What to do on Sundays?

[WH1988]

Dear Brothers & Sisters in the True Faith,

I think we are all aware that our vocation of Christians must lead us to work well and regularly on the six days of the week where we are free to work. And, not working enough is living like a pagan.

This is part of my routine of being Catholic. I am having, however, some problems on living Sundays and Obligation Days.

However, what do you guys do on Sunday besides going to Mass, praying the Rosary, etc. etc.? I do all this everyday, and so my Sundays become a little empty. I try to spend time with my family, but sometimes they are just doing other stuff, and I frequently end feeling I am losing God’s time.

I avoid going to cafes with friends on Sundays, as I don’t want to buy stuff not-of-necessity on that day, so usually I don’t meet a lot of people either.

What do you guys do on Sundays? What should we do on Sundays? Do you have any suggestion for me?

Thank you very much!

 

[puzzleannie]

for me Sunday is another workday, holy days are better because the office is usually closed, but I have to go in today anyhow because everything starts up again on Monday and I need to get ready.

2 RCIA classes in the morning, English and Spanish, plus another Mass for myself (I frequently go to my actual geographic parish Saturday evening on the way home from work, so I am not “on” and can really pray Mass). Light lunch and nap. Nap is essential.

by this time I have already been through breaking open the Word and faith sharing with Sunday scripture 4-5 times with different groups so I have time for extended lectio, up to an hour, with the book I have chosen for the season, this year Romans because year of St. Paul.

If I have not had a day off that week, I clean and prepare veggies and cook for the week so my meals and snacks are all planned and ready. This is essential because when I don’t do this I don’t take time to eat right during the week. It is also restful and creative for me, and a form of prayer, as the Holy Rule reminds us.

walk and say rosary before the sun goes down and the wind picks up.

pool if it is warm enough

evening prayer, again with leisure for longer time in meditation, and often with a chant recording.

sometimes TV but since football is on in the other room, I’d really rather not. I watch SNL (Fr. Groeschel, not the other one) and a tivoed Bishop Sheen (harks back to my childhood when he was standard Sunday evening TV viewing, which they would replay the old Alistair Cooke Omnibus series as well).

if I have saved a good old movie I watch that, or do puzzles.

It try not to do anything work related once I have left the parish on Sunday morning, my brain needs a rest, but there are usually phone calls from parishioners or pastor.

Once a month is Oblate meeting at the monastery which I attend if I can get someone to cover RCIA, not often enough.

I don’t schedule anything for CCD on Sunday afternoon because our bishop urges, and I believe, this should be family time.

 

[Apryl]

However, what do you guys do on Sunday besides going to Mass, praying the Rosary, etc. etc.? I do all this everyday, and so my Sundays become a little empty. I try to spend time with my family, but sometimes they are just doing other stuff, and I frequently end feeling I am losing God’s time.

I’m lucky. I’m an EMHC at my church, so on Sundays, I go to take at least one of our members communion. What’s esp great about this is that I need to reflect on the homilies of that day and talk with the recipient about the Gospels and the readings and what it all means to me.

This is great.

But, other than that, our church has started doing “Sunrise Prayers”, where a small group of us meet at the Rectory at about 6 am and just pray. We pray with passion and zeal. We pray for our families, our personal needs, the church, the community, the politicians, and most esp for our pastor (he has clustered churches, so he’s doing masses in two places)

After we pray and even talk a bit about the mass for the day, we have coffee and fellowship. This is very special to me.

I normally attend both masses at my church (hence the ‘homilies’ above).

Between the two masses, I do the Rosary.

After I take communion to any one else, I go ot my parents’ home. Neither of my parents practice, although they have both been as far as Confirmation. Still, this is my time with my aging parents. My father likes to go to the supermarket, so this is quiet time for us to share with each other.

We eat dinner and play cards (It’s a habit, I tell ya!)

Then I go home and continue my week.

But it starts with prayer.

 

[Genesis315]

I try and treat Sunday like the Solemenity that it is. Friday is the big day for penance, Sunday is a feast day. While we shouldn’t profane it, it shouldn’t have the penitential character of a Friday. We can have good food with family and/or friends, and do other things that are relaxing or recreational, etc.

I think Sunday is actually a good day to have something that is not necessary (in moderation of course). I know St. Anthony Mary Claret, who would practice all sorts of penances, mortifications, and fasting during the week, would have dessert after dinner on Sundays .

 

[EdFoust]

I try and treat Sunday like the Solemenity that it is. Friday is the big day for penance, Sunday is a feast day. While we shouldn’t profane it, it shouldn’t have the penitential character of a Friday. We can have good food with family and/or friends, and do other things that are relaxing or recreational, etc.

I think Sunday is actually a good day to have something that is not necessary (in moderation of course). I know St. Anthony Mary Claret, who would practice all sorts of penances, mortifications, and fasting during the week, would have dessert after dinner on Sundays .

I agree. Sunday is a Feast Day…every Sunday is a Holy Day. Treat it as such.

 

[Joannm]

SUnday is a work day (until 2 PM) for me since I too work for a parish. But when I come home, this time of year it is football, football and more football. Other times of year I just relax, maybe we go out visiting, I may do some gardening when the weather gets warm because I enjoy it not because it is work I have to do. I try to avoid shopping but going to dinner is nice and maybe a movie.