Youth activities on Sunday ok?

[Scott_Waddell]

I’ve had a suggestion from a parish member that our youth social activities happen on Sunday evenings. Is this ok? That is, it does not violate the 3rd Commandment, right?

Thanks,

Scott

 

[geezerbob]

I would think it would be okay. Assuming the activities are not intrinsically evil and/or dishonoring God, which shouldn’t be occurring at a church sponsored function anyway, why not?

 

[CatQuilt]

For what it’s worth, after Pope John Paul stated last year(?) that we need to do better in keeping Sunday holy, the parochial schools in our area no longer scheduled basketball games on Sundays…

 

[SeekerJen]

When I was in high school, our youth group always held meetings on Sunday evenings. I thought it was a great way of keeping the Lord’s day holy for us kids- we started the morning with Mass, then ended the day with a gathering of prayer, discussion, and fun (sometimes even the sacrament of Penance when one of the priests would visit).

Think of it this way: would you rather have your kids participating in a Catholic youth activity, or at home watching “Desperate Housewives” or whatever other junk is on Sunday TV?

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

Scott Waddell:

I’ve had a suggestion from a parish member that our youth social activities happen on Sunday evenings. Is this ok? That is, it does not violate the 3rd Commandment, right?

Thanks,

Scott

That would be a good way of fulfilling it - because such activities are a form of rest, of relaxation; so they can play a part in preparing people for the days of work ahead.​

There is no human activity which cannot be made a means of glorifying God - to play football or chess is as worthy of Christians as meditation or prayer. Both are needed - the more obviously “religious” activities, and, the rest of our lives. Besides, if we could be really Christian only while at Mass or on Sunday, this would mean that the rest of the week was a God-free zone - which is ridiculous. God has made us human beings, not disembodied souls - so both body and soul belong to God and both deserve to be kept in good health

Besides, youth activities are not work. And they are a powerful means for people to get to know each other better and to grow in friendship. What has Christ called His disciples, if not “friends”, if only they, we, do His Will ? So Christ has consecrated friendship, and all human relationships. Anyone who thinks that He is a frowning kill-joy who sucks the joy out of life, should read the Holy Father’s homily for the Mass of his installation. No - Christ brings joy, and life in all its fullness. So if youth activities are not sins, they can and should be offered to Christ; and what better day to do so, than on Sunday ? If they were sins, no day could be right for them. ##

 

[puzzleannie]

our policy is not to schedule youth activities on Sunday, or CCD classes, because it is family day. we do have RCIA between the two early Masses because this is the only time the adults can come. evening classes simply have not worked out here. there is a youth group meeting once a month, following the monthly youth Mass, which was the set-up when I came here and I have not changed it because there is no other time during the week when there is a facility available for the youth to meet. However I did use my influence (such as it is) to stop some activities that were not suitable for Sunday.