Just Got Back From Mass

[leftyladyfrommo]

and it was very nice.

Strange because I am not really into organized religion but I love to go to mass. It just makes my day go a whole lot better.

[GalleryGod]

1. Many share your sentiments, RL

I am one....O8)

[Ellen Forradalom]

2. A thoughtfully-put together mass

is both an aesthetic and spiritual experience.

My mother's priest is a first-rate liturgist. When I visit her I always make a point of attending mass. There's nothing quite like it.

[TheProphetess]

3. I agree

I've been truly inspired by my pastor on more than a few occasions. It can be a wonderful experience.

[leftyladyfrommo]

4. I like the ritual.

And I like the music. And I don't think listening about practicing human compassion really hurts anyone.

[RevCheesehead]

5. This is good to hear.

Do me a favor and share what you said with your priest.
We're human, and we need affirmation, too. Lately, things have been looking rather bleak, attendance is down, and the churches are about 90% elderly (over 65).

A positive word to your pastor/priest/clergy can really lift someone's spirits. Trust me on this one, OK?

[leftyladyfrommo]

9. OK, I will do that.

I'm not Catholic but I still love Mass. I love the music and the ritual and just the warmth of it all. And the church was packed at 7:30. That church has a huge congregation. And everyone is just really nice.

[richmwill]

6. Cool. I had a nice time at my church earlier...

The Pastor presented a very nice sermon about "The Power Of Forgiveness".

[WritingIsMyReligion]

7. Ughh... I HATE mass.

Not that I'm ragging on you, or anything, as I can clearly see how some poeple DO like it, but it's just not for me... The mass is half the reason I don't like ORs.

:evilgrin:

[leftyladyfrommo]

10. The church makes a difference.

I was raised Methodist and that kind of determines where I will feel comfortable. I tried another church that has a daily 7:30 Mass and I didn't like it as much. I didn't feel comfortable there.

One thing I like about the Catholic Church is that you can go to Mass everyday. And it is a nice way to begin the day. The daily Mass is only a half an hour long so it's not like it takes up a huge piece of the day.

I wish the Methodists would do something like this.

[kwassa]

8. It's the wine with that wafer

We usually do Taylor Port

[leftyladyfrommo]

11. I don't do communion.

Once communion starts I just kind of slip out the back door.

[JVS]

12. Why?

[Bridget Burke]

17. Only Catholics can take Communion in a Catholic Church.

It's a doctrinal matter.

However, ANYONE can attend Mass. It's great when non-Catholics are open-minded enough to do so.

[JVS]

18. The OP doesn't state that the original poster isn't Catholic.

[Bridget Burke]

23. No, but she says so in #9

"I'm not Catholic but I still love Mass."

[kwassa]

24. Try an Episcopal church: everyone can take communion

and as we Episcopals say, all the pomp, and none of the guilt.

[tjwmason]

13. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.

The Mass is probably the single biggest reason that I'm a Catholic.

I've been to modern Masses, traditional Masses, English Masses, Latin Masses, nearly silent Masses, Masses filled with congregational singing, Masses sung by professional choirs, Catholic Masses, Orthodox Divine Liturgies. Though I have my own preferences (obviously), there's nothing quite like it, and few ways I'd rather spend some time.

[leftyladyfrommo]

21. I love Gregorian Chant

I would love to find someplace I could go where I could hear it sung. I have to listen to tapes and that just isn't the same.

[Patiod]

14. Depends on the priest's energy as well

My parents have a new priest who still puts his heart into offering up the Mass. Very moving. But the usual route "reciting" of the Mass does very little for me.

When I was heading off to Venice for a work project, I asked someone in my Quaker Meeting who wa a world traveler what his suggestions were. He mentioned a few restaurants, and then said "Go to Mass at St. Mark's on Sunday morning. You don't need to be Catholic to appreciate it". A a post-Vatican II lapsed Catholic, I didn't have any Latin to fall back on, and my Italian is zero, but it was still a moving experience. There were people from all over the world at Mass, and we all knew the drill -- when to stand, when to kneel -- you don't forget it - it just comes back to you. Leaving the basilica I noticed a huge line, waiting for a tour; actually attending Mass at theis historic place was a completely different experience.

[Coventina]

15. I went to hear a Mozart mass yesterday

It was Mozart's "Trinity" mass.
It was quite lovely. And he was only 17 when he wrote it.

[UrbScotty]

16. You're a CATHOLIC? Just like Ted Kennedy and his liberal friends?!?!

Pat and Jerry want you devils to join the 666 Club!

:evilgrin:

[CBHagman]

19. Glad you found a church where you feel comfortable.

:hi:

What do you think of the homilies you are hearing at the church you've been attending?

[leftyladyfrommo]

20. Interesting - from a non-Catholic point of view

They have mostly been about peace and compassion. And viewing the world as one entity - not split up between the "good" countries and the Axis of Evil stuff.

Once I did catch a very conservative priest who was going on about birth control (actually, the lack thereof) and abortion. I just kind of let that go on by. I don't agree with a lot of the Catholic Church dogma.

[CBHagman]

25. About those issues...

One of the reasons I like my parish is that the priests are more likely to talk about our relationship with God and about social justice in general than boil it down to just a few talking points. The priests also come across as less judgmental, and the confessors are downright cool. One of them told me to go read Thich Nhat Hanh's writings on compassion.

[Arugula Latte]

22. Oh, you were in New England?

Did you go to Conn. and N.H. as well? :shrug: