I would then ask the DRE (gotta make a mental note of all of this for the future) why then, do adults who live more in the real world then grammer school children and who are taking the RCIA program do not have to give back to less fortunate and act/behave/practice their Catholic faith in the real world?
I am not quite sure what you mean? the parents go IN the confessional with the children??
We are supposed to present volunteer opportunities to RCIA participants, too. They aren’t “required” to do volunteer work, but it’s a good way to get into the habit of being a “missionary member,” and that’s what we’re trying to develop, at least in our Diocese.
We are required to go to confession at least once a year…CCC2041-2043
2041 The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. The obligatory character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the very necessary minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor:
penWindow(‘cr/2042.htm’)
The first precept (“You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor”) requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principal liturgical feasts honoring the mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days.82penWindow(‘cr/2043.htm’) The fourth precept (“You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church”) ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.85By the confessional I will presume that you mean a place with an optional grille? The one at OLOA in San Antonio has a grille which is fixed, voice only—no optional face-to-face with the priest here. The only way you could do that is to bust down the grille—then you will have more than the authorities of the Church to deal with.
Arrrrg! I’m pulling out clumps of hair now, in your honor. Your DRE isn’t the only one with a fancy for these requirements, I’d imagine, if that helps.
I’m not sure about the specifics, but I think the teenagers in my parish who are approaching comfirmation are asked to volunteer their time. I think it’s a certain number of hours at the parish food pantry on Saturday mornings or something like that. They can also save money on their Catholic high school tuition by volunteering their time.So you understand where I’m coming from
I can see that I’m going to have “issues” with this DRE because for confirmation they are required to do some kind of year-long volunteer project otherwise they will not get confirmed. I never had to do anything like this. Nor, is it required of those going through the RCIA program. So why require it of the school children?
true, but didn’t Padre Pio go everyday? We still ‘mess up’ every day…and for the sake of one’s child…making a good example is probably what this OP’s parish is going for, I would imagine. I don’t see the big deal…if we teach our kids that it’s an inconvenience, they will grow up thinking it is. (not that u think it is, I’m just saying in general)
wait, after reading this again…it seems like the parents are required to stay during Confession…is it required that they confess too? I am just wondering, after reading this the second time.
Why are you so obsessed with needing to have “serious” sins to confess? That really is an undermining about what the Church teaches concerning the greater value of the sacrament.
Did she find serious sin to confess every day or just venial? Sometimes when people think that they are seeing serious sin every day, they are simply scrupulous more than anything.
I had to do it. I don’t recall how many hours it was, though. Probably not as many as the kids nowadays have to. And we got to count simple stuff like babysitting for your parents or carrying some groceries home for the old lady down the street. Really, it’s pretty common now for parishes to expect this. The idea seems to be that they want the young people to learn to go beyond themselves and share the faith in their lives of service for others. It’s seen as a growing experience towards becoming a more dedicated, confirmed, adult Catholic. Now are there worthy arguments both ways for whether or not it is the best thing to insist upon? Certainly. But there is an understandable reasoning to it all, at least.
Force, as in threat of consequences … such as child not being allowed to make first confession.
How can I argue with that? As I said above, when you REQUIRE someone to do something, their actions can no longer be considered “volunteering” and psychologists tell us that when people are FORCED to do something, it CAN lead to resentment.I’m not sure about the specifics, but I think the teenagers in my parish who are approaching comfirmation are asked to volunteer their time. I think it’s a certain number of hours at the parish food pantry on Saturday mornings or something like that. They can also save money on their Catholic high school tuition by volunteering their time.
I think this is a good thing. It builds character and is a means of teaching charity. How can you argue with that?
Padre Pio went everyday. Mother Theresa went everyday. JPII went three times a week. I usually go once a week. Some people go once a month. Others once a year or even longer. People go when they feel a need to go.
If we teach our children to go only when they are told to go, what happens when they get older and are no longer told to go.