Pre-Advent Mass Challenge

Here's a challenge to those who take their cell phones everywhere with them... and this picture applies to them.

From now until the beginning of Advent (December 2nd), turn your phones completely off or, better yet, leave them in your cars during Mass.

Out of curiosity, I posted this picture on twitter and asked if it applied to anyone. Surprising number of people said it did. It did for me (though I used my iPod touch for the iMissal app) but I stopped using it when an usher humiliated me for using it during Mass. I can see where priests and others may think that we're texting, even when we're not. I wouldn't dare disrespect God by using my iPod to use anything but one of the apps that contains prayers or the iMissal but it can be distracting.

If you were using a Missal app on your phone/iPod/tablet, why not buy yourself an actual Missal or a Missalette (they usually cost about $1 at the local parishes around L.A.) to use during Mass? If you have prayers that you recite after receiving communion, why not memorize them or write them down on a little index card?

Unless it's a special situation (i.e. a loved one is in the hospital, you are a doctor on call), keep your phone or other device off.

So... are any of you up for the challenge? btw, I'm going to play the "really? Can't you take ONE hour out of the day to focus on God?" card. Bam! ;)

Anyway, let me know if you're in. :D Everyone have a great weekend.

Thanks for reading and God bless. :D