I was raised Catholic, and have since left the church, and I consider myself to be a deist. But to that, I have no argument with anyone going to a church that is trying to better themselves and their community. I might not agree on theology, but if you are accomplishing the above, good by me.
I have my issues with the Catholic Church, mostly regarding the bureaucracy of it (which covered for many things, including the homosexual buggering of boys). But with that said, I have an appreciation of Mass and the special event it is for believers. I absolutely love and am awed by the churches that have been built across this country--mostly around 1900, that are absolutely beautiful. I frankly am unimpressed with the banner filled, hand holding, minimalist churches. I liked the communion rail, and big altar, and a solemn and serious service.
I don't think it was a Catholic Church, but a year or two ago there was a big youtube hit of a wedding party dancing UP the aisle. Again, I no longer consider myself of the Christian variety, but I found it disrespectful. If you want to jack around, do it in the banquet hall.
So not the same thing, and I don't know if as an ex-Catholic my opinion counts, but over the past couple years, when I go to a Mass for some family event, I am really disappointed on what a Mass has become. Maybe this new change is for the better.
Pappy wrote: “I don’t think it was a Catholic Church, but a year or two ago there was a big youtube hit of a wedding party dancing UP the aisle. Again, I no longer consider myself of the Christian variety, but I found it disrespectful.”
I believe you must be referring to the smash hit video that was a PARODY of the upcoming wedding between Prince Whoever (William?) and Kate Middleton of Britain. It was not Catholic in any way, but Anglican. They did a great job with actors that resembled the “real” cast, such as Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams skipping up the aisle! It looked like a real wedding in a church, but it was a spoof.
I agree about the timing of the greeting, seems out of place at that time to me too. What I do to get away from the loud talking is to sit up on the first or second pew. I am more focused there anyway. As a convert I was called to become a Catholic and I have studied many Catholic writers and the history of the Church and one quote I really like is by Flannery O’Connor “Christ never said the Church would be operated in a sinless or intelligent way, but that it would not teach error.” I surely do not agree with a lot of the social justice teachings and cover ups we have had, but I am ever hoping there will be changes to come that will correct such abuses and errors BY HUMANS and I think of another quote of Flannery’s “The Church was founded on Peter who denied Christ three times and couldn’t walk on water. You are expecting his sucessors to walk on water.” Of course she was referring to the popes, but the bishops and then cardinals are the field where the popes come from. Flannery also stated one doesn’t join the Church, you become a Cathoilc, so I study the father of the church, etc. and in this way I stay inspired by the roots of the Catholic church and not from misguided bishops and priests.
I agree about the timing of the greeting, seems out of place at that time to me too. What I do to get away from the loud talking is to sit up on the first or second pew. I am more focused there anyway. As a convert I was called to become a Catholic and I have studied many Catholic writers and the history of the Church and one quote I really like is by Flannery O’Connor “Christ never said the Church would be operated in a sinless or intelligent way, but that it would not teach error.” I surely do not agree with a lot of the social justice teachings and cover ups we have had, but I am ever hoping there will be changes to come that will correct such abuses and errors BY HUMANS and I think of another quote of Flannery’s “The Church was founded on Peter who denied Christ three times and couldn’t walk on water. You are expecting his sucessors to walk on water.” Of course she was referring to the popes, but the bishops and then cardinals are the field where the popes come from. Flannery also stated one doesn’t join the Church, you become a Cathoilc, so I study the father of the church, etc. and in this way I stay inspired by the roots of the Catholic church and not from misguided bishops and priests.