Well, church was a nightmare

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a shame that on a day like Easter when we have so much to be joyful about, that the OP instead focused on her own discomfort. OP, please go back and read about the suffering of Jesus, and then search your heart. May God's blessings be with you.

I never said I was suffering. I just said that with a preschooler crowding into a church that is honestly breaking fire code is not worth it. Boy, another holier than thou. Must be nice to be perfect.

I said you were uncomfortable, not suffering. I'm sorry you had a bad experience, and I hope the rest of your Easter was filled with the Word you did not find at Mass.

It was, thanks. Which just affirms my feeling (and those of my friends who joined us) that it is a more spiritual experience to spend a peaceful day at home focusing on the meaning of the day than trying to crowd into standing room only at a church where you can't even hear or see the mass anyway.

Any Catholics out there who attended a mass that wasn't full, let us know which church (Diocese of Washington). It's not just me - I have a lot of friends who would join you so that they and their children might actually get something out of the service next year.

And I apologize if my vent made people feel I was focusing on the wrong thing. I was frustrated because I am trying to do right by myself, my spouse and my child by actually experiencing the mass on a very important day instead of fighting crowds like I'm at a Black Friday sale.

You could have done so without casting aspersions on others (no pun intended). That was really ugly. I'm pretty sure Jesus would have been overjoyed to see large numbers of people.

Point taken. Can we let it go now?

[Anonymous]

I, for one, was delighted to see our church so crowded. Strangers were welcomed. They always are and always will be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I, for one, was delighted to see our church so crowded. Strangers were welcomed. They always are and always will be.

Do you have small children?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I, for one, was delighted to see our church so crowded. Strangers were welcomed. They always are and always will be.

Do you have small children?

I have a two year old, yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I, for one, was delighted to see our church so crowded. Strangers were welcomed. They always are and always will be.

Do you have small children?

I have a two year old, yes.

Well, I guess you're a better person than me. I'll have to find a way to live with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a shame that on a day like Easter when we have so much to be joyful about, that the OP instead focused on her own discomfort. OP, please go back and read about the suffering of Jesus, and then search your heart. May God's blessings be with you.

I never said I was suffering. I just said that with a preschooler crowding into a church that is honestly breaking fire code is not worth it. Boy, another holier than thou. Must be nice to be perfect.

I said you were uncomfortable, not suffering. I'm sorry you had a bad experience, and I hope the rest of your Easter was filled with the Word you did not find at Mass.

It was, thanks. Which just affirms my feeling (and those of my friends who joined us) that it is a more spiritual experience to spend a peaceful day at home focusing on the meaning of the day than trying to crowd into standing room only at a church where you can't even hear or see the mass anyway.

Any Catholics out there who attended a mass that wasn't full, let us know which church (Diocese of Washington). It's not just me - I have a lot of friends who would join you so that they and their children might actually get something out of the service next year.

And I apologize if my vent made people feel I was focusing on the wrong thing. I was frustrated because I am trying to do right by myself, my spouse and my child by actually experiencing the mass on a very important day instead of fighting crowds like I'm at a Black Friday sale.

You could have done so without casting aspersions on others (no pun intended). That was really ugly. I'm pretty sure Jesus would have been overjoyed to see large numbers of people.

Point taken. Can we let it go now?

Yes. You are forgiven. For the future, please try to remember that it's not all about you. I realize that affliction is a nasty side-effect of living in this area and many of us have to work at it. Maybe reflect on that a little bit the next time you are in church.

[Anonymous]

the idea of charging admission for a religious service is insane. so much for staying true to the root of the teachings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:the idea of charging admission for a religious service is insane. so much for staying true to the root of the teachings.

well, someone's gotta pay for the electricity, the facility, the taxes, etc. churches exist in a real world where these thing are a reality, you know. you cannot just show up and take what they are offering and expect it all to be provided to you for free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a shame that on a day like Easter when we have so much to be joyful about, that the OP instead focused on her own discomfort. OP, please go back and read about the suffering of Jesus, and then search your heart. May God's blessings be with you.

I never said I was suffering. I just said that with a preschooler crowding into a church that is honestly breaking fire code is not worth it. Boy, another holier than thou. Must be nice to be perfect.

I said you were uncomfortable, not suffering. I'm sorry you had a bad experience, and I hope the rest of your Easter was filled with the Word you did not find at Mass.

It was, thanks. Which just affirms my feeling (and those of my friends who joined us) that it is a more spiritual experience to spend a peaceful day at home focusing on the meaning of the day than trying to crowd into standing room only at a church where you can't even hear or see the mass anyway.

Any Catholics out there who attended a mass that wasn't full, let us know which church (Diocese of Washington). It's not just me - I have a lot of friends who would join you so that they and their children might actually get something out of the service next year.

And I apologize if my vent made people feel I was focusing on the wrong thing. I was frustrated because I am trying to do right by myself, my spouse and my child by actually experiencing the mass on a very important day instead of fighting crowds like I'm at a Black Friday sale.

You could have done so without casting aspersions on others (no pun intended). That was really ugly. I'm pretty sure Jesus would have been overjoyed to see large numbers of people.

Point taken. Can we let it go now?

Yes. You are forgiven. For the future, please try to remember that it's not all about you. I realize that affliction is a nasty side-effect of living in this area and many of us have to work at it. Maybe reflect on that a little bit the next time you are in church.

Not the OP but do we need the condescension here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the idea of charging admission for a religious service is insane. so much for staying true to the root of the teachings.

well, someone's gotta pay for the electricity, the facility, the taxes, etc. churches exist in a real world where these thing are a reality, you know. you cannot just show up and take what they are offering and expect it all to be provided to you for free.

they get donations. and their tax burden isn't that big.

so they should put their money where their mouths are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the idea of charging admission for a religious service is insane. so much for staying true to the root of the teachings.

well, someone's gotta pay for the electricity, the facility, the taxes, etc. churches exist in a real world where these thing are a reality, you know. you cannot just show up and take what they are offering and expect it all to be provided to you for free.

they get donations. and their tax burden isn't that big.

so they should put their money where their mouths are.

Wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:the idea of charging admission for a religious service is insane. so much for staying true to the root of the teachings.

I agree. I don't think I would ever attend a church/synagogue/whatever where this was the policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the idea of charging admission for a religious service is insane. so much for staying true to the root of the teachings.

well, someone's gotta pay for the electricity, the facility, the taxes, etc. churches exist in a real world where these thing are a reality, you know. you cannot just show up and take what they are offering and expect it all to be provided to you for free.

they get donations. and their tax burden isn't that big.

so they should put their money where their mouths are.

Donations are earmarked for very specific purposes: the parish mission in Haiti, Christians in the Middle East, retired nuns or priests, the school, and so on.

Beyond that, there is very specific overhead which must be paid.

[Anonymous]

By turning the service into a paid show? OK.

And before any accuses me of taking things for "free," my family does not attend any services. But if we did, I certainly would not entertain a parish who thinks it is OK to exclude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:By turning the service into a paid show? OK.

And before any accuses me of taking things for "free," my family does not attend any services. But if we did, I certainly would not entertain a parish who thinks it is OK to exclude.

They're open every day of the year, 365 days. You are welcome any time.