High School Track Meet on Good Friday - Oy!

[ack]

Good Friday is not a holiday at most American universities either.

Our parish has the service at several times, both to accommodate those who have to work in the afternoon, and for those who don’t speak English.

:banghead: But Jesus DIED at 3pm! It’s there in the Gospels.

Why on earth, on a day which is a public holiday and thus most everyone should have no work committments, would anyone celebrate the service of the Lord’s Passion in the evening or at any time other than 3pm? It’s only one of if not the most important event in human history after all.

 

[surfinpure]

I don’t think that you are “out of line” by any means. While I say that, I also believe that there is nothing wrong with participating in a track meet on Good Friday for those who would wish to do so. That being said, it sure would be nice having that “free time” in the afteroon to take in the stations of the cross prior to participating in the celebration of the Passion. God bless.

I just saw this yesterday. Apparently there is something wrong with sports on Good Friday.

http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/statusicon_cad/post_old.gif Yesterday, 4:56 pm
Fr. Vincent Serpa http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/statusicon_cad/user_offline.gif vbmenu_register(“postmenu_3439496”, true);
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http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon1.gif Re: Recreation during the Triduum
Hi,

Of the three days, Good Friday is the day of fast and abstinence. It is not a day for recreation. Recreation is acceptable on the other two days, but it is not encouraged.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.

 

[ThyKingdomCome]

Noon is when Jesus was being nailed to the cross. Maybe it is not technically sinful, but I couldn’t in good conscience be doing something so frivolous at that moment. Whether or not church’s have services at different times, those 3 hours while the Lord was being crucified are particularly significant. They are the 3 most solemn hours of the entire year. Sadly, I understand why events are scheduled on that day, since for some reason many protestants don’t seem to recognize the solemnity of good friday. But to penalize a Catholic for keeping holy the most solemn day of the year would be discrimination. So not only would I not feel bad about keeping my child out of the track meet, but I’d make darn sure that he isn’t penalized for it either. I’m sorry you’re being put in that dilemma. Maybe his absence will be a good example to other Christians.

 

[AngelRose81]

Our parish is also having our service at 7 pm Friday as well since it is just more fesible for everyone to get there because of work. I, for one, don’t see anything wrong with you wanting to pull him out of the meet. I am thankful that most of the schools in our area (even public schools) have spring break this week so that isn’t a problem.

 

[kage_ar]

Can someone provide a resource for how we should be observing the day? Thanks

I take a vacation day from work. We will spend the day doing for others (this year, it will be in preparing food for the post-Vigil reception).

Will attend Friday services, will also watch “The Passion of the Christ”.

 

[duskyjewel]

Does anyone actually live in a place where Good Friday is a public holiday? I have lived in six states in the last 15 years, and never was Good Friday a public holiday.

If this kid signed up for the track team, he has an obligation to his teammates, coaches, and school to be there whenever he can. I am not saying this should take precedence over religious observance, but I think calling it frivolous is a little harsh. Is it frivolous to fulfill our freely chosen obligations to others?

Having been a cross country and track runner, I don’t think the sport necessarily violates fasting and abstinence. Technically, I guess it is recreation, but these competitions can be fairly grueling. What if the competitor offered up his own physical exertion in communion with Jesus’ physical suffering if one has to compete on that day? It can be done in a prayerful way.

As Good Friday is not a HDO, I would have no problem with my child being involved in sports that day. I would be making the above suggestions for keeping the right spirit during the day, and of course, there would be family observance at home of the day and its importance.

 

[LilyM]

Holy moley - it is absolutely a Public Holiday here in Australia.

I can’t believe any country which calls itself ‘one nation under God’ would do anything other than make it a public holiday. It’s upsetting actually.

 

[duskyjewel]

But Australia has an “established Church” meaning an official, state-sanctioned religion, does it not? Church of England is the official church, isn’t it? So then Good Friday would be a public holiday.

I think it used to be in much of U.S. But as we have gotten more culturally and religiously diverse, that has been lessening. We can’t give everyone days off for all the Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, and Hindu holy days. And, as our Constitution specifically forbids an established church, like the C of E, the government cannot force religious holidays on people, nor can it be forced to recognize religious holidays. Christmas still is, but that’s probably because Christmas has gotten so secular no one cares.

Some people might see it as sad, but I am fine with the government recognizing no religious holidays at all, if it comes to it. Preserving religious freedom, and keeping government out of religion, for all means me too.

 

[LilyM]

But Australia has an “established Church” meaning an official, state-sanctioned religion, does it not? Church of England is the official church, isn’t it? So then Good Friday would be a public holiday.

I think it used to be in much of U.S. But as we have gotten more culturally and religiously diverse, that has been lessening. We can’t give everyone days off for all the Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, and Hindu holy days. And, as our Constitution specifically forbids an established church, like the C of E, the government cannot force religious holidays on people, nor can it be forced to recognize religious holidays. Christmas still is, but that’s probably because Christmas has gotten so secular no one cares.

Some people might see it as sad, but I am fine with the government recognizing no religious holidays at all, if it comes to it. Preserving religious freedom, and keeping government out of religion, for all means me too.

No, Australia doesn’t have an established state religion. Section 116 of the Australian Constitution prohibits the establishment of a state religion.

I for one wouldn’t mind seeing major festivals of other major faiths recognised as well as Christian holy days. And if the US government can force Easter Sunday and Christmas onto non-Christians as public holidays then why not Good Friday? Doesn’t make sense.

 

[LilyM]

No, Australia doesn’t have an established state religion. Section 116 of the Australian Constitution prohibits the establishment of a state religion.

I for one wouldn’t mind seeing major festivals of other major faiths recognised as well as Christian holy days. And if the US government can force Easter and Christmas onto non-Christians as public holidays then why not Good Friday? It doesn’t make sense.

 

[KCtheMommy]

Funny you mention this – I just talked to DH about being “available” for the veneration on Friday-- i.e. get time from work. I suggest he demand the time since he missed the Ashes. Hard to do since he’s military, and at the same time easy to do since he’s military. They have to allow religious rites.

He said it depends on if his CO’s are also participating. They are Catholic and he’s worried they’ll come back saying “well if I’m here, you should be too.” Uhm no… varying degrees of our faith and follower’s commitment is another thing …

 

[SMHW]

Well in the corner of California where I live the (public) school holidays seems to be tailored for the community. Spring break is usually either the week before or the week after Easter. The funny thing is that an older high school calendar showed spring break as some time in April. But it’s evidently been moved to the week after Easter. They also get Good Friday off. The state university and the community colleges are off this week. My daughter’s UC is off from Holy Thursday to the following Wednesday, (but that just happens to be when the quarter ends.)

I know that just ‘over the hill’ from me the public schools tend to have the Jewish holidays off. It is my understanding that school districts tend to make religious holidays school holidays if they think that a large enough percentage of students will be absent that day. Since they won’t get funding for those days they just make them holidays.

I know of no major (non-retail) businesses that are off on Friday but it’s kind of become a customary thing for people to take off at noon on Good Friday (even if they aren’t Christian).

Every parish of which I’ve been a member has two Good Friday services, one in the afternoon and another in the evening.

 

[Peeb]

Does anyone actually live in a place where Good Friday is a public holiday? I have lived in six states in the last 15 years, and never was Good Friday a public holiday.

If this kid signed up for the track team, he has an obligation to his teammates, coaches, and school to be there whenever he can. I am not saying this should take precedence over religious observance, but I think calling it frivolous is a little harsh. Is it frivolous to fulfill our freely chosen obligations to others?

Having been a cross country and track runner, I don’t think the sport necessarily violates fasting and abstinence. Technically, I guess it is recreation, but these competitions can be fairly grueling. What if the competitor offered up his own physical exertion in communion with Jesus’ physical suffering if one has to compete on that day? It can be done in a prayerful way.

As Good Friday is not a HDO, I would have no problem with my child being involved in sports that day. I would be making the above suggestions for keeping the right spirit during the day, and of course, there would be family observance at home of the day and its importance.

Good Friday is an officially observed Holiday in my State. Before it was, I typically took a personal leave day, as I felt it inappropriate to be chasing after a buck on this solemn day.

I would be very proud, indeed, if my teen agreed with me to step down for sports for a day to reflect on the Passion of our Christ.
If you don’t get it duskyjewel, rent Chariots of Fire. A beautiful story.

 

[Tietjen]

I just saw this yesterday. Apparently there is something wrong with sports on Good Friday.

Okay, no sports on Good Friday. I have no problem with that whatsoever. Prior to this thread though, I had never heard of any other sacrifices on the part of the laity being made on Good Friday other than the fast and abstinence. I was obviously mistaken and misinformed in my youth… CCD back in the 1970s wasn’t known for it’s sound instruction. God bless all.

 

[Tietjen]

Holy moley - it is absolutely a Public Holiday here in Australia.

I can’t believe any country which calls itself ‘one nation under God’ would do anything other than make it a public holiday. It’s upsetting actually.

Well, I certainly would not oppose it being made a holiday; however, you can bet that MANY here in the states would be outraged about it. Sadly, America is becoming more and more secular and less and less concerned about the things of God. Even the “one nation under God” which you mentioned has/is come under attack in our courts. Many are attempting to remove ALL references to God from the public square. But hey… all this is a discussion for another thread. Allow me to close my post by saying that I personally will be off Friday (a normal day off for me) and I plan to attend the Stations of the Cross in the afternoon as well as the Passion in the evening. God bless all.

 

[surfinpure]

Okay, no sports on Good Friday. I have no problem with that whatsoever. Prior to this thread though, I had never heard of any other sacrifices on the part of the laity being made on Good Friday other than the fast and abstinence. I was obviously mistaken and misinformed in my youth… CCD back in the 1970s wasn’t known for it’s sound instruction. God bless all.

Welcome to the club! I hadn’t heard of this either until the other day when I read Fr. Serpa’s response. Glad to know now, though. We had been planning a trip to the zoo with the kids. We’ll find a better time.

 

[duskyjewel]

Sorry about my misperception about Australia and C of E. Did it used to be when Au. was a colony, and that changed upon indepedence, like with the U.S.?

I may have to go rent Chariots of Fire… never seen it.

 

[LilyM]

Sorry about my misperception about Australia and C of E. Did it used to be when Au. was a colony, and that changed upon indepedence, like with the U.S.?

I may have to go rent Chariots of Fire… never seen it.

Aaah, love that movie

As far as I know there never has officially been a state-sanctioned religion, although if the UK has/had one then I guess we technically did too until Federation in 1901. We don’t call it independence, since the Queen of England is still our Queen as well.

 

[stbruno]

Maybe you should give your coaches the movie…a true story based on the Olympics in 1934…An Olympian opted not to run his track meet because it was designated for Sunday…the Lord’s Day. Our sons were suppose to have their first little league practice scheduled.not a game…many years ago on Good Friday. I told them this is not the day for it.The coaches must have told the league president and the league president told me, their father that if my kids didn’t listen to the coaches and come to practice, they would be kicked off the team. By the way…the league president was Catholic. Needless to say, my kids agreed with me and voluntarily opted not to play ball that year at all. We joined a different league the next year. This the Lord’s day at my house and as the saying goes…Me and my house will serve the Lord!

 

[kimaz]

Maybe you should give your coaches the movie…a true story based on the Olympics in 1934…An Olympian opted not to run his track meet because it was designated for Sunday…the Lord’s Day. Our sons were suppose to have their first little league practice scheduled.not a game…many years ago on Good Friday. I told them this is not the day for it.The coaches must have told the league president and the league president told me, their father that if my kids didn’t listen to the coaches and come to practice, they would be kicked off the team. By the way…the league president was Catholic. Needless to say, my kids agreed with me and voluntarily opted not to play ball that year at all. We joined a different league the next year. This the Lord’s day at my house and as the saying goes…Me and my house will serve the Lord!

They said they would kick them off the team? Wow that is pretty harsh. My youngest brother is not going to his baseball practice this Friday and there is no problem at all. In fact all three of my brothers are being much better than me as they all get Holy week off as spring break. Break for college was last week, so now I have to go to class on Good Friday.