Non catholic family visitors over Holy Week

[Little_Mary]

puzzleannie:

simply explain that this is the holiest week of the year in your religion and you and your family will be observing all the solemnities and liturgies, and welcome them to join you. For the occassions they do not care to participate in what you have planned, give them an attractions and restaurant guide and tell them to have fun. On no account should you let your children see that having company is an excuse to relax religious obligations. I don’t think Muslim families would compromise during Ramadan for non-Muslim guests, nor would Orthodox Jews compromise during Passover or the High Holy Days for non-Jewish guests. Don’t apologize, don’t explain, just tell them the program, and also tell them the one occassion you have set aside for them, probably Sunday dinner. Since they made their plans without consulting you, feel free to plan your week without consulting them.

:clapping: ditto – especially that last sentence.

Another “plus” to sticking to your guns is that maybe they’ll think twice before coming before Easter again! That is, if they don’t convert!

 

[Tonyagrace]

Nothing speaks commitment like commitment to God.
They may see and not understand,
they may hear and not comprehend.
Perhaps you are just planting the seeds in their hearts.
"I am sorry we can’t meet you for dinner, we have a commitment to God tonight. Could we meet you at the Dairy Queen for ice cream after? or what about;
“We are free Friday morning from breakfast time till 1pm, would you like to meet at the park and go to lunch?”
When you are criticized about Jesus, the person criticizing is not criticizing you personally, it is Jesus Christ they don’t understand.
God be with you, know his presence every hour, minute and second!

 

[Jennifer_J]

Thanks for all the advice and help. I’m guessing that Friday will be the most difficult day because we can decorate eggs on Saturday as a family and prepare some of the food for Sunday. My children are too young for the Vigil (grumpy, grumpy, grumpy!) but I hope my oldest and I can go next year, such a beautiful Mass! Sunday won’t be a problem, either! So I suppose Friday from 1-3 they either come with us or stay at the hotel and I will encourage low key “fun” on that day, though I’d like to work Stations in that evening, too, hmmmm. Does that sound acceptable? LOL The joys of family dynamics.
Jennifer