Mass--its not a dirty word

I am continually horrified when I hear Catholics refer to the Mass as a "service". It *is* Mass and Mass is not a dirty word, folks! IMHO, we should not be embarrassed to BE Catholics and to attend MASS!

I once was asked a question in church by a man in a roman collar as to when "the service" started. I assumed, by his ignorance of proper Catholic terminology, that he was a visiting Protestant minister, but alas, it was not so. (What are they teaching in those seminaries these days?!)

So, if you are Catholic, and the "service" you attend has the Consecration by a validly ordained priest, it is a MASS!