How does your family honor the Sabbath?

[kmleo]

Really interested in knowing how you and your families spend their Sundays. What activities do you do on Sunday? What do you make sure you do not do?

Also, my family has the added pressure of living away from family and friends who are just close enough for regular weekend stay overs. None of these folks are Catholic. Any advice on how to best handle spending time with them without giving up the holiness of the Sabbath? Right now, we spend on average two weekends per month away from our home, but I am going to work with my husband to cut this down as it feels excessive to me. Maybe that’s just because they are all his friends and family?

Thanks for your advice!
K

 

[kmleo]

Wow, does this mean I’m not the only heathen who does pretty much nothing to make Sundays special?

 

[puzzleannie]

like my own family, we had no near relatives, so Sunday as visiting day was unknown, however my daughters spend the day with in-laws most of the time, on suitable leisure and family activities.

So we made Sunday family day for our own nuclear family, Sunday drives, NO shopping unless absolutely necessary, what was sometimes our ONLY family meal of the week, at least when they got older and busier, and some shared outdoor work more as something to do together than as a job. Kids remember the drives, favorite destinations–parks with nature trails, cider mill, cross country skiing, beach to watch the dog retrieve sticks etc., favorite picnic spots

Now both of us are working Saturday evening and Sunday from 7 to 2 or later at the parish in some capacity, so I just come home and take a nap and he collapses in front of the ball game on TV.

 

[BlestOne]

Actually, I have been thinking alot about your post. When my kids were younger it was alot different and easier to actually have a Sabbath “ritual” but now that I have teenagers and a step dd teenager… things are alot different.

When kids were little, I did all my housework on Saturday and on Sundays after mass we went on a picnic in the summer and they played outside all day while I enjoyed my day in the great outdoors. Since my kids are older, it seems to have gotten to the point where we fight over the washer, drive kids everywhere, get school assignment stuff done, etc… Oh how I dream of those simpler days!!!

 

[LB5]

We don’t have any specific rituals, but do tend to spend time together. When I lived at home we would go to church together, and have lunch together. In the afternoon we usually do our own thing but sometimes plan fun things together. My dad works a lot so he likes to relax and watch sports on TV. My mom and I like to shop and we do a lot of bonding that way so we often go out for an hour or two on a Sunday and shop. Now I don’t live at home, so I usually spend my Sundays relaxing and reading a book if my boyfriend is working, or if he is not working, we take our dogs for a long walk and watch movies or sports after going to church. I do still call home on Sunday or I’ll stop over my parents’ house.

 

[thenewmrssears]

Hmm…well, here is our usual Sunday schedule

8:30 AM - Mass
10:00 AM - 11:15 AM - I teach Sunday School; Nathan usual goes to the park or helps in the art room
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM - Brunch at J. Christophers or Brio [we’re creatures of habit]
1:00 PM - 10:00 PM - Nathan watches football [not always nonstop…it just feels that way]; sometimes I join him for part of it
1:00 PM - 10:00 PM - I usually do homework, cook a few meals for Nathan for doing the week while I am traveling and stick them in the freezer, play with the pets, catch up with girlfriends on the phone…

If we have company or someone wants to come visit, I let them know that we are going to Mass and Sunday School. I expect them to join us for Mass and they may join Nathan at the park.

I am very clear about that. Ask my sister. She was just here a few weeks ago, and she no longer attends Church regularly…or at all really. I got her rear up at 7:00 AM to get ready for Church and she just moped the entire time. I don’t care. I told her 4 months ago it wasn’t optional. She thought I would change my mind.

I like lazy Sundays…I’m just like that.