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.

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.

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.

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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It occurred to me that I think OP has the totally wrong attitude, although I don't fault her for it because holidays are stressful. But on those days where new people are in church, you should take the opportunity to make them want to come every week, you should say hi to all the new people you see and greet them and make them feel GOOD about going to church so that they will want to come every week. You should say hello to the families of people that you know and be kind and welcoming, not upset that they're taking up your precious space!

Yes, well, I suppose I should, but when I am packed in so tight into an overflow space I can barely move, and my knees are in the back of the person in front of me, and you barely have enough room to stand up, and your kid is whining because they are hot, and the children of the people sitting around you are whining too, and their parents are also frustrated, it's not exactly the ideal situation in which to chit chat socially. And they bum rush you out at the end to make room for the next crushing crowd, so it's not like you're lingering after to socialize either. Honestly, my church could be shut down for breaking fire code on days like today. Great they're all there, I guess.....it's not like I was bitching at people or something. On a normal Sunday I am happy to welcome and get to know new people, because you actually can, unlike in today's zoo-like atmosphere.

In my experience, even the times when I go to church on a "normal Sunday," no one ever does anything to make me feel welcome or want to come back. So much for fellowship. And it does make it very hard to want to go back, feeling like an interloper.

Well, I would agree in large part and it's really unfortunate. This was certainly our experience when we moved here. Part of the problem in our church is that it draws a huge number of families who are trying to avoid the Archdiocese of Arlington, which is too conservative for the majority of NoVA Catholics. So people don't live close-by and don't really get involved in the church. They just show up for services and then bolt to their cars to head back home for their kids' weekend activities and whatnot. And honestly, I get that to a large degree. They want to experience a more welcoming and accessible church service, and they have obligations back home they have to run back for. But it is not conducive to a tight-knit community. This is why I honestly do try on a average Sunday to be friendly and get to know folks as best I can. And it's why we started volunteering - partly as a service but also a means of getting to know some people. We found that we had to put in the majority of the effort, but once we did it was worth it. I'll still maintain that Easter and Christmas are not exactly the right time to come looking for an entree to a parish. It's just too over-crowded and zoo-like to even hope for that. I really look forward to having older children I can take to the Saturday Vigil. Very few C+E folks would sit through three hours on a Saturday night.

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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It occurred to me that I think OP has the totally wrong attitude, although I don't fault her for it because holidays are stressful. But on those days where new people are in church, you should take the opportunity to make them want to come every week, you should say hi to all the new people you see and greet them and make them feel GOOD about going to church so that they will want to come every week. You should say hello to the families of people that you know and be kind and welcoming, not upset that they're taking up your precious space!

Yes, well, I suppose I should, but when I am packed in so tight into an overflow space I can barely move, and my knees are in the back of the person in front of me, and you barely have enough room to stand up, and your kid is whining because they are hot, and the children of the people sitting around you are whining too, and their parents are also frustrated, it's not exactly the ideal situation in which to chit chat socially. And they bum rush you out at the end to make room for the next crushing crowd, so it's not like you're lingering after to socialize either. Honestly, my church could be shut down for breaking fire code on days like today. Great they're all there, I guess.....it's not like I was bitching at people or something. On a normal Sunday I am happy to welcome and get to know new people, because you actually can, unlike in today's zoo-like atmosphere.

In my experience, even the times when I go to church on a "normal Sunday," no one ever does anything to make me feel welcome or want to come back. So much for fellowship. And it does make it very hard to want to go back, feeling like an interloper.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Religion is the opiate of the masses.

So was Marxism, duh. Of the two, I'd say religion is more empowering.

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?

Part of the sacrament of Baptism is a vow to honor Him with your presence in church. I mean, that's literally a vow you take.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It occurred to me that I think OP has the totally wrong attitude, although I don't fault her for it because holidays are stressful. But on those days where new people are in church, you should take the opportunity to make them want to come every week, you should say hi to all the new people you see and greet them and make them feel GOOD about going to church so that they will want to come every week. You should say hello to the families of people that you know and be kind and welcoming, not upset that they're taking up your precious space!

Yes, well, I suppose I should, but when I am packed in so tight into an overflow space I can barely move, and my knees are in the back of the person in front of me, and you barely have enough room to stand up, and your kid is whining because they are hot, and the children of the people sitting around you are whining too, and their parents are also frustrated, it's not exactly the ideal situation in which to chit chat socially. And they bum rush you out at the end to make room for the next crushing crowd, so it's not like you're lingering after to socialize either. Honestly, my church could be shut down for breaking fire code on days like today. Great they're all there, I guess.....it's not like I was bitching at people or something. On a normal Sunday I am happy to welcome and get to know new people, because you actually can, unlike in today's zoo-like atmosphere.

Wow, OP, you have a terrible attitude. I spent some time in Egypt, and as a Christian, the conditions you describe are what church is like every. single. week. Every service, no matter when you go, is like that at some churches, because the government limits building and repair of churches. So you're "packed in so tight" in a crumbling building with hundreds of people and no heat or air conditioning no matter what the conditions outside are, including 100+ degree heat. And somehow people seem to manage their entire lives that way, and continue to go without complaints.

Well, they are also oppressed in Egypt, so you're comparing apples and oranges. I guess you are perfectly without sin and never find attending church with children to be frustrating. Based on some other responders (and many of my own friends) I know I'm not alone. I think the Jews have it right. If I am a registered member if a parish, donate to the church regularly, volunteer, etc, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect that I might find a seat on the Holy Days without having to show up with my preschooler an hour in advance. Guests should be welcome but the idea of paying for a ticket (or going elsewhere) just doesn't bother me. Bottom line is my church can't safely accommodate the regular parishioners plus 500 guests.

OP, I really related to your post! It's really hard to go to synagogue on the high holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) So crowded and the kids get incredibly restless. I don't think it's a "sin" to notice that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It occurred to me that I think OP has the totally wrong attitude, although I don't fault her for it because holidays are stressful. But on those days where new people are in church, you should take the opportunity to make them want to come every week, you should say hi to all the new people you see and greet them and make them feel GOOD about going to church so that they will want to come every week. You should say hello to the families of people that you know and be kind and welcoming, not upset that they're taking up your precious space!

Yes, well, I suppose I should, but when I am packed in so tight into an overflow space I can barely move, and my knees are in the back of the person in front of me, and you barely have enough room to stand up, and your kid is whining because they are hot, and the children of the people sitting around you are whining too, and their parents are also frustrated, it's not exactly the ideal situation in which to chit chat socially. And they bum rush you out at the end to make room for the next crushing crowd, so it's not like you're lingering after to socialize either. Honestly, my church could be shut down for breaking fire code on days like today. Great they're all there, I guess.....it's not like I was bitching at people or something. On a normal Sunday I am happy to welcome and get to know new people, because you actually can, unlike in today's zoo-like atmosphere.

Wow, OP, you have a terrible attitude. I spent some time in Egypt, and as a Christian, the conditions you describe are what church is like every. single. week. Every service, no matter when you go, is like that at some churches, because the government limits building and repair of churches. So you're "packed in so tight" in a crumbling building with hundreds of people and no heat or air conditioning no matter what the conditions outside are, including 100+ degree heat. And somehow people seem to manage their entire lives that way, and continue to go without complaints.

Anonymous wrote:It occurred to me that I think OP has the totally wrong attitude, although I don't fault her for it because holidays are stressful. But on those days where new people are in church, you should take the opportunity to make them want to come every week, you should say hi to all the new people you see and greet them and make them feel GOOD about going to church so that they will want to come every week. You should say hello to the families of people that you know and be kind and welcoming, not upset that they're taking up your precious space!

Yes, well, I suppose I should, but when I am packed in so tight into an overflow space I can barely move, and my knees are in the back of the person in front of me, and you barely have enough room to stand up, and your kid is whining because they are hot, and the children of the people sitting around you are whining too, and their parents are also frustrated, it's not exactly the ideal situation in which to chit chat socially. And they bum rush you out at the end to make room for the next crushing crowd, so it's not like you're lingering after to socialize either. Honestly, my church could be shut down for breaking fire code on days like today. Great they're all there, I guess.....it's not like I was bitching at people or something. On a normal Sunday I am happy to welcome and get to know new people, because you actually can, unlike in today's zoo-like atmosphere.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP one suggestion is to go to another church on E and C-one that is not so heavily attended. Our parish is always 3/4 full max

Which one? I would happily take an open seat.

Nativity in DC- we go to the 12 pm mass which is a gospel mass- if that's not your cup of tea the 10 o'clock is
more traditional. It is a very welcoming diverse parish run by Salesians

Thank you.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Catholics have like 17 holy days of obligation, not just C and E