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I visited a regular Catholic mass decades ago. I thought the priest was on fire both in energy and in Biblical accuracy and also in assessing what people needed to hear at the time (including stepping on my toes). But the regulars attending the mass were bored out of their minds saying the ritual things even before the priest started his sermon.

Then the very next Sunday I visited an Assembly of God church (a Protestant church that's a wee bit Pentecostal). To me the preacher seemed a bit theatrical in his emotions and crying. But before, during, and after the service the regular attendees seemed to be the kind of Christ-loving and people-loving and righteous living people everybody ought to hang around. Just being around them made Christ and church attendance a way of life worth enjoying and doing to the fullest.

I joked with the lady I attended both churches with that an awesome church would be one with the Catholic priest and the Pentecostal congregation. LOL

Father Stephen Barham was raised in an Assembly of God family and converted to Catholicism as an adult. He took pride in being known as the “black sheep” of his family.

His Masses and sermons were truly memorable! - A wonderful blend of Pentecostal revival and Roman Catholic tradition. I imagine that you can find examples of them on YouTube.

But the regulars attending the mass were bored out of their minds saying the ritual things even before the priest started his sermon.

I can’t speak for those people so maybe they were bored out of their minds. (I wonder at their attendance at all if their boredom is truly a fact.)

However, your comment brings a question to mind. Are most Protestants used to their services being social gatherings with a large amount of exterior expression and camaraderie from the participants or are their services times for quiet listening and interior introspection, saving the social interaction for later? I’m truly curious, because this issue could be the cause of misunderstanding from both parties.

Catholics at mass, first of all, shouldn’t be paying attention to those people around us at all but to either the Word of God from scripture, which is the focus of the first half of the mass, or to Christ truly present in the Eucharist, the focus of the second half.

Most Catholics who are actually paying attention at mass are introspectively prayerful. That’s our traditional way of participating. It’s not meant to be primarily a social activity with other people, but a close and introspective and prayerful encounter with God.

I think this may be why non-Catholics who visit are sometimes put off. Maybe they are used to their services being more socially interactive with other people?