Posted on 09/05/2011 6:12:17 AM PDT by marshmallow
Americans getting more casual in what they wear to church.
Deacon Greg Kandra was well aware that modern Americans were getting more casual and that these laid-back attitudes were filtering into Catholic pews.
Still, was that woman who was approaching the altar to receive Holy Communion really wearing a Hooters shirt?
Yes, she was.
When did Catholics, he thought to himself, start coming to Mass dressed for a Britney Spears concert? Had he missed a memo or something?
"Somewhere along the way, we went from neckties to tank tops, and from fasting to fast food. And it's getting worse," noted Kandra, a former CBS News writer with 26 years, two Emmys and two Peabody Awards to his credit. He is now a deacon assigned to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, a 3,000-member parish in Forest Hills, just north of New York City.
"I recently had to tell a couple that no, they could not have their Chihuahua in a tuxedo as part of their wedding party,"he added, in a Patheos.com commentary. "An auxiliary bishop in Indianapolis recently complained about people who tweet during funerals. Casual Catholics, it seems, have taken 'casual' to a new level."
After the Hooters incident, he decided it was time to stop whining about the rising tide of irreverence and immodesty and to start griping about it right out in the open. Thus, Kandra and the parish's other clergy have resorted to appealing — in the parish bulletin and in public remarks — for a hint of sanity or even some old-fashioned decorum.
One bulletin item proclaimed, with a gag headline: "PLANS FOR PARISH SWIMMING POOL SCRAPPED! After much study, our finance committee has determined it would not be feasible to construct an indoor swimming pool in our church. ... As a result, we can now announce.........
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeqtTBldvg0
This Johnny Paycheck song (more like a recitation set to music) talks about him being turned away from a church due to his appearance.
“A young man walked over to me. Said excuse me sir, I can’t let you in with that big black hat, the jeans, that beard, long hair...I though to myself that’s the house of the Lord.
That guy’s got a hell of a nerve saying I can’t worship the way I please....You know even John the Baptist wouldn’t be welcome in this place; sandals on his feet, long hair...
“...You know Lord I’m not perfect. Some even call me no-’count. But I believe a man is judged by what’s in his heart and not his bank account. So if this is what religion is, big car, suit and a tie, I might as well forget it.
By the way Lord, right before they kicked me out, didn’t I see a picture of you, with sandals and a beard. Believe you had long hair, too.”
Drop in the parish church of Św. Jakuba (St. Jacob's) in Toruń, Poland -- it's a 12th century Church and I'm convinced that it is actually colder inside there than outside -- in winter it is an igloo!
Who's keeping anyone from church? Let me pose this: Is there ANY limit? May I come to your church in a Speedo?
No, clothes are important. Never said they weren’t.
Church attendance across the country continues to decline. Some people wish to double down and insist on the same methods which have been failing.
Others recognize that societal norms change. If the norms are not contrary to God’s word then what is the problem?
“Do you think this woman would dry His feet with her hair?”
Don’t know, are you trying to say she’s a prostitute?
A church or any organization has the right to state what their dress codes are. I’m not sure if you are being serious in your position or just playing devil’s advocate. I mean, would there be no type of clothing or absence that would bother you? Would it bother you at mass were a man wearing just a tiny thong and and a cat int the hat type of hat, and his body was covered with tattoos of obscene things?
speedo’s should be outlawed and wearers subject to public flogging.
but that has nothing to do with religion
Sure church’s certainly have the right to support dress codes. There is a constructive way to handle these situations and one which will usually result in the person never returning. Which way is best?
“There are many Catholics who no longer truly understand the REAL PRESENCE.”
Hey, if the priest only mentions it once or twice a year, if that, it projects a certain level of importance. Same thing with confession once a week for an hour for a parish of thousands of families, it gives the impression that it must not be too important when you get right down to it. Same thing with pro-abortion public Catholics who call themselves good Catholics, must not be too big a deal if the bishops let them get away with it, right?
Combine those things with the general lack of Catholic education of the faith, it’s a wonder things aren’t worse than they are. Although I bet it is generally better now than 30 years ago, but perhaps not 100 years ago.
Freegards
>>Don’t know, are you trying to say she’s a prostitute?
No. I’m asking if the woman who dresses like a prostitute would humble herself to ruin her hair by drying Jesus’ feet. If someone pointed out to her that her choice of clothing makes him uncomfortable, would her response be, “Tough. I work hard for this body and I like to show it. If you can’t handle that, its your problem!” Or would she be more Christlike: “I’m sorry. I didn’t even think of that.”
Now we are getting somewhere. Since you won't let me wear a Sppedo, then you agree that certain dress is inappropriate. That IS what you have said.
Others recognize that societal norms change. --> you are contradicting yourself. Clothes are important, yet no one said one should wear a suit to church. The objections are about wearing a Hooters or Play** t-shirt as opposed to just a plain one or even a "Go Palin" t-shirt. The latter are still respectful to God, but the former two are definitely not.
I asked you if it would be respectful, in your opinion, if a woman wore a halter and micro-mini to your service? Is that contrary to God's word in your opinion? Is it ok to wear that?
Huh? So you are the arbiter of what counts as the proper dress. I would rather have people come to church and worship then being concerned that someone wont like the way they dress. God really doesn’t care, He only see your heart.
You are correct....but we cannot heap ALL responsibility on the priest/bishop. We all need to be praying regularly (key) for our Church and we can volunteer to help with RCIA and religious education classes to begin to make a positive difference.
Where are all the photos of Hooters? (T-shirts)
Note, svcw, Tsgt only pointed out the inappropriateness of the “Hooters” t-shirt. A normal t-shirt, a plain one is fine. Even one with a message that is not an overtly s**ual one is fine, it is respectful to God.
Is there a sign on the front door of your church that lists what can and cannot be worn because if you don’t dress properly you will never be Saved?
The sign on the front door of my church says “no perfect people allowed, come as you are”.
Uh......this might come as a shock but the two are actually connected. The way we dress and the content of our heart, I mean. The way I dress for a job interview, work, church, a meeting with the US President, a school PTA meeting or Thanksgiving dinner at grandma's house, says something about my attitude towards the person or persons with whom I'm interacting.
Furthermore, church is not all about oneself. It is not about making a fashion statement nor about attracting attention to oneself, the root cause of which sadly, is usually the selfish desire for attention and self-gratification. Those are the antitheses of what church is about.
Outlandish and provocative dress is an indication of human pride and vainglory, which is the very opposite of the humility which Jesus looked for in repentant sinners. This doesn't mean that we have to dress up to the nines for church but it does mean that we make some sort of an effort to do our best, whatever our best might be. It's true that Jesus is not interested in our clothes per se but he is interested in the trouble we go to for his sake. If we take no trouble for his sake, what does that say about our attitude towards him?
Finally, at least in my church, it is recognized that the church is consecrated, holy ground where God is truly present. As God said to Moses......"take off the sandals from thy feet for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." That doesn't mean we go barefoot in church but it does mean that our dress reflect an appreciation of the fact that we are standing on holy ground and in the real presence of God in a sacred location, as opposed to eating wings in Hooters or queuing up to get into the ball game.
Welcome sister. My is name is svcw, how about yours? Hope you enjoy the service. Is this your first time here? Don’t forget after the service we have some coffee and cookies out front and a gift. Have any questions just ask.
There is a sign inside that says, “Please, observe our customs. Gentlemen, please remove your hats. Please silence cell phones and other electronic devices. A respectful silence is to be maintained at all times.” We haven’t gotten to the point that the Europeans have, having wardrobe checkers at the door, but I have a feeling it’s coming.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.