I’m glad to see that you’ve completely missed my point. In fact, in many ways you’ve re-enforced my point that people don’t understand that their is a fundamental difference, particularly since you come from a background that doesn’t believe in the Eucharist as the Body and Blood of Christ.

You can’t go to Mass for “different reasons”. There is only ONE reason to go to Mass: To receive Christ (or for those who can not, to be in His presence). If you’re there for other reasons, you shouldn’t be there (and don’t start with some corner case example like the janitor who’s waiting to clean up, I’m talking in generalities).

A Mass and a church service are completely different things. Now, you can have a church service at a Catholic Church. It can include whatever you want: singing, scripture from whatever part of the bible you want, non-scriptural readings, long sermons, dancing, plays, thumb wreslting championships in the name of God, have it on Wednesdays, whatever. In fact, during your average week at my parish, there will be a number of church services that do whatever is appropriate for the crowd that is gathered.

But you can’t do that at Mass. Why? Because Mass is special. Mass has only one purpose: to consecrate and receive the Eucharist. If you don’t consecrate, it’s not Mass. It could look in every other way like Mass, but without the Eucharist it is not Mass, it’s a church service.

Because people don’t appreciate this, including many Catholics, many unfortunate side effects have occured, especially in countries with a heavy Protestant influence.

The biggest side effect is that people get the impression that what happens at Church on Sunday should be all things for all people. As a corelary, many people view attending Sunday’s gathering as all that is necessary to grow as a Christian. While this may be the attempt of many Protestant groups, the Catholic Church make no such attempt and views Sunday Mass as only a part of what a Catholic should be doing in an average week to have a vibrant faith. As a result of this misconception of Mass those Catholics who think that Sunday is all that they need end up wondering why they are filling unfulfilled, which is sad, because the Church offers so much more than Mass.

All kidding aside Ken, people attend church for different reason’s. I’m a strong believer that church is about a sense of community, a sense of belonging. And I can’t speak for you, but I like my Starbucks nice and hot when I’m getting a sense of community