Masses being cancelled

[HomeschoolDad]

We came home and bbq’d

You must not be from the South. Unless you dug a pit, or had one of those big barrels or something, and slowly cooked the hog, or the pork shoulder, or the brisket, or whatever, applying spices and marinades as needed, you did not have a BBQ, you had a cookout. Two different things when you get south of about Beckley, West Virginia or Staunton, Virginia (locations approximate). I am very emphatic with my son that when we put charcoal on the grill and cook burgers or hot dogs, we are not barbecuing, we are cooking out.

Not to be pedantic, but the South is a distinct society, kind of like Quebec.

HomeschoolDad:

Through my American goggles, my head was spinning. Maybe it’s just how I was raised, but “just showing up” at a wedding, even if you were no more than a fellow parishioner, just wasn’t done. We weren’t snobby people, we were too poor to be snobby. Again, maybe it’s just how I was raised. I haven’t been to all that many weddings, but any I have ever been to, I was either expressly invited, or there was just an “open invitation” to a group of relatives and/or friends. I never said “oh, so-and-so is getting married, I think I’ll go”.

So then you agree, it’s more of a social-geographical thing and not a Catholic vs. Non-Catholic thing.

Everything you’re talking about with expressed invitation, etc… happens with Catholic weddings too. At our Catholic wedding we sent out invitations and asked for RSVPs…so we knew how much food and beverage to have on hand.

It’s pretty standard custom in the US, no matter the faith background.

As I said above, I’m bowing out of this part of the discussion.

I just realized today — I have never been to an OF “Novus Ordo” wedding! The only Catholic wedding I ever attended was an SSPX wedding, traditional Latin Mass (obviously) in which I was one of the ushers. It is just one of those things that I’ve never done. Some people never learn to swim, some people never learn how to ride a bicycle, some people never learn how to shoot a gun, most people (at least in the US) never learn to drive a stick-shift automobile. Just the diversity in people. I’ve never been in a situation where I would be invited to one. No accounting for it.

 

[Rob2]

In their statement today the Bishops of England and Wales said : "Because of the situation the Church finds herself in, the obligation for the faithful to attend Holy Mass on a Sunday or Holy day of Obligation is removed, until further notice. "

The bishops decided to suspend public worship in England and Wales from this coming Friday evening .

 

[Phemie]

You must not be from the South. Unless you dug a pit, or had one of those big barrels or something, and slowly cooked the hog, or the pork shoulder, or the brisket, or whatever, applying spices and marinades as needed, you did not have a BBQ, you had a cookout.

I knew when I wrote it that someone would come back with this, but I live in Canada where we BBQ if we cook on a BBQ, or an open pit with wood or charcoal, or if we just want to make Southerners grind their teeth.

 

[TC3033]

As I said above, I’m bowing out of this part of the discussion.

OK…then bow out…

My point still stays the same.

 

[HomeschoolDad]

HomeschoolDad:

As I said above, I’m bowing out of this part of the discussion.

OK…then bow out…

My point still stays the same.

That is fine, if so many non-Catholic weddings — as well as far too many Catholic ones these days — come across as just festive social gatherings where two people happen to be getting married, and as nothing more, that could just be my perception. If people are actually getting something spiritual out of it, if it is bringing those assembled into a deeper relationship with God — and if the couple is conscious of entering into a sacred mystery, a saving sacrament, which may have unbearable crosses in its future, and on which their own salvation, as well as that of their children, will depend, then glory be, nothing makes me happier.

To tell the truth, not only have I never been to a Catholic wedding (aside from that one SSPX wedding, the spiritual import and significance of which was unquestionable and unquestioned by anyone in attendance), I have never even been to that many non-Catholic weddings. It would be pretty much just random cousins (sadly, I have no siblings). I could probably count them on both hands with fingers left over. It just hasn’t been a part of my life. Again, some people never swim, some people never shoot. Everyone’s different.

Edited to add: Actually, it was ten. Six cousins and four friends or relatives of friends. That’s it. Sheltered life, I guess. No fingers left over.

 

[OraLabora]

Not to be pedantic, but the South is a distinct society, kind of like Quebec.

No kidding! I’ve been to the South (and I’m from Québec) and couldn’t agree more! You even speak a different language down there. I hear it is based somewhat on English

 

[Pattylt]

For a sacramental wedding, go to an Orthodox Jewish wedding! It is a Sacrament for the Jews, I assure you!

They aren’t required to take place in a synagogue…though usually are…but they MUST take place under a Chuppah…with a Rabbi. It’s very solemn, also, until the moment the wine glass is broken by the groom…then it’s all joy and dancing and drinking and toasting. Reception is usually immediately after the ceremony.

After a few hours of reception, the bride and groom will leave for the honeymoon, but the guests will continue on until the mother of the bride is found passes out somewhere! …joking a bit…

 

[HomeschoolDad]

For a sacramental wedding, go to an Orthodox Jewish wedding! It is a Sacrament for the Jews, I assure you!

They aren’t required to take place in a synagogue…though usually are…but they MUST take place under a Chuppah…with a Rabbi. It’s very solemn, also, until the moment the wine glass is broken by the groom…then it’s all joy and dancing and drinking and toasting. Reception is usually immediately after the ceremony.

After a few hours of reception, the bride and groom will leave for the honeymoon, but the guests will continue on until the mother of the bride is found passes out somewhere! …joking a bit…

That would be right up my alley! I totally “get” Orthodox Jews, Hasidim, Chabad Lubavitcher, and groups like them. There is not a single, solitary thing they do in their lives, that does not in some way tie back to orthodox religious tenets. Their morality is almost identical to traditional, orthodox Catholicism. I used to work in a store across the street from a Chabad school. The boys would come in after school to hang out, I liked them very much, good kids, clean-cut, polite, never caused any problems.

 

[humbleseeker]

or if we just want to make Southerners grind their teeth.

Well, bless your heart!

 

[HomeschoolDad]

Phemie:

or if we just want to make Southerners grind their teeth.

Well, bless your heart!

That is Southernese for… err… something else entirely.

The battle of Southern “nobody is a stranger, be nice if you can, act nice if you must, but never let 'em know how you really feel” versus Northern “why are you talking to me, I don’t know you, I’ll let you know how I feel right up front, but you’ll never have a better friend” is the final battle of the War Between The States, and one that will never end and will never be won. Might as well be two separate nationalities.

 

[adamhovey1988]

I don’t even know where this conversation was going, but I saw “bless your heart”, and I figured that y’all were speaking my language.

 

[Pitcairn17]

Diocese of Springfield Mass cancelled all Masses and parish activities for indefinite period.