Why do you think Catholics don't attend mass?

[Al_Masetti]

Bingo! I have heard this before if not in exactly those words. Some have told me Mass looks like a large number of people going mindlessly through rehearsed motions and responses.

Part of the issue is that the rubrics are fixed. Priest is not allowed to depart from the “script”. AND, when you get a thousand people in the congregation, it is very difficult to create an “intimate” atmosphere.

HOWEVER, if you compare DAILY Mass with the Sunday Mass, you may find the intimacy IS more obvious. The number of people in the congregation is much smaller; the Mass may be in a small chapel, rather than in a large church building. The people are closer to the altar and “feel” a greater degree of participation.

I have heard of conversions occurring because the non-Catholic just quietly went to an ordinary weekday Mass with ordinary people in their work clothes, even with the need to hurriedly get back to work. Sometimes, the homily may be more highly focused. Sometimes, the priest may be available after the Mass to chat with the people. There may be more interaction among the people (even if it is brief, owing to the need to get back to work).

Anyway, check out a weekday Mass and see for yourself if the “atmosphere” isn’t different.

 

[Gnosis]

My family stopped attending Church when I told them I was gay. It was unfortunate in a sense because we had a good relationship with our parish priest whom we would invite down to the boat or have over for dinner. Since I came out, my father particularly, refuses attendence and the monetary support that we used to give.

My father did run into him (our former priest) the other day and finally explained our year long absence. I think we’re going to invite him over for dinner again just to show it wasn’t him specifically we had a problem with.

I could see this being reflected on a larger scale. Alot of people have problems with many of the Church teachings and don’t want to be made into hypocrites by attending and funding policies they disagree with.

 

[mrs_abbott]

the Mass is about us. Jesus didn’t sacrifice himeself for himself. He sacrificed himeself for us. We are supposed to go to Mass to be with the family of God. not to pray by yourself, which is what you do at home.

 

[KathleenElsie]

I work in a large “box” store. We are open seven days a week and although I have asked for Sunday off it always seems that I am scheduled for work from noon to 10 Sat and from 830 to 630 Sunday. This makes Mass hard to get to but not impossible. I go 17 miles to be at Mass at AM Sunday morning if I can.This makes the day long, but, it is worth it. The only bad thing is I don’t get to go with my family to our own Parish.

So in most cases it is possible to make it to Mass. If you can’t because you are ill or other legitimate reasons God will understand.

 

[rpp]

I work in a large “box” store. We are open seven days a week and although I have asked for Sunday off it always seems that I am scheduled for work from noon to 10 Sat and from 830 to 630 Sunday. This makes Mass hard to get to but not impossible. I go 17 miles to be at Mass at AM Sunday morning if I can.This makes the day long, but, it is worth it. The only bad thing is I don’t get to go with my family to our own Parish.

So in most cases it is possible to make it to Mass. If you can’t because you are ill or other legitimate reasons God will understand.

I’ll bet the Moslems who work there don’t have trouble getting off on Fridays or Moslem holy days!

 

[rpp]

I think the reason many Catholics do not attend Mass is atonishingly simple. In a effort to not be so “overbearing”, the Church, beginning in the Late 1960’s (hmm… I wonder what else happened then?) began watering down things. Making it easy for people to “comply” with Church teachings. Seeking endless indults and exceptions for the Mass from Rome.

In short, by trying to make the Church more cool and less strick, they turned off people. People needed a firm guide. Someone who says, “Yes” and “No”, “Right” and “Wrong”. They need a priest to use “Sin” and “You” in the same sentence without negation. They want to hear about Heaven. They want to be told about Hell.

That all stopped about 40 years ago for the most part.

Today, the Church, to many people, seems little more than a club or philanthropic agency populated by schizophrenic hyper-liberal/hyper-conservative people.

No relevence, no authority, just a neat leader in Rome who wears a cool hat.

That is how the many fallen away Catholics view the Church of today.

I certainly mean no disrespect for outr beloved Holy Father, I am repeating the perspective, as I see it, of those who have fallen away.

A parent who never disciplines their children “out of love” usually end up with children who hate them. The kids never really know where they stand; this “freedom” being misinterpreted as parental apathy. Parents who are firm, but fair and just, usually have shildren who love and respect them. They always always know where they stand; that they are loved. They, in turhn return this love.

Bishops are supposed to be out spiritual fathers, our shepherds.

I lay this squarely at the feet of liberal bishops.

 

[4HisChurch]

Jesus poured out his blood for us. he broke his body for us. He suffered and died for US. It was all for us. The Eucharist is for US to remember him. For us to experience him and to experience his love. Jesus does not need the Eucharist, We do.

I am not talking about any liturgical changes. I think the Mass is genius. So genius that it must be divine.

I am talking about us the recipients of the Mass. There is a breakdown. We don’t love eachother. We don’t care about eachother. We don’t act like a Family. (I am speaking about my general experience going to 12 churches regularly over the past 3 years, some longer some not as long but non of them really had any descent programs to create unity as a family. I know some parishes are probably much better) I believe that the Mass can be used to convert us to not love just Christ but to love eachother through Christ. Not in words but in reality.

I remember one Mass where I hugged the old lady next to me for no reason other than the Love of God was flowing in such a way that she looked like the cutest person on the planet and I had to hug her. Usually i restrain because unless the person is old, it is innappropriate to show such affection. That is the power of the Mass! That power can be set free to the average lay person with out much effort and I believe it is contagious. I know i am not alone here. there is at least one person reading that knows what i am talking about.

I’m rambling. Basically i think that the problem with the Mass is lack of Love.

"If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing."

I believe that when I brought my protestant friends to the mass and they were really turned off, that is why. there was no love or charity sensed in the congregation or the clergy.

I totally agree with your thoughts about love. There is so much that love could do within a parish–if only people would allow themselves to feel it and show it. I really think becoming involved in parish life is a good start for many. But I know from personal experience that some parishes just have a thick shell around them that is hard to penetrate.

The Eucharist is for US to remember him.

This I don’t agree with, though. I realize that Jesus said, “Do this in rememberance of me.” But saying that the Eucharist is FOR us to “remember” Jesus, is, again, a very Protestant view. The Eucharist IS Jesus. That is the primary thing. Jesus is giving us HIMSELF as a gift. You are right that Jesus doesn’t “need” the Eucharist. Jesus IS the Eucharist. That fact alone changes everything about the Church.

Perhaps that is the problem we are seeing. I think many, many Catholics have embraced some very Protestant views on the Church and her teachings on things such as Holy Communion. Therein lies the problem.

 

[santaro75]

This I don’t agree with, though. I realize that Jesus said, “Do this in rememberance of me.” But saying that the Eucharist is FOR us to “remember” Jesus, is, again, a very Protestant view. The Eucharist IS Jesus. That is the primary thing. Jesus is giving us HIMSELF as a gift. You are right that Jesus doesn’t “need” the Eucharist. Jesus IS the Eucharist. That fact alone changes everything about the Church.

Perhaps that is the problem we are seeing. I think many, many Catholics have embraced some very Protestant views on the Church and her teachings on things such as Holy Communion. Therein lies the problem.

I should clarify. I don’t at all believe the Eucharist is symbolic. I believe it is literally Jesus Christ the sacrificial lamb, the new passover meal. I am just saying the meal was for US to remember him. he is present for us to remember him.

 

[santaro75]

This I don’t agree with, though. I realize that Jesus said, “Do this in rememberance of me.” But saying that the Eucharist is FOR us to “remember” Jesus, is, again, a very Protestant view. The Eucharist IS Jesus. That is the primary thing. Jesus is giving us HIMSELF as a gift. You are right that Jesus doesn’t “need” the Eucharist. Jesus IS the Eucharist. That fact alone changes everything about the Church.

Perhaps that is the problem we are seeing. I think many, many Catholics have embraced some very Protestant views on the Church and her teachings on things such as Holy Communion. Therein lies the problem.

I didn’t mean that the eucharist was not indeed the flesh and blood of Jesus. I believe that it is the passover meal and literally the flesh and blood of the lamb.

But he did give us that meal to remember him. To be present to us so that we remember him.

 

[santaro75]

I think the problem is not only do we not undestand the meaning of the mass but often we do not understand what love is. It is more than an emotion or a type of sentimentality.

If the way to gauge this experience is to see how folks look at each other or what physical actions are expressed or not expressed then we may conclude incorrectly that folks are unloving.

Let’s reverse it. If I look at some Protestant congregations I see all types stuff going on. Happy clappy music, gyrations, smiling, and laughing. Does that mean their faith is greater or they love God more? Is God more present there?

My point is we should use a proper reference if we want to understand these issues correctly.

The mass should not be about what we each get out of it.

well at protestant congregations their llove in God may not be more but they sure seem to like eachother more than we catholics do. I went to a presbyterian church service once for no other reason than that i just wanted to see what they do. Within one hour i met like 5 people and was invited to two different things.

The Parish i go to i have been going regular for a year and nobody has ever reached out to me and i have never been invited to anything…though there is almost nothing to be invited to anyway.

 

[Al_Masetti]

well at protestant congregations their llove in God may not be more but they sure seem to like eachother more than we catholics do. I went to a presbyterian church service once for no other reason than that i just wanted to see what they do. Within one hour i met like 5 people and was invited to two different things.

The Parish i go to i have been going regular for a year and nobody has ever reached out to me and i have never been invited to anything…though there is almost nothing to be invited to anyway.

Catholic parishes work a little differently from Protestant congregations.

At Catholic parishes, there seems to be a “reluctance” to “impose” on people. The various group organizers may not want to intrude on you. As someone else said, Catholic parishes tend to be really large, numbering in the thousands of people … I think my home parish has 3000 families. Our church building has 1100 seats. On weekdays you almost can’t find parking at church because there are so many activities going on. [My wife worked as secretary at a Protestant church - they wanted someone not of their faith who would not get involved in their politics - and they had less than 200 members.]

So, the “dynamic” is substantially different between Catholic and Protestant congregations.

At our parish, the last time we did a survey there were more than 50 active groups … and once a year, they even have a “group day” (in the basement of the church all day on a Sunday) where all the groups assemble and each group sets up a table to actively recruit new participants.

Every Sunday bulletin is packed with announcements by many of the groups inviting people to attend. The Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration group always has openings for adorers because of the normal flow of people in and out of the parish; they need a core group of around 300 people (2 per hour) to keep the program working smoothly; and they have periodic social functions.

So, I don’t know about invitations not being extended.

On top of that, a nearby parish had a half-day retreat for men only on a Saturday. I went and during the coffee hour was asked by total strangers to join the local Knights of Columbus.

On numerous occasions at various parishes I have been asked by priests who didn’t know me to help out with one thing or another.

I think you need to read through the parish bulletin and be slightly more pro-active in joining in with the parish activities.

 

[santaro75]

I think you need to read through the parish bulletin and be slightly more pro-active in joining in with the parish activities.

I think you go to an awesome parish. Do you have a website? I have been to many, many parishes and only one had anything close to what you are talking about.

As for the parish i go to now in Charleston WV the bulletin, which i read every week, last week had like 4 pages of advertisements for business’ and not even a message from our pastor. And no, there are not ANY groups here for young adults, there aren’t ANY scripture studies, no Mens groups, Prayer groups or anything else that I would be interested in advetised in any obvious places like website, bulletin boards, weekly bulletin etc.

There probably are some groups but they must be private and not really advertised anywhere. The pastor here gives some of the best homilies I have ever heard, but I dont’ think church activities are high on his list of priorities. he runs two schools, the parish, and some other stuff (they own a couple of other buildings down town). So I am sure he is busy. The other priest is busy too. I asked him if he was available for spiritual direction and he said he didn’t have time and that he wasn’t trained for it.

I did sit down with the monsignor to ask about any volunteer opportunities and he said that I could go to the episcopal church to feed the hungry. I have dragged my feet on that. But other than that there wasn’t any thing through the RCC. I went to the Catholic Charities office and spoke to them they said there was nothing really that they did that needed volunteers in this area but that she would pass my name along to someone at the parish and that she would call me. That was like 2 months ago. I haven’t recieve a call. But that opportunity was to work with teens and I have taught ccd before (confirmation and 7th grade) and don’t really think that i am good for that. The only other opportunity that has shown itself is assisting with RCIA, but it is on wednesday and I work on wednesday evenings.

How many priests are there at your 3000 family parish? i would assume 3000 families would be about 10000 people?

s

 

[santaro75]

shccwv.us/ here is the parish website. Maybe I am missing something but i dont’ see anything really related to parish building activities on there. Many of the links do not work and it has be so for the past year. I think they forgot they have a website.

 

[MichaelTDoyle]

To the OP question:

Because it is an act of humility to worship God Who is wholly worthy of all praise and I have a fallen nature, so without continuing conversion pride creeps in or false idols impinge on my desire. I am glad therefore for the serious obligation to Mass on Sundays and obligation days because it is a regular wake up bugle call for my soul.

peace

 

[Lance]

Catholic parishes work a little differently from Protestant congregations.

On numerous occasions at various parishes I have been asked by priests who didn't know me to help out with one thing or another.

I think you need to read through the parish bulletin and be slightly more pro-active in joining in with the parish activities.

Sounds like my parish.

stpeterchurch.com/site/index.htm

 

[rpp]

Catholic parishes work a little differently from Protestant congregations.

At Catholic parishes, there seems to be a “reluctance” to “impose” on people. The various group organizers may not want to intrude on you. As someone else said, Catholic parishes tend to be really large, numbering in the thousands of people … I think my home parish has 3000 families. Our church building has 1100 seats. On weekdays you almost can’t find parking at church because there are so many activities going on. [My wife worked as secretary at a Protestant church - they wanted someone not of their faith who would not get involved in their politics - and they had less than 200 members.]

So, the “dynamic” is substantially different between Catholic and Protestant congregations.

At our parish, the last time we did a survey there were more than 50 active groups … and once a year, they even have a “group day” (in the basement of the church all day on a Sunday) where all the groups assemble and each group sets up a table to actively recruit new participants.

Every Sunday bulletin is packed with announcements by many of the groups inviting people to attend. The Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration group always has openings for adorers because of the normal flow of people in and out of the parish; they need a core group of around 300 people (2 per hour) to keep the program working smoothly; and they have periodic social functions.

So, I don’t know about invitations not being extended.

On top of that, a nearby parish had a half-day retreat for men only on a Saturday. I went and during the coffee hour was asked by total strangers to join the local Knights of Columbus.

On numerous occasions at various parishes I have been asked by priests who didn’t know me to help out with one thing or another.

I think you need to read through the parish bulletin and be slightly more pro-active in joining in with the parish activities.

Al, you have an exceptional parish! What a wonderful place! How many priests do you have there? Are they religious or diocesan? How about the RCIA program; haw many instructors and catechumans? What a wonderful place!

 

[Al_Masetti]

Al, you have an exceptional parish! What a wonderful place! How many priests do you have there? Are they religious or diocesan? How about the RCIA program; haw many instructors and catechumans? What a wonderful place!

Our parish as ALWAYS been like that. At least as long as we have been here. 34 years.

Right now, according to the bulletin, there are six priests and three deacons… all diocesan. And a staff of 12 ministry associates and support staff. There must be hundreds of volunteers.

However, the “status” of the priests varies from year to year.

Our pastor, for example, does “double duty” as a vicar general of the archdiocese. Someone said they saw him in church at 4am reading his Divine Office, after which he drove out to his “day job”. There are two retired priests (one of which does not live here), but I have “seen him around” … I think he’s now doing hospital chaplain work else where. And one hospital chaplain in residence. We get transitional deacons all the time, so there is some training going on.

NO IDEA how many folks are involved in the CCD or RCIA program. The list of First Holy Communicants has got to be well over a hundred.

A few years (decades) ago, a different pastor told me privately that on the books he had four priests, but two or three were so ill that he spent most of his time shuttling them to doctors. So he had to spend a lot of time “lobbying” at the archdiocesan offices to get more priests assigned. One priest had a “limp”, but never complained about “arthritis”. He never complained. If you got to know him, you eventually realized he didn’t really have a bad leg… he had a wooden leg; lost due to diabetes. Never complained.

Amazingly fabulous bunch of men.

One pastor got promoted to bishop (auxiliary). Another pastor said, “folks, we really do need to pay off the parish debt.” So, in a year he collected nearly a million dollars and paid it all off. But the money kept rolling in and soon, there was enough left over to fix up the basement into meeting rooms and there was still enough left over to pay for a handicapped elevator.

Also, need to keep in mind that our town is hyper-volunteer-ist. The town has committees for every imaginable thing. Once a year, they give out certificates of appreciation and as a result the residents volunteer twice as hard.

We also have a major hospital in town, and they have a huge volunteer contingent.

 

[PauloFreire2]

My Mass attendance is BAD. I feel tremendous guilt as a result. My entire existence is based on Christ, yet I’m weak and ungrateful in that I can’t attend Mass regularly. I LOVED the Mass I grew up with – QUIET, solemn, serious, efficiently run. BUT, down here in south Texas, the Mass has been Hispanicized, and is therefore noisy, with way too much singing, hand-holding and ruckus in the pews – late-comers, kids running around, big families that talk, even during Eucharist. Our priest is Polish, speaks horrible English, reads horrible sermons about whatever theology books he’s read lately, and drones on without ever making a single decent point. When Mass ends, the mob hits the parking lot and plays genocidal bumper-cars to get out. Cops are in the street waving traffic through. It’s a dismal sight and irritating experience. Yes, I know…none of this is supposed to matter, but it does. It’s easier for me to watch it quietly at home on TV. The sermons are 100% better. Sorry in advance. I know what I’m doing is wrong, as is the way I feel. But, I believe the Church should overhaul Mass by streamlining it and restoring its sense of solemnity. It’s not a folk festival or love-in.

 

[MichaelTDoyle]

My Mass attendance is BAD. I feel tremendous guilt as a result. My entire existence is based on Christ, yet I’m weak and ungrateful in that I can’t attend Mass regularly. I LOVED the Mass I grew up with – QUIET, solemn, serious, efficiently run. BUT, down here in south Texas, the Mass has been Hispanicized, and is therefore noisy, with way too much singing, hand-holding and ruckus in the pews – late-comers, kids running around, big families that talk, even during Eucharist. Our priest is Polish, speaks horrible English, reads horrible sermons about whatever theology books he’s read lately, and drones on without ever making a single decent point. When Mass ends, the mob hits the parking lot and plays genocidal bumper-cars to get out. Cops are in the street waving traffic through. It’s a dismal sight and irritating experience. Yes, I know…none of this is supposed to matter, but it does. It’s easier for me to watch it quietly at home on TV. The sermons are 100% better. Sorry in advance. I know what I’m doing is wrong, as is the way I feel. But, I believe the Church should overhaul Mass by streamlining it and restoring its sense of solemnity. It’s not a folk festival or love-in.

Try the early morning Sunday Mass?

 

[santaro75]

My Mass attendance is BAD. I feel tremendous guilt as a result. My entire existence is based on Christ, yet I’m weak and ungrateful in that I can’t attend Mass regularly. I LOVED the Mass I grew up with – QUIET, solemn, serious, efficiently run. BUT, down here in south Texas, the Mass has been Hispanicized, and is therefore noisy, with way too much singing, hand-holding and ruckus in the pews – late-comers, kids running around, big families that talk, even during Eucharist. Our priest is Polish, speaks horrible English, reads horrible sermons about whatever theology books he’s read lately, and drones on without ever making a single decent point. When Mass ends, the mob hits the parking lot and plays genocidal bumper-cars to get out. Cops are in the street waving traffic through. It’s a dismal sight and irritating experience. Yes, I know…none of this is supposed to matter, but it does. It’s easier for me to watch it quietly at home on TV. The sermons are 100% better. Sorry in advance. I know what I’m doing is wrong, as is the way I feel. But, I believe the Church should overhaul Mass by streamlining it and restoring its sense of solemnity. It’s not a folk festival or love-in.

You have my sympathies for sure. Bad sermons and uncontrolled children make the prayer of the mass hard to engage in.

That parking lot comment cracks me up. It was always a mystery to me that people that come to recieve the lord in the sacrament can be homicidal maniacs in the parking lot 10 minutes later.