[FITZ]

Just a couple of things to know about Catholics. They don't sing well and after Mass, everyone heads out. They have been trying to get us to be collegial for year with only partial success.

I think Catholics are meant to Gregorian chant. I don't think they'll ever get Catholics to hang around and greet everyone outside the church --- it's too uncomfortable and it feels like people are mostly making sure they saw all who showed up.

[RPTMS]

"I think Catholics are meant to Gregorian chant."

I agree. I'm always much more comfortable at a traditional Mass. It just feels awkward when I try to sing some song that was written in the 1960s while the priest is praying the Mass, which was established almost 2000 years ago.

[SuziQ]

Y'all obviously haven't been to too many Catholic churches. Even here in Puritan Massachusetts, our Parishoners sing out loud and strong (except for the 7:30 am Sunday crowd; don't bother them with any music! LOL!). After all the Masses on Sunday morning, folks go downstairs and have coffee and donuts! It's great for families to meet each other and just socialize.

A lot depends on the Pastor and the Director of Music. The ones we have now are really supportive of folks singing from the pews. If people tell me, "I don't sing well", I just tell them, "God gave you your voice, give it back to Him!"

[ladyinred]

- it's too uncomfortable and it feels like people are mostly making sure they saw all who showed up.

LOL! You must have been to a Baptist Church once or twice in your life eh? (Just a joke, I am a Baptist!)

[Cronos]

I think Catholics are meant to Gregorian chant. I don't think they'll ever get Catholics to hang around and greet everyone outside the church --- it's too uncomfortable and it feels like people are mostly making sure they saw all who showed up.

Err.. Fitz, that isn't true. We may have some Gregorian chants but we also have hymns and songs of praise -- that's why we're termed the "Catholic" or universal church of God.

In my parish we do meet regularly, have parish get-togethers etc.