Why no coat racks in Catholic churches?

[CarrieH]

As you notice. I said that it was in my OWN personal experience. I wasn’t adding that so that someone could come back and argue about it.

Whoa, there…who’s arguing?! I’m just pointing out that, due to the vast differences in branches of Protestantism, what might hold true for one doesn’t necessarily fit for another. Sorry you took it as a personal attack.

 

[BeluvdLily]

Well, when I formerly went to a non-denom church, they had a coat room and I always left my coat there for comfort. Until the time I left it and unthinkingly also left my keys in it.

Someone else put my coat on and took off with it. It took a lot of searching and phone calls to find the person and get my coat and my keys back while I was stuck at church long after the service. It was just lucky that someone knew someone who had a similar coat and thought she was probably the one who had it, had her phone number, etc.

I have always believed that it was probably intentional although I don’t understand why. I was several sizes bigger than this lady and she had to be swimming in my coat. On the other hand, why would she “steal” a coat that had to be way too big. Maybe I’m too suspicious.

While I would prefer not to have to deal with my coat in the pew, I’m obviously more comfortable having it where I can keep my eye on it after that episode. My Catholic church does not have anywhere to hang it.

I’ve also always left my purse in the pew when I go up to receive the eucharist but now I’m really wondering about the wisdom of that move even though I really don’t want to drag my purse up there with me.

Amie

 

[February]

a lot of this just seems silly to me.

my church is large, built in the 1800s. it is chilly in the winter (Michigan weather). it is not in a wealthy area, and the number of parishioners is not great. it would be expensive to turn up the heat. however, if people get warm, they take their coats off and set them in the pew.

i take my purse with me to Communion because we’ve had issues with theft. i leave my coat on because i get cold easily, not because i’m waiting to rush out. people generally wear their coats when shopping in stores/malls and they can be there for several hours…and i have yet to see a coat rack at the mall.

 

[thomasf]

I take my coat off and leave it in the pew. What’s the big deal?

 

[Saint_Gemma]

yes. She is a fallen away Catholic and because she was living with a man at the time felt it inappropriate to attend Mass . I could not convince her otherwise. She is no longer in my life as she broke up with this man and moved in with another so she wasn’t close to me physically (she used to live across the street) and when she moved she didn’t give me her new phone number or address! Pray for her too (Monica)!

Brenda V.

I will pray for your friend.

 

[Sarabande]

About keeping one’s purse safe, that reminds me of something someone said about leaving one’s umbrella in the back of church…When I visit the Cathedral for Sunday Mass, there is always an announcement (right after the one asking us to silence cell phones and pagers) requesting that we not leave valuables in the pew when we come to receive Communion. We Catholics are more realistic (pessimistic?) about human nature than the protestants, but the protestants seem to live up to the expectations, at least at church.

I don’t think we’re being pessimistic. It’s more practical about safety. At the Cathedral where I currently cantor and used to sing in the choir, we’ve have purses stolen right out of the choir loft while everyone was up there. You wouldn’t think people would be so bold when there were 30+ people in the loft, but they were. They know the singers are focused while their singing. So, they began to lock up the purses in the choir room. Another time, while the choir was singing, one of our members who was standing at the edge of the choir, turned his head and caught a man crawling on his stomach to try to reach some bags (not purses, although he probably thought they had money in them) on the side of the loft.

The rectory gets broken into once in a while. Some of those guys know how to climb through second floor windows. We’ve had some in the past break in and tear the mission boxes off the walls. Other times, when security wasn’t as tight at night, you’d always find vagrants hiding in the confessionals or in the choir loft. Our choir director was practicing organ late one evening, very dark save for some lights, and discovered a man was sitting in a dark corner of the loft and started throwing hymnals at the director. I also was singing at a wedding about a month ago. I looked down and a group of police men came in, walked down the side aisles of the cathedral looking into each of the confessionals. They were looking for someone - who it was I don’t know, but it’s not surprising either. None of the guests seemed to notice, but I did because I was in the choir loft. We’ve had our sacred objects desecrated, homeless people (who sadly and obviously had mental problems) begin to beat up congegrants and liberal Catholics or anti-Catholics come in off the streets and begin to make protests in the Cathedral when there is a large archdiocesan mass.

I don’t want to make it sound like this happens all the time. It definitely doesn’t. These were individula events that I’ve witnessed myself throughout the 8 years I’ve attended the Cathedral and/or events that people who have been there for 20 or 30 years have experienced. It’s a Cathedral in a metropolitan city. You have to be more “street-wise”. So, I’ve gotten into the habit of taking my purse with me when I go to communion. The only time I don’t do it is when I attend mass at my country farming parish where it’s very tiny and everyone knows everyone.

In regards to trying to be more welcoming as a Church… I don’t think having a coat rack will make a difference. It’s not going to make a place any more warm and friendly. It’s the pastor, priests and the people there who will do that. Even if they did have the coat racks, if the parish in general is miserable, all the coat racks in the world won’t make it welcoming. Our Cathedral has as a little social after masses about once a month. We always invite people to join in after mass, but you usually just get the regulars and sometimes the visitors. It’s a nice way of being welcoming and friendly. What also helps is if you have a nice and friendly person passing out the music sheets and hymnals in the vestibule. (We have to pass out and collect our hard-bound hymnals and Latin booklets after mass because they get stolen as well.)

 

[Al_Masetti]

With respect to making sure your stuff doesn’t get stolen, arguably every Catholic church I have been associated with has been plagued by thefts, some of them quite large.

So all sorts of precautions have had to be taken. Ranging up to having off-duty police officers keep an eye on the collection.

One place had the “tweezer lady” who could pilfer money from the poor box faster than she could be stopped. She even walked off with the whole collection one time.

Our defense was to make sure everything was locked and no money every left there. AND if anyone spotted her (her favorite tactic was to show up just as Mass was ending and there was a lot of confusion as people were getting ready to leave), one of us would give the “high sign” and two of us would smile and stand next to her, one on each side, until either everyone was gone or she figured out there would be no windows of opportunity and left.

 

[robert_ambrose]

in some of our churches(cath.) the priests tell people ,when coming to communion ,carry your handbags, car keys, etc. otherwise they wont be there when you return to your seats.

 

[sneakers]

This is such a non-issue to me.
Leave your coat on, if you want. If not, lay it on the pew next to you. That has worked for me for over forty years.
I think that there are more important issues going on in the Church than the evils of a coat-rack-deprived parish. If that’s your biggest peeve with the Church, then you’re pretty fortunate, I’d say.
Coat-rack, indeed . . .

Best answer yet. My sentiments exactly!

 

[jssaxon]

Catholic go to Mass out of obligation, usually on their way somewhere. Protestants view their congregations as their family and church is a social experience. They like to get comfortable and it’s not the assemblyline experience such as a Catholic Mass. Catholic churches are more unfriendly and people are in a rush to get out in less than an hour.

 

[skatepixie]

I usually get kind of excited when it gets cold enough to allow me to wear a coat to Mass so I have somewhere to put my keys. The only thing I hate more than the sound of keys sliding on a pew is the feeling of my keys in my pants pocket. Only during the winter do I get to keep all my stuff in my coat instead of in the pew next to me. Maybe I just take too much stuff with me to Mass? I only carry my little blue La Pietà booklet, a couple rosaries (2), my Blessed be God prayerbook and Sunday Missal if going to an EF Mass, and my keys.

I guess it really isn’t all that much when you look at it. I can fit everything but my books in my coat pockets, but I also don’t like to leave them behind when I go up for Communion. I have a bad habit of closing my eyes a bit too much on the way back, getting lost, becoming separated from my books for the remainder of Mass

Anyhow, thats why I like to remain coated.

LOL…poor men, no purses, nowhere to keep their stuff. I don’t know what I’d do without a purse to keep all my essentials in. I mean, you have to be prepared, and if you can only take what fits in your pockets.

I guess living with girls I never thought about it before.

Anyway, I live in Southern California, so I don’t remember the last time I saw a coatrack anywhere, church or elsewhere. LOL

 

[I_Believe]

Catholic go to Mass out of obligation, usually on their way somewhere. Protestants view their congregations as their family and church is a social experience. They like to get comfortable and it’s not the assemblyline experience such as a Catholic Mass. Catholic churches are more unfriendly and people are in a rush to get out in less than an hour.

Well, Catholics don’t view Mass as a social gathering. It is a Liturgy, not a Protestant prayer service.

The Mass lasts as long as it lasts.

As far as your blanket description of Catholics as those who just go through the motions in a hurried fashion, that is an insult.
And you obviously intended it as such.

Furthermore, describing the Mass as an “assembly line experience” reveals that you 1 ) know absolutely nothing about the Mass, or, 2 ) have no problem flirting with blasphemy, or concern regarding the state of your soul.

 

[Petergee]

Every time I think I’ve heard every possible wacky objection/complaint about the Catholic Church, I come across another one like this.
Well, most Catholic churches don’t have central heating. As most of them have very high ceilings it would be very expensive and most of the heat would be wasted high up in the rafters. As most protestant churches are smaller and have lower ceilings, this shouldn’t be a problem. (And I guess the protestant “mega-churches” have so much money it’s not a problem either.)

I’ve never thought of it as “rude” or “unfriendly” to leave one’s coat on if it’s cold. When you go to a football game or some other outdoor activity in winter, you don’t take your coat off, and you still manage to be friendly.

I
We visited a Catholic church on Sunday in another city, and the temp in the church was very warm to the point of discomfort; yet almost everyone had their coats on! At one point, a small child started fussing and finally cried out, “Mommy, I’m so hot!” No wonder–the child was wearing one of those big puffy winter parkas along with a hat pulled over his ears and mittens!

Well they were just weird. Every Catholic parent I know makes sure that their sons take their hats off in church.

why would Catholic churches attract more coat thieves than Protestant churches? Is that another mystery that we need to be initiated into?

Unfortunately you’ll find there are a lot more people who hate and want to harm/rob Catholics than there are who hate protestants. I’ve never heard of a coat being stolen during Mass, but I have witnessed stolen/vandalised cars.

I’d be a bit shocked if I ever heard a priest telling the congregation to bring their valuables to Communion. I’ve noticed some old spinsters do go up to communion clutching their handbags.

My wife goes to the opposite extreme, I guess as kind of a statemnent that she trusts her fellow parishioners: She always leaves her bag sitting on the end of the pew, wide open with her purse, phone, car/house keys and PDA clearly visible.

 

[jssaxon]

Catholic Churches are unfriendly and people almost always make a beeline to their cars, having fulfilled their obligation, on pain of mortal sin. Protestants believe fellowship is an intregal part of being in a Christian community, they like to have extremely fine coffee hours to socialize. Catholic coffee hours usually have cheap donuts, not the elaborate homebaked goodies such as Protestants like to make.So, keeping a coat on is a psychological statement. It’s like when a person goes by to visit and leaves his coat on because he doesn’t plan to stay long.

It’s an interesting point the OP brought up, one I never thought of!

 

[wifeandmomoftwo]

Catholic Churches are unfriendly and people almost always make a beeline to their cars, having fulfilled their obligation, on pain of mortal sin. Protestants believe fellowship is an intregal part of being in a Christian community, they like to have extremely fine coffee hours to socialize. Catholic coffee hours usually have cheap donuts , not the elaborate homebaked goodies such as Protestants like to make.So, keeping a coat on is a psychological statement. It’s like when a person goes by to visit and leaves his coat on because he doesn’t plan to stay long.

It’s an interesting point the OP brought up, one I never thought of!

WOW! What assumptions you make!
I have to say this has never been my experience in any of the Catholic churches I have attended!

 

[jssaxon]

Those aren’t assumptions, that is my experience. Catholic Churches are cold and unfriendly especially the more traditional ones. Those are the worst. More relaxed ones that emphasize community are much better.

 

[Cat]

Every time I think I’ve heard every possible wacky objection/complaint about the Catholic Church, I come across another one like this.
Well, most Catholic churches don’t have central heating. As most of them have very high ceilings it would be very expensive and most of the heat would be wasted high up in the rafters. As most protestant churches are smaller and have lower ceilings, this shouldn’t be a problem. (And I guess the protestant “mega-churches” have so much money it’s not a problem either.)

I’ve never thought of it as “rude” or “unfriendly” to leave one’s coat on if it’s cold. When you go to a football game or some other outdoor activity in winter, you don’t take your coat off, and you still manage to be friendly.

Well they were just weird. Every Catholic parent I know makes sure that their sons take their hats off in church.
Unfortunately you’ll find there are a lot more people who hate and want to harm/rob Catholics than there are who hate protestants. I’ve never heard of a coat being stolen during Mass, but I have witnessed stolen/vandalised cars.

I’d be a bit shocked if I ever heard a priest telling the congregation to bring their valuables to Communion. I’ve noticed some old spinsters do go up to communion clutching their handbags.

My wife goes to the opposite extreme, I guess as kind of a statemnent that she trusts her fellow parishioners: She always leaves her bag sitting on the end of the pew, wide open with her purse, phone, car/house keys and PDA clearly visible.

Petergee, I would appreciate my query not being labelled as “wacky.”

First of all, I think that most Catholic Church buildings, like most buildings in general in the U.S., are heated. It may not be toasty warm, but it isn’t non-heated. That’s hard on pipes, drywall, etc. Besides, Catholic church sanctuaries are generally in use EVERYDAY (Mass, prayer, etc.), unlike many Protestant church sanctuaries which are in use twice on Sunday morning, and once on Wednesday night.

(Many of the new Protestant church buildings have a "multi-purpose room that doubles as a sanctuary, lecture hall, fellowship hall, and gymnasium.)

Secondly, the majority of Protestants churches, even the contemporary ones, in our city, have very high ceilings. And many of the contemporary ones have high ceilings, too, so that they can double as a gymasium during church socials. I’ve seen very few Protestant churches with low ceilings.

Are you serious? If someone came to YOUR HOME for dinner, and left their coat on throughout the evening, you wouldn’t think that is strange? And comparing a church service to a football game…they’re not the same thing! A football game is an outdoor recreational activity–of course people are jolly! But a Mass is an indoor spiritual worship discipline–people aren’t going to be doing a victory dance every time the priest says Amen.

I’m extremely disappointed in my Catholic brothers and sisters, that they are using arguments along the lines of “We don’t want to be like the Protestants and have a warm, comfortable building for people to receive Jesus in.” I thought only Protestant thought that way. I’m really taken aback by the lack of hospitality in Catholic churches–to me, turning up heat so that people are comfortable is just basic good manners. It’s not “Protestant,” and if it is, well, they got that one right.

Some of you say it is too expensive to turn up heat in a church building and that the money should be used for others. Do you also leave the heat off in YOUR homes, and then give the money that you would have paid the gas or electric company to the Church? Why don’t you stop eating any food other than what is necessary to sustain life, and give all THAT money to the Church? Or give away all your possessions except what is necessary for life, and give all THAT money to the Church? Sorry, I don’t buy that argument. It is not extravagent spending to help people stay warm and comfortable at Mass.

As for those of you who say that warmth isn’t necessary for friendliness–well, OK. But why can’t you have both?

And someone mentioned turning a cloak room into an Adoration Chapel. Wonderful, but again, why can’t you have both? Our church built an Adoration Chapel in a different building away from the sanctuary. I’ve seen other churches where the Adoration Chapel is in a separate building than the main building. Why do you have to eliminate a useful part of the building? Just do both. Or leave a part of the cloak room when the Adoration Chapel is built.

 

[wifeandmomoftwo]

Those aren’t assumptions, that is my experience. Catholic Churches are cold and unfriendly especially the more traditional ones. Those are the worst. More relaxed ones that emphasize community are much better.

No these where assumptions…
Catholic Churches are unfriendly
having fulfilled their obligation, on pain of mortal sin.
Catholic coffee hours usually have cheap donuts

If they where your own experiences then you should of said that in the post!

 

[Petergee]

Petergee, I would appreciate my query not being labelled as “wacky.”

Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you, but you have to admit as elvisman and several others said, this** is** a pretty weird subject to complain about.

First of all, I think that most Catholic Church buildings, like most buildings in general in the U.S., are heated. It may not be toasty warm, but it isn’t non-heated. That’s hard on pipes, drywall, etc. … the majority of Protestants churches, even the contemporary ones, in our city, have very high ceilings. … I’ve seen very few Protestant churches with low ceilings.

Oh, oh, struck again by the dreaded web disease “if you’re not in the USA you don’t count”. And no, Australia is not always hot and sunny.

Are you serious? If someone came to YOUR HOME for dinner, and left their coat on throughout the evening, you wouldn’t think that is strange? And comparing a church service to a football game…they’re not the same thing!

A “church service” (Mass) and a dinner in someone’s home are definitely not the same thing either.

I’m extremely disappointed in my Catholic brothers and sisters, that they are using arguments along the lines of “We don’t want to be like the Protestants and have a warm, comfortable building for people to receive Jesus in.”

I guess we get warmed and comforted from the inside through receiving Jesus in Communion and His Word.

I thought only Protestant thought that way. I’m really taken aback by the lack of hospitality in Catholic churches–to me, turning up heat so that people are comfortable is just basic good manners. It’s not “Protestant,” and if it is, well, they got that one right.

Sorry to break it to you, but making people physically comfortable is well down the list of reasons why we have churches. If you want to be warm and comfy, stay at home in a big armchair in your dressing-gown and slippers with your feet up by the fire, smoking a pipe and sipping port. Maybe it would horrify you to know that it’s only in the last couple of centuries that Catholic churches have even had pews. Before then everyone except the very old and infirm had to stand up or sit on the floor. There are still some churches like this in europe. Even when pews were first introduced they were simple backless benches.

Some of you say it is too expensive to turn up heat in a church building and that the money should be used for others. Do you also leave the heat off in YOUR homes, and then give the money that you would have paid the gas or electric company to the Church?

Yep. I’m telling my kids all the time, turn off that heater and put some more clothes on!

Why don’t you stop eating any food other than what is necessary to sustain life, and give all THAT money to the Church?

Good idea, I’m still working on that one. Apart from the spiritual benefits I would be a lot healthier too.

Or give away all your possessions except what is necessary for life, and give all THAT money to the Church? Sorry, I don’t buy that argument.

Neither did the rich aristocrat when Jesus told him to do this.

It is not extravagent spending to help people stay warm and comfortable at Mass.

As for those of you who say that warmth isn’t necessary for friendliness–well, OK. But why can’t you have both?

Crikey, is it really that awful for you to just leave your coat on? Don’t you think you’re making a mountain out of a molehill?

And someone mentioned turning a cloak room into an Adoration Chapel. Wonderful, but again, why can’t you have both? Our church built an Adoration Chapel in a different building away from the sanctuary. I’ve seen other churches where the Adoration Chapel is in a separate building than the main building. Why do you have to eliminate a useful part of the building? Just do both. Or leave a part of the cloak room when the Adoration Chapel is built.

Actually that is against canon law, which requires the tabernacle to be in a prominent place of honour which is visible from anywhere in the main body of the church.

And personally, I actually feel more relaxed and comfortable when I have my coat with me. If I hang it up somewhere I eiether forget to go and get it, or I realise that i need something that I’ve left in the pockets.

And though I haven’t been to the US, the one thing everyone I know who’s been there agrees on is that the buildings are way overheated. If the Catholic churches there are an exception to this, good on them for showing a good example - using resources wisely and environmentally friendly. It’s a lot easier to warm up when it’s too cold than to cool off when it’s too hot. And there’s a limit to how many clothes you can strip off in public to cool off, especially in church.

 

[TraderTif]

lol, you should come to my parish sometime. I went to mass last week, and I was wearing 2 layers of pants, 3 layers of shirts, AND a coat!

No, really, I always thought that the churches skimped on the heat to save as much money as possible. (Especially now with the higher cost of heating oil and the shrinking number of parishoners.)