Seriously, I think people want to worship and be part of Church.
Ash Wednesday gives them an opportunity. They try. Having ashes on ones forehead is embarassing. They give it a try.
But then they get dragged back by their lack of home support or competition from other activities.
It can be very difficult. There is peer pressure to hang out or to golf or to party the night before.
I can remember being “embarrassed” at having to stop some activity to get to Mass. Everyone is having a good time, and I looked at my watch and said, gotta go to Mass. [Long Story]. Or, “hey how come you don’t do such and such with us”. * I just gave her a wink.
Or maybe, someday, my good example might trigger a thought to try going to daily Mass and skipping having lunch with the same work friends every day.
Easter and Christmas … maybe just a “party” or a “happening”. The music. The flowers. The crowds of people. Very exciting. An event.
I have never heard a priest at his Christmas homily or Easter homily invite people to return the next Sunday. [They will sometimes welcome visitors and/or mention the need for “proper disposition” for reception of Holy Communion.] Or inviting people to RCIA or religious instruction. Maybe they should have a second round of religious education courses AFTER Easter Sunday so that people who only show up on Easter Sunday will have something to be invited to.
Never heard a priest in his Christmas or Easter homily address it to educating the once a year Catholics.
I remember once, after a very crowded Mass, finding a consecrated Host in a pew.
It’s very terrible to me, when one of my non-Catholic or non-practicing Catholics, dies. I feel like it’s me who is plunged into Hell. When my friends (or even strangers) skip Mass, I feel their pain.
Sorry to go on like this.
Spend your days in prayer. As you go about your daily business. There is a lot to pray for and to pray about.*
I know absolutely what you mean. At one time I was one of those Catholics that came only a few times a year, namely Ash Wednesday, Christmas and Easter. I somehow fell away from the Church but came back on Easter Sunday 5 years ago.
I grew up Catholic (we even said the family Rosary,) went to parochial schools, and married in the Church, but somehow lost my way after that. Some of that was due to moving around a lot, but some was due to pure laziness when I began working and apathy concerning the Church in the 70’s. All this time my parents, even when retired prayed the Rosary. When we visited them I always made sure I went to Church with them but I know they knew we weren’t “regulars”.
Finally, a few months after my dad died, during Holy Week I got a great urge to go to Confession and come back to the Church. It was VERY difficult! Most of the priests were “too busy” (and I spoke to their secretaries to make appointments, or they just weren’t having them.
On Holy Saturday I went to my parish church and begged one of the priests to hear my Confession but “they were too busy”, and I explained I had been out of the Church for 25 years!
At last I called a neighboring parish, and this priest agreed to hear my Confession if I could be there within 15 minutes. I did, God bless Him, so I was able to do this.
He told me to “forgive” the other priests as they are all busy on that day, and I did, but it sure was a difference from the fifties when a priest would always be available to do this!
It takes persistence, and I admire you going to Church often despite your working schedule and other commitments. You are planting seeds, and some of these lax Catholics may return someday because of you, or become curious to see what our Church offers because of your example.
with the exception of Easter and Christmas.