writing during mass? - Page 6

**LilyM** · #76 May 2, '12, 1:49 am

I'm scratching my head about all this pleading of bad memory.

See, I'm ADD and so know all about what it's like to have shocking short-term memory - in fact shocking long-term memory and shocking every-other-term-of-memory-there-is too. I know all about having to write down shopping lists, to-do lists and reminders of what day of the week it is.

And yet, and yet ... when something strikes me during Mass it STRIKES. And stays struck - at least long enough for me to get it down on paper afterwards if I feel the urge.

Do you honestly think all those Saints, particularly the evangelists, who wrote were all possessed of brilliant memories? Of course not. Yet somehow, some way, the Spirit managed to make sure they remembered everything that needed remembering - and for decades, not just the half an hour or so between the homily and the end of Mass. And THEN ensured that they were able to write it all down accurately when they wanted.

I am put in mind of the verse from the Old Testament 'trust in God and lean not on your own understanding'. I think 'trust in God and lean not on your own memories/notebooks' might be an apt substitution here.

I also find the comparison with lectures a bit concerning.

Firstly - we take notes in lectures because for the most part we are expected to regurgitate or semi-regurgitate a sizable chunk of their contents in the form of exams or other assignments. I can't for the life of me see our salvation or anything else of real import hinging on how accurately we recollect the minutiae of each week's homilies.

Secondly - when I was at university we were fortunate enough to have our lectures recorded and available on the Internet for those unable to attend a particular one. Similarly on the Internet were the overhead PowerPoint slides used by the lecturers during their lectures.

I know that on numerous occasions when I went back to the recorded lectures and PowerPoints I found that my own notes were either inaccurate or missed chunks of significant data - so much so that I would on quite a number of occasions have been far better off simply listening and looking.

**Holly3278** · #77 May 2, '12, 2:51 am

I don't think Mass is the right time to be doing your journaling. You need to be fully focused on the Mass when you are at Mass.

CB Catholic · #78 May 2, '12, 4:24 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by gh4

Uncle. I give up. You all take the cake.
I am going to go and join a religion allows me to write in peace during the sermon if I want to do so.

So you are going to let those who disagree with you chase you out of the Church just because a few people on an internet forum out of a billion Catholics in the whole world don't like something? Don't let others walk around in your head. They have no authority whatsoever over you.

You go to another church (and believe me I've been there) and you will just get criticized for things far more innocuous than writing down one's thoughts during Mass. You have a conscience, use it. To allow others, even Catholics, tempt you to leave means, IMO, that your attachment to Christ in the Eucharist needs some working on. People have died in order to practice Catholicism and continue to receive the Eucharist rather than give in to others.

In my opinion, anyone who is so inspired to write religious poetry during that part of Mass is probably far more engaged with Christ at the moment than most of the people there. People are always talking about worshipping as a community, yet these forums are full of people who talk about "my time with Jesus" and how they don't like to be interrupted during their time by crying babies, people wishing to give the sign of peace, or someone offering a hand to them during the Our Father. I don't get it.

TrueLight · #79 May 2, '12, 4:30 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilyM

Do you honestly think all those Saints, particularly the evangelists, who wrote were all possessed of brilliant memories? Of course not. Yet somehow, some way, the Spirit managed to make sure they remembered everything that needed remembering - and for decades, not just the half an hour or so between the homily and the end of Mass. And THEN ensured that they were able to write it all down accurately when they wanted.

Very good question. Because of course, you have a play by play of every second of their lives and know everything they did.

In my Grandma's day she had to memorize whole chapters of books word by word. In this day and age, do we have these skills of memorization?

Do you have a brilliant memory? Good for you. Not everyone does.

Apples and Pears.

Joannm · #80 May 2, '12, 7:24 am

I bring my journal to Mass and if something strikes me I write it down. Too often I say I will remember something and then after Mass it completely slips my mind and I either have to track down the priest or ask someone else if they remember what was said (most often they don't). Also my biggest inspirations from the Lord come to me during Mass and I am compelled to write them down. We have a man in our parish who receives locutions during mass and types them into his smart phone. I see nothing wrong with it. It's not that we are not listening, it is just that something important is being said and we want to remember it.

James Miller · #81 May 2, '12, 8:37 am

I think gh4 meant join a religious order where they write the sermon and take notes during meditions. I did not think he meant join another religion.

TheRealJuliane · #82 May 2, '12, 2:42 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kathryn Ann

I can only comment as a writer here and as a Catholic poet:

As inspired as I might become during the Mass, I simply would not pick up pen and paper until afterward, feeling that the attention should not be about my reactions to what is happening around me, but to The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

To believe in that Holy Presence is to be in awe, and because of that, my pen would fall from my hands as surely as my knees bend in worship and my eyes open and close moving from praise to prayer.

And so , I will pray about this further:

Exactly this. We have all gone quite astray when we assume that this lady was jotting down small notes on the homily but otherwise paying attention. No, for a priest to actually ask her to leave the sanctuary or not return unless she is ready to participate, I believe she must be writing in a way that shows she is obviously in a world of her own, not participating and not paying attention to the Mass. Composing poetry takes a concentration of its own. Her friend says this flows from her spirit. Perhaps, but if so, then it can flow at another time and place. It is not her show, not her venue, not a writing workshop.

The whole thing just comes across as very odd to me, like this person is into private revelations even during the Holy Mass. Odd. Very odd.

PatriceA · #83 May 2, '12, 3:15 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRealJuliane

Exactly this. We have all gone quite astray when we assume that this lady was jotting down small notes on the homily but otherwise paying attention. No, for a priest to actually ask her to leave the sanctuary or not return unless she is ready to participate, I believe she must be writing in a way that shows she is obviously in a world of her own, not participating and not paying attention to the Mass. Composing poetry takes a concentration of its own. Her friend says this flows from her spirit. Perhaps, but if so, then it can flow at another time and place. It is not her show, not her venue, not a writing workshop.

The whole thing just comes across as very odd to me, like this person is into private revelations even during the Holy Mass. Odd. Very odd.

To me, it smacks of someone full of pride or boastfulness. Both of which we are to avoid as Catholics.

SecretGarden · #84 May 2, '12, 7:20 pm

Pride because someone writes. Give me a break. Pride and writing has nothing to do with each other. The woman writes only when she is inspired. The point of the question was: is writing during mass alright? Ex communication with God through her writing, writing poetry and sermon notes etc.

gh4 · #85 May 2, '12, 7:36 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by CB Catholic

So you are going to let those who disagree with you chase you out of the Church just because a few people on an internet forum out of a billion Catholics in the whole world don't like something? Don't let others walk around in your head. They have no authority whatsoever over you.

No, probably not. But I'm still hurting from the terrible pain from the icky Cursillo experience and seem to be a bit touchier than normal, and I've not been to mass since Cursillo, can't walk in that church yet, and there is no other church close. And then there is always the lack of anything but mass at our church, meaning no real fellowship. So, I'm going through some really tough times right now, please bear with me.

Today I spent the entire day at the local Holdeman Mennonite Church here in town quilting with the women. I do this once a month. I'm also invited many times to share meals with different families and have been to their church on Sundays as well as other times when they have some really interesting guest speakers. I ALWAYS come home from being with them feeling like I have just spent time with truly Christian people who are so full of love and caring and concern for others. When you compliment them, they always give God the credit. They are modest and just good and just very wonderful to be around. Hey, if you think we've got it bad for confession, they do PUBLIC confession in church with EVERY MEMBER listening to their sins.
When I look at their church, I can't find Jesus though, I mean , no Jesus on a cross, no cross, no tabernacle. I don't find Jesus as I am used to finding him. But believe me, he's in the people. And while I am not 100% aligned with their beliefs, if I were I would be a Mennonite, I do think they have much of it totally right! But I'm not, so I'll be Catholic, and maybe they will make me be a better person for having been around them and having learned from them. I sure do wish most Catholics were more like these women and their husbands.

And on that note, I let this go. Write in church, or not, doesn't matter to me. I will write in church or not as I feel like it. But you know, if someone doesn't agree with me or you or the next guy, let it go. Take care of your own soul and your own life and lead it as you feel you should. That's what I'm going to do. Please, just keep out of others business and let them deal with their life as they must.

Have a blessed day and rest of the week, I'm going to try my hardest to do that.

Oh,

Quote:

Originally Posted by CB Catholic

S
In my opinion, anyone who is so inspired to write religious poetry during that part of Mass is probably far more engaged with Christ at the moment than most of the people there. People are always talking about worshipping as a community, yet these forums are full of people who talk about "my time with Jesus" and how they don't like to be interrupted during their time by crying babies, people wishing to give the sign of peace, or someone offering a hand to them during the Our Father. I don't get it.

I totally agree with this.

gh4 · #86 May 2, '12, 7:39 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Miller

I think gh4 meant join a religious order where they write the sermon and take notes during meditions. I did not think he meant join another religion.

nope, I was thinking more along the lines of a totally different religion!!! But it's not about to happen. A moment of anger and words out of my mouth that really shouldn't have been said. Please forgive me for that.

GwenL · #87 May 2, '12, 8:41 pm

People here are the most amazing mind readers! You read one post about a person's friend and make all kinds of judgments. She's not paying attention, she's not worshipping communally, she's irreverent, she's interfering with the Mass. One person even concluded that she must have been distracting because the priest was distracted enough to kick her out.

Read the original post again carefully

Quote:

I know she has been kicked out of one church because the priest doesn't like her writing. Apparently people have complained about it, so the priest's way of handling it was telling her to either refrain from writing or don't attend mass.

The priest (supposedly) kicked her out because people complained about it. Busybodies like many of you, who have decided that she's not worshipping worthily enough to sit next to you. People who have some "image" of what the proper worshiper looks like, and how someone should be projecting an attitude of respect and reverence with body language and facial gestures that meet approval. Give me a break.

Here is my suggestion. At Mass, mind your own business. Assume the best of others rather than the worst. Don't try to compare her situation with your own, because it's not. These posts are full of people telling "if I were writing..." "when I am at Mass...." "I could not pay attention and write...." etc etc. etc. Guess what folks? You are not her.

If she is writing quietly, there is no problem. If she is making noise that distracts, that is wrong. If she is waving her journal around, showing it to other people, or some other silliness, that is wrong. If she is quietly writing, and it bothers you, try looking the other way and focusing on the Mass.

TrueLight · #88 May 2, '12, 9:17 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatriceA

To me, it smacks of someone full of pride or boastfulness. Both of which we are to avoid as Catholics.

I think it's more likely that someone might have asked where what she is always writing in that notebook and she, thinking that the person was genuinely interested, while harboring no ill will , told her that she writes poetry as she is inspired.

Then that person told a friend and that friend told a friend, and so on and so on (just like a bad shampoo commercial).

There is no way that someone would guess she's writing poetry.

If the priest kicked her out for that, there is a lot more going on then we know about.

mab23 · #89 May 2, '12, 9:25 pm

as long as she is going to mass and getting the Message

I think its fine, i mean as long as she is not sitting in the front being distracting - i would sit off to the side or in the back corner to keep from distracting other parishioners

mab23 · #90 May 2, '12, 9:27 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by GwenL

People here are the most amazing mind readers! You read one post about a person's friend and make all kinds of judgments. She's not paying attention, she's not worshipping communally, she's irreverent, she's interfering with the Mass. One person even concluded that she must have been distracting because the priest was distracted enough to kick her out.

Read the original post again carefully

The priest (supposedly) kicked her out because people complained about it. Busybodies like many of you, who have decided that she's not worshipping worthily enough to sit next to you. People who have some "image" of what the proper worshiper looks like, and how someone should be projecting an attitude of respect and reverence with body language and facial gestures that meet approval. Give me a break.

Here is my suggestion. At Mass, mind your own business. Assume the best of others rather than the worst. Don't try to compare her situation with your own, because it's not. These posts are full of people telling "if I were writing..." "when I am at Mass...." "I could not pay attention and write...." etc etc. etc. Guess what folks? You are not her.

If she is writing quietly, there is no problem. If she is making noise that distracts, that is wrong. If she is waving her journal around, showing it to other people, or some other silliness, that is wrong. If she is quietly writing, and it bothers you, try looking the other way and focusing on the Mass.

Couldn't agree with you more!