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peregrinus_WA
Guest
That does not surprise me. I know a “Catholic” University that hold a two day weekend orientation (and you have to say on campus for those two days) for the MBA program (even part timers) that does not allow for time to goto Mass.Hey, you’re kidding, right? Right?
No, of course you’re not. . .
God bless,
Dan
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marytk
Guest
Our local Baptist Church, which is down town right between campus and shopping use to have a sign in their very small parking lotSo, I showed up forty-five minutes before the evening mass was supposed to start and the church wasn’t open yet so I sat down on the front stoop and people-watched. Why do I mention this? Because I watched as people pulled into St. Leo’s PRIVATE parking lot, parked and then walked PAST the church and off to do their shopping/dining in the neighborhood.
We had to open up the back lot just so our few lil parishoners could park for Mass. I mean, I feel like we need to put up a sign of some kind so people won’t steal our spaces… at least on Holy Days and Sundays.
“We forgive our trespassers. We also tow them away”
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Simon_X
Guest
Hey Gettingthere, I apologize if you misunderstood what I was saying. This was directed more to those that are members of a parish and already Catholics. It is an obligation for Catholics to attend mass on Holy Days of Obligation as it is on Sundays (or Saturday Vigils Masses). Didn’t mean any harm to you my Friend…This actually made my stomach drop. We aren’t even Catholic yet (we start RCIA in 4 weeks!), but we are trying to live as Catholics (if that makes sense. Anyway, we knew it was a holy day of obligation but didn’t know what that meant. We continued to fast an abstain from meat like usual, and I had a HARD time finding out what we’re supposed to do on Holy Days of Obligation.
I suppose, also, that we didn’t do anything wrong since we didn’t know what we were supposed to do. I’ll know for next time, though.
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Sheeniac
Guest
Wow. Friday is a work day - I’ll bet many people go to a mass near their work at lunch time. I was in Manhattan on a HDO. The church I went to was running double masses (one upstairs, one downstairs) through most of the day, and it was standing room only.
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gettingthere
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Not a problem at all. I was just like, “oh no!”
Though, I do know we are okay, since we didn’t know what we were supposed to do. We will know for the next one.
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Gamera
Guest
Sure it’s “manmade.” That’s the whole point. Jesus gave mere men authority to make rules on His behalf. It is because of our faith in Christ that we believe these mere men speak with His authority.
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Holly3278
Guest
Exactly and I think this is something that maybe FindTruth7 does not understand. Christ gave the authority to make rules to the apostles and their successors. That is why we must follow the rules and go to Mass on holy days of obligation if at all possible.Sure it’s “manmade.” That’s the whole point. Jesus gave mere men authority to make rules on His behalf. It is because of our faith in Christ that we believe these mere men speak with His authority.
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ironman62292
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Gee, it’s quite amazing a post made on Friday would have this many responses by now. Well, I would suggest you pray for those people. Don’t judge them and say they’re in mortal sin. It’s not our place to judge. Only God knows their hearts. Just carry on, and pray for them.
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jmcrae
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Not everyone is posting from work.
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FindTruth7
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And a non-Catholic will say just the opposite and have his own quotes and evidences as well. It’s always circular reasoning.
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FindTruth7
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In all respect, no it doesn’t help. If one is “obligated” then many of times his/her heart may not be truly in it. And if one goes to Mass because otherwise they’re going to get cast into eternal hell, forevermore, suffering forever and ever, because of not attending Mass or a Holy Day of obligation, if one does this because of obligation or FORCE, how can their heart be truly in it? Is this not self-righteous phariseeish?
What if one attends Mass, just cause they’re supposed to, but doesn’t wish to go, and at Mass day dreams about other things, doesn’t really pray or puts no thought into the words, has not his heart in it, does this Mass not count? Would it be no different than if he stayed home? And now has to go to confession for even that? How does one know what “counts” as a true Mass attendence? See what I mean, all these rules and regulations and questions are what stumble me for some of the issues of the Catholic Church, rather than to go and join one another in heart felt fellowship and worship of God.
I know your all going to probably smack me down, so I’ll hide.
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saylo
Guest
You are upfront about it. To be fair to yourself consider the points made in contradiction.
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jmcrae
Guest
You can also make a decision to like going to Mass.
It takes a certain amount of will-power to change your attitude, but it can be done.
The problem with the Pharisees was not that they were following the rules, but that they were making the rules burdensome by taking the attitude that following the rules is “difficult and boring” and, as a consequence, trying to do as least as possible.
Jesus never, ever said, “don’t bother with all those rules.”
No - what Jesus said was, exceed the minimum. If the minimum is 10%, give 20%. If they ask for your coat, give them both your coat and your shirt. If they ask you to walk one mile, go with them two miles. If the rule says you can either do this, or that, do both.
Jesus was never a minimalist or a scofflaw. Read the Sermon on the Mount, slowly and carefully. (Matthew chapters 5 to 7).
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luvthelight
Guest
I still remember one day last year, it might have even been the Feast of the Assumption, our parish had its usual four masses (vigil, 7 am 12 730 pm), and our parish gets pretty weak attendance typically (my best estimate would be that all four would equal the regular attendance at maybe 1.5 sunday masses if that makes sense). but my priest was a bit annoyed by it, as it had been happening for the past couple, so during the homily for the following sunday, he began with “Perhaps I missed a memo from the Vatican, but as far as I know, Holy Days of Obligation are still that, days of Obligation, but for this parish we had a total of X number of people at all the masses total, meaning that about 2/3 of the families did not attend. We need to rectify this.” You could hear people shifting uncomfortably. I don’t know how much it helped, as I don’t know how many people total attend but he hasnt done it again since, so hopefully?
But I agree with many past posters, people do not realize the importance of Days of Obligation, which imho stems from people not grasping the full importance of the mass itself. we should all pray
But I agree with many past posters, people do not realize the importance of Days of Obligation, which imho stems from people not grasping the full importance of the mass itself. we should all pray
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Lily_Valley
Guest
To:BennyBoy89
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Right on!
I have often thought the same thing. Here we are in countries around the world with the total freedom to walk into a Catholic Church anytime we want, and attend Mass freely every day, and most Catholics choose not to be bothered.
Meanwhile in other countries people risk death, torture and imprisonment to practice their faith, and they attend Mass anyway. They would never dream of missing Sunday Mass.
Also if you look at Europe it used to be such a strong Catholic Continent and now the countries of Europe are full of apostasy from the faith. In Canada we have the same problem. Quebec which was once such a predominantly Catholic province within our country is now one of the very worst for apostasy from the faith.Yet in the metropolitan area of British Columbia where I live, which has many people of various faiths and cultures, we Catholics are a minority, yet our Catholic community here is very strong and vibrant.
It seems to me that human nature being what it is, if things come too easily for us we never appreciate them. In our province of Canada we are a minority so we must be strong and active in our faith to live it well, and overall we do. We also suffer persecution for our faith, often in our own families. In other countries the risk of death makes people realize the huge gift they have in their faith.
In predominantly Catholic places, people always seem to take what they have for granted because it comes too easily to them.
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grandmama16
Guest
Whether we like being at Mass on a Holy Day or not we still receive the graces which are God’s love. Over the years it was very hard to not be resentful about getting to Mass on those days because it took so much trouble to get the kids going, to have dinner before or after, to still get homework done etc etc.on the days during school. :banghead: Also, on vacations which for us was usually soccer tournaments and my husband would usually be assigned to referee certain games so it would be up to me to search out a church and get us all to Mass on Sunday.
Many times it’d be SRO so we’d be stuck in the back and not be able to hear much but the graces were still there.
I received a small newspaper article from my sis in law about a visionary who was shown our angels and their reactions to each of our attitudes at Mass. 
We can believe it or not but it affected me.
Blessings :getholy: M.A.
Many times it’d be SRO so we’d be stuck in the back and not be able to hear much but the graces were still there. I received a small newspaper article from my sis in law about a visionary who was shown our angels and their reactions to each of our attitudes at Mass. We can believe it or not but it affected me.Blessings :getholy: M.A.
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FindTruth7
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One is in no way “obligated” to celebrate father’s or mother’s day, especially is his/her parents beated him and still presently hate him.
What is dangerous? Where is contradiction? What’s dangerous is SIN!! Murder, adultry, theft, false testimony, rape, child abuse, selfishness, not forceful days of attending obligated holidays. I will respect your belief, even though, since you’re catholic, and have the Truth, beyond everyone, about everything and every jot and tittle, no matter what, I know you won’t care for my opinon. But as for me I think it should be up to the individual to attend a day of a feast. Otherwise It’s simply more rules and regulations.
But that’s my, yes I know, false take.
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FindTruth7
Guest
I wish I could be shown angels, or Mother Mary would appear to me, I’d surely straighten out then, knowing it was the Truth. But no, that never happens, nothing but constant war and emotional distress happen, everyday. But very well.Whether we like being at Mass on a Holy Day or not we still receive the graces which are God’s love. Over the years it was very hard to not be resentful about getting to Mass on those days because it took so much trouble to get the kids going, to have dinner before or after, to still get homework done etc etc.on the days during school. :banghead: Also, on vacations which for us was usually soccer tournaments and my husband would usually be assigned to referee certain games so it would be up to me to search out a church and get us all to Mass on Sunday.
Blessings :getholy: M.A.
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FindTruth7
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If I had faith like you, i’d agree. But I do not obviously, and don’t agree with everything Catholicism teaches.
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