Priest: Silence cell phones

"Everybody's talking, but no one is listening," said Rev. Robert Hohenstein, pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish in Schenectady.

He was referring to the ringing, beeping and buzzing of cell phones during liturgies.

"I've had a phone go off during a funeral homily," he said. "It belonged to a family member of the deceased, and the person was sitting in the front pew of the church. Who would call a person at the funeral of a family member? More importantly, why would that family member consider answering a cell phone at such a time?"

The pastor said that ringing cell phones have become such a nuisance that he periodically publishes this notice in the weekly bulletin: "Parishioners are asked to please shut their phones off as they are a distraction to the liturgy."

Direct connection

"With all the new technology we have," the priest said, "we're really not communicating very well with each other these days.

"I really do think technology is wonderful," he noted. "Somehow, though, we seem to have lost the ability to communicate directly with others. People are plugged in to earphones and cell phones wherever they go.

"They talk while they shop, drive, walk and even while attending Mass. How can they concentrate on what they're doing?"

Bells are ringing

Hand-held devices have some advantages: Catholics use them to follow the Scripture readings for the day or week, for example, or use them to find prayers in their native languages. Many people also use their cell phones to take pictures of sacramental events, like Baptisms, ordinations and marriages.

Most parishes, however, want phones shut off during liturgies and post signs at church entrances or print notices in weekly bulletins. Some celebrants make the announcement to turn off cell phones before Mass begins.

"When a cell phone starts ringing at Mass, it can be distracting to everyone," Father Hohenstein said. "If I am talking to you and you are listening to something on your iPod or talking to another on your cell phone, you are not paying direct attention to me.

"You can write me off; you can walk away without making any kind of direct contact with me because you are not really listening to me. The message you give me is that I am not important enough for your undivided attention."

Silence, please

Father Hohenstein has noticed that people are becoming increasingly uncomfortable with long silences.

"One of the most beautiful forms of prayer we have is contemplative prayer, where we sit still and listen to God," he said. "Even for just a few minutes, silence can be very effective; and, in a short time, we can find inner peace.

"It seems to me that one thing we're losing is the ability to sit for any length of time in silence. People can't remain silent for any length of time without having to talk on their phones, play electronic games or put on the earplugs and listen to something." Listen to God

Time at Mass can be effectively used for contemplation on one's relationship with God, the priest said.

"As in any relationship, communication is necessary," he continued. "We go to Mass because we want to have that relationship with God. It is important to pray, but it is just as important that we take the time to listen to the Word, listen to others and listen to what God is saying to us.

"So often, it is in the silence that we hear God speaking. But it is impossible to hear God if someone or something else is distracting you.

"A priest once told me that, while he was giving a homily, someone's cell phone began to loudly ring, distracting him. He looked down at the parishioner and said, 'That better be God calling.'"

(12/13/07)