What to do?

[perpetualseeker]

I have been attending a local church and am incredibly bothered by the lack of reverance there. I go to confession before mass which is held an hour before mass begins. Instead of going back home just to turn around and come back for mass I stay and pray in the church. I usually say a rosary or two and a The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. In the meanwhile people start entering the church before mass. It gets so loud in the church I have to say the rosary quite audibly in order to be able to hear myself think and to focus on it. It’s appauling! People chatting about this or that as if it’s a social hall. Perhaps I am mistaken, but as a house of God and dwelling place of the divine prescence isn’t quiet reverance in order?

What should I do about it? Do I write to the priest? Do I hush the dull roar? Is it even my place to bring it up? Shouldn’t the priest address this issue on his own? Is it acceptable? Am I just being a stick in the mud?

 

[Rebecca_New]

You can set an example and pray for the people who do not seem reverant.

 

[stbruno]

If it is a weekday mass that you are referring to…most of the ones who attend our’s are elderly and they are hard of hearing so they do get rather loud in their conversation. However, if it is the weekend masses, your pastor should and can make a comment either in writing in the parish bulletin or during the Sunday announcements and hope that people will get the message.

In the meantime, offer it up for the Poor Souls in Purgatory or for whatever intention you have in mind. Patience and Kindness is a virtue too.

 

[netmilsmom]

Am I just being a stick in the mud?

You are NOT being a stick in the mud.
I see you are in MI. Check this out…
saintcyrils.org/
It’s my parish and is as reverent as you get. If you are close by, come and give us a try. Arrive early and you can say the Rosary with the rest of us.
Excuse the dust, we are building a new hall and expanding the Main.

 

[Prague]

There have always been people with hearing problems, but in the past the church was quiet when they were there. So why is there so much noise now. I arrive at the church one hour before mass so I can visit with our heavenly Father. Sometimes I just want to stand up and say “Will you please just shut up!” Of course that makes me feel uncharitable; so right away I ask for forgiveness due to my attitude.
Heavenly Father Give Me Patience and Understanding.
Prague

 

[billpenn]

I’ve had people chatting away in full conversational tone less than 10 feet from my while I was on my knees, eye shut tightly with rosary beads in my hand.

I wrote Monsignor about it, who called me and described similar circumstances that he has encountered while in the church praying his office. He said that he shared the letter with the other priests, and that the need for silence pre- and post-Mass would be mentioned again. He said it is brought up every few months and there is short-term compliance and then slippage into the same chattiness.

He said that I could be a help to him through my behavior…so naturally, I try to be as quiet as the famous church mouse!

 

[LilyM]

Perhaps you could wage a campaign of non-violent protest and post polite but anonymous notes on the door of the church requesting silence in the presence of the Lord :yup:

Unfortunately there are many places that used to be guaranteed conversation- and noise-free that are so no longer, such as cinemas and libraries. I have to admit that in my younger and more thoughtless days I was guilty of speaking in such places myself (I don’t think I ever did so in Church though).

 

[KnightforChrist]

I share the same experiences where I go to church as far as talking loudly in church…

I keep saying that one day I’m going to show up early at church, grab the stack of bulletins in the back and insert one page reminders in each and place them back for when the ushers hand them out or people grab them…

Well, I’m still just saying it !!! LOL!!! I know if I did it the priest would just happen to come in and see me doing it and inquire…That’s how my luck runs so I’m probably not going to test it !!! LOL!!!

 

[baltobetsy]

I often attend the 4:00 Saturday vigil Mass. It is chiefly attended by our older parishioners, who do a lot of loud visiting before Mass. It is very annoying, but then I think…

There is no other place for them to gather and chat.

They haven’t seen each other since last week, and many have health problems and other concerns that they are praying for each other about.

They are hard of hearing.

They are living out the Second Great Commandment.

They eventually settle down and pray, probably better than I do.
So, as much as I just want to let out a very loud, “SHHHHHHH,” I just keep quiet and keep praying.

Betsy

 

[CRW]

I have been attending a local church and am incredibly bothered by the lack of reverance there. I go to confession before mass which is held an hour before mass begins. Instead of going back home just to turn around and come back for mass I stay and pray in the church. I usually say a rosary or two and a The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. In the meanwhile people start entering the church before mass. It gets so loud in the church I have to say the rosary quite audibly in order to be able to hear myself think and to focus on it. It’s appauling! People chatting about this or that as if it’s a social hall. Perhaps I am mistaken, but as a house of God and dwelling place of the divine prescence isn’t quiet reverance in order?

What should I do about it? Do I write to the priest? Do I hush the dull roar? Is it even my place to bring it up? Shouldn’t the priest address this issue on his own? Is it acceptable? Am I just being a stick in the mud?

See thread and poll" Silence in Church: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=115592&highlight=Silence+Church

It is a problem accross the world I guess.