Posted on 09/16/2014 5:21:54 PM PDT by NKP_Vet
1. Fast before Mass. It is Church law that one fasts for at least 1 hour before receiving Holy Communion. Water and medicine can be consumed, of course. The purpose is to help us prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.
2. No Food and Drink in Church. The exceptions would be a drink for small children, water for the priest or choir (if discreet) and water for those who are ill. Bringing a snack into church is not appropriate, because we want to set the church apart as a place of prayer and reflection.
3. Men take your hats off. It is impolite to wear a hat into a church for a man. While this is a cultural norm, it is one that we ought to follow closely. Just as we take off hats for the Pledge of Allegiance, we do so in church too; as a sign of respect.
4. Don't chew gum in church. It breaks your fast, it’s distracting, it is consider impolite in a formal setting, and it doesn't help us pray better. Can you imagine the Pope popping gum in during Mass?
5. Cross yourself with Holy Water on entering and leaving the church. This is a reminder of our Baptism, which made us members of Christ's Church. Just try to remain mindful of what is happening when you do so and don't do it without saying a prayer.
6. Dress modestly and appropriately. Wear your Sunday Best. As Catholics we believe that God comes down to meet us at every Mass. So, why would we not dress up?
7. Show up at least a few minutes early. If for some reason you can't be on time, then try to sit in the back so you don't disturb others. Getting to Mass early allows you to pray and prepare yourself better for Mass.
8. Cell phones should never be used in Mass for calls or texting. The exceptions are emergencies (big ones, not everyday ones) and if you do use one, please walk out of church to do so. Also, if you are using the phone for readings or prayers, this is appropriate, but try to be discreet.
9. Don't sit on the edge of the pew if you sit down before others. Rather, sit in the middle so others don't have to climb over you. Furthermore - Gentlemen offer their seats to a any lady (elderly, disabled, etc) who must stand. Some churches, like ours, get packed. We live in Texas (Howdy!). In Texas men don't sit when a woman is standing.
10. When we enter and leave Church, genuflect toward the Tabernacle. Christ is present for our sake. By allowing our right knee to hit the floor, we acknowledge He is our Lord and God. If someone is physically unable to genuflect, then a bow is sufficient. During Mass, if you pass in front of the altar or tabernacle, bow reverently.
11. Please be quiet while in church. Once you enter the sanctuary - it is not the time or place to visit with those around you. If you must talk do so as quietly and briefly as possible. Remember that your conversation might be disturbing someone who is in prayer, which is much more important. Sssshhhhhhhh.
12. Take loud children to the back. Every parent knows that sometimes the baby is going to have a bad day. Don't make everyone else's day bad as well. Sit on the end of a pew, if you can, and take the kid to the back quickly. Don't wait too long before you make a move. There is no reason to be embarrassed about having to quiet your child in the back of the church. It is worse to allow them to disturb Mass continually.
13. Prepare your offering before Mass. Christ tells us not to let your left hand know what your right hand is doing when you make your offering. Keeping the basket while you get your wallet out can sometimes become quite a scene.
14. No bulletin reading during Mass. Imagine if you invited a guest to your house and before dinner (or during) they decided to read a magazine instead of talking to you. That is what is happening in God's house when you read the bulletin.
15. Respect Boundaries others may have. You might want to hold hands to pray, they may not. They might be sick and not want to shake during the sign of peace. These are all OK. Do not make any unnecessary judgment because they worship differently.
16. Bow before receiving Holy Communion. If it is God, then show your respect with a bow of the head. This is an ancient practice that has continued until this day.
17. Do not receive from the chalice if you are sick. This is an act of charity and it is not necessary to receive in order to receive the entirety of Jesus' body, blood, soul, and divinity.
18. Do not leave early. We should stay to the end of the recession and the hymn that accompanies it, if there is one. While there are certainly exceptions to this guideline, most who leave early don't need to and ought not to.
19.Pray after Mass, if you feel called to do so. It is a good custom, though not required, to offer a prayer of thanksgiving after Mass is over.
20. Leave quietly. We encourage you to visit with others, but once you are outside of the main sanctuary of the church so you won't disturb others who want to stay and pray. So, please leave quietly and then have then visit afterward.
How about don’t touch me during Mass?
Possibly a door leading to the cloister.
Yes I agree and in some parishes they have a strange configuration of railings and ramps behind the alter with the tabernacle strangely offset and the usual set of three chairs have morphed into supersized thrones and smack dab in he center where our Lord should be.
On my bulletins, thousands of Jap zeros went down in flames.
**the usual set of three chairs have morphed into supersized thrones and smack dab in he center where our Lord should be. **
This bugs me.
Our priest stopped that, and the first thing he said in building our new church was that the tabernacle would be smack dab in the center......and so it is.
I’m going to a friends son’s confirmation in a Catholic church. Any help? I’m Jewish.
And kneel at the Communion rail. Now long gone.
A few years ago there was a freeper who posted about taking his father to church. It was a liberal church and they had a sacred dancer performing. His father was hard of hearing and spoke very loud. When the sacred dancer finisher her performance his father said: “ What the hell was that.” Of course everyone in the church heard it and had to bite their tongue.
One of the sad social changes in my opinion, is how people don’t dress for church anymore.
While I agree with your observation about the slob attire worn by many to Sunday services, I am still haunted by a story my maternal Grandmother told me about her young adult years in rural Alabama back during the "Hoover Days". Some poor farmers would not attend church services because they were ashamed they could not afford "Sunday Best" for their families.
I have reached that stage of life where I would rather be comfortable. Summer in the Deep South can go for 6-7 months. I no longer wear my "Monkey Suit" unless it is an occasion that warrants it, e.g. funeral. "Business Casual" is fine by me. Too bad the British tropical attire never caught on in the U.S. I was in Sydney, NSW, AU, during Xmas 1987 and attended service at an Anglican Church with my host family. All the men wore tropical dress. Since I was in Oz because of the World Jamboree, I was attired in my BSA summer uniform and fit right in.
I’m also criticizing older folks too, who for whatever reason, abandoned the concept of dressing for church decades ago.
Anyone remember the last time you saw suits and nice dresses in church? Weddings don’t count, I mean just for regular Sunday services or mass.
In some churches Communion rails are coming back.
You can always kneel after you walk up to the priest to receive Communion. If I could get back up (knees) I would.
And receive the Eucharist on your tongue!
“Anyone remember the last time you saw suits and nice dresses in church?”
I remember being a freshman at FSU in 1965. Years before FSU was an all-girl school.
Sunday mornings was an eye-candy treat with all the girls dressed up walking to the Baptist church up the hill.
bkmk
Altar boys do not take the collection.
As an usher, time and time again I see people writing out their checks when the collection basket gets to them. Crazy.
It bugs me and I wish they would stop doing it.
I think many people bow to the middle and possibly even the cross on the wall behind the altar.
LOL
The last time I received on the tongue the priest was... incredulous. Appalled is another word that comes to mind.
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