If you are a practicing Catholic, how long will you...

[Anonymous]

Fuori Della chiesa non si salvera

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fuori Della chiesa non si salvera

Italy has very few observant Catholics - I guess they don't care about salvation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At least through high school and when they are home.
If they aren't standing next to me at church, how will I be able to look over and think - did he just grow this week!
College is a don't ask don't tell for me.

I think they can also skip family mass if they are going with friends. (I know it was dorky, but during my college years my PVI friends and I went to the George mason church on Sunday nights. It was new and pretty at the time, and a central location to catch up)

We do skip occasionally to do stuff as a family, if . But I will not skip for sports.

There really isn't an excuse to miss Mass. There are a ton of Catholic Churches with various Sat. vigil and Sun. morn Mass times.
Hec, the GMU's campus has a 10pm Sun Mass. No excuses, no hangover excuses, no kidding yourself you can't spend an hour at Church (which is for your own good anyway).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would think at least through middle school. After that, I will likely do what my parents did. They gave my sister and me the choice of either going to mass or doing something else each Sunday to learn more about either Catholicism, another religion, or another form of spirituality. If we could articulate a spiritual basis for a service project, that could count too. In the end, I have returned to being a practicing Catholic, but I have participated in activities from a wide range of religions, and have the utmost respect for their believers.

I really like this approach. Great way to keep spirituality a part of their lives, while also giving them some autonomy that teens crave. Interesting that you returned to the fold. I don't have teens yet myself, but I wonder if this is ultimately more successful than simply making teens go.

But what if they were to die during that time with the stain of mortal sin on their souls? Wouldn't you feel somewhat responsible for giving them a pass on attending mass?

I think the reality is that by their teenage years, kids are starting to truly identify and figure out their own values and beliefs. Forcing your children to attend because it's your belief system and your belief that it's a mortal sin doesn't guarantee that in the long run they will be believers of that faith. Might be a matter of lose the battle to win the war for those parents who don't require Mass attendance.

That being said, my parents required us to go. It never even occurred to me that not going was an option. My DD is still very young and I don't know what we will do.

[Anonymous]

OP here, my kids are in middle school.

Also, re: missing Mass being a mortal sin, I don't remember that in the Bible aside from "Keep holy the Sabbath day," which can be done in a number of ways.

Christ did say "take this, this is my body," but He didn't specify when and how often. While I'm very happy being a practicing Catholic, I also realize that many things we do are man made, and that it doesn't make me a bad Catholic/Christian to see that.

Thank you for all the input!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, my kids are in middle school.

Also, re: missing Mass being a mortal sin, I don't remember that in the Bible aside from "Keep holy the Sabbath day," which can be done in a number of ways.

Christ did say "take this, this is my body," but He didn't specify when and how often. While I'm very happy being a practicing Catholic, I also realize that many things we do are man made, and that it doesn't make me a bad Catholic/Christian to see that.

Thank you for all the input!

As you know if your'e a Catholic -- they don't just go by bible interpretations (which can get pretty muddy, at any rate) they go by very simple and clear rules of the church.

It's a mortal sin to miss mass - it doesn't matter what your "belief system" is. You may not feel guilty about it or want to bother your kids too much, but anyone who intentionally breaks the rules of the Church is definitely being a bad Catholic -- though not necessarily a bad person or other kind of Christian.

[Anonymous]

Pp you're responding to here. Honestly, I'll let God take care of that question. I'm not at all worried about it.

[Anonymous]

This thread is giving me flashbacks to my high school years. Rule in our house (6 kids) was that you had to be able to produce a bulletin from mass at some point during the weekend if you didn't want to go with the family on Sunday morning. Before going out on Saturday nights, my sister and I would swing by the church to grab a bulletin from the Sat 5pm mass. They were usually available before mass---torture when I actually had to wait until after mass to grab one. Ha! Still a practicing Catholic so I don't think my upbringing was too oppressive. Rolling my eyes at the "missing mass is a mortal sin" post. Not going to sweat those details----I live my life in service to others (personally and professionally)---I think God will cut me some slack if I have to miss mass every now and then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At least through high school and when they are home.
If they aren't standing next to me at church, how will I be able to look over and think - did he just grow this week!
College is a don't ask don't tell for me.

I think they can also skip family mass if they are going with friends. (I know it was dorky, but during my college years my PVI friends and I went to the George mason church on Sunday nights. It was new and pretty at the time, and a central location to catch up)

We do skip occasionally to do stuff as a family, if . But I will not skip for sports.

There really isn't an excuse to miss Mass. There are a ton of Catholic Churches with various Sat. vigil and Sun. morn Mass times.
Hec, the GMU's campus has a 10pm Sun Mass. No excuses, no hangover excuses, no kidding yourself you can't spend an hour at Church (which is for your own good anyway).

Get a life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, my kids are in middle school.

Also, re: missing Mass being a mortal sin, I don't remember that in the Bible aside from "Keep holy the Sabbath day," which can be done in a number of ways.

Christ did say "take this, this is my body," but He didn't specify when and how often. While I'm very happy being a practicing Catholic, I also realize that many things we do are man made, and that it doesn't make me a bad Catholic/Christian to see that.

Thank you for all the input!

I do not see missing mass as a mortal sin. That is not how I was taught and not how I was raised. I have also heard priests say - in church - that weekly attendance is a desired goal, not somethign you burn in hell for if you miss. Let's not be pedantic or judgmental. That said, I do try to go every week I can. my kids are babies but I bring them when they are not at an age when they are wreaking havoc. I expect to do it like my parents did, expect them to go through confirmation. After that they are adults in the eyes of God.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At least through high school and when they are home.
If they aren't standing next to me at church, how will I be able to look over and think - did he just grow this week!
College is a don't ask don't tell for me.

I think they can also skip family mass if they are going with friends. (I know it was dorky, but during my college years my PVI friends and I went to the George mason church on Sunday nights. It was new and pretty at the time, and a central location to catch up)

We do skip occasionally to do stuff as a family, if . But I will not skip for sports.

There really isn't an excuse to miss Mass. There are a ton of Catholic Churches with various Sat. vigil and Sun. morn Mass times.
Hec, the GMU's campus has a 10pm Sun Mass. No excuses, no hangover excuses, no kidding yourself you can't spend an hour at Church (which is for your own good anyway).

Get a life.

Aww she's just piling on the guilt- a hallmark of a good Catholic!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is giving me flashbacks to my high school years. Rule in our house (6 kids) was that you had to be able to produce a bulletin from mass at some point during the weekend if you didn't want to go with the family on Sunday morning. Before going out on Saturday nights, my sister and I would swing by the church to grab a bulletin from the Sat 5pm mass. They were usually available before mass---torture when I actually had to wait until after mass to grab one. Ha! Still a practicing Catholic so I don't think my upbringing was too oppressive. Rolling my eyes at the "missing mass is a mortal sin" post. Not going to sweat those details----I live my life in service to others (personally and professionally)---I think God will cut me some slack if I have to miss mass every now and then.

as long as you confess and are in a state of grace when you die. Of course, the last rites will help,as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I expect to do it like my parents did, expect them to go through confirmation. After that they are adults in the eyes of God.

OP here, great point!

[Anonymous]

Just buy your kids scapulars and they'll be set.

[Anonymous]

I will do as my parents did and require attendance until confirmation. Currently, I am bringing my child up within the church.