writing during mass?

[Julia Mae]

Originally Posted by SecretGarden

Her present pastor understands her writing and her unique connection with God. What are your thoughts on this matter?

Glad she found a parish home.

[Julia Mae]

Originally Posted by CB Catholic

After reading this and other numerous threads about what goes on at Mass, I am convinced that every person entering the church building should be issued a pair of blinders like they use on horses, to keep them from being distracted by what others may or may not be doing during Mass. I may even go out and buy myself one of those old-fashioned sunbonnets with the long brims that cuts off your peripheral vision.

I've always thought there should be hooded robes in the Narthex, like Franciscans wear, but very lightweight and in a neutral color. Solves all the issues of modest dress, keeping the hood up during Mass blocks your view of your neighbors, and promotes a unity of worship. I'd make a few for myself and wear them all the time, but it'd be seen as weird or else people might think I'm in some order or something. Too bad.

[Julia Mae]

Originally Posted by GwenL

I have a hard time believing that a priest would throw someone out who was quietly writing at Mass. First, he does not have that authority. A church is a public place. You can't just "throw someone out" unless they are disturbing the peace, interfering with Mass, soliciting, harassing people, etc. Sitting in the pew writing doesn't qualify, sorry. .

Catholic churches are NOT public places and any Pastor can eject anyone at any time for any reason HE deems fit.

The Parish is the last fiefdom.

[LilyM]

Originally Posted by TrueLight

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.

Are you suggesting that there are things that Jesus wanted the Evangelists to write down that were in fact neglected due to the forgetfulness of said Evangelists?

Maybe an extra beatitude about 'blessed are the writers, who are so dear to My heart that I allow them to write anywhere and anytime they like.'

Maybe an extra teaching about 'Eternal woe and everlasting burnings upon those who dare to suggest that My beloved writers dare put down their pens when the muse hits, even for half an hour.'

I'm sure if some of the Saints DID journal during Mass at least one or two would've mentioned the fact that they did so. As I said, I know of none at all.

As for the brilliant memory thing - clearly you skipped the entire first section of my post - I talked about my own experience with poor memory due to ADD. Or else you just decided to ignore it - it wouldn't do at all to hear an opinion you don't agree with from someone who actually has an atrocious memory and so knows what she's talking about, would it?

Yes, our grandparents memorized whole books. They had exactly the same number and type of braincells as you or I, exactly as capable of memory. And students today often still have to memorize large chunks of their texts, and can do so just as well as any who
studied 100 years ago. So as a species our memories are no better or worse now than they ever were.

I have to apologise for not reading your OP properly (darn ADD dont'cha know ...) I didn't realize that your friend's past priest had nothing personal against her.

Mind you, when St Padre Pio's superiors forbade him from saying Mass publicly for no especially good reason he didn't value his personal spiritual gifts higher than the virtue of obedience. And considerable gifts they were too. What is more, he didn't seek out another community where he would be allowed to do as he pleased. Instead he stayed, obeyed and waited. After a while the restriction was lifted.

[Irishgal49]

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..

I think we can safely say that writing Gospels, Epistles, and other sacred writings for the Bible is a different ballgame that what most of us feel "led" to write. I do not understand why in the world is this a big deal? Her new priest is OK with it. If I want to write, I'll write. If I want to daydream, I'll daydream. If I want to participate I will, If I don't I won't. If you sit and twiddle your thumbs or listen to your IPOD who cares? That's your problem and it's between you and God. If someone wants to write their memoirs during mass I don't give a ****, it's your loss and it's not my job to run your life. SHEESH--the liturgical police in here are stunning---it's not enough she left her home parish and found a place where everyone is OK with it, it's not enough that she might be suffering from hypergraphia (possible mental illness), she must do it YOUR way or else. I"ve written my way though masses and I've paid attention and at times I've ignored mass, all my choice with various repercussions to my soul, I'm sure. I couldn't care less what YOU do during mass. Leave other people alone. Her new priest seems to be more compassionate and he's good with it. I'm about ready to sit next to these whiners and write my way through mass.

[GwenL]

Originally Posted by Julia Mae

Catholic churches are NOT public places and any Pastor can eject anyone at any time for any reason HE deems fit.

The Parish is the last fiefdom.

Sorry, that is simply not true.

Ask your pastor. I have. He cannot eject someone without good reason. If they are disturbing the peace, yes.

[ProVobis]

Originally Posted by Joannm

We have a man in our parish who receives locutions during mass and types them into his smart phone.

There I would draw the line. What's to prevent those around him from thinking he may be texting someone else for conversation? That would definitely be distracting IMO.

[TrueLight]

Originally Posted by LilyM

Are you suggesting that there are things that Jesus wanted the Evangelists to write down that were in fact neglected due to the forgetfulness of said Evangelists?

Maybe an extra beatitude about 'blessed are the writers, who are so dear to My heart that I allow them to write anywhere and anytime they like.'

Sarcasm doesn't become you.

You mentioned evangelists and Saints. It wasn't my impression that you were only referring to the Saints who also happened to be Evangelists.

In any case, my point was not that God dictated scripture to them during mass. You just have no idea if they ever jotted anything down or not (those who knew how to write).

The truth is you have no good reason as to why it would be wrong for someone to jot something down during a homily.

It's obviously pointless to have this discussion with you.

[TrueLight]

Originally Posted by Irishgal49

. If I want to participate I will, If I don't I won't. If you sit and twiddle your thumbs or listen to your IPOD who cares?

Listening to an iPod is a whole different ballgame. That would be disrespectful.

[Julia Mae]

Originally Posted by GwenL

Sorry, that is simply not true.

Ask your pastor. I have. He cannot eject someone without good reason. If they are disturbing the peace, yes.

I believe we may be misunderstanding each other. The Church, or his Bishop, may have rules for him in terms of this, but - those are the Church's rules and a church is NOT a "public place." If the Pastor decides to eject someone for listening to their iPod during Mass and they refuse to leave, the police (in this country) will remove them to jail for trespassing if the Pastor makes a complaint.

No one has a right to be in a church in civil law. That's what I meant.

[maryjk]

Originally Posted by TrueLight

Listening to an iPod is a whole different ballgame. That would be disrespectful.

Being a little sarcastic here, but do you have list of what is allowed and what is "disrespectful?" Otherwise how does someone know?

How about if you are an adult, you should be listening to the homily? So no iPod, no knitting, no writing books or poetry, no painting and no dancing. If Father says something that you feel you need to write down, feel free, but you are not taking dictation, you are jotting down a note.

[GwenL]

Originally Posted by Julia Mae

I believe we may be misunderstanding each other. The Church, or his Bishop, may have rules for him in terms of this, but - those are the Church's rules and a church is NOT a "public place." If the Pastor decides to eject someone for listening to their iPod during Mass and they refuse to leave, the police (in this country) will remove them to jail for trespassing if the Pastor makes a complaint.

No one has a right to be in a church in civil law. That's what I meant.

Sorry, you are still wrong. The police, in the US, won't remove someone unless they are breaking the law. Generally, the police won't even respond unless the person is threatening someone or disturbing the peace.

If you think that any police would respond to a pastors request to remove a person for listening to an iPod--well, why don't you call your local police info line and ask them about this? Let us know what they say.

[Julia Mae]

Originally Posted by GwenL

Sorry, you are still wrong. The police, in the US, won't remove someone unless they are breaking the law. Generally, the police won't even respond unless the person is threatening someone or disturbing the peace.

I don't know where you live. I was a police officer in the City and County of Denver. The police respond when called by ANYONE for anything. Any person on a church (any church) property who is requested to leave by the Pastor, or any person in position of authority, like say the office manager, will leave or be arrested for trespassing. That's the law. No one in control of private property, which church property is, needs any excuse to restrict access to property. No reason is necessary. You can tell anyone on your property to leave at any time and if they do not, they are trespassing.

If you live in some jurisdiction with different laws, I'd find that unbelievable without a reference to statute. A church is not a public place. It is private property owned by a corporate person or by a pastor. That's any church of any denomination.

[TrueLight]

Originally Posted by maryjk

Being a little sarcastic here, but do you have list of what is allowed and what is "disrespectful?" Otherwise how does someone know?

How about if you are an adult, you should be listening to the homily? So no iPod, no knitting, no writing books or poetry, no painting and no dancing. If Father says something that you feel you need to write down, feel free, but you are not taking dictation, you are jotting down a note.

No, I don't have a list. However, I don't understand why I have to explain this.

If I'm listening to a homily and I write down something that the priest is saying, does that mean I cannot hear what he is saying at the same time?

How can you listen to a homily and listen to an iPod at the same time?

[CB Catholic]

This discussion is getting weirder and weirder. Now we're talking about calling the police during Mass. What is the matter with people that they have to be so argumentative?

I am sure that the lurkers out there are really impressed with our levels of discussion.