The Church as God’s House calls for a higher standard of dress and deportment because it is a Holy Place where Sacred Rituals take place. Being in God’s House for such Sacred Rituals demands a certain decorum of speech, dress and behavior. Rituals include Sunday Mass, Marriages, Funerals, Baptisms, but also they pertain to other services when people gather for a spiritual purpose.

Proper decorum means that food and drink, even for the purpose of placating babies, should not be taken into the Sanctuary. Chewing gum is particularly annoying and disrespectful toward the nature of the service and those who participate. Unnecessary and loud conversations during the Service, or before and after is disrespectful to the people who come to Church to find a quiet and a peaceful place to pray. Parents should control their children during and after the Services. Crying babies ought to be taken out to Narthex until they are accommodated. Toys, of any kind and especially electronic toys have no place in the sanctuary, especially in the hands of teenagers. They are a distraction for the child or teen and even more of distraction for others around them and are a major sign of disrespect for what is being done in the Church. Such toys are a sign that a young person is unable to focus on anything or anyone outside his or her world.

Proper dress is a major issue for many people especially those who reluctantly come to Church for Mass or other Services. This is particularly true with younger people who often use clothes as a protest or to symbolize ‘freedom’ or rebellion. Types of clothes can be an issue for many who want to be contemporary and fashionable. The excuse for inappropriate dress of either men or women is the well know adage “ that God’s doesn’t care what I wear!” That is true, since God knew us before we were born and sees through us now. Knowing that proper Church clothing is a mark of maturity, good judgment and respect to all who are in attendance. Therefore the guiding principle for dress is better expressed with a more mature principle. That principle is this: ”what I wear shows how much I care!” Proper Dress reveals not so much ’body parts’ but care for other persons, the nature of the Service or celebration and ultimately for God to whom we owe everything and are gifted by him. Bottom line? Appropriate dress , personal behavior is a measure of faith and respect. It is also common sense.
 

We use all of our being when we attend liturgical services. We sit, stand, kneel, and speak to have our bodies reflect the spiritual experience within. Dressing appropriately helps us remain focused and reflects the attitudes and spiritual readiness of our souls. Let us together demonstrate the spiritual maturity and respect that is rightly due to our almighty God who made the ultimate sacrifice, which is the reason for the Mass or Service in the first place.