Posted on 09/16/2014 5:21:54 PM PDT by NKP_Vet
“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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