Would you ever text during Mass? - Page 3

**LilyM** · #31 Sep 9, '12, 8:51 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by yukonbrad

Quite true! For most of us I would think turning the phone off should not be an issue. Even in an emergency, eg house on fire, family member taken to hospital etc recieving a text or call during mass is not going to change those circumstances nor enable us to do something to change the outcome.

True often enough, although if I found out during Mass I would want to leave to attend to the relative or the burnt down house. As for musicians lining up their next gig or finding a replacement or whatnot - well, to me that doesn't rate as anywhere near important enough to be texting during Mass about it. The world is not going to screech to a grinding halt if someone has the wrong hymn number or one musician (or even all the musicians) are absent

Mrs Sally · #32 Sep 9, '12, 8:54 am

I try not to even talk to my family sitting next to me in the pew, let alone text to someone who is not at Mass!

One thing for those musicians texting each other to think about is that cell signals can interfer with the sound system, so if you are texting and Father's mike starts acting up, it's your fault!

agapewolf · #33 Sep 9, '12, 9:01 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by yukonbrad

I just have one question - what is more important, your cell phone or God? If you are using it for "business" on a Sunday you would be breaking the conscriptions for the Sabbath! I am amazed how people can't do without for a single hour. As for an emergency wouldn't friends and such know you are at mass? Any text or call will be there after mass anyways. If you can't do without texting using your cell then why do you come to mass in the first place. Sorry to be so "stern" but really, this is our time with community and God - put away the phone!

I don't know if you were responding to my using the word "Business"...but if you were, perhaps you missed my "business"

My "business" is a music director. SO I suppose I'm breaking the prescriptions of the sabbath by going to work and playing music for mass. Right.

I

Stylites · #34 Sep 9, '12, 9:05 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polycarp1

I always thought that if I had forgotten to turn off my cell phone and it rang during Mass, that I would answer it and say "Yes Lord all those sinners are here!"

Or

"Yes Lord all us sinners are here!"

Irishgal49 · #35 Sep 9, '12, 10:00 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat

Our parish readers started including a new announcement before Mass: "Please do not text during Mass."

Wow.

Would YOU ever text during Mass? Are there legitimate reasons why someone would text during Mass?

I need some perspective here. Thanks!

I wouldn't even consider bringing my phone into Mass. I lock it in my car. No matter what happens in my family or their lives, one hour is not going to matter.

Lorrie

Franklin33 · #36 Sep 9, '12, 10:03 am

When it comes to things like texting during mass etc. It makes me so miss the church services I once knew. There are so many times when I wish we didnt have the technology we have today... I wish people would leave their cell phones in the car or at home when they are at church.

Irishgal49 · #37 Sep 9, '12, 10:06 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by yukonbrad

Quite true! For most of us I would think turning the phone off should not be an issue. Even in an emergency, eg house on fire, family member taken to hospital etc receiving a text or call during mass is not going to change those circumstances nor enable us to do something to change the outcome.

I agree, I think that cell phones have over-inflated our own feelings of self-importance. I remember when they didn't exist. If you were in Church and your family had a crisis they got a hold of you on your home phone and left an answering machine message that you got when you came home. Everyone cites doctors, etc, but how many of us REALLY need the cell phone? Lock it in your car and one hour later you can check it and return calls. If there is an emergency I need the grace that Mass can give me. I hate phones, and 99% of the time my ringer is off. I just check it a few times a day and good enough.

Lorrie

JaredR · #38 Sep 9, '12, 10:13 am

Fortunately I've never witnessed anyone texting during Mass, though I'm sure it happens.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seeker1961

I use iPieta at Mass sometimes, and I'm sure there are some who might think I'm doing something other than going over the readings or prayers.

However, as one of my friends once said: "your opinion of me is none of my business". Let people think what they wish.

I don't have a problem with accessing spiritual resources on a phone, and after a few Sundays I would probably make the connection that this is what you're doing, but the first time I saw it, it would be a major distraction. It would probably occupy my attention for most of the Mass. Now I have an obligation to focus on the Mass and not be watching my neighbor, but per St. Paul my neighbor also has an obligation to not put stumbling blocks in my path. I would humbly propose you contemplate switching to resources in book form out of respect for the weakness of others.

mab23 · #39 Sep 9, '12, 10:15 am

i would NEVER text in mass - 1 hour out of 168 hours we get a week - God gets my undivided attention

jeannetherese · #40 Sep 9, '12, 10:18 am

I've never seen texting at either of my parishes. If I see someone walking out of church with a cell phone, I assume they came to mass, knowing that there was an ongoing crisis which might flare enough to force them to leave. I appreciate their dedication to assist in as much of the mass as possible and their commitment to respecting the congregation enough to, even in crisis, take communications outside. I can count the number of times this has happened on one hand.
Now cell phones going off in church is another matter. We have reminders to please turn them off posted on all the doors; it's a work in progress.

PacoG · #41 Sep 9, '12, 10:30 am

I leave my phone in the glove compartment of my car. When I am at Mass, I want to escape the world and be at the heavenly liturgy.

I kind of think of it as Luke 10:38....when Jesus visits Lazarus, Mary and Martha. When I am at Mass, I want to be Mary and not Martha. If you want to be Martha, worried about your everyday stuff so much that you can't take an hour or hour-and-a-half of bliss being in the presence of Our Lord, that's your problem. I want to be away from the worries of the world and be with Our Lord.

UpUpAndAway · #42 Sep 9, '12, 10:42 am

I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've done this once. I had forgotten to tell The Husband something and remembered just before Mass began. I should have held off because the topic wasn't that important, but I didn't. I thought I'd be able to fire off a quick text message. Not quick enough: my pastor saw me texting during the processional. At the time nothing in his behavior indicated he had noticed my transgression, but after Mass he gave me an absolutely withering glare from across the nave, so I knew he knew. (All priests should have such an expression in their arsenal. It's very effective.) We never actually spoke of the incident, but I have never repeated the action.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irishgal49

No matter what happens in my family or their lives, one hour is not going to matter.

I'm glad that your family is apparently close enough to you that one hour wouldn't make a difference.

Mine isn't—they live on another continent. One hour can make the difference between my making it to the last flight of the day and getting to my family by that evening or having to wait until the following afternoon to leave. In a true family emergency, I have to get going as soon as someone informs me of the situation. So where I go, my phone goes. On silent if I'm at Mass, but it's still with me nonetheless. My friends and family know my Mass attendance schedule and have the good sense not to bother me there unless something really urgent comes up.

St Francis · #43 Sep 9, '12, 10:58 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irishgal49

I agree, I think that cell phones have over-inflated our own feelings of self-importance. I remember when they didn't exist. If you were in Church and your family had a crisis they got a hold of you on your home phone and left an answering machine message that you got when you came home. Everyone cites doctors, etc, but how many of us REALLY need the cell phone? Lock it in your car and one hour later you can check it and return calls. If there is an emergency I need the grace that Mass can give me. I hate phones, and 99% of the time my ringer is off. I just check it a few times a day and good enough.

Lorrie

OTOH, perhaps the technology enables some to attend Mass where before they wouldn't have had the opportunity.

Our church is just a few minutes from a hospital. I can see a doctor now telling the staff to call him if he is needed and going to Mass, where before "technology" he would have had to stay and miss Mass altogether.

jreilly · #44 Sep 9, '12, 11:08 am

I certainly hope I wouldn't! I keep my phone out in the car because I have very poor self-control. My attention needs to be focused on Our Lord, not my phone.

jediliz · #45 Sep 9, '12, 11:14 am

I don't bring my cell phone into Mass with me.