You wrote:
“On the few occasions I attended RC services family members thought it odd that I brought my Bible and I did notice that no one else attending brought a Bible.”
Because we have missals. Those are the books used at Mass. Worshiping God in the liturgy He originally created is not about reading scripture alone. It is always about worshiping God first and that means more than just reading or even praying the Bible.
Is this because they don't have Bibles at home? I live in a RC majority area. My children have attended RC high schools. The only place I have ever encountered RC's that say they read their Bibles regularly is here. I have never met a RC that has a regular Bible study, or Bible group, at their home.
Why would you blindly follow whatever a priest gave you. It is your responsibility to know the Scriptures.