner by someone and the couple who invites us decides that they prefer to talk to the other people they’ve invited.

I can’t understand why so many Catholics here are upset with your list… most wouldn’t accept these conditions in everyday life, yet would defend these actions while worshipping our God?

I want to add another to this list:

Catholics who are ashamed to be known as Catholic by their peers, those who would not dare to speak about religion for fear of offending, yet would not be embarrassed by their peers oggling a pretty girl or saying swear words.

 

[NEWCATHOLICJEFF]

And then what happened?

Well for me I became a Catholic…

 

[John_oxios]

Well for me I became a Catholic…

Good for you!!! I came back myself after some (20 + yrs) 10 seeking of them seeking God ourside the Catholic Church only to find Him full in the Catholic CHurch,

Mozoltov!

God bless,
John

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

I’ll tell you what REALLY offends me: changing the liturgy!

 

[Loboto-Me]

I like Catholics, but I’m glad to read this thread because it gives me ideas on ways I might avoid scandalizing other people.

And HERE is the redeeming factor in this thread. I also learned a few lessons from reading a few threads similar to this one waaaayyyy back when I began my reversion to the faith. It’s something to think about and chew on if you’re on the “black list”. If people would stop being so busy defending their actions rather than thinking about it, maybe they’d do like I did, and it would become food for thought.

And for those who are taking the title of this thread way too seriously… lighten up!

 

[John_oxios]

Apryl;7010311]
I don’t have that priviledge. I am in charge of the Worship Commission. I teach Religious Education. The members of the church expect me to not only know what is right, but to DO what is right

Hello Apryl,

I figured you were some type of authority, I love you heads of religious education!
I once had one tell me during a six week O.T. Course approved by the Diocese for Credit, "That Moses did not write the Pentateuch, we went at it every week, bottom line she was teaching something from a Protestant, Welhausen 1890, which was what was shown to be erroneous by 1895, outside of the knowledge of the Pastor, Bishop. It got so bad in that course the other ten or so people in it said just let it go! Sorry, @ the end of her course I presented her a twenty five type wriiten explanation on Welhausen and gave it to a Priest teaching at St. John’s University, who thanked me! And brought it to the Bishops attention.

              Okay, so if you see one of your catechists chewing gum during the Mass, then yes the next time you saw this person as a teacher than you'd be absolutely right by reminding the whole Class, that chewing gum is verboten.  No need to single out the person.  Maybe a second time remind them on the spot.. and  a third time? Do it the old fashion way, force the gum by smackin'em on the back of the head, and make'm where it on the nose!  Bottom line she'll find another Mass, and probably do it anyway.

God bless,
John

 

[Apryl]

I received Communion at home once and then the person who brought it to me never came back. I’m going to call my church office and ask if it can be brought to me on a regular basis. I guess that means I’m not leaving the Church. Whew!

Yes. There are people of the church who can bring you Communion. The priest, or others who are sanctioned to distribute Communion! Don’t be shy. Ask.

If they can’t bring it on Sunday, maybe they can bring it on another day.

If no one from your church is available, try another church.

Don’t let anything keep you from the Eucharist!!!

 

[Apryl]

I can’t understand why so many Catholics here are upset with your list… most wouldn’t accept these conditions in everyday life, yet would defend these actions while worshipping our God?

That’s all that I’m saying.

For those who don’t see the problem, I’m glad for you. You haven’t had to be offended by some really reprehensible things!

It’s not just in a vaccuum. It’s not just ‘wear a blue shirt on a Friday and you are a member of a gang’ type stuff. There are those who come to Mass wearing sandals, and no one would notice. But if you had on a pair of $300 shoes and they were vulgar in their appearance… they are vulgar!

(Before any one asks, I can’t explain what vulgar looking $300 shoes look like. If you saw them, you would know)

Now, rather than so much attention to attire… can we haggle on phones in church?? Even when Mass is over?