When I had stopped being a Baptist, and was casting about for were I was to go, the tenor of the Masses I attended definitely turned me off. I had begun to suspect the Real Presence was the real deal. So, I was pretty scandalized when, after the Consecration, the priest left the altar to work the crowd during the meet and greet.
I thank God that He vouchsafed me to find the Orthodox Church, where worship meet to the Creator is still offered.
Amen to that! There is none like it! But, in all fairness, the traditional Catholic Mass was a very dignified and beautiful service. Too bad, it has all come down to clapping and chewing gum, never mind taking a communion without confession!
And, to our Catholic friends, leaving the service before it ends is very wrong.
Ugh, I frequently see my parish priest do this also. Drives me nuts, and saddens me how the reverence seems to slip away at each of his masses.
I no longer try to attend his, opting for the younger priest, who follows more reverence and tradition.
Among other things, continuously bowing to "the altar" (there is no Crucifix) when there is no Eucharist present.
Is this just carelessness on the part of the priest or laity? I'm not sure, but it still is annoying to say the least.