Frustrated

[Phemie]

Last night I led a baptism preparation class in my parish. There are 4 of us on the team, but I was the only one there. One was called in to work and the other two didn’t show up because, well, they haven’t attended Mass to know that the session was scheduled.

I don’t understand why we have people on the team who think nothing of saying to the people preparing that she and her kids don’t attend Mass during the hockey season because the boys are in hockey and play at that time; who says ‘the Church wants practicing Catholics as sponsors but we’re not that strict’; who makes it seem perfectly OK to choose to go to the cottage rather than go to Mass because, well, you have to compromise when your partner is not Catholic. :banghead:

She tried to pull me into agreeing to that during one session, saying “You must have found the same, since your DH is not Catholic and you must have had to negotiate with your kids.” “No, never, attendance at Mass was non-negotiable while the kids were under the age of majority.”

 

[Brenda_V]

I agree with you. I married a non-Catholic and my girls went to Mass until they were adults and made their own choices. One no longer believes :crying: so only goes at Christmas and Easter to please me and the other is as Catholic as they come!

This person teaching Baptism class with you needs to have a talk with the Priest! Since when is 'hockey season" a reason to miss Mass? It sure doesn’t fit the criteria I know! My friend had one son who was on one of the “traveling” Soccer teams and were often out of town for a game on a Sunday so they would find a local church to go to, they never missed Mass because of the soccer! You can’t tell me that in Canada (at least the part you are in, yes?) they can not find a Sunday Mass to fit their Hockey schedule.

Please speak with your Priest about this current lesson you were helping teach, this person either needs to be straightened out or quit teaching, even if that means you have to do them all.

Brenda V.

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

Sadly, youth sports seem to be the new god among some, and these activities are often held on Sunday mornings.

In my previous town (and parish), the church allowed the neighboring school to use its parking lot in exchange for snow-removal service. I think the understanding was that the parking lot would be left free on Sunday mornings, so people could park there for Mass (this was a town with no public transport, and nothing was within walking distance).

Well, you guessed it, the school started to hold sports events on Sunday mornings, and I can’t count how many times I would arrive for Mass, and not be able to find a single parking spot for my car (even if I was there early). I would have to leave, and attend Mass in another town.

 

[Phemie]

This person teaching Baptism class with you needs to have a talk with the Priest!

Now that would be fruitless, he’d tell her to do what she feels is right for her family.

Since when is 'hockey season" a reason to miss Mass? It sure doesn’t fit the criteria I know! My friend had one son who was on one of the “traveling” Soccer teams and were often out of town for a game on a Sunday so they would find a local church to go to, they never missed Mass because of the soccer! You can’t tell me that in Canada (at least the part you are in, yes?) they can not find a Sunday Mass to fit their Hockey schedule.

Nope, not here unfortunately. Hockey is the new God, as the previous poster said and game & practice times coincide with the only Masses we have.

Please speak with your Priest about this current lesson you were helping teach, this person either needs to be straightened out or quit teaching, even if that means you have to do them all.

The other 3 have been at it for 8 years and that’s what they’ve been teaching for 8 years. I just came on and there is no way the priest will support me in this. Actually, if I go to him with this he’ll find a way to work the Pharisees & love of rules into his next homily. He preferred having me leave the liturgy committee rather than support me in not abusing the EMHC ministry.

Brenda V.

 

[dprewett]

I teach ccd and after last year I was so frustrated that I thought I would never go back. The helpers never showed I had 20 students dropped on me every class. The parents always showed up late for pick up. No parents would show up for the few masses that were held for the children. I was done, Then I ran into some of my ex-students and out of the four 2 had started going to Mass with their friends on their own without parents. I had been the 5th grade teacher and they were hoping I would move up to the sixth grade class with them. After that day you could not drag me away next year. Try not to get frustrated and do your best the work you are doing for the Lord is worthwhile. Good Luck, DPrewett

 

[Brenda_V]

Sorry Phemie for the problems you are having with your Priest because that is where it is coming from then .

Keep at it like a PP said, maybe one of the parents you teach will learn something from you!

I will pray for your situation.

I had heard that Sports were starting to take over Sundays but i guess I live in a pretty big Catholic area with several churches having Masses starting as early as 7 a.m. and ending as late as 6 p.m. on a Sunday so there is no reason for someone to miss Mass here! Not only that if parents would just start standing up to coaches then they would stop running their lives!

Brenda V.

 

[Cavaille-Coll]

In my parish, I teach the English baptism classes, and my lessons really stress the importance of regular weekly Mass attendance and regular family prayer, because it imprints on the child from infancy the importance (or lack thereof) of the faith to the household. The PARENTS (not the priest, CCD, myself, etc.) are the primary teachers of the faith to the child. When faith is relegated to a garage hobby that can be set aside for truly important things like sports or recreation, it never becomes an integral part of the child’s life. Godparents must be baptized, confirmed, and practicing Catholics who meet the Canonical requirements, or I will not certify them. No exceptions. A godparent/sponsor is a serious role, not just an honorary title.

We don’t have multiple teachers for baptism classes in my parish, but in my work with other groups like RCIA where several instructors rotate and assist each other, those who do not share the Church’s mission of saving souls are asked to consider leaving.