Why do you go to church?

[MyPhilomena]

Why do you go to mass? How frequently? I’m interested in what motivates you (each individual) to attend church services. What do you personally get out of it, or feel it does for you or others? Do you also participate in other events or activities organized by your church? Again, why?

I am a non-catholic doing research on Catholic culture and beliefs for an anthropology-class project. I appreciate, and look forward to learning, any insights you have to offer.

I go to Mass because i love God, and believe the Catholic Church is the One True Holy Apostolic Church. I believe in the Real Presence, I go to worship God the Father. Yes, I do particpiate in events that the Church has. Why?

because I love to be part of it, and to help out as best I can. I love doing charitable work as our Lord commanded us to be charitable, and to love thy neighbor as thy self. Jesus said, Iam the Way, the Truth and the Life. I also believe that Christ founded the Church, and also believe in Apostolic Succession.

What do I get out of it? Intense joy, and truth. Love for God and His True Church. Love of our Lord and the sacrifice He made for us. Love for the mother of God, the ever Blessed Virgin, Mary. Love for tradition, love of the gospels.appreciation of the sacraments, and so on.

 

[Scottgun]

Why do you go to mass? How frequently? I’m interested in what motivates you (each individual) to attend church services. What do you personally get out of it, or feel it does for you or others? Do you also participate in other events or activities organized by your church? Again, why?

I am a non-catholic doing research on Catholic culture and beliefs for an anthropology-class project. I appreciate, and look forward to learning, any insights you have to offer.

Let me offer some advice for your research project: Join Christ’s one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. For the next sixty or seventy-so years, learn and obey Her teachings to the best that you are able. At the end of that time write up a report on your experiences. Now that is some solid research! (And you will have a ton of fun on the way, despite what our detractors say.)

Scott

 

[JoeyWarren]

Why do you go to mass? How frequently? I’m interested in what motivates you (each individual) to attend church services. What do you personally get out of it, or feel it does for you or others? Do you also participate in other events or activities organized by your church? Again, why?

I am a non-catholic doing research on Catholic culture and beliefs for an anthropology-class project. I appreciate, and look forward to learning, any insights you have to offer.

First of all I don’t go for the Homily! If that was the only reason I went, I could just go to Protestant Church.

I go to commune and worship God via his Body and Blood.

How often?

Every Sunday.

Most Saturdays if activities permit.

Every Wednesday.

And if I had a Catholic Church nearby and they had a mass around lunch time, I would be going every day during the week.

What motivates?

Communion with God.

A Catholic Church is only church I have ever been to where when I sit alone when it’s empty, I feel prescense of God.

Cosmetics could be the attributing factor.

I’ve had sat in some empty Protestant Churches alone and felt as much inspiration as if I was sitting in an empty School lunchroom.

Most Protestant churches when empty are boring and uninspiring. A church when empty of people should IMHO provide inspiration.

 

[hasikelee]

Why do you go to mass? How frequently? I’m interested in what motivates you (each individual) to attend church services. What do you personally get out of it, or feel it does for you or others? Do you also participate in other events or activities organized by your church? Again, why?

I am a non-catholic doing research on Catholic culture and beliefs for an anthropology-class project. I appreciate, and look forward to learning, any insights you have to offer.

Are you married? Why do you go out to eat with your spouse? Why do you hug and kiss? Call just to say hello? Celebrate an anniversary? Birthday?

Sure, there is the bottomline that it is required. But do you ever consciously think “I must make love with my spouse because it is required”? And if so, do you think this points to a healthy relationship?

I go to church to maintain my relationship with God.

In addition to that, I find it therapeutic. It is an hour of relaxing music, unifying words, an hour with Christ. An hour of listening to His words soothe you and build you up. It is rejuvenating. Toss in confession right before Mass and it is euphoric.

Is this not the same approach that people have to taking a warm bath, eating chocolate, then making love at the end of the day? Is that too sensual for the people on this thread to think about?

I have heard that some people find sex with their spouse to be boring. I wonder if this is for the same reasons as someone who finds Mass boring?

Sorry for plopping even more questions down!

 

[StratusRose]

I have not read all the responses to this thread, so I apologize if I repeat what someone else has already said.

Catholics shouldn’t go to a Mass thinking, “What am I going to get out of this.” It’s not about that at all.

Think of Mass as a play. Who would be the audience, the performer, and director? Many people say the audience is the congregation, the performer is Jesus, and the director is the priest. But it is the opposite. We should come to Mass with the mindset that we are there to GIVE thanks to God. So in reality, the congregation are the performers, the audience is God, and the priest is still the director, so to speak.

God already gives us so much, so why should we go to Mass thinking, “Ok, what is God going to give me out of today’s mass?”

It’s not what WE get out of Mass, it’s GOD.

 

[Teakafrog]

As often as possible. Used to go daily, but with the babies, now that’s hard.
I go to be with the One I love, and Who loves me. Why would I not want to be with the Creator, Savior, and Lover of my soul? What I get is peace. True, inner peace, knowing the God of the universe would love me so much to make Himself present in such a lowly form that I could consume Him body, blood, soul and divinity. Just thinking about it makes me happy. I love Him. That’s why.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Why do you go to mass?

To receive Jesus in the Bread and Wine.

How frequently?

Every Sunday and whenever possible during the week.

I’m interested in what motivates you (each individual) to attend church services.

Love for God.

What do you personally get out of it, or feel it does for you or others?

I get closser to God. The more I’m in His presence, the more I learn to love Him and others. When we love another person, we become more like them. So it is with God. The more we love God, the more we learn to love like God does.

Do you also participate in other events or activities organized by your church? Again, why?

I do an holy hour every Saturday at the Adoration Chapel. Why?
Same as above.

I

am a non-catholic doing research on Catholic culture and beliefs for an anthropology-class project. I appreciate, and look forward to learning, any insights you have to offer.

God Bless!
Jim

 

[catsrus]

I go to Mass every Sunday because I want to go.
I’m waiting to go…
I’m wishing to go…
I’m wanting to go…
(couldn’t resist that nod to My Fair Lady)

 

[samamiantha]

Thanks so much for all your replies! I was having a kind of crummy day, and it really brightened up as I read all your responses. If I might entreat on you to expand to a similar sort of question…

What do your faith-related rituals and symbols mean (both in context of Catholicism and to you personally) and do? Before attending a mass myself, I never realized just how much ritual and symbolization there is. Feel free to include anything. From what determines when you stand/sit/kneel during mass to communion to something I’m likely to not know about. Which is your favorite, or has the most meaning to you, and why?

Thanks again! I love reading your posts!

 

[jmcrae]

Thanks so much for all your replies! I was having a kind of crummy day, and it really brightened up as I read all your responses. If I might entreat on you to expand to a similar sort of question…

What do your faith-related rituals and symbols mean (both in context of Catholicism and to you personally) and do? Before attending a mass myself, I never realized just how much ritual and symbolization there is. Feel free to include anything. From what determines when you stand/sit/kneel during mass to communion to something I’m likely to not know about. Which is your favorite, or has the most meaning to you, and why?

Thanks again! I love reading your posts!

It’s difficult to pin down a “favourite” since it’s all really parts of the same thing, which is the Eucharist - God (Jesus) coming down to the earth to be with us, displacing the bread and wine, and coming to us under the appearances of these plain ordinary food elements. Obviously, that’s the most important thing about the Mass, is that Jesus comes to us in a tangible way like that, rather than being just sort of this very distant, unknowable, totally spiritualized god that may or may not have anything to do with us - in the Mass, it becomes very evident that Jesus cares intimately about us, and wants so much to be with us that He is willing indeed to be consumed - eaten - by us - but of course He suffers no harm when this happens - instead what happens is that our souls become joined intimately with Him.

 

[Sheeniac]

I do have a favorite part, and I am not sure why I love it - but when the Bread and Wine is changed to the Body and Blood, an alter server will ring a bell. This is from the Tridentine Mass if I’m not mistaken. , I would swear that I can feel the bell chiming in my heart. When we have a mass that doesn’t do it, I miss it.

 

[Maxply]

I’m 43. When I was younger, I was always a bit disappointed that mass seemed so boring. Not a lot of jumping and music.

But the critical key for me was realizing that this is a serious worship of God. So you WANT a church that’s fitted out in the best you can offer. You WANT to dress nicely, not shabby. You WANT to feel that you are part of a group, at mass, that is trying to reverence God.

For this reason, the more formal mass seems better to me than the Protestant services I’ve been at. . . it’s the people communing with God, and not a collection of songs and sermons by the minister.

I go to Church to keep my personal focus on God. So I don’t veer off and focus on my selfish self; trying to hew to the Lord’s way, not run off in whatever direction myself comes up with. It’s for this kind of reason that a lot of people go to daily mass, to help get rightly centered at the start of each day.

 

[b_justb]

samamiantha:

Why do you go to mass?

Because Mass doesn’t come to me.

samamiantha:

How frequently?

As often as I can. If I could go daily I would.

samamiantha:

I’m interested in what motivates you (each individual) to attend church services. What do you personally get out of it, or feel it does for you or others?

Worship is not for getting, it is for giving. We receive all things from God; every breath, every drink of water, all things. Time in church is for giving back to Him, not taking more from Him without notice. Eucharist means Thanksgiving. Can we not stay awake for just one hour with our Master? Where else would anyone want to be?

samamiantha:

Do you also participate in other events or activities organized by your church? Again, why?

Yes, I feel called to share my faith but am unsure as to how. So I work in adult education in my parish. I’m still just feeling my way along the path.

samamiantha:

I am a non-catholic doing research on Catholic culture and beliefs for an anthropology-class project. I appreciate, and look forward to learning, any insights you have to offer.

Best to you in your studies

 

[inJESUS]

to praise God

to take the Eucharist

to be with the Community.

 

[ThisOne]

If you are doing serious research, read Foundations of Christian Faith by Karl Rahner, S.J.

Ditto what everyone has said so far.

And I would add – to answer the call of the Holy One.

 

[StratusRose]

My bible study teacher says the reason why she is Catholic and goes to church is because “It’s the only restaurant in town that serves Jesus every day.” I love that retort.

 

[rider]

The highlight of my week is going to mass. I go only on Sundays as we are a mission church here( means we live out in the country, 30 miles from the nearest city),and the priest can only come on Sudays. I would go every day if I could.Being in church, in the Real Presence of Jesus is overwhelming; it’s the reason I go.The next most important part for me is the sacrament of Reconcilliation. After I go to confession and receive absolution I am moved to tears as the weight of sin is lifted from my soul.

 

[Damascus]

I love to go. I know I must, in that order.

 

[Pax]

I go to mass on Sundays and every Holy Day. I also attend mass on my day off from work which is either on Monday or Friday edpending on my schedule. If I am on vacation I will also attend mass. When I retire I intend to go daily.

The reason I attend mass is because I desire to worship God and to receive the Eucharist which is the precious body and blood of Jesus Christ. The mass and the Eucharist are where heaven and earth are joined. The mass and the Eucharist bring me closer to God.

Man is wired and created for relationships. It is part of our nature. The most important relationship we have is the relationship we have with God. All other relationships are but signs and shadows of what we will experience with God in heaven. My purpose is to know, love, and serve the Lord. The better I get to know God now, the more ready I will be to know and love him in eternity.

 

[undeserving]

I go because I love Him beyond all reason, I go because if I do not I am not fulfilled and I am not carrying out His will. I get strong companionship from my church,I receive Him, the mass is always the high point of my life. I teach confirmation class and edit the church magazine.