Posted on 09/16/2014 5:21:54 PM PDT by NKP_Vet
1. Fast before Mass. It is Church law that one fasts for at least 1 hour before receiving Holy Communion. Water and medicine can be consumed, of course. The purpose is to help us prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.
2. No Food and Drink in Church. The exceptions would be a drink for small children, water for the priest or choir (if discreet) and water for those who are ill. Bringing a snack into church is not appropriate, because we want to set the church apart as a place of prayer and reflection.
3. Men take your hats off. It is impolite to wear a hat into a church for a man. While this is a cultural norm, it is one that we ought to follow closely. Just as we take off hats for the Pledge of Allegiance, we do so in church too; as a sign of respect.
4. Don't chew gum in church. It breaks your fast, it’s distracting, it is consider impolite in a formal setting, and it doesn't help us pray better. Can you imagine the Pope popping gum in during Mass?
5. Cross yourself with Holy Water on entering and leaving the church. This is a reminder of our Baptism, which made us members of Christ's Church. Just try to remain mindful of what is happening when you do so and don't do it without saying a prayer.
6. Dress modestly and appropriately. Wear your Sunday Best. As Catholics we believe that God comes down to meet us at every Mass. So, why would we not dress up?
7. Show up at least a few minutes early. If for some reason you can't be on time, then try to sit in the back so you don't disturb others. Getting to Mass early allows you to pray and prepare yourself better for Mass.
8. Cell phones should never be used in Mass for calls or texting. The exceptions are emergencies (big ones, not everyday ones) and if you do use one, please walk out of church to do so. Also, if you are using the phone for readings or prayers, this is appropriate, but try to be discreet.
9. Don't sit on the edge of the pew if you sit down before others. Rather, sit in the middle so others don't have to climb over you. Furthermore - Gentlemen offer their seats to a any lady (elderly, disabled, etc) who must stand. Some churches, like ours, get packed. We live in Texas (Howdy!). In Texas men don't sit when a woman is standing.
10. When we enter and leave Church, genuflect toward the Tabernacle. Christ is present for our sake. By allowing our right knee to hit the floor, we acknowledge He is our Lord and God. If someone is physically unable to genuflect, then a bow is sufficient. During Mass, if you pass in front of the altar or tabernacle, bow reverently.
11. Please be quiet while in church. Once you enter the sanctuary - it is not the time or place to visit with those around you. If you must talk do so as quietly and briefly as possible. Remember that your conversation might be disturbing someone who is in prayer, which is much more important. Sssshhhhhhhh.
12. Take loud children to the back. Every parent knows that sometimes the baby is going to have a bad day. Don't make everyone else's day bad as well. Sit on the end of a pew, if you can, and take the kid to the back quickly. Don't wait too long before you make a move. There is no reason to be embarrassed about having to quiet your child in the back of the church. It is worse to allow them to disturb Mass continually.
13. Prepare your offering before Mass. Christ tells us not to let your left hand know what your right hand is doing when you make your offering. Keeping the basket while you get your wallet out can sometimes become quite a scene.
14. No bulletin reading during Mass. Imagine if you invited a guest to your house and before dinner (or during) they decided to read a magazine instead of talking to you. That is what is happening in God's house when you read the bulletin.
15. Respect Boundaries others may have. You might want to hold hands to pray, they may not. They might be sick and not want to shake during the sign of peace. These are all OK. Do not make any unnecessary judgment because they worship differently.
16. Bow before receiving Holy Communion. If it is God, then show your respect with a bow of the head. This is an ancient practice that has continued until this day.
17. Do not receive from the chalice if you are sick. This is an act of charity and it is not necessary to receive in order to receive the entirety of Jesus' body, blood, soul, and divinity.
18. Do not leave early. We should stay to the end of the recession and the hymn that accompanies it, if there is one. While there are certainly exceptions to this guideline, most who leave early don't need to and ought not to.
19.Pray after Mass, if you feel called to do so. It is a good custom, though not required, to offer a prayer of thanksgiving after Mass is over.
20. Leave quietly. We encourage you to visit with others, but once you are outside of the main sanctuary of the church so you won't disturb others who want to stay and pray. So, please leave quietly and then have then visit afterward.
“My aunt is an Presbyterian and when she visits her Catholic relatives she always takes communion at their mass”.
Well someone should tell her she is not supposed to. She might get mad but she’ll get over it. If she wants to receive communion at a Catholic Mass she needs to join the Catholic Church.
Remember kneeling at the rail for the blessing of the throats, first communion, confirmation...Yes long gone.
No worries ... don't be nervous. If you feel comfortable doing so, kneel when the congregation kneels. You may remain seated if you'd rather. Not being Catholic, you aren't required to do what the Catholics are doing. And there are some things you shouldn't do ... like present yourself for communion ... but being Jewish, you'd probably not do that anyway.
But really just enjoy it. Don't get caught up in trying to do what others do. I think you'll find everyone is understanding about visitors to the church.
Man who fart in church, sit in own pew.
Remember only a Priest could give you Communion, now they have lay persons and now they place it in your hand vs on your tongue...Just seems so unholy.
Thanks to all!!
How about notes for what Priest shouldn’t do?
Talk about Amway after your quick sermon. Priest spoke for 30min on Amway and how he was a member and how we all should join him, blah blah...then went on to talk about giving more money, blah blah.
I was mortified...I got up and left. He disrespected the Lord in the Lord’s house- I wasn’t going to sit and condone it.
Concur, and this applies in any event that includes similar seating.
12. Take loud children to the back.
It depends.
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Legalism on parade.
Just do as you would do in any other unfamiliar large gathering where attentiveness is required. If you want to kneel when others kneel, kneel. If you don't, it's fine to remain seated. It is best to stand when others stand. Remain silent unless you want to sing along with any hymns that may be sung from the hymn book provided. If you aren't comfortable with some of the words, you don't have to say them; bearing in mind that both Jews and Christians worship the same Almighty G-d, Jehovah.
The "passing of the peace" is an early part of the mass when congregants stand, move around slightly, clasp hands one at a time with several persons immediately around them and say, "Peace be with you." It's a universal gesture of goodwill to share with people if you feel comfortable; if you don't want to shake hands, just smile and nod, or remain seated if you really don't want to. Then there will be scripture readings from the Hebrew Bible and Christian gospels, some singing, usually a basket passed around for a money donation (if desired -- it is for the ongoing need of that parish, and not a gift for the person being confirmed), and possibly a short talk by the priest, as well as the confirmation ritual, at which you will be an observer in the congregation, but will not be required to do anything or repeat the creed of belief that others will say during those moments.
The last part of the mass, the communion rite (also called "eucharist"), is specifically about Jesus and is usually only for baptised Catholics; it's perfectly all right to just sit quietly or pray silently during that ritual, which is a commemoration of Jesus' last Passover meal on earth. All you would have to do is let others in your pew pass by you so they can get to and from the aisle. There are usually several other people who don't go up to the altar for communion for one reason or another, so don't feel self-conscious.
If possible, ask the person who invited you in advance to be seated with him or her, or with someone they assign to you, so someone familiar can accompany you during the mass.
We’re blessed...we have a Communion rail and have to kneel at it to receive Communion. Priest also faces the altar when Liturgy of the Eucharist.
A church in my area just installed a Communion rail.
I was an altar boy. Altar boys don’t pass the basket.
Albion, I haven’t been to a RC confirmation in eons, but it HAS to be conducted by a bishop, and lasts a lot longer than regular or even holiday Masses. I’m not too sure they do collections at First Communions and Confirmations.
And non-Catholics are NEVER EVER to take Communion at a Catholic Mass. Usually at a Mass that will nave a large number of non-Catholics attending (First Communion/Confirmation/wedding) there will be an announcement with very nice, polite language telling non-Catholics that receiving the Eucharist is for Catholics in a state of grace only.
I was surprised at church to see a Confirmation - being done by the Parish Priest.
I was told a priest can do it if the Bishop says so.
Nah, HandyDandy’s right, and you don’t have to be 80.
Altar boys have been fainting on the altar since time immemorial. And they continue to do so!
My own boys serve the TLM at our parish and both of them have fainted — usually due to their blood sugars taking a nose dive from fasting.
The older one did the Kneeling Sway and Topple maneuver described above by HandyDandy. He didn’t drop anything, and he didn’t get hurt.
But when my younger one fainted, it was a Standing, Frontward Poleaxe maneuver. Fortunately, his brother put all those years of fencing to excellent use! His fencing coach would have been so proud of the incredible lunge he performed (while still holding the censer!), and getting his hand underneath his brother’s head just in time to prevent it from smashing into the marble floor.
Now I just make sure they both have a glass of orange juice before we leave for Mass. (And yes, that would be about an hour before Mass begins, so their fasts are still intact.)
Regards,
Here’s worse; on 9-16-2001, my pastor had a sermon about the US being attacked because of “the corrupt men who control Alan Greenspan”. Yes, I walked out in the middle. He’s a Jew-hating commie.
Hi, FRiend. Did I imply otherwise?
I would respectfully ask that you kneel during the Consecration of the bread and wine even though you are Jewish. I was at a Mass a couple of weeks ago and a Muslim delegation there (invited for some outreach thing) didn’t kneel at all. Out of charity I assumed it was because no one asked them to or told them it should be done.
Again, even though you don’t believe it’s Jesus after the words “this is my body” are said, I would humbly ask you show this respect. It will be when everyone else is kneeling so don’t worry about knowing when. Just do as everyone else is doing. Thank you for your understanding.
And you may go up for Communion if you wish (if you don’t want to stay in the pew as everyone else goes up) just fold your hands across your chest so the priest knows to only bless you and not offer you a Host. You don’t have to go up if you don’t want. There is no shame in staying in your seat either. It’s your choice. However to be clear, as you aren’t Catholic you aren’t to receive Communion.
Thank you.
And don’t be nervous. God wants you there.
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