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

[Apryl]

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!

Please take your boys to Mass. If they don’t learn now, when/how can they learn?

A few weeks ago, we had a visiting priest. As he began his homily, one Adorable Tot, who is just a year old, caught his eye. He held up starting his homily to pick her up, hug her and talk to her and just make a fuss over her. I don’t know that she was acting up, but she distracted him.

There is a new family at the church with four small children. The father often comes alone with the kids, and they sit in the front row. I’ve heard several people comment on how well behaved his children are. One person even said, 'when I had kids they had to in the LAST ROW.

I can recall times when I was small and my grandmother had a way of … um… holding me. (Yeah, we’ll call it that, even if the Statute of Limitations has run out) and I would be quiet for her. Otherwise, it was a lot.

BUT, let us not, kids will be kids, and people can expect and tolerate childish behavior from children. If we don’t correct them, we’ll have to deal with them when they are not children and behaving in a childish manner.

 

[UniversalistGuy]

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?

Perhaps the ones that are upset with the list have a different understanding of salvation, d’you think?

 

[Apryl]

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

You’re funny

I mean… really.

You use words like ‘obviously’ and then follow up with ‘God Bless’, but it doesn’t change that what I said was wrong.

I never said it was written in Acts. or any where else. I did say that there is nothing that says Catholics don’t tithe. You are not the magisterium. You can not interpret in the place of the magesterium

Since you seem to have a wealth of resources and since you’re the one who is correcting me and since I’m the one who asked "Who said that Catholics don’t tithe’ and since your last post didn’t answer the question that was posed…

… well… you’re the ‘smart one’.

Have a nice event.

 

[Apryl]

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.

I usually sit up towards the front for any Mass I attend.

I was there one Sunday, just behind the chalice, and I saw a couple go to Communion. I can’t recall all the details, but it was obvious that she was the one who had been raised Catholic, and the guy was visiting. He took the Host, and looked at her, then walked beyond the chalice with the Host in his hand.

I got up from my kneeler and said to him (as gently as I could) ‘Please consume that, now. You need to put that IN your mouth and consume it’.

My personal take on it was that the person with the Chalice should have said something when he was walking past.


NO ONE SHOULD HOLD THE HOST IN HIS/HER HAND FOR LONGER THAN THE TIME TO GET TO THE CHALICE. At least, that’s my opinion. If people consume the Host, you won’t see it in the seats. We also have to be careful for people desecrating the Consecrated Hosts.

 

[LittleSoldier]

I usually sit up towards the front for any Mass I attend.

I was there one Sunday, just behind the chalice, and I saw a couple go to Communion. I can’t recall all the details, but it was obvious that she was the one who had been raised Catholic, and the guy was visiting. He took the Host, and looked at her, then walked beyond the chalice with the Host in his hand.

I got up from my kneeler and said to him (as gently as I could) ‘Please consume that, now. You need to put that IN your mouth and consume it’.

My personal take on it was that the person with the Chalice should have said something when he was walking past.

Absolutely. The person with the Chalice is responsible. The Host is Jesus. I mean, c’mon. It’s God! My sister used to give Communion and she has told me about some of her experiences (dropped Host, person standing there with no hands held out and no tongue available, etc.). She stopped because she felt the priest was more concerned about possibly offending someone than the Host itself.

NO ONE SHOULD HOLD THE HOST IN HIS/HER HAND FOR LONGER THAN THE TIME TO GET TO THE CHALICE. At least, that’s my opinion. If people consume the Host, you won’t see it in the seats. We also have to be careful for people desecrating the Consecrated Hosts.

I thought we were supposed to put the Host into our mouths while standing there. But I guess people walk away with it, holding it. But this Host in the envelope thing is really strange because it’s been going on for awhile and is probably a member of the parish. I think the only way to catch him/her is for someone to see him/her actually putting the Host in an envelope. So far nobody has spoken up.

Right now I can’t respond to all your posts that are responses to my posts (and so on…) but the fact that you are an authority changes everything. If you’re an authority it’s not only your right but your responsibility to correct people. I thought you were just a regular person like me, who although I am so dandy cute (and this is real life) and adorable that people just run up to me and hug me with tears of joy running down their faces and ask to adopt me and give me ice cream and money (which is duly given to the Church) until I beg them to stop (it must be my absolutely adorable big brown eyes with the long lashes)…uhm, I forgot what I was writing. Oh, I’m just a regular ol’ church goin’ person with no authority at all.

And you are absolutely right about “shouldn’t receive Communion” and I wanted to change my post but it was too late. Darn that twenty minute limit!

It is really very sad that parents defend their kids who are engaged in activities like the roller shoes. If I had done that I would have been smacked into next week. It’s not like I believe smacking kids is a good idea but I would have gotten the message. But I don’t think I would ever have done anything like that. That amazes me (not that I wouldn’t have done it but that people actually do). Evidently things are worse at other churches than at my present one and that does concern me, especially because I’m moving and may run across those problems. It’s bad enough that my childhood church was recently vandalized horribly. That should have been enough to open my eyes.

I guess I’ll deal with that when I move.

Sometimes I chew a special gum for dry mouth but I’m quiet about it. I can’t even pop my gum. I’ve never been able to do that (can’t blow bubbles either). And I can imagine how it must be standing in the line for Communion (I don’t have to do that because the first pew is for disabled people and the priest brings Communion to me) while someone is smacking and popping gum with his/her mouth open - the same mouth that is going to soon receive the holiest gift of all - God. What are people thinking?

But I wonder if this is going on and I don’t notice because I’m concentrating on God. I don’t know what people wear. I don’t know if they eat. I don’t want to sound like a goody two-shoes because I sin a lot. But when I’m at Mass it’s like, oh I don’t know how to describe it, it’s like being in heaven. It’s so beautiful that the distractions disappear and all that is left is the Mass.

 

[PatrickSebast]

I usually sit up towards the front for any Mass I attend.

I was there one Sunday, just behind the chalice, and I saw a couple go to Communion. I can’t recall all the details, but it was obvious that she was the one who had been raised Catholic, and the guy was visiting. He took the Host, and looked at her, then walked beyond the chalice with the Host in his hand.

I got up from my kneeler and said to him (as gently as I could) ‘Please consume that, now. You need to put that IN your mouth and consume it’.

My personal take on it was that the person with the Chalice should have said something when he was walking past.


NO ONE SHOULD HOLD THE HOST IN HIS/HER HAND FOR LONGER THAN THE TIME TO GET TO THE CHALICE. At least, that’s my opinion. If people consume the Host, you won’t see it in the seats. We also have to be careful for people desecrating the Consecrated Hosts.

You know…If he didn’t know what to do then he probably wasn’t Catholic and telling him to consume it is probably the opposite of what you should have done. It is a rough situation so I wouldn’t be so quick to get angry with others about it when you didn’t handle it perfectly yourself.

 

[Nicea325]

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.

Well as one priest once told me: People always get upset at the truth… And yes I understand some people cannot attend Mass due to good reasons. What I am referring to is people who are very capable of attending,but rather give a million and one excuses.

 

[Nicea325]

Hello Nicea,
Supporting the Church is one thing, but Biblical tithing is a whole other story.

30, catholics who think we tithe!​

First the Israelites gave under the Law, 10% of their income to the Temple, [2] 10% of their crops to the poor, and [3] then left the gleanings 10% for the widows to gather… That’s 30% . I doubt you do that!

So if you use the term ‘tithe’

like the protestants do, understand fully what it means… Catholics take up a Collection, for the Church for the poor, for missionaries and we do it from our hearts, and we receive kudos and indulgences for our selfless sacrifices in heaven, we donate used clothes and other items to the poor,** But we doesn’t tithe**

God bless,
John

Well yes,I should not have used tithe,but still does not change the fact many Catholics believe they are not obligated to give anything at ALL…precisely my point.

 

[MartinJordan]

Catholics who come to Church but refuse or too shy to assist in the Parish, giving excuses like that they are not worthy (I mean who really is) or are not talented, but can spend hours on end in Malls.

MJ

 

[Nicea325]

Catholics who come to Church but refuse or too shy to assist in the Parish, giving excuses like that they are not worthy (I mean who really is) or are not talented, but can spend hours on end in Malls.

MJ

I totally understand as the Director of Catechesis. At times parents get upset because I will not have a catechist or two for a class or two. As a result, I ask them to give their time and talent and then comes flying the array of excuses and reasons why they cannot?

And yes I know some people absolutely cannot due to many reasons,but as you said,most can spend hours at the mall with no qualms…

 

[Apryl]

You know…If he didn’t know what to do then he probably wasn’t Catholic and telling him to consume it is probably the opposite of what you should have done. It is a rough situation so I wouldn’t be so quick to get angry with others about it when you didn’t handle it perfectly yourself.

I’m certain that the guy wasn’t Catholic.

But the priest gave him the Host. After that, there was nothing for me to say. It is not appropriate to try to do Catechism in the Communion line.

Could you imagine, “Hi… Are you Catholic? You don’t know? Why don’t you know? Sir, I asked you a simple question. Are you Catholic? Had your First Holy Communion? I can’t imagine you wouldn’t even know how to receive Communion if you had. I need you to hand me that Host from your hand”.

All the while, I had the Host on my tongue disolving. Nope. There is no way that I should have opened myself up for that possible argument.

Nope. I disagree. I should tell him to Consume the Host that he had in his hand. I am a lay person, not the priest.

I definitely didn’t want to disrupt the sanctity of the Communion for every one else around wrestling him to the ground for the Host.

And I have asked others, looked it up in the GIRM. Actually, I did handle that situation perfectly.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Catholics who come to Church but refuse or too shy to assist in the Parish, giving excuses like that they are not worthy (I mean who really is) or are not talented, but can spend hours on end in Malls.

Hey now, I may not spend time in malls but I still take offense at this. If you knew what my life is outside of mass, you wouldn’t even think of asking me. This is not to say I’m a blatant hypocrite. I’m just saying that my behavior at mass and my behavior in every day life are as different as a baptism and a wedding. They’re both good but both still different.

 

[Apryl]

Hey now, I may not spend time in malls but I still take offense at this. If you knew what my life is outside of mass, you wouldn’t even think of asking me. This is not to say I’m a blatant hypocrite. I’m just saying that my behavior at mass and my behavior in every day life are as different as a baptism and a wedding. They’re both good but both still different.

Hunh?

Can you please put this in more casual terms?

 

[LittleSoldier]

I’m certain that the guy wasn’t Catholic.

But the priest gave him the Host. After that, there was nothing for me to say. It is not appropriate to try to do Catechism in the Communion line.

Could you imagine, “Hi… Are you Catholic? You don’t know? Why don’t you know? Sir, I asked you a simple question. Are you Catholic? Had your First Holy Communion? I can’t imagine you wouldn’t even know how to receive Communion if you had. I need you to hand me that Host from your hand”.

All the while, I had the Host on my tongue disolving. Nope. There is no way that I should have opened myself up for that possible argument.

Nope. I disagree. I should tell him to Consume the Host that he had in his hand. I am a lay person, not the priest.

I definitely didn’t want to disrupt the sanctity of the Communion for every one else around wrestling him to the ground for the Host.

And I have asked others, looked it up in the GIRM. Actually, I did handle that situation perfectly.

I was under the impression that non-Catholics could absolutely, 100 percent NOT receive the Host but the former priest at my church said that he gave Communion to non-Catholics. What I was thinking must have shown on my face because he then said it is a grey area. When my sister gave Communion she would do what you did. That is what the priest told her to do. She didn’t like it and neither do I, but what the priest says goes.

I even thought about writing a letter to the diocese about it and I am still confused as to why some (only some) priests give Communion to people who are obviously not Catholic and don’t know why they are standing there. I don’t see why the person giving Communion can’t whisper “Are you Catholic?” but from what I’ve heard (which isn’t much) that doesn’t happen.

So I believe you were right in your action although I disagree with the action itself.

It’s still God, isn’t it? I mean maybe it does some good or that’s what some priests believe.

 

[LittleSoldier]

Well as one priest once told me: People always get upset at the truth… And yes I understand some people cannot attend Mass due to good reasons. What I am referring to is people who are very capable of attending,but rather give a million and one excuses.

Especially when they know it is a mortal sin, yet give their full consent to not go. But people are good at rationalizing and they can fool themselves. I used to do that before I left the Church. I would convince myself that I wasn’t giving full consent and therefore it wasn’t a mortal sin.

What was I thinking? What was I thinking???

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

Hunh?

Can you please put this in more casual terms?

I don’t get it either—isn’t Jesus supposed to change us in EVERY way? So we’re not just 'church Cath’lics" but Catholic in everything we do?

 

[Nicea325]

Especially when they know it is a mortal sin, yet give their full consent to not go. But people are good at rationalizing and they can fool themselves. I used to do that before I left the Church. I would convince myself that I wasn’t giving full consent and therefore it wasn’t a mortal sin.

What was I thinking? What was I thinking???

I know…I know. What is even more shocking is when parents tell me:

Well God will forgive me for not going this week…

 

[Apryl]

I was under the impression that non-Catholics could absolutely, 100 percent NOT receive the Host but the former priest at my church said that he gave Communion to non-Catholics. What I was thinking must have shown on my face because he then said it is a grey area. When my sister gave Communion she would do what you did. That is what the priest told her to do. She didn’t like it and neither do I, but what the priest says goes.

I find this attitude to be so dishonest…so disingenious… and so common.

The Church needs the priest to stand in support. And we, as the congregations, should stand in support for the priest who are trying to support.

IF the priest didn’t know the person was not Catholic is one thing, but once he knows, he should react accordingly.

The problem is: IF the priests have been allowing some to receive Communion when they know they are not Catholic, how do you stop it? My two cents on it is that until priests start to remind people who are Catholic that JUST BEING CATHOLIC ALONE is not enough for you to recieve this sacrament, but one should also be in a state of grace - that is, if you have done anything sinful, you should go to Confession to be absolved of the sin so that you may properly receive this wonderful sacrament!

 

[Apryl]

Originally Posted by LittleSoldier
Especially when they know it is a mortal sin, yet give their full consent to not go. But people are good at rationalizing and they can fool themselves. I used to do that before I left the Church. I would convince myself that I wasn’t giving full consent and therefore it wasn’t a mortal sin.

What was I thinking? What was I thinking???

I know…I know. What is even more shocking is when parents tell me:

Well God will forgive me for not going this week…

The way I hear it is, ‘The Lord knows my heart’ ??

As if that would be reassuring. If the Lord knows your heart, maybe you should be RUNNING for forgiveness!

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Hunh?

Can you please put this in more casual terms?

I don’t get it either—isn’t Jesus supposed to change us in EVERY way? So we’re not just 'church Cath’lics" but Catholic in everything we do?

Excuse me? Here is how I act in Church:

Priest: gives homily

LW: … says in his mind What relevance does this have in my life? Is this really human nature? Did a person like that really exist? Why do they always make them out to be so holy? Why do I find this hard to relate to? Why do I find this easy to relate to? Why…? Why? Why…?questions keep whispering :hypno:

Here is how I am in your typical cafe:

LW: is playing Left 4 Dead 2 with others Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! >8D shotguns zombie horde

Obnoxious Teammate: ****!!! Jockey’s got me!

LW: shoots Jockey

Obnoxious Teammate: Move it fool! D8<

LW: You’re welcome.

Whiny Teammate: Uhh… help! DX is hanging off a ledge

LW: helps him up

Need I say more?