How can i be a better Catholic? and how can i pay atttention in Church?

Question

I just came back from church, and my dad was telling me to "settle down" cuz i was really "hyper" or something. So anything i could do to eep my mind on the priest? What type of things could i do as a 13 girl, to be a better Catholic? Also, please don't trey to tell me that "God isn't real", whenI know he is, and nothing can convince me to stop believing.

Answer 1

Next time you're doing reconcilliation, tell the priest you're bored out of your skull. It will hit a note if the priest is worth his salt.

There are many roles young women can play in worship - it's a lot easier to participate than sit idle. Look for these opportunities and ask about them.

It's also great to help parents with smaller children.

Answer 2

During the Mexican Revolution, is was against the law to be Catholic- and attending Mass or being a priest was a crime punishable by death.

A group of Catholics gathered one day with a priest to celebrate the Mass. Not long after they started, the soldiers arrived, ready to kill everyone there.

The priest asked if they could be allowed to finish the Mass before they were to die. Amazingly, the soldier allowed it.

They completed the Mass, and all were executed immediately.

Now, if you were at that Mass...how would you have felt? How would you have prayed, knowing you were going to die? Would you have listened more closely to the readings? Would you have been more attentive to the homily? Would the consecration of the Mass meant more to you, knowing it would be the last time your received the Eucharist?

Consider this....every Mass could be your last! Not to be a downer, but you could have a brain anyeurism or die on a car accident. None of us know how long we have to live- or when our last chance to worship the Lord on this earth will be.

We m,ust live every part of our lives mindful of this- and live every moment of our lives to the fullest. And that includes full and complete participation in the Mass, as a token of gratitude for the gift the Lord has given us in the Mass and in his sacrifice on Calvary.

If you have a LifeTeen group in a nearby Catholic Church, get involved.

Kids today are not programmed to sit for an hour, but you can do it as a thank you to your Lord!

Answer 3

I have that problem too. My mind never stays on one thing for very long. I'm kind of spacey. So what I do is when I'm in church I think about God things. Like what I learned during the week that could influence my religion. That's one advantage of being a Catholic you can study the history of the Church and the saints and the dogma and the reason it's like that. That's what I do in Church. I try to calm down during the breaking of the bread though. That's God's moment.

Since you're probably going to get confirmed soon (if you're not already) look up St. Teresa of Avila. She had an odd attitude about church.

Answer 4

During the reading you could try to see how the two readings match up. Most of the readings are paired so that one's meaning will match up with the other. It's a great way to learn more about scripture.

It might also help you if you read about what each part of the mass is about. Here's a book I found on Amazon.

The How-To Book of the Mass: Everything You Need to Know but No One Ever Taught You by Michael Dubruiel

The How-to Book of the Mass not only provides the who, what, where, when, and why of the most time-honored traditions of the Catholic Church, but also the how. All in an easy-to-read, easy-to-understand format.

In this complete guide to the celebration of the Eucharist you get:

Step-by-step guidelines to walk you through the Mass

Biblical background of the prayers of the Mass

Insights from the Tradition and teaching of the Church

Practical aid to overcoming distractions

Concrete ways to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ at every Mass

A handy study guide for individual or group use

Here's a review. You can read more on Amazon.

As a "cradle Catholic", I'm pleasantly surprised to find how much I learned from this book! At age 25, I obviously know the "how" of mass, but this book also gives the "why" - something I was (unfortunately) never taught in CCD growing up. It explains the rituals of the mass by telling of their uses in the early church and/or relevant passages in the bible. It also gives "opportunities for spiritual growth" in the sidebars that are especially helpful to the cradle Catholic. I know I will get at least twice as much out of attending mass from now on!

The book is an "easy" (fast) read. I read half in one sitting; I suppose it might take a little longer for a new or non-Catholic not already familiar with the traditional mass. It is not too overbearing or complicated and would therefore be great for teens with a ho-hum attitude toward attending mass.

My mother always used to complain that my generation was not taught the "parts of the mass" in CCD as hers was. I don't know if this is a result of changes made by Vatican II, or simply the archdiocese I grew up in. I hope CCD children today are again taught the parts of the mass; I personally purchased this book to learn more myself so I can teach my own children better. After reading it, I wish I could afford to pass out copies at my church to the other parishioners of my generation who are obviously also not getting as much from the mass as they could be!

I agree with another reviewer that it would have been nice if the text of the prayers explained were included in the book, even if just in the back. But don't let this keep you from purchasing it; if you are a cradle Catholic, you already KNOW the prayers. If you are new, they can be easily found in a missal at any Catholic church.

Good luck to you and may God bless your week.

Answer 5

try to get to mass early, so that you have time to pray before mass begins. Ask God to open your heart, that you would be predisposed to receive the graces which He wants to give you.

You don't mention if you are receiving communion. I hope you are. Offer your reception of communion for a special person.

Finally, I would visit the church during the week, particularly the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, which is reserved in the Tabernacle. You will discover that the Church will become like your second home, and you will feel greater peace and joy on Sunday.

Answer 6

I suggest that you try to fully participate in the Mass.

Sing the songs and say the prayers.

When you sing the songs and say the prayers, make sure you think about what they mean.

Listen to the Bible readings. Think about how they relate to your life. Does the priest's homily agree with what you were thinking or does he have another idea?

Think of an interesting question about a reading or the homily to ask your dad after Mass is over. You might even discuss the Gospel or homily with your family.

Receive the Eucharist reverently.

Pray for the people you love and maybe even those who are not so easy to love.

God bless.

With love in Christ.

Answer 7

Well as a 13 year old I was very active too lol....so I know where you're coming from.

When I would have trouble paying attention, or staying in one place, I would just start thinking about stuff...anything, just day dreaming. Of course that doesn't help paying attention to the priest, but it made me stay still....

So after you're able to stay still, I used to chew gum in order to be able to pay attention. My body would be chewing the gum(giving it SOMETHING to do) and I would be able to focus on who I was listening to.

I'm in college now, and I usually have gum or mints with me(even though I have braces) so I can pay attention to the professor. I prefer spearmint because I think it helps keep stimulate my mind(peppermint also does this...but I don't like the flavor)

Answer 8

I am glad to see your faith is firm. How is your understanding of the goings-on at Mass? Usually, the more one understands about what happens at Mass, the more one is inclined to pay attention.

The Mass is one of those things that you get out of it what you put into it. Those who go to Mass and "veg" usually end up spiritually unfilfilled. Those who understand the Mass, and actively take part in it, will find themselves very spiritually fulfilled.

Listening to sermons delivered by prolific preachers is a plus. Unfortunately, not all priests can deliver a prolific sermon, but that doesn't mean we can't learn from them.

The mere fact you want to pay closer attention at Mass is a good thing. Learn more about the Mass itself. The more you know about it, the more you will be able to appreciate it when you go. Then, paying attention will come naturally.

Answer 9

Did you know every day has some particular saints or celebrations tied to it? The readings are not selected at random; some of the prayers change seasonally for reasons. Perhaps if you were more aware of what was going on you will be able to pay attention more. Perhaps if you are helping in some role, you might also be able to focus.

I applaud your interest in doing so, and wish you well.

Answer 10

Catholicism is a works based religion, try getting more involved in church outside of mass. Connecting more with the priest tends to help in listening. People tend to listen more to the ones they care about.