Being a lifelong Catholic, I’m wondering why there are no real celebrations anymore? Sure, there’s Christmas and Easter, but the celebrations are definitely more secular for the most part. In my archdiocese (Seattle), priests pretty much apologize when they announce that there is a holy day of obligation coming up. I have protestant friends and their various churches have different celebrations throughout the year for different “feast days” (I’m not sure what they’re actually referred to in protestant churches).
Why no Catholic Celebrations?
- Thread starter Bataar
- Start date
- Status
D
duskyjewel
Guest
I think you’re generalizing from your parish/diocese to the rest of the Church.
I go to All Saints parish, so there is always a celebration on that feast day. The kids dress up as saints and process into the church with Father, and he does a special homily for them. There is always a reception afterward, and sometimes a potluck too. Just this past Sunday was the annual “hang out with the pastor” day where they rent out a local pizza place just for our parish. In the summer we have a parish pool party. We have Lenten soups followed by Family Stations of the Cross. We have a parish festival and parties around Halloween. Just last night we went to an altar servers’ social. Specifically for Holy Days… there is not a party for every one, but our liturgist works very hard making those Masses beautiful so that people will enjoy attending. And our priests most definitely are NOT apologetic about expecting people to attend!
I am sorry you are feeling a lack of celebration where you are. Maybe you could approach your parish leadership with some ideas?
I go to All Saints parish, so there is always a celebration on that feast day. The kids dress up as saints and process into the church with Father, and he does a special homily for them. There is always a reception afterward, and sometimes a potluck too. Just this past Sunday was the annual “hang out with the pastor” day where they rent out a local pizza place just for our parish. In the summer we have a parish pool party. We have Lenten soups followed by Family Stations of the Cross. We have a parish festival and parties around Halloween. Just last night we went to an altar servers’ social. Specifically for Holy Days… there is not a party for every one, but our liturgist works very hard making those Masses beautiful so that people will enjoy attending. And our priests most definitely are NOT apologetic about expecting people to attend!
I am sorry you are feeling a lack of celebration where you are. Maybe you could approach your parish leadership with some ideas?
1
1ke
Guest
Ask your priest to start celebrating and promoting Catholic culture and Catholic feasts.
In addition to the Holy Days of Obligation, in our parish we celebrate May crowning of Mary, we have a Corpus Christi procession, we have blessing of the throats on te feast of St. Blaise, All Saints & All Souls, celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, Benediction, etc.
P
puzzleannie
Guest
we have at least one celebration a month outside Advent and Lent, and even during those seasons we have retreats and other events that do not compromise the penitential aspect of the seasons. Maybe your parish is just waiting for someone like you to get the ball rolling.
A
ack
Guest
It’s interesting that you posted that, because just a few minutes ago, I was trying to figure out how I’m going to plan my schedule around my parish’s 11 hours (not a typo) of Our Lady of Guadalupe festivities.
Not all parishes are like yours…
Not all parishes are like yours…
P
puzzleannie
Guest
does your diocese have a newsletter, website or newspaper that says what is going on in other parishes? maybe if you look at it you won’t have such a dim view of this topic, and you can be a catalyst for change in your own parish. OL Guadalupe is a great place to begin, also, although you don’t have much time, prayer vigil before the Blessed Sacrament on Saturday Evening, Dec. 8 is traditional here. Our CCD retreats at all levels will focus on preparing for Las Posadas, which begin 9 days before Christmas (co-incide with the O Antiphons for evening prayer).
You want celebrations, you better hope your area sees an influx of Hispanic Catholics, then you will see some celebratin’
You want celebrations, you better hope your area sees an influx of Hispanic Catholics, then you will see some celebratin’
S
sanctamaria17
Guest
Our community on campus does celebrations! We went to the Dominican House of Studies by Catholic U for an All Saints prayer vigil (our priest is a Dominican), we’re putting our shoes outside our dorm doors for St. Nick’s feast day tonight,and we’re going to the Basilica for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Saturday and having a pasta dinner! My school isn’t even Catholic, but we have a very active Catholic community on campus that loves to celebrate. In March, a few friends and I are hoping to celebrate St. Joseph’s Day, possibly do a joint celebration for St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s Day. We’ve also given out Holy cards on All Saints Day and we do a pasta dinner every first Saturday. Yeah, we’re active
It really depends on the community. Back home, in my 80% Catholic town, you never saw any of this. In my liberal, Protestant-affiliated campus, I found a much more active Catholic community.
It really depends on the community. Back home, in my 80% Catholic town, you never saw any of this. In my liberal, Protestant-affiliated campus, I found a much more active Catholic community.
- Status