Catholic confirmation: Were you required to "prove" mass attendance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was raised in a strict Catholic household but have been non-practicing since adulthood. Since I am an only child, DH and I had our three oldest children attend CCD and receive the sacraments - since it mattered so much to my mother. It was extremely painful for me, but I went along with it because I knew it broke her heart that I simply did not believe the same things she did.

We had to jump through a bunch of hoops for each sacrament and it wore me down more and more over the years. My mom is still alive in her 90s, but thankfully she is not really tracking the progress of our fourth child and we stopped with communion for him. I just don’t have it in my heart. DH and I might have been more accepting of confirming the youngest child, but the process was demoralizing.

If somebody had tracked mass attendance, none of our kids would have made it through. We are by no means the only family in this situation. It’s the church's prerogative to do as it wishes, but I feel it drives lots of people away.

You didn’t really do your kids any favors. If you aren’t a practicing Catholic, doing this for your mother’s sake is completely the wrong reason. I couldn’t imagine trying to encourage a child to be a participant in in a faith community that I myself had turned my back on. If this is what you thought would make your mother happy, I’m sure it was only because she thought getting them involved in the sacraments might somehow bring you back to the church. Because sometimes it does.

Is there a way to make sure that donations do not go to any legal defense fund for pedophiles? This is a big obstacle for a lot of Catholics in returning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“I and family belong to a non-denomination church. Good for those whose Catholic church experience is what they need. I can never go back.”

Same but I’m Protestant, now. OP, show me where Jesus requires these ridiculous hoops through which to jump, to follow him.

They are in the catechism, not the Bible.

Right. Man-made. Not Jesus’ Word at all. Thank you for clearing that up.

FYI -- Jesus did not write the Bible.

The New Testament records Jesus’ teachings through his followers. I hope this clears things up for you.

Nothing needed to be cleared up. Most people know that. His followers wrote the books and letters of the New Testament, long after Jesus died

And that is what Christianity is based on. Not the arbitrary and controlling policies of Rome.

Christianity is very broad and includes Roman Catholicism, founded centuries ago and American fundamentalism, which is quite recent, and many other denominations along the way. All have the New Testament in common.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was raised in a strict Catholic household but have been non-practicing since adulthood. Since I am an only child, DH and I had our three oldest children attend CCD and receive the sacraments - since it mattered so much to my mother. It was extremely painful for me, but I went along with it because I knew it broke her heart that I simply did not believe the same things she did.

We had to jump through a bunch of hoops for each sacrament and it wore me down more and more over the years. My mom is still alive in her 90s, but thankfully she is not really tracking the progress of our fourth child and we stopped with communion for him. I just don’t have it in my heart. DH and I might have been more accepting of confirming the youngest child, but the process was demoralizing.

If somebody had tracked mass attendance, none of our kids would have made it through. We are by no means the only family in this situation. It’s the church's prerogative to do as it wishes, but I feel it drives lots of people away.

You didn’t really do your kids any favors. If you aren’t a practicing Catholic, doing this for your mother’s sake is completely the wrong reason. I couldn’t imagine trying to encourage a child to be a participant in in a faith community that I myself had turned my back on. If this is what you thought would make your mother happy, I’m sure it was only because she thought getting them involved in the sacraments might somehow bring you back to the church. Because sometimes it does.

Is there a way to make sure that donations do not go to any legal defense fund for pedophiles? This is a big obstacle for a lot of Catholics in returning.

Unlike Jews and Mormons, Catholics don't require payment of an annual membership fee to belong to a church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Christianity is very broad and includes Roman Catholicism, founded centuries ago and American fundamentalism, which is quite recent, and many other denominations along the way. All have the New Testament in common.

I see. And where in the NT are the endless rules of the Roman Catholic church?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Christianity is very broad and includes Roman Catholicism, founded centuries ago and American fundamentalism, which is quite recent, and many other denominations along the way. All have the New Testament in common.

I see. And where in the NT are the endless rules of the Roman Catholic church?

THe new testament is part of the BIble. The rule book of the Catholic Church is called the Catechism.. as has been covered here already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Christianity is very broad and includes Roman Catholicism, founded centuries ago and American fundamentalism, which is quite recent, and many other denominations along the way. All have the New Testament in common.

I see. And where in the NT are the endless rules of the Roman Catholic church?

THe new testament is part of the BIble. The rule book of the Catholic Church is called the Catechism.. as has been covered here already.

And therefore not biblical. End of story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What bothers me about this practice is that teaches a young person to attend Mass out of duty or obligation, and does nothing to a grow a young person’s desire to attend Mass.

Yes, how ridiculous. I am a Catholic who goes every Sunday and on holy days of obligation but we do miss occasionally for travel or illnesses. This is ridiculous.

You realize it isn’t about the kids, don’t you? Most kids at this age go to Mass at the insistence of their parents, and, as evidenced here, most of you wouldn’t take your kids to Mass while traveling unless you have to. I teach religious ed, and the parking lot is full of parents who don’t take their kids to Mass.

Right- it’s because their parents do not care. They are just checking a box- making sure little Johnny does First Communion so that Grandma doesn’t have a heart attack. A large number only do the sacraments out of a vague sense of tradition or to appease extended family. The question is what to do with those people- I’m not sure there is an easy answer.

This is true. My 13 year old really doesn't want to go to her Confirmation classes, etc. but we're making her do it anyway. Apparently none of the other kids in her class are too jazzed either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What bothers me about this practice is that teaches a young person to attend Mass out of duty or obligation, and does nothing to a grow a young person’s desire to attend Mass.

Yes, how ridiculous. I am a Catholic who goes every Sunday and on holy days of obligation but we do miss occasionally for travel or illnesses. This is ridiculous.

You realize it isn’t about the kids, don’t you? Most kids at this age go to Mass at the insistence of their parents, and, as evidenced here, most of you wouldn’t take your kids to Mass while traveling unless you have to. I teach religious ed, and the parking lot is full of parents who don’t take their kids to Mass.

Right- it’s because their parents do not care. They are just checking a box- making sure little Johnny does First Communion so that Grandma doesn’t have a heart attack. A large number only do the sacraments out of a vague sense of tradition or to appease extended family. The question is what to do with those people- I’m not sure there is an easy answer.

This is true. My 13 year old really doesn't want to go to her Confirmation classes, etc. but we're making her do it anyway. Apparently none of the other kids in her class are too jazzed either.

And the church is getting whatever money parents have to contribute. This should help pay for all those child sex crimes that the church is burdened with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholic here and our church doesn't do this (we're in MoCo). Don't they worry all these obstacles will make people leave the church? On the one hand, I can see how this filters out so you only get the people who are really dedicated, but the church has had declining numbers for years.

Obstacles? Really dedicated? What’s so hard about picking up a bulletin on your way out of Mass?

We love going to Mass while traveling! I’ve been to Mass on cruise ships, in national parks, in hospital chapels, in airports, and yes, even in Disney World! It’s part of the adventure!

Normally we do the same if it's reasonable to get there. We've done it in many places around the world. But may I ask where in Disney World? We had to take a cab to a rather inconvenient parish near there once, and the driver wouldn't/couldn't even bring us back to one of the theme parks after. Had to go to one of the resort hotels and find our way from there. It would have been more convenient to go onsite, and we had inquired. Next trip we're planning to go Sunday - Saturday, so we can attend at home before and after.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What bothers me about this practice is that teaches a young person to attend Mass out of duty or obligation, and does nothing to a grow a young person’s desire to attend Mass.

Yes, how ridiculous. I am a Catholic who goes every Sunday and on holy days of obligation but we do miss occasionally for travel or illnesses. This is ridiculous.

You realize it isn’t about the kids, don’t you? Most kids at this age go to Mass at the insistence of their parents, and, as evidenced here, most of you wouldn’t take your kids to Mass while traveling unless you have to. I teach religious ed, and the parking lot is full of parents who don’t take their kids to Mass.

Right- it’s because their parents do not care. They are just checking a box- making sure little Johnny does First Communion so that Grandma doesn’t have a heart attack. A large number only do the sacraments out of a vague sense of tradition or to appease extended family. The question is what to do with those people- I’m not sure there is an easy answer.

This is true. My 13 year old really doesn't want to go to her Confirmation classes, etc. but we're making her do it anyway. Apparently none of the other kids in her class are too jazzed either.

+1 yes this is most people