Cell Phone Use Durning Mass

[JessicaKoch]

OK OK I don't mean talking or even texting but rather use of catholic apps.

I have a few apps I use and one has the Mass on it with the new changes and all.

Of course I am currently the only at my parish using it.

So my question, do you use your cell's app in church too?

[quia_pulvis]

i have considered not cell phone but setting up veri's nook so she can read the readings (it helps her focus) rather than have a paper book. But i'm bothered by how it looks. who knows your using it for religious purposes it looks like your playing on your phone or device rather than focusing on mass

[DMcB]

We went to a rosary the other day, and I forgot my rosary at home, so I considered using my phone which has an app with a rosary function. Ultimately, I decided against it. Simply because it may have been distracting to others.

I'd say this is something that will need to be brought to the attention of the religious in the parishes. Some may find it perfectly acceptable; and even a cost saving measure. Others may find it tacky...but until it is addressed from the pulpit, parish newsletters and websites, and then brought into Church culture, I can see it being a distraction to others...although, they should be minding their own and paying attention while in Mass, not concerning themselves with others.

Honestly, I am not sure how I feel about it either way.

[beatitude]

I would feel uncomfortable with it. It looks bad, and it could give people an excuse to just play on their phones. You can get cards with the new Mass on them, and if you leave your rosary at home, what's wrong with your knuckles?

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='DMcB' timestamp='1324481661' post='2355094']
Honestly, I am not sure how I feel about it either way.
[/quote]

This. My gut reaction is, "For crying out loud, can't there be *some* place on this planet where we are not bombarded by buttons and screens??" While I'm sure those kinds of things are useful, I guess they are just not my cup of tea. On the other hand, they are not going anywhere and I guess the Church should be prepared for more and more people using these devices.

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I was listening to a priest complain about the use of smart phones at Mass. He saw someone reading from their phone while the gospel was being proclaimed. His problem, though, wasn't the use of a phone, it was that someone was reading. He also doesn't like it when someone uses Magnificat or some other printed material to read along. He thinks they should listen, not read, while the readings are proclaimed.

I disagreed with him on that. (I don't read along but I understand that some people absorb the material better if they see it as well as hear it.) And I said that I use iBreviary on my phone so if I'm in church while I'm praying I'm doing it from my phone. His response was on the order of "oh...well sure...that's fine..."

Some people may assume you're texting or playing games, but I think electronic books and apps are the wave of the future. Might as well get used to it.

[Amppax]

I don't know about mass, but I do morning prayer every morning, and a bunch of people use iBreviary. I'm ok with that, and I guess I'm ok with it during mass, but my gut reaction is no.

[arfink]

I don't care one way or another who uses their phone in mass. But if your phone [b]rings[/b] during mass the looks you'll get will be like a [b]dumpster full of anvils[/b] falling on your head.

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='SuscipeMeDomine' timestamp='1324485043' post='2355130']
I was listening to a priest complain about the use of smart phones at Mass. He saw someone reading from their phone while the gospel was being proclaimed. His problem, though, wasn't the use of a phone, it was that someone was reading. He also doesn't like it when someone uses Magnificat or some other printed material to read along. He thinks they should listen, not read, while the readings are proclaimed.

I disagreed with him on that. (I don't read along but I understand that some people absorb the material better if they see it as well as hear it.) And I said that I use iBreviary on my phone so if I'm in church while I'm praying I'm doing it from my phone. His response was on the order of "oh...well sure...that's fine..."

Some people may assume you're texting or playing games, but I think electronic books and apps are the wave of the future. Might as well get used to it.
[/quote]

Well, then, he really wouldn't like me. I have ADD so I have to follow along in the book, or I get distracted.

[sixpence]

i wouldn't do it, not because its inherently wrong but because (1) I would be worried that people would be mistakenly thinking horrible things about me (2) would be worried about giving people a reason to judge others (and that's no good for them either)

[fides' Jack]

I'm leaning more toward the inherently wrong side of it.

I think all electronics, outside of speakers and mics so people can hear, and possibly cameras to record the event (for extraordinary circumstances), should be avoided.

A few weeks ago at Mass a kid near us was on a smart phone. I felt like taking it away for such disrespect toward Mass. I didn't know there were "Mass apps", but that doesn't change my stance. It might make it less wrong (to use a cell phone during Mass), but it's still wrong (in my humble opinion).

[Lil Red]

[quote name='SuscipeMeDomine' timestamp='1324485043' post='2355130']
I was listening to a priest complain about the use of smart phones at Mass. He saw someone reading from their phone while the gospel was being proclaimed. His problem, though, wasn't the use of a phone, it was that someone was reading. He also doesn't like it when someone uses Magnificat or some other printed material to read along. He thinks they should listen, not read, while the readings are proclaimed.

I disagreed with him on that. (I don't read along but I understand that some people absorb the material better if they see it as well as hear it.) And I said that I use iBreviary on my phone so if I'm in church while I'm praying I'm doing it from my phone. His response was on the order of "oh...well sure...that's fine..."

Some people may assume you're texting or playing games, but I think electronic books and apps are the wave of the future. Might as well get used to it.
[/quote]
I can't just listen to the readings...my brain wanders too much and I can't concentrate unless I am reading along.

[quote name='arfink' timestamp='1324486483' post='2355150']
I don't care one way or another who uses their phone in mass. But if your phone [b]rings[/b] during mass the looks you'll get will be like a [b]dumpster full of anvils[/b] falling on your head.
[/quote]
i you.

[faithcecelia]

I don't like it and wouldn't use one. If I need to follow then I will use a proper book, thank you very much! I would also be concerned at the increased risk of them accidentally being left with the ringer up and more disturbance that way. I don't actually think I have ever seen anyone use one in Mass here. I occasionally need my phone on if I am nipping to a weekday Mass while officially working, I keep it on silent and if it goes off I feel it vibrate and quietly leave, but that has only happened once in the past 2yrs.

[EmilyAnn]

I never use my cell phone in Mass but when I go to the church to pray sometimes I use my iPod touch. I have the iPieta app and there are prayers in there that my prayer book just doesn't have. I prefer to use my prayer book, which is what I use before/after Mass but if I forget it then the app is a useful back-up. I'd never use it during Mass, the light is just too distracting to others.

[Adrestia]

Some people are helped by reading along, especially with the changes. My church has enough missalettes for everyone, but I have been to churches that do not. Reading along is also very helpful for people who are not fluent in the local language (I really wanted a missalette when I visited Mexico).

Like it or not, paper books are being replaced by electronic devices. It would be great if everyone always remembered to silence their device, but we humans do tend to make mistakes.