Mass

[Caedmon]

Hi guys... I'm going to mass tonight. I haven't been but once, and it was a few months ago. I am nervous though. I am going by myself, and even though I know a few people there, I still feel very uncomfortable. Please pray for me.

 

[Subtilis]

I am praying for you.  Don't be ashamed, because God is happy just to have you there with Him. 

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

We're there for you in spirit Joe.

 

[dignitized]

Joe - don't ever let men come between you and God. If you find God there - you go there don't let anyone push you away from God.

You follow where he leads you

 

[Wolseley]

You'll be fine.

I've been to hundreds of Masses, and I have yet to be struck by lightning.

 

[seebs]

Sounds great, joe! Let us know how it goes. Hey, even if you don't know anyone else there, at least you know God, and He's pretty friendly.

 

[kern]

And I've heard that Jesus guy isn't so bad either.

-Chris

 

[Caedmon]

Well, it was ok. I wasn't nervous before I got there or when I arrived. But I didn't feel as full as the first time I went. And I don't know why, but I was sad almost the whole time. I had to hold tears back a bunch of times before, during, and after mass. I thought I was going to collapse in my car before I got on the road. I don't know why I was so upset. I don't know how to describe it. It was almost like I was feeling, I dunno... sorrow.

I was very upset that I couldn't follow the songs and sayings, a lot more so than the first time I went. I also asked God about the Eucharist again this time. I said, "If you're really in there, prove it to me." Nothing spectacular happened. And the blessing I got from Father didn't seem as powerful. It seemed like everybody was rushed, everything was rushed. It was all over too fast and by the time I was walking out, I felt like I had missed something.

I was waiting to get Father to bless my other Rosary, and I waited, and I waited, and I waited... finally I just went back through the door. At the entrance, to the left, there's a little Sacred Heart Jesus statue, and on the right... there she was, a little statue of the Immaculate Heart Mary... my Mommy. I wanted to crawl down to her at her feet and rub her face and tell her I loved her, but I was too scared to do something like that. It was the only thing I felt comfortable with the whole time at mass. That was the only thing that touched my heart the whole night. I had so much love for her right then when I saw her little statue on that little table with little fresh flowers beside her. And it hurt my feelings later when Father fumbled over trying to tell me what a Rosary was for, after I got it blessed and told him I was a candidate. But it's ok, he doesn't know how much I already love her.

So that's it, hmmm. I went to mass basically just so I could have that 3 seconds of sweet love from Mommy. It was the only thing that was meaningful to me tonight. I dunno what that means or if that sounds bad or whatever, but I love her so much, and I would go to mass a hundred, thousand times just for that 3 little seconds every time I went.

 

[VOW]

Ask for a Missalette next time Joe, or look for one in the pews. You'll be able to follow along with the Mass, and it will have all the responses in it, too.

It will continue to get better, I promise.


Peace,
~VOW

 

[Caedmon]

Originally posted by VOW
Ask for a Missalette next time Joe, or look for one in the pews. You'll be able to follow along with the Mass, and it will have all the responses in it, too.

It will continue to get better, I promise.

I tried to use that paperback booklet thing, but I never knew which page it was on. The lady next to me tried to help me. They jump all over the place in that thing, all these "Holies" and "Have Mercies" and stuff, just all over the place. And they sang these little songs, and I didn't know how to sing them and nobody was looking in their little book so I didn't know which page it was. That stuff drove me crazy. I wish it was all written out on one piece of paper so I could go down a list. I honestly don't understand how these people know what to do when half the service isn't written down, and you can't find the instructions for a third of it. I can understand why some spiritual searchers shy away from Catholic mass.

 

[VOW]

Patience, Joe, Patience!

The lady next to you was trying to help!

Ask the priest at your next RCIA. When I took instruction, the priest went into the Church and brought back missalettes for all of us, and then showed us how the entire service was constructed.

There are some parts to the Mass which are identical, every single time. And there are prayers which change with each Mass. Then the readings are different. There are four different Eucharistic Prayers. Yes, it can be confusing, but once you get the hang of it, you'll see how it all fits together.


Peace be with you,
~VOW

 

[Caedmon]

Ahhh, ok, ok... I'm sorry, I get so livid about things sometimes. I just want so much to get into it and get it right.

I was really disappointed though that I didn't get some kind of feeling during Eucharist. Everybody is always talking about how amazing it is, but I don't feel that. I even said to God, "If you're really in there, prove it to me." *sigh* Flat-line...

 

[ZooMom]

My prayers are with you, Joe! This will be quick 'cause I'm off to Mass myself in just a second. The best thing for you right now may be just to listen. Open yourself to hearing what is going on. Don't try to play catch-up, because you miss so much and it divides your attention. Learn by hearing, not by reading, and when you are comfortable with what is the same every Mass then you can start looking in the Missal to follow the readings and Psalm. Something else that might help is what I used to do for my son...I used to take a few slips of paper and mark the parts of the Mass in the Missal before Mass started. I would mark 'The Order of the Mass', the Nicene Creed, and the appropriate Sunday readings and Psalm. The first two are usually at the front of the book and the last is more to the back.

I gotta go! I'll be back later. Peace be with you.

 

[ZooMom]

A couple more things...

John 20:29
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Don't ask God to prove Himself...ask instead for Him to help *you* with your unbelief and doubt. He will answer...I promise.

 

[kern]

The only things I follow along with in the book are the readings and the Nicene Creed. I just listen to the other prayers and sections.

Some of the stuff, like the Gloria, the Agnus Dei, etc. takes a few sessions to learn, but once you memorize it then you've got it (until you move to a new area and they change the tune of the songs )

-Chris

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

From my experience, there are two or three very popular Mass acclaimations. Once you learn them, you'll get by in most churches.

 

[Miss Shelby]

Another thing, Joe--NYJ has been posting the weekly readings in advance. Looking them over beforehand helps me.

Getting used to the flow of things can be quite challenging. I woudn't know where you're coming from since I was raised Catholic. But I will pray, especially for the Lord to lead you to someone who you can go to Mass with.

You are so adorable... I know that embarrasses you but I can't help it.

Michelle

 

[Caedmon]

Originally posted by Miss Shelby
Another thing, Joe--NYJ has been posting the weekly readings in advance. Looking them over beforehand helps me.

Getting used to the flow of things can be quite challenging. I woudn't know where you're coming from since I was raised Catholic. But I will pray, especially for the Lord to lead you to someone who you can go to Mass with.

You are so adorable... I know that embarrasses you but I can't help it.

Michelle

Awww Miss Michelle... I love you mommy.
(You're one of my new mommies! hehe )

Well, when you're a Southern Baptist, you get a little bulletin that tells you everything that will happen. Sometimes, some of the songs are even on the bulletin too. There is usually an opening prayer, some songs, a sermon, a collection, an invitation, and a closing prayer. It is extremely easy to follow. Every song is called out, and they tell you which page it's on and which verses you will sing.(usually 1st, 2nd, and 4th) The songs change all the time, but you always can follow them really easily. If you're wondering about communion, it is only offered about 4 times a year. Yeah, I know, it sounds sad, but when it's only a symbol, that is how it goes. I personally have only experienced communion about 3 times in my almost 9 years of being a Christian. I hope this helps.

 

[Miss Shelby]

Joe...I know it's an adjustment. If you are still going to RCIA ask them if they have a missalette and tell them where you are having trouble. But like anything else, it just takes some getting used to.. The more you go the more you will like it. Keep going. You'll be fine. I know you will.

Michelle

 

[Miss Shelby]

And one more thing humblejoe... I want to re iterate something that ZooMom said because it was something that was said to me by a very devout Catholic woman when I was struggling to understand the Eucharist.. she said to pray the prayer 'Lord help me believe my unbelief.'

Michelle