Plea for pastors not to cancel church on Christmas

[tseleehw]

This is actually more common than you think. The non-denominational bible church that my wife used to attend never had any services on Christmas. One time when Christmas fell on a Sunday, the service was very short. They view us as having mass on Christmas, especially when Christmas does not fall on a weekday, as unusual.

 

[Rosebud77]

I have lived so many years in various places far too far away to reach Church easily. Or too ill … always celebrated in holy fashion at home… united with all who love Jesus…

For many with no family, … feeling that this is a family time also and not wanting to intrude on that…

For me, easy… so used to it… Praying the night long… Candle light…

Christmas is not forgotten or ignored because there is no Church…

From now on,I will on quiet days away, be pausing at churches to pray at the Cribs we have here,

Christmas is the heart that beats for Jesus, wherever, However,

My family is scattered wide so we have a “prayer across the ocean” time each year,

 

[alwayswill]

I had no idea!!! This is shocking to me how they all justify not having Christmas Day services & how people don’t show up

Reading all of the comments are equally shocking

large churches may need up to 80 staffers to run a service: (parking attendants, sound techs, ushers, maintenance staff, nursery workers, greeters, security, choirs, musicians, etc)

Many staffers travel to be with family on Christmas; many of the backup staff are also unavailable,

some small churches have only one pastor: and he may want to spend Christmas with his mother in an out of state nursing home:

That is how it is justified.

that being said: our mid sized church will be offering a very intimate and stripped down worship service on Christmas Sunday

 

[pianistclare]

Seems like those who call themselves Christians, Catholic and other denominations alike, would not dream of skipping this great solemnity. Makes no sense.
You don’t really need all those bells and whistles. You need the Pastor to show up with a sermon in his heart, and a person to unlock the door which, can be the same person.

Schmaltzy dreaming about believing you’re marking the day anyway, are just that. Daydreams, and justification. Christ never ever ignore us. He loves us from the moment of our conception. We shoudl offer Him no less in return.

If there is any person of another faith reading, I’ll take this opportunity to welcome you to Midnight Mass or any Mass on Christmas day in any Catholic Church near to you.
You won’t feel out of place, as we all love the Lord. There are dozens of non-Catholics that come for Midnight Mass because of the music and the idea of putting yourself at the creche in the dark night. I know one family who makes it their tradition. We welcome them, and I’ll wager some have no idea they are not members of our parish. It doesn’t matter.

We’ll just sing carols together and hear the story of Christ’s birth together. No worries about fancy outfits, just stay warm and bring your hearts that love Christ Jesus.
**Indeed, He has left the light on for you. **
May you have a blessed Advent season, and may anyone who needs a service find one that they can participate in
God bless.

 

[Wesrock]

I haven’t seen Christmas midnight mass mentioned by any Catholics. Is that popular elsewhere?

Edit: Oops, it was just mentioned by pianistclare.

 

[alwayswill]

Seems like those who call themselves Christians, Catholic and other denominations alike, would not dream of skipping this great solemnity. Makes no sense.
You don’t really need all those bells and whistles. You need the Pastor to show up with a sermon in his heart, and a person to unlock the door which, can be the same person.

Schmaltzy dreaming about believing you’re marking the day anyway, are just that. Daydreams, and justification. Christ never ever ignore us. He loves us from the moment of our conception. We shoudl offer Him no less in return.

If there is any person of another faith reading, I’ll take this opportunity to welcome you to Midnight Mass or any Mass on Christmas day in any Catholic Church near to you.
You won’t feel out of place, as we all love the Lord. There are dozens of non-Catholics that come for Midnight Mass because of the music and the idea of putting yourself at the creche in the dark night. I know one family who makes it their tradition. We welcome them, and I’ll wager some have no idea they are not members of our parish. It doesn’t matter.

We’ll just sing carols together and hear the story of Christ’s birth together. No worries about fancy outfits, just stay warm and bring your hearts that love Christ Jesus.
**Indeed, He has left the light on for you. **
May you have a blessed Advent season, and may anyone who needs a service find one that they can participate in
God bless.

Oh we do have a late night Christmas Eve service: which I will be attending:

but I don’t think you get to question my Christianity because I chose to travel 500 miles to spend Christmas day with my siblings and dying mother

 

[Irishmom2]

Oh we do have a late night Christmas Eve service: which I will be attending:

but I don’t think you get to question my Christianity because I chose to travel 500 miles to spend Christmas day with my siblings and dying mother

I am not sure how you got that from her post. I believe she was merely making the point that there is always a Catholic Church open and all are welcome and encouraged to come.

But since you brought it up, spending Christmas with family does not keep you from attending a service. We drive 6 hours to see our family and always make it to mass.

Honestly, what is the point of Christmas if it does not include time in worship? It’s just a warm fuzzy day with family or friends.

 

[alwayswill]

I am not sure how you got that from her post…

"Seems like those who call themselves Christians, Catholic and other denominations alike, would not dream of skipping this great solemnity. Makes no sense. "

that’s how I got it

 

[Bonnie]

I haven’t seen Christmas midnight mass mentioned by any Catholics. Is that popular elsewhere?

Edit: Oops, it was just mentioned by pianistclare.

And I mentioned it, too. Our parish stopped having it a few years back. No explanation - at least I didn’t hear one. But attendance had been getting spotty, while the early evening children’s mass & the Christmas day mass were getting more popular & quite crowded.

As I get older, tho, the Christmas day mass is looking good. But I HATE the electric guitar! Which is why I usually attend other masses. If I’m lucky, there will be a very early Christmas day mass without music - our pastor has done that for Easter.

 

[pianistclare]

Oh we do have a late night Christmas Eve service: which I will be attending:

but I don’t think you get to question my Christianity because I chose to travel 500 miles to spend Christmas day with my siblings and dying mother

I didn’t question that. How in the world did you get that? If you’re going to a service on Christmas Eve, then it’s not 500 miles away , is it?


I extend an invitation in peace.

 

[pianistclare]

And I mentioned it, too. Our parish stopped having it a few years back. No explanation - at least I didn’t hear one. But attendance had been getting spotty, while the early evening children’s mass & the Christmas day mass were getting more popular & quite crowded.

As I get older, tho, the Christmas day mass is looking good. But I HATE the electric guitar! Which is why I usually attend other masses. If I’m lucky, there will be a very early Christmas day mass without music - our pastor has done that for Easter.

I would say hire a musician for pete’s sake.
This shoudl be brought up at a Parish Council meeting.
Although services in silence can be very moving

 

[pianistclare]

"Seems like those who call themselves Christians, Catholic and other denominations alike, would not dream of skipping this great solemnity. Makes no sense. "

that’s how I got it

And the OP says: Plea for PASTORS not to cancel Church.
It’s regarding Pastors.
Sheesh.

 

[Bonnie]

"Seems like those who call themselves Christians, Catholic and other denominations alike, would not dream of skipping this great solemnity. Makes no sense. "

that’s how I got it

But if you visit family, you can still attend mass somewhere, can’t you? When my mother was dying, I still went to mass. There were 2 Catholic churches within easy driving distance. If I had taken Greyhound I had to borrow a car - fortunately, there was usually a car available from someone in the family. More cars than Catholics.

eta - just saw that you are attending mass - I wouldn’t think that comment would have been addressed to you.

 

[pianistclare]

I’m out. So much for ecumenism and good will of the season.

Bye. Hope everyone find a church to attend this Christmas.

 

[Sarcelle]

I haven’t seen Christmas midnight mass mentioned by any Catholics. Is that popular elsewhere?

Edit: Oops, it was just mentioned by pianistclare.

Every parish I have been a member of offer Midnight mass. I prefer to go this. It’s magical.

 

[Bonnie]

I would say hire a musician for pete’s sake.
This shoudl be brought up at a Parish Council meeting.
Although services in silence can be very moving

Unfortunately, he’s a fixture in the parish, but only at the main mass. Believe me, we’ve tried to get rid of him, tho a lot of people like him & his music or simply don’t care. He says his guitar playing is his offering to God.

My favorite mass is partly in Latin, but that’s in the evening. In winter it can be dangerous on these rural roads for those of us with poor night vision. The early Sunday mass has no music, except when Father decides we’re going to sing an entrance hymn. Good thing he has a strong voice.

 

[pianistclare]

Unfortunately, he’s a fixture in the parish, but only at the main mass. Believe me, we’ve tried to get rid of him, tho a lot of people like him & his music or simply don’t care. He says his guitar playing is his offering to God.

My favorite mass is partly in Latin, but that’s in the evening. In winter it can be dangerous on these rural roads for those of us with poor night vision. The early Sunday mass has no music, except when Father decides we’re going to sing an entrance hymn. Good thing he has a strong voice.

And…he’s a volunteer, right?

 

[Bonnie]

And…he’s a volunteer, right?

He is. Can’t fire volunteers.

 

[pianistclare]

He is. Can’t fire volunteers.

The priest around here are not squeamish about that at all.
They’re pretty fierce about it really.
I’ve been asked to cover Midnight Mass at the parish that refused to pay me a living wage when I lost my job at the Catholic School. I have already committed to reading at my home parish and current place of employment.
So, no deal. But I would LOVE to play for Midnight Mass again.
It is indeed magical, as Sarcelle so beautifully says.

 

[alwayswill]

And the OP says: Plea for PASTORS not to cancel Church.
It’s regarding Pastors.
Sheesh.

small churches have one pastor:
I have filled in for small church pastors in the past:
Pastor also have families:
I am unavailable to fill in this Christmas