Well, church was a nightmare

[Anonymous]

church..what's that?

[Anonymous]

I suspect there's another element to the OP's vent. It's sort of a backhanded way of saying she's better than all of these "fair weather" Christians who only come to church on Christmas and Easter. What would Jesus say? Anyone remember the Pharisees from the Bible?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is why, even though we go to mass on regular Sundays, we don't go on Christmas and Easter. Yes, I know it's a sin.

Op here. This is exactly how I feel. These are the two services I get nothing out of every year. It's just not worth it. I'd rather stay home and read the stories from the Bible and pray on our own. I mean really, our church has to hold enough services and give out tickets or something. You can't pack 1000 people in a space designed for 600. It's just ridiculous.

See, how do you know those 50% you never see aren't at home praying on their own most of the time except when they go for Christmas and Easter services? Aren't you happy to have them for at least one or two occasions? Would you rather they not come to church at all?

I honestly don't care what they do. It's not like I hate them. It's just not a very prayerful occasion to be packed in like a sardine, preschooler in tow, trying to hear the service over the din. They can pray at home every Sunday except Easter and Christmas, and I'll go every other Sunday and stay home to make room for them on our two holiest days. Maybe there's some heavenly award for the sacrifice.

[Anonymous]

I went to a Sunrise service and it was beautiful. Only 40 of us but it was a glorious moment celebrating the Resserection of Christ. A friend had passed away last Sunday, would have been 45 in May, and I wished peace to her spirit which still lives.

Peace and blessings to all of you, especially the grumpy ones. You survived the winter, give thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're often with my parents for holidays. While I've made a choice to leave the Catholic Church for political reasons, I often attend Christmas or Easter mass to make my mother happy. My leaving the church troubles my mother, which I regret, so I "honor my father and mother" by going on those days if we're together. If DH and the children and I spend the holidays on our own, we don't go.

Sorry for making conditions at your mass unpleasant for you, OP. I do it for unselfish reasons, if that makes you feel any better.

Happy Easter and peace be with you.

I hear you. No hate here, just frustration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I suspect there's another element to the OP's vent. It's sort of a backhanded way of saying she's better than all of these "fair weather" Christians who only come to church on Christmas and Easter. What would Jesus say? Anyone remember the Pharisees from the Bible?

I don't think that. I just don't get why, if you never come any other time, being there on Christmas and Easter means so much to you. I kind of agree with the sentiment that it is an excuse to dress up, and as a PP suggested, a means for the non-religious to placate their families. But there has to be some better way for the churches to handle these crowds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is why, even though we go to mass on regular Sundays, we don't go on Christmas and Easter. Yes, I know it's a sin.

Op here. This is exactly how I feel. These are the two services I get nothing out of every year. It's just not worth it. I'd rather stay home and read the stories from the Bible and pray on our own. I mean really, our church has to hold enough services and give out tickets or something. You can't pack 1000 people in a space designed for 600. It's just ridiculous.

See, how do you know those 50% you never see aren't at home praying on their own most of the time except when they go for Christmas and Easter services? Aren't you happy to have them for at least one or two occasions? Would you rather they not come to church at all?

I honestly don't care what they do. It's not like I hate them. It's just not a very prayerful occasion to be packed in like a sardine, preschooler in tow, trying to hear the service over the din. They can pray at home every Sunday except Easter and Christmas, and I'll go every other Sunday and stay home to make room for them on our two holiest days. Maybe there's some heavenly award for the sacrifice.

No, you didn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to a Sunrise service and it was beautiful. Only 40 of us but it was a glorious moment celebrating the Resserection of Christ. A friend had passed away last Sunday, would have been 45 in May, and I wished peace to her spirit which still lives.

Peace and blessings to all of you, especially the grumpy ones. You survived the winter, give thanks.

Where do they offer this? Not at my church, alas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're often with my parents for holidays. While I've made a choice to leave the Catholic Church for political reasons, I often attend Christmas or Easter mass to make my mother happy. My leaving the church troubles my mother, which I regret, so I "honor my father and mother" by going on those days if we're together. If DH and the children and I spend the holidays on our own, we don't go.

Sorry for making conditions at your mass unpleasant for you, OP. I do it for unselfish reasons, if that makes you feel any better.

Happy Easter and peace be with you.

+1

[Anonymous]

My church has a bunch of Easter services- late Saturday night, Sunday morning, Sunday afternoon. So other churches don't do that? Because it helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My church has a bunch of Easter services- late Saturday night, Sunday morning, Sunday afternoon. So other churches don't do that? Because it helps.

OP here. At my church, they do this yes but they are ALL packed. We've tried every one and they're all a circus. Plus, some of them are not child friendly (ie the Vigil), and I don't want to be THAT person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I don't think that. I just don't get why, if you never come any other time, being there on Christmas and Easter means so much to you. .

If you are Catholic you have a special obligation to receive communion on Easter. It's canon law.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is why, even though we go to mass on regular Sundays, we don't go on Christmas and Easter. Yes, I know it's a sin.

Same here! Go to mass nearly every Sunday except for Christmas and Easter - those are free days and we just talk about the holiday etc. .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is why, even though we go to mass on regular Sundays, we don't go on Christmas and Easter. Yes, I know it's a sin.

Us too. We go random Sundays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I suspect there's another element to the OP's vent. It's sort of a backhanded way of saying she's better than all of these "fair weather" Christians who only come to church on Christmas and Easter. What would Jesus say? Anyone remember the Pharisees from the Bible?

Yes. This is why I told OP to shut up.

Furthermore if she wanted to get on a high horse, then she wouldn't be celebrating easter in the first place. Passover yes, the pagan holiday of easter no. So before you want to pat yourself on the back, you might want to actually read the Bible you claim to follow. Or just be happy that people are at least trying.

I give people like OP respect for at least trying even though Christians should not celebrate Christmas or Easter. I feel no need to make anyone feel bad if they choose to partake in pagan celebrations that have been disguised as honors to Jesus. It is an insult really but I know people mean well. That doesn't make me better than anyone who is ignorant of or who chooses to ignore the obvious contradictions.