Cripes! I have never seen such a thing at mass - testing or videogames. I DID once go to a mass where a man, head of a family, took a call. He took it in the third row, in a big church. He loudly explained to his phone that he was at mass, and he’d be out soon for lunch. This was as he walked to the Communion line during Easter Sunday mass. I think everybody in the church imagined they just dreamt it, the scene was so weird.

Seen it.  In fact my sister used to let her kids play their video games at Mass.  I got to be the bad mommy when my kids found out.  I really don’t think the child is at fault at all.  The parents are the ones who are allowing this type of alarming behavior.  Chances are, they would be doing the same thing if they thought they could get away with it.  Or they are, just with their cell phones.  I’ve seen adults texting away during Mass before.  But, really, what are you going to do?  Pray for them!!  God works in mysterious ways, and maybe our prayers will be just the little extra push to get them to begin to realize the beauty of the Mass and Communion with our Lord and Savior.  At least it’s worth a try….

Nothing amazes me in church anymore.Here in “Catholic” Bavaria,Germany,the oldest daughter of our 6 children recently made her Confirmation.The church was packed with children we had never seen in our Parish Church since they made their 1st Holy Communion.I don’t ever exspect to see 80% of them in Church again soon.What was even more amasing was that they had a week long holiday where over 240 children were to prepare for their Confirmation.The first day all had to go to confession except our daughter who had been the previous week as all our family go at least once a month.
My daughter couldn’t make it up that the majority of the children had never been to confession since their 1st Holy Communion.Even those who serve regulaly on the Altar had not made their Easter Duties for over 4 years.It seems we don’t require the youngsters to show any commitment to Christ to be Confirmed,they only have to be in 7th year at school and have made their 1st Holy Communion.Its the numbers game!

We switched to a Catholic church further away just for all those reason. The church we go to now makes an anouncement from the pulpit before Holy Mass begins for all electronic devices to be turned off and no chewing of gum. I think more churches need to take this approach as we “Catholics” apparently need the guidance. Who would have thought!

A child old enough to receive communion is old enough to pay attention at Mass.  Heck, I try to make my 3 year old pay attention as much as possible, and she does a pretty good job.  The 8 year old is wonderful at Mass, the 1 year old less so (excusable, of course).  The others are fine most of the time as well.  If the parents demanded more of their kids (like something as simple as paying attention to and actively participating in the Mass), the kids would rise to meet those expectations.
I have a bunch of Catholic apps on my iPhone (iBreviary, iPieta, bible, etc.), but would never use them during Mass for two reasons: 1) I’m at Mass, and should be worshipping God, and 2) because people would assume I’m texting or whatever.  I don’t even like using it when I’m by myself in the Adoration Chapel late at night.  It’s too easy to get distracted by all of the other things on the device.

The Bishops need to grow a back bone and toughen up on this type of behavior by ordering Parish Priests to refuse communion to people who don’t know how to behave in Church.  The worst offenders here are the parents.  However, since most of the parents were brought up in the mess the Church became in the ‘70s and ‘80s, I can’t say that I’m surprised.  This is the fruit of the theological craziness which gripped the Church since Vatican II.  We are reaping the whirlwind.

Mark Mitchell, you’re so right.  The reason our churches are so empty (or full of weirdness when the people actually come) is the sad state of catechesis from about 1968 to the present in many parishes, although some parishes have awoken from the stupor and have worked to restore sanity in the pews.  But parents, whether they were properly taught or not, need to be in charge of their children and not shirk the responsibility of instructing children in proper behavior.  It starts as soon as possible after the child is born; waiting to take children to Mass until they are ‘old enough’ is an error.  Children who are brought to church from the beginning and taught to be respectful of the Real Presence and other Mass-goers have less trouble behaving appropriately than those who never see the inside of a church until they are ‘old enough’ to receive First Communion.  By that time, my children knew how to behave, even if they occasionally didn’t follow the rules.  Unfortunately, you can spot these families everywhere - in restaurants, shopping malls, ball games and church - because of the ‘path of least resistance’ method of parenting.  Parenting is a hard job but when done well, provides so many beautiful results.

Our churches are empty because people do not believe anything special or important is going on.
These are pretty pathetic parents. It is an even more pathetic commentary on the pastor and his effectiveness as teacher of his flock.
I took my 6 children to church every Sunday, sat up front, and they were respectful!  I did NOT let them eat or play with toys.  I DID bring religious books for the pre-school age children.  This same game plan is now working quite effectively when I take my 4yr, 2yr and 10mos grandchildren with me to church.
Where is the pastor in all of this?!?!?!?!

Isn’t is amazing that the “children” most often needing pacification at mass are those older than 7?  I’m noticing that more and more. Sure the babies may cry a bit, but the 7+ crowd is plain disrespectful with the need to be entertained all the time—and the parents are enabling it!

Therese, et al… I do believe the ones who can do something about it are the priests, bishops, ushers. I worry about their silence on this and other matters. Although we all are supposed to be praying and paying attention to the Liturgy, this behavior is very distracting. Could the Celebrant Priest, Bishop, Church Pastor, Ushers, or even “Old Fogies” like me say something to these people? When I attend Mass as a visitor in San Antonio, TX, there is a sign as you walk into the main church area, separated by closed doors from the foyer: “Prayerful Silence.” And the silence is welcome! People seem to be more respectful. In my home town parish, young and old alike talk in the Church area, even when the Tabernacle is open (after Mass for EMHCs to get Sacred Hosts for the sick)! People chew gum, wear inappropriate and even indecent clothing; children play with toys or food and parents are oblivious. In fact, the congregation doesn’t know when to stand or kneel; different people do different things at different times; the parish does not follow the GIRM, and the priests and pastor say nothing.

There is ONE family, parents and 7 children, who are an outstanding example of how adults and children should behave. The children range in age from about a few months to about eleven years of age. Each child has his/her own children’s Missalette; they stand, sit and kneel along with the rest of the congregation, and they pray loud and clear at the oral prayers! They attend daily Mass, with Mom alone as Dad is working, and Mother does not have to discipline those children in any visible way; they know how to behave! I have, on occasion, observed Mom give a “You better watch it” look at a child. The older ones help with the younger ones. All are dressed modestly and neatly, faces washed and hair combed. They put the rest of us to shame.

I hope things change with the Liturgical changes that are coming up starting Advent next year, as it will be an opportunity for a clean start. I’m counting on the Bishops to communicate expectations better with the parish priests, and they with the people, so we can truly be “Catholic” in every sense again!

Reading this makes me ever more aware and thankful for the blessing it is to live in a diocese with a Bishop and priests willing to uphold our Catholic Faith.

What a pastoral opportunity.  I would love to see the priest lean down and whisper in the child’s ear why their actions mean they cannot receive, admonish them to not do it again and remind them that Jesus will forgive, then stand up, bless the child, and send them on their way.

It is corrective without being overtly mortifying.

When I was taking the RCIA class, getting ready for my own confirmation, my sister was sitting in the family pews up front and was texting during the service.  And her phone was not on quiet and she interrupted the lector with the noise of her phone.  It was quite humiliating.  I didn’t know what to say afterward.  It was supposed to be a glorious rite of acceptance into the church for me but it was marred by my sister’s behavior.  I don’t let my children take toys to church, and the little ones get crayons and coloring books, which they do not use all of the service.

In my childhood I knew an old woman who attended daily prayers at church ( the Assyrian Church of the East does not have daily Mass). One day as she was praying deeply during the blessing of the Communion, God opened her eyes and she saw heaven open and Angels surround the alter. She did not want to boast so she only told the priest and in turn he told others. I tell my children these stories and I try not to even respond to them when they speak to me at church.

At one Sunday mass I saw two teenage girls.  One was reading a book the whole mass.  When it came time for communion I told the bookworm that she should not go, because she had not been participating.  She looked at me and sat down.  Her sister nudged her to go and she did eventually receive.  At least I made her think about what she was doing.  I would not have said anything if the parents were there.  The book was a Steven King novel not anything religious.

I work for a parish that is like the one described. The parents don’t get it because they never learned their faith. I attend mass where for the most part such things don’t happen. There are some who don’t dress appropriately and if someone takes a phone call it’s usually a visitor to the parish. What happened to the days when other members of the parish would say something? If we weren’t dressed in a correct manner or we misbehaved someone always gave us a cutting look or said something. We never wanted to be embarassed in church in such a way. Self respect has flown out the window along with respect due to God. I think some parents are too lazy to parent and just want to pacify instead of disiplining. They do their children a grave disservice.

Oh yes, I have seen this. Well, thankfully, not at mass but at our Parish’s Sunday night Adoration and Benediction. The boy was about 11 and was playing his Game Boy, in the pew with his parents. Oh yes and the nuns. I could see the sisters were trying their best not to fall over in shock.

At another parish we belonged to, I refused to go to the 11am Mass after witnessing the text messaging and gum chewing done by the adults. Really!?!?! Of course, this is the same parish where a mother brought her toddler to Mass and set up Dora on a portable DVD player. During Mass. Yes, with volume. Mother also smiled at those around her like she was the smartest woman in the world for thinking this up.

I am a mother of four, all under five. We bring books for church, but they have to be church related. (Fr. Lovasik books for the most part). However, we actually expect our two older ones to listen to the readings and to watch the Consecration, gasp.

In defense of “electronic gadgets” at Mass, I would like to offer a counterpoint.  Let me first say that I agree with the article and most of the responses.  However, there is a valid use of electronic devices at Mass.  My smart phone can be muted or put on airplane mode so it won’t go off or make any noise whatsoever.  Set aside the technological novelty of the hand held computer.  The Church has adapted to everything else that has been thrown at her, she’ll get past computers.  I have apps on my smart phone that allow me to instantaneously pull up the Mass readings of the day, the Missal, the Liturgy of the Hours, and the Rosary with interspersed reproductions of sacred art depicting scenes from the Mysteries.  In this case, my smart phone is nothing more or less than an e-book reader.  In other words, it is a BOOK.  Not only is it a book, it is a book that allows me to make the font size larger so I can the text even if it is held at belly button level.

Take note:  To the guy across the pew from me, I’m an unrepentent heathen playing games on a cell phone at Mass.  But am I?  No.  I’m just following the Mass in my Missal.  Or otherwise using an aid to prayer. 

Now, everybody knows what a Gameboy looks like.  Pretty low tech.  A Nintendo DS?  Believe it or not, you can get e-books on them.  And they can be muted.  It is a computer/smartphone without a phone.  I think that in some instances (not all), few and far between as they may be, we might be rushing to judgment for no other reason than the person has the audacity to have an electronic device on during Mass.  I’m sure a lot of people sneered at those who bought expensive hand Missals to Mass (it has Latin AND English in it, can you imagine?  How low brow!) when it became the norm for people to do that.  It was a novelty.  It felt odd.  I’m sure people were judged solely because they introduced “a novelty.”

Sure electronic devices are different!  No they aren’t.  They’re just new.  And some people don’t want to see others using them, for whatever reason.  But if the person is simply using it as a book?

Leave them alone. 

Just wanted to present the flip side of the coin.

I think it would be a good investment for devout Catholics to purchase some Catholic books for kids and coloring books and crayons and bring them with them to Mass.  I did for a while and went thru them very fast when I was near a fidgety child.  Every parent was grateful and perhaps bringing the book/coloring book started some discussion of God outside of the Church.  Older kids are a tougher call.  I hope I would approach the parents after Mass.

There is an inherent difference between books and devices. I LOVE modern computer devices. I am also solidly Catholic. I am, therefore, inclined to want the Church to use them to their full extent for the good of souls.

However, being extremely familiar with the personal and public uses of computers and computer devices as I am (especially for many projects I am involved in for the good of souls), I have to say that I am certain that computer devices will mostly be a cause for distraction at the Holy Sacrifice.

This is because they are readily able to do many things which are not appropriate at Mass. Yes, certainly, some people can use them for good - however, because of human nature, it is more prudent to leave them outside of use for the Worship of God.

Take, for example, the situation that someone might call you in the middle of the Sanctus. Or the young boy hypothetically reading the Order (you actually think this happens?!?) on his DS along with Father and he keeps looking longingly at the icons and buttons which allow him to play the latest popular game.

These things are inherently distracting. It’s not “just because I can’t control myself”, either - it’s just I who have this difficulty, it is humans who have this problem due to our broken condition.

Books are inherently less problematic because they have a singular content and ability, besides the sacredness of their form which a device cannot hope to attain.

Anyways, this is all beside the point when you realize that the examples given were pretty obviously people becoming very distracted by their devices.

A final note: you pointed out another problem of distraction, that people around a device-user have very good reasons to not expect him to be using his device for such purposes. Whereas I realize that each should be attempting to ignore the behavior of those around him and not assume the worst, this is still a factor worth considering. We’re a Church, and as such should be helping each other pray at Mass be being as little distracting as possible.

Sorry, I forgot to mention that my comment was in response to “Jimbo”.

We have three priests in our fam & they all could testify to this. Very common for them to watch people (NOT just kids) either texting or gaming during the homily. WHEN is the Catholic Church USA going to wake up? Sigh.

When our six children were young we brought a stack of holy cards and large wooden rosary beads to Mass. They got baby chewed and dog-eared but loved. Our paster on occasion would give talks to the young teens about having to withold Communion to teens arriving at the altar rail (we are blessed that our church still has them) vibrating while listening to music. He emphasized that he hated to have to refuse Communion and that often it was the parents who were mortified rather than the teen. He made the point that the parents were so used to allowing this behavior that they didn’t think anything was wrong until after their child was refused Communion.  Both parents and teens got the message, and since he was so well loved by everyone in the parish, even the teens did everything they could not to embarrass him and he rarely had a problem. His teaching method was tactful and encouraged all parties to clean up their act. An incredible priest.

In all fairness, I would say that Bowzer 1 and 2 were upset that the youth were being entertained by their gadgets instead of paying attention and fully participating during Mass.  I think that it would have been appropriate to whisper or go up to and give “the look” to show that it is not acceptable. Obviously, this is the duty and responsibility of the parents to give instruction and to show their own love for Christ in their behavior. I would say, though, that these distractions are just that…...and it appears that too much attention was devoted to “watching” others and allowing your mind to be pulled in that direction…..this was an opportunity to pray for them and to stay connected to God in thanksgiving and praise.  Perhaps your little one would not have hurt herself and cried loudly.  Just a gentle reminder of what we are all called to do.

I´m not American, but I do see one thing with you all. We want people to behave in Church, because that is, as your countrymen like to say,“the right thinng to do.” People don´t need to hear that they are doing a bad thing. Rather we need to explain the mystery that is going on: the redeeming sacrifice of Christ. Not knowing this means more nintendo in Churches. That is why in South America where I live, people are respectcfull at mass, and they too have Iphones, PSP, Ipods and all of that sort of things… and yet they worship Christ reverently.

I have visited America five times during the last 10 years.  I am an Indian and I feel sorry to tell that the sacredness of the Church and the Holy mass is not properly taught by parents and the clergy. I have noticed in several churches in different cities that children brought by parents ( children below five years excluded) spend their time during mass in playing or doing something other than anything religious. Is it difficult for the parents to teach basic things like kneeling during elevation of the Host and the Cup, praying , sitting quiet and watching the Mass etc to the children above five years ? I am sorry I have noticed few gentlemen rubbing the back of their beloved spouse during concecration. I pray for wisdom to them

I absolutely agree that the priests should address these issues about how to behave during Mass or at least in the church. Unfortunately, many of them are too harassed to even try.  I got tired of being treated badly because I would try to support the priests who try to instill reverence in the church.  I witnessed two priests blatantly ignored when they tried to tell people to not talk in the church because people were praying or to show reverence.  I have witnessed the children in Mass with game boys, etc. while the parents just sit there to shush them only if they got too loud, while trying to keep my kids focused on the Mass and not on the game.  But I would like to also point out there are people in the church who treat parents and kids who are trying to behave and worship the best they can.  I was reprimanded for kneeling during consecration by leaders in the church and for genuflecting and making the sign of the cross before receiving Holy Communion (this was before the bishops said we could just bow from the waist in respect before receiving).  I had an EME refuse to give me communion on my tongue and another admonishing me because I was teaching my candidate that it was a sign of respect to genuflect or make the sign of the cross before receiving communion! (I quit going to EMEs after that unless I have no other choice).  I had someone come up to me to tell me to only show up for Adoration with my children for 5 minutes or less because we’re disturbing others.  I was livid because I chose hours when no one would be there and what was amazing was, my child did not run around screaming, talking or making noises.  My 4 year old son would kneel before the Blessed Sacrament to pray then get up to walk around looking at the stained glass, statues and choir loft (all the time not saying a word).  The chapel was old and creeky so you couldn’t help some noises but nothing that was blaringly disturbing.  I was treated badly for trying to keep my kids behaved and focused because I was called “too tough” and I should let my children be children.  I even had a couple of persons reprimand me because I was trying to stop my child from following what some people did by walking around to everyone in the church shaking their hands during the sign of peace.  It does boil down to the parish and the parents.  I told my kids that just because everyone else was doing it, we didn’t have to do it too.  But if you have no choice but to go to these parishes, what do you do?  You tell your children don’t talk in the church but they are constantly pointing out that everyone else is doing it.  Even some of the priests don’t even have respect for the Blessed Sacrament.  What do you do?  I was highly encouraged to keep my mouth shut, take care of my family and pray.  Consequently, we were judged as non-conformists and blocked out of serving the parish (even when we tried to volunteer for the lowest jobs-cleaning up and minor on-the-spot things).  We only go to Mass, keep to ourselves and don’t help.

Leaving right after receiving The Most Holy Eucharist is another common behavior at Sunday and daily Mass. One priest I know spoke about this during a sermon, saying, “Even Judas left early!” That was a “wow!” moment. It worked, at least for a while.

Just this Sunday, my sons and I ducked into a pew where the young woman next to us was swilling a big latte.  No understanding or reverence for The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  She was right in line with those who massaged their partner’s necks during the homily and the altar boys who waved and smiled at friends during the recessional.  Oh, and the priest who came into the aisles during his homily to “reach out and touch” his parishioners (quite literally) and who was clapping wildly to the jazz music during the recessional.  BIG HINT:  You won’t see this at a Latin Mass.  I encourage everyone to experience the reverence and the unparalleled joy of the Latin Mass.  God bless our priests who will offer them!

How about eating chile-cheese fries during Mass? Our (now retired) bishop celebrated a confirmation Mass in our(then) newly built baseball stadium. The concessions stands were open prior to Mass. Made the liturgical dancing during the ceremony seem far less repugnant than usual. *sigh*

Every time I attend a mass in the Ordinary Form (i.e. Novus Ordo) it is a disaster full of massive distractions and completely inappropriate behaviours, such as what you are describing here.  The last time it was a teenaged male chewing gum AND blowing bubbles very large and visibly as he processed forward to receive Eucharist. *SHUDDER*

Thank God (literally!) for the Latin Mass and the Maronite Rite.

It’s easy for me to say as a lay person, but it must be asked: Why do priests put up with this? I supposed if, as you describe, people at the last minute put on their ‘serious’ face, then the priest will have no obvious clues.  Instead of empowering lay people as ‘extraordinary ministers’ of the Eucharist, how about empowering them (such as the 2 “Bowsers” you mentioned) to ask people to step out of the line when they are doing shameful and sacrilegious things like this?  Sadly, the only thing that will stop this shameful behaviour is public shaming / humiliation.

If you are not present mentally/spiritually, and are distracting yourself during mass, does it even matter that you are physically present?

WOW! The sadist part of this story is that these children are missing out on the core of the mass. These children have missed out on the holiness of the sacrifice of Jesus for us.  They are missing out on the Heaven on Earth moment that is the precession to receive our Lord and Savior.

I have children and like many of us I brought entertainment, in the form of crayons and color pages for them when they were 2-3; however after 4 I made it a point to let them know what the order of the mass is and when each event was happening. 

The future of our church lies in the hands of these children.  It is so very important for them to be taught by us, the parents, the meaning of mass and the importance of celebrating Christ death for us.

Our 3 year old is now being phased out of the “entertainment” that consists of religious children books and coloring books. Even then, he knows that when it is time for communion we need to place ourselves in a special place of prayer (although he returns sad because he can’t have any).  I fit was only the children!  The last few weeks at mass, I’ve seen parents doing the same thing - texting and working their iphones right after receiving communion.  If this is what they think of communion, how can we expect them to show their children.

I would dearly love to say that Nintendo and answering a cell phone on the way to receive Holy Communion is unbelievable.  Unfortunately it isn’t.What are these people thinking of?  Clearly it is nothing to do with the Sacrament.  I pretty much can deal with small children crying or what-have-you.  I know for myself that, past the age of about 2, I mostly was still, quiet and respectful during Mass.  I have no doubt I didn’t follow that particular behavior pattern consistently for a few more years.  My sisters behaved the same way.  My parents, particularly my mother would have killed us, and then asked Father to plan a funeral service for such a disrespectful child, at the end of Mass.  We were “well-trained” to the point that both my parents joined the choir when the youngest of the three of us was about 4.  The choir sang in the choir loft in the back of the church.  If any of us misbehaved, we would feel our mother’s eyes on the back of our neck.  That was sufficient to quell any misbehavior.  Now it is my generation raising children and this behavior is going on.  It is hard to blame the child if the parent does not teach appropriate behavior.  I know some schools now collect student’s cell’s and such at the beginning of the school day and return them at the end.  Maybe we ought to do the same at Mass.

This is shocking?  People are actually surprised?  They must be the same people who don’t have time to pray everyday.  The same souls who could not name the Ten Commandments if asked which of course how can you keep what you do not know?  The same people who don’t know their neibors or even assoicate with them attempting to be another Christ or be a friend make a friend and bring a friend to Christ.  The same people who think that you shouldn’t be a one issue voter namely Abortion.  Conversion is the answer - the time for prayer asking Jesus to open our eyes to the truth and to give us the graces necessary for change of heart and a return to confession and then yes enlightenment from the Holy Spirit on what is going on in the world today in our cities, towns, churches, families what can I do Lord to make a difference.  The time for prayer is here.  If this article shocks you ask Jesus what can I do about it?  Jesus and Mary please help me to see the truth.  All praise be to the Most Blessed Trinity now and forever.