Telling People To Be Quiet At Mass

[DemonSlayer]

It depends on how loudly they're talking.

[Archaeology cat]

Great homily, Fr cappie!

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='Luthien' post='1809161' date='Mar 16 2009, 07:26 PM'][/quote]

[IrishSalesian]

I believe that we haven't the standing, nor the right, to tell someone else to be quiet at Mass. If they are not paying attention or they are talking then that is on them and their conscience. It is for the parents to handle in matters of discipline. I think that the best thing you could do, is shoot them a look. If the parents get flustered with that, then you tell the parents what was going on after Mass. But as for telling the children to be quiet at Mass, I don't think that it is anyone's place to do so. When you tell someone else to be quiet, you create a scene of sorts, and can potentially distract more people who hear a commotion.

[whatsup]

Have Mercy

1) These teens in a family of 6 didn't seem to have proper attention given to them. Instead of just scolding (or thinking of scolding them) them you could of asked the mom and dad if they'd like help after Mass, that is

2) be aware of hidden handicaps. I have a very hard time focusing on anything, even Mass so my friends will whisper/talk to me throughout. Also, I'll ask them questions especially if I misunderstand what the priest is saying. You don't know how frustrating it can be to not understand a great homily, or why a special prayer was inserted, etc.

[StColette]

[quote name='whatsup' post='1809721' date='Mar 17 2009, 11:09 AM']Have Mercy

1) These teens in a family of 6 didn't seem to have proper attention given to them. Instead of just scolding (or thinking of scolding them) them you could of asked the mom and dad if they'd like help after Mass, that is[/quote]

A big family does not mean that the older children don't have attention given to them. I know families of 12 who have perfectly behaved children and each child is given plenty of attention. Besides that, lack of attention does not make bad behavior okay or acceptable. A person's feet do not belong propped up on the Church's property, unless their is a leg injury which needs to have the leg elevated, which according to LilRed it was not the case.

[quote]2) be aware of hidden handicaps. I have a very hard time focusing on anything, even Mass so my friends will whisper/talk to me throughout. Also, I'll ask them questions especially if I misunderstand what the priest is saying. You don't know how frustrating it can be to not understand a great homily, or why a special prayer was inserted, etc.[/quote]

Asking questions about what the priest said or about the particular form of the Mass or what is being said and why during the Mass does not equate to cutting up during Mass and laughing during Mass, both of those are completely inappropriate. Laughter is permissible at Mass say if the Priest told a joke, but that should not be the case throughout the entire Mass, which is what LilRed described.

As Father Cappie pointed out above, we have the right to insure that the Church is a reverent place of prayer and not some place where we cut up, laugh, and use for other social purposes. The Church is the dwelling place of Jesus Christ and being so it deserves our reverence. We are called as Christian to call our brethren onward and upward.

These situations do have to be handled delicately, I work for a Catholic Parish so I know lol. Addressing the parents first is a must, unless the child is doing something to endanger themselves or others or being particularly loud and the parents have yet to do anything. If you feel uncomfortable doing that then address it to the Priest. Most Priests will make it a point in their announcements or homily to remind parishioners that the Church is a place of reverence not play, my priest does this regularly.

[Lil Red]

[quote name='IrishSalesian' post='1809704' date='Mar 17 2009, 07:26 AM']I believe that we haven't the standing, nor the right, to tell someone else to be quiet at Mass. If they are not paying attention or they are talking then that is on them and their conscience. It is for the parents to handle in matters of discipline. I think that the best thing you could do, is shoot them a look. If the parents get flustered with that, then you tell the parents what was going on after Mass. But as for telling the children to be quiet at Mass, I don't think that it is anyone's place to do so. When you tell someone else to be quiet, you create a scene of sorts, and can potentially distract more people who hear a commotion.[/quote]
so the fact that they are creating such a commotion that i cannot concentrate on Mass no matter how hard I am trying, and most likely others cannot concentrate on Mass either - that's okay?

[quote name='whatsup' post='1809721' date='Mar 17 2009, 08:09 AM']Have Mercy

1) These teens in a family of 6 didn't seem to have proper attention given to them. Instead of just scolding (or thinking of scolding them) them you could of asked the mom and dad if they'd like help after Mass, that is[/quote]
sorry, i find this downright funny. i'm 8 months pregnant and (usually - didn't this time) have a two year old in tow. i fail to see how i can be a help.

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='IrishSalesian' post='1809704' date='Mar 17 2009, 11:26 AM']I believe that we haven't the standing, nor the right, to tell someone else to be quiet at Mass. If they are not paying attention or they are talking then that is on them and their conscience. It is for the parents to handle in matters of discipline. I think that the best thing you could do, is shoot them a look. If the parents get flustered with that, then you tell the parents what was going on after Mass. But as for telling the children to be quiet at Mass, I don't think that it is anyone's place to do so. When you tell someone else to be quiet, you create a scene of sorts, and can potentially distract more people who hear a commotion.[/quote]
The scene has already been created by the behavior.
THere is nothing wrong with a glare or a shh. Many children pay far more attention to a stranger than their parents, and it would be far more embarrassing if I had to get up and changed pews.

[Old_Joe]

[quote name='Winchester' post='1808840' date='Mar 16 2009, 03:48 PM']This happened to me once. I beat them mercilessly with a missalette.[/quote]

I can't say I've gone there. However, I have been tempted to say something like, "Since you won't join me in quiet prayer, can I join your conversation?"

[Paladin D]

I would've turned around and yelled at the top of my lungs for them to be quiet.

So they wouldn't be disrupting the Mass anymore.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Paladin D' post='1810055' date='Mar 17 2009, 04:34 PM']I would've turned around and yelled at the top of my lungs for them to be quiet.

So they wouldn't be disrupting the Mass anymore.[/quote]
During the Consecration, right?

[Lil Red]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' post='1810657' date='Mar 18 2009, 12:11 PM']During the Consecration, right? [/quote]
+J.M.J.+
of course. what better time?

[Saint Therese]

There are so many abuses and sacrileges to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament these days. Because no one stands up for Him. I'm less concerned about peoples' feelings than about the honor and glory of Jesus.

[Paladin D]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' post='1810657' date='Mar 18 2009, 04:11 PM']During the Consecration, right? [/quote]

Most definately, so Jesus can see who the sinner is!