What is with people bringing bottles of water into Mass?

[CarolAnnSFO]

SnorterLuster:

I have been reading through this thread and can only come to the conclusion that as a group, we Catholics have lost our sense of suffering and of sacrifice.

Maybe many of us have enough suffering and sacrifice in our lives already, without adding “thirst” to the list. Please don’t assume everyone you see is wealthy, healthy, spoiled, and has a perfect life. That is a lie.

Seriously, why do people get so angry and judgemental about this? Is someone awarding trophies for who can go without water the longest or who can kneel the longest on the hardest surface (I can’t kneel at all due to medical conditions and injury; I hate to imagine how I’d be judged by some of those “who have no sin” and are willing to “cast the first stone” ).

Somebody else mentioned giving people the benefit of the doubt, and I agree with that – maybe a person does have a medical condition that isn’t immediately visible – who are we to ASSume and condemn?

Maybe there would be a problem if the whole congregation showed up with water bottles and/or snacks, but I don’t see that happening at all, just like not everyone in the congregation is showing up with an oxygen tank – only those who really need it.

And regarding the idea that “this never happened in the past”, I’m not so sure about that. Maybe it did. We tend to romanticize the past, and remember it the way we want to, rather than the way it really was.

As for me, I’m keeping my water bottle, thank-you very much. I think both the choir director and our pastor would rather see me lumbering up the steps (4 or 5 flights) to the loft with a water bottle than to quit the choir.

 

[Pariah_Pirana]

CarolAnnSFO:

Maybe many of us have enough suffering and sacrifice in our lives already, without adding “thirst” to the list. Please don’t assume everyone you see is wealthy, healthy, spoiled, and has a perfect life. That is a lie.

(1.)Seriously, why do people get so angry and judgemental about this? Is someone awarding trophies for who can go without water the longest or who can kneel the longest on the hardest surface (I can’t kneel at all due to medical conditions and injury; I hate to imagine how I’d be judged by some of those “who have no sin” and are willing to “cast the first stone” ).

Somebody else mentioned giving people the benefit of the doubt, and I agree with that – maybe a person does have a medical condition that isn’t immediately visible – who are we to ASSume and condemn?

Maybe there would be a problem if the whole congregation showed up with water bottles and/or snacks, but I don’t see that happening at all, just like not everyone in the congregation is showing up with an oxygen tank – (2.)only those who really need it.

And regarding the idea that “this never happened in the past”, I’m not so sure about that. Maybe it did. We tend to romanticize the past, and remember it the way we want to, rather than the way it really was.

As for me, I’m keeping my water bottle, thank-you very much. I think both the choir director and our pastor would rather see me lumbering up the steps (4 or 5 flights) to the loft with a water bottle (3.)than to quit the choir.

1.) Because after awhile all these things really add-up and they do take a toll on the environment for worship inside God’s House.

2.) And who really “needs” it? I think someone brought-up a good point. If someone cannot go 50-60 minutes in a sedentary situation without water, maybe there are more important issues to look at…

3.) Another ratty straw-dog argument. You suggest that the alternative to bringing water to Mass is quitting the chorus and that’s simply not so.

 

[Pariah_Pirana]

Joseph Bilodeau:

Ushers do not have any right to confiscate any personal property from anyone for any length of time.

This is correct, if the policy of the movie theatre is to give offending patrons the choice between surrendering their phones for the duration of their stay or leaving the premises; then if the offending parton refuses to do either, call the police and let them handle the situation. If a theatre employee on his or her own initiative was to simply snatch phones from patrons without their consent, that employee (and possibly his or her employer) would also be liable for theft.

Agreed, such as the crudeness shown by the purse-snatcher who grabs other people’s property right out of their hands.

Do you mean my claim that it is wrong to take things that do not belong to you?

Your comments are simply silly. I would do it again in a heartbeat. The last thing I want is for cell phone use inside the church to gain a foothold in my parish.

 

[JimG]

Personally, I’ve never seen anyone use a water bottle at Mass. It just doesn’t seem to be done at my parish. But the whole thing makes me wonder how I survived growing up in a time when the fast for communion began at midnight and included water.

The fasting rule was: no food *or water * from midnight until you receive communion.
I really don’t recall anyone passing out in church.

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

Pariah Pirana:

Another ratty straw-dog argument. You suggest that the alternative to bringing water to Mass is quitting the chorus and that’s simply not so.

For me, it is. There’s no way my ratty voice will hold out for an hour of singing without water – you’re going to argue with me about that? Can you see inside my throat? :banghead: I could suck candies instead of drinking water, but I feel that’s a lot closer to breaking the fast.

And if one more water bottle is affecting the worship envioronment in your church that negatively, then your parish has more important issues to look at. The worship environment in my church is holy, reverent, and alive, without people nit-picking each other about their water bottles or cell phones.

[/rant]

Crazy Internet Junkie Society
****Carrier of the Angelic Sparkles Sprinkle Bag

 

[Scout]

This whole discussion is silly. What business is it of ours if someone needs or wants a sip of water during Mass? Some of us have decided we’re the Mass-Police and have the right to sit back and point out everyone else’s mistakes.

The fact is is that water is allowed up until the point of receiving Communion. Since those who bring it in aren’t breaking any rules, perhaps the rest of us could just focus on our business and keep our mouths shut. If the type of bottle is that distracting, gently say something to the person who brought it. If a person isn’t willing to do that, then this whole conversation is just gossip and there’s no place for it.

Scout :tiphat:

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

Scout:

This whole discussion is silly. What business is it of ours if someone needs or wants a sip of water during Mass? Some of us have decided we’re the Mass-Police and have the right to sit back and point out everyone else’s mistakes.

AMEN TO THAT!!

Whatever happened to focusing on what’s going on at the altar?

I’m done posting in this thread, so if any perfect people wish to take cheap shots at me, have a ball.

 

[choirgirl]

While I don’t appreciate the excessive slurping, I am just glad the the people are there!!! So, I guess I am willing to put up with a few rude behaviors (yes is it rude) just o see my brothers and sisters there with me.

P.S. I sing in the choir as well and I am guilty of drinking water during Mass - it is difficult to hit some higher notes when your throat is dry. If I have ever offended any of you by my sipping, I do appologize (i do use a cup though, it is more quiet).

 

[romano]

Maybe they know something you don’t know:

watercure.com/default2.htm

 

[Joseph_Bilodeau]

Pariah Pirana:

Your comments are simply silly. I would do it again in a heartbeat. The last thing I want is for cell phone use inside the church to gain a foothold in my parish.

Which comment was silly? The one where I said ushers do not have a right to confiscate personal property in church, or the one where I said it is wrong to take things that do not belong to you, or what? Then please explain why that is silly.

 

[Pariah_Pirana]

Which comment was silly? The one where I said ushers do not have a right to confiscate personal property in church, or the one where I said it is wrong to take things that do not belong to you, or what? Then please explain why that is silly.

All of your responses to my original posting have been silly.

 

[Pariah_Pirana]

Scout:

This whole discussion is silly. What business is it of ours if someone needs or wants a sip of water during Mass? Some of us have decided we’re the Mass-Police and have the right to sit back and point out everyone else’s mistakes.

The fact is is that water is allowed up until the point of receiving Communion. Since those who bring it in aren’t breaking any rules, perhaps the rest of us could just focus on our business and keep our mouths shut. If the type of bottle is that distracting, gently say something to the person who brought it. If a person isn’t willing to do that, then this whole conversation is just gossip and there’s no place for it.

Scout :tiphat:

You’re wrong. It’s allowed for those with a medical or geriatric need – not for chorus members who desire a little spritz before the next hymn.

 

[Joseph_Bilodeau]

Pariah Pirana:

All of your responses to my original posting have been silly.

Oh, that’s good. Then pick one and explain why it is silly.

 

[Pariah_Pirana]

Joseph Bilodeau:

Oh, that’s good. Then pick one and explain why it is silly.

Maybe next you’ll accuse the Church of distributing alcohol without a license, or serving alcohol to minors in the Precious Blood?

 

[pnewton]

Pariah Pirana:

Maybe next you’ll accuse the Church of distributing alcohol without a license, or serving alcohol to minors in the Precious Blood?

These actions are exempted in our penal code (maybe your state’s also?) What was your legal authority to confiscate a cell phone?

 

[Scout]

Pariah Pirana:

You’re wrong. It’s allowed for those with a medical or geriatric need – not for chorus members who desire a little spritz before the next hymn.

Okay, but the fact is is that you can’t tell the difference beteen someone who needs it medically and someone who doesn’t just by looking at them. So, since you don’t know who is who, maybe you should just focus on the Mass and not what everyone else is doing.

Scout :tiphat:

 

[Joseph_Bilodeau]

Pariah Pirana:

Maybe next you’ll accuse the Church of distributing alcohol without a license, or serving alcohol to minors in the Precious Blood?

Well you’re right, that is a silly idea, however you will please note that that is not my idea.

Since you appear incapable of answering my simple request to choose one of my comments and explain why it is silly, I will help you by choosing one for you. I said that ushers in church do not have any right to confiscate property belonging to other persons in church. I will admit to an exception in the case of the usher’s own children or other persons over whom the usher exercises parental authority. Please support your own position, either from church law or civil law, that an usher does have the right to confiscate the property of others over whom the usher does not exercise parental authority, without that person’s consent.

 

[netmilsmom]

Scout:

Okay, but the fact is is that you can’t tell the difference beteen someone who needs it medically and someone who doesn’t just by looking at them. So, since you don’t know who is who, maybe you should just focus on the Mass and not what everyone else is doing.

Here it is, one more time…

If you have one or two people with water bottles, your advice is good. Ignore them because there is probably something wrong with them (physically or mentally) that they have a dependence on water.

If you are in the choir, it’s not about you. People understand.

However if 50% or more of the congregation has water bottles, either someone should realize that this is trendy (stop it now before it become a norm) or NOW get the EPA in to check the soil under your church. If you are in Love Canal, NY or Times Beach, Missouri, we all understand.

 

[TeriGator]

Joseph Bilodeau:

Well you’re right, that is a silly idea, however you will please note that that is not my idea.

Since you appear incapable of answering my simple request to choose one of my comments and explain why it is silly, I will help you by choosing one for you. I said that ushers in church do not have any right to confiscate property belonging to other persons in church. I will admit to an exception in the case of the usher’s own children or other persons over whom the usher exercises parental authority. Please support your own position, either from church law or civil law, that an usher does have the right to confiscate the property of others over whom the usher does not exercise parental authority, without that person’s consent.

You must be a lawyer.

Frankly, I am in total agreement with our “rude” usher. If someone is actually talking on a phone during the Holy Mass, they should be given the option of leaving or having the phone taken away until afterward.

The woman in question was asked to leave, and refused that option. Therefore, she got what she deserved.

If only we had MORE proactive ushers!

 

[Giannawannabe]

netmil(name removed by moderator):

Here it is, one more time…

If you have one or two people with water bottles, your advice is good. Ignore them because there is probably something wrong with them (physically or mentally) that they have a dependence on water.

If you are in the choir, it’s not about you. People understand.

However if 50% or more of the congregation has water bottles, either someone should realize that this is trendy (stop it now before it become a norm) or NOW get the EPA in to check the soil under your church. If you are in Love Canal, NY or Times Beach, Missouri, we all understand.

This is cute netmil(name removed by moderator). I agree. For crying out loud. I think everyone understands that in a few instances, someone may need to cart in a water bottle. I think it is beginning to be a trend. One that takes away from the reverence and respect we should have for Our Lord in The Blessed Sacrament.