Posted on 07/18/2005 2:55:09 PM PDT by Heartofsong83
Phoenix Bishop says "No Sunday Shopping" - A Wedge Issue in the Culture Wars
PHOENIX, July 18, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Catholic bishop of Phoenix, Arizona, quoted in the Arizona Republic, told a congregation attending the most recent priestly ordinations that the world has suffered with the loss of the religious observance of Sunday as a day of rest. The article, which appeared in the July 17th Sunday edition, posed the question, "Whatever happened to Sunday?" It reflects the observation of many Christians that the day which used to be reserved to religious and family togetherness, has turned into "an extension of Saturday," filled with errands invariably including shopping.
Bishop Olmsted of Phoenix said, "Keep the Lord's day holy. . . refrain from all shopping and enjoy Sunday as a day of rest, a day of leisure, a day for family, a day for celebrating the Eucharist."
The trend to the loss of the observance of Sunday is another feature of the general de-Christianizing of western culture since the end of the second world war. Some say it is one small symptom among others, but others see it as the thin edge of the wedge and one which may easily be reversed. According to a 2003 survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as many as 33% of workers are at work on Sundays and holidays.
Steve Skojec, a married Catholic layman involved in the burgeoning Latin Mass community in Phoenix, says that his family as well as the other families involved in the traditional Catholic community take the Sunday religious and family observance as a serious part of their faith. Skojec, a realtor and father of two, told LifeSiteNews.com, that the observance of Sunday is worthwhile for its spiritual benefits. "For my wife and I, being in real estate, Sunday is a big money making day. But we feel, if we forego the ability to make money on Sunday, God will bless us."
The work of restoring Christian culture is one that interests many young Catholic and other Christian lay people. The leadership of Christian communities can help by encouraging the growth of genuine Christian social and political movements such as pro-life activity, a project at which the new bishop of Phoenix has excelled.
The diocese, which has recently made the Latin Mass much more available, has also encouraged other traditional Catholic measures to counter the secularizing trend. Bishop Olmstead recently welcomed five sisters from the same cloistered order of nuns as Mother Angelica of EWTN fame to his diocese. Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests For Life was also recently featured giving talks on the right to life in a Phoenix parish. Bishop Olmsted is also often seen protesting outside area abortion mills.
Skojec, 27, implied that the observance of Sunday, what Catholics refer to as the 'Sunday obligation' extends further than merely attending Church services. He said, "To us, if we forego the ability to make money on Sunday, God will bless us. In our minds, the avoidance of temporal gain on Sunday is rewarded with spiritual blessings."
Read Arizona Republic coverage: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0717sundays.html
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I also think that stores should close on Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and New Years. Give those employees a chance too to be with their families and observe any religious rituals.
Agreed with you, in addition to other major holidays (depending on business type and location - summer holidays should be open for tourist business, otherwise closed). Minor holidays shouldn't count as such and should be business as usual, since they are not entirely enforced by the private sector.
I think it's a good idea, although I don't think it's going to be very popular with most Catholics. Still, even if people knock it back a little bit and don't automatically head for the mall every Sunday, they might notice a difference in their lives. Another thing that would help is getting rid of the Saturday evening Mass, because that shifts the focus off of Sunday as a special day.
I have always thought that with all the emphasis on "community," etc. it's a pity that we don't have a large parish lunch after the main Mass on Sundays. The Orthodox frequently eat together after their liturgies, although it's easier for them because their churches are generally a lot smaller.
Whatever happened to Sunday?" It reflects the observation of many Christians that the day which used to be reserved to religious and family togetherness, has turned into "an extension of Saturday," filled with errands invariably including shopping.
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Amen. God bless this bishop.
I think bars should close in observance of St Patricks' Day.
God set his worship day as the last day of the week or 7th day, the Catholic church set up the frist day of the week as the day of worship and stated this showed that they had the power to do so as all the world wondered after them.
Let's have a day of rest, religion and prayer.
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I agree wholeheartedly. Even for people who have no religious affiliations, there should be one day set aside when we're not chasing the buck. I always complain to the management of any retail store if I see a notice that they plan to be open on Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc.
I like the idea. I wouldn't hold a Saturday evening mass if I was in charge of a church unless attendance was so high that it was necessary.
I figured this issue would divide the religious types from the libertarian types here...it can be an afterthought to many Christians but the 4th Commandment comes into play here...
Even for those not strongly religious, remember that government of all levels (federal, state/provincial and local) do not function on Sunday. Very few banks or financial institutions (and usually only in a few select regions) operate on Sunday, as well as very few professional offices.
They do, in Ireland.
Sundays should be "Let's guard the border day".
I think that people should not be forced to shop on Sundays. What? They aren't now?
Border security should be a 24/7 thing.
Well they should here, too. And stores should also close on Saturday in respect of those who consider that their "prayer" day. Wednesday afternoons should be set aside for siestas also.
Tell that to the many workers that are forced, either by management or by union contracts, to work on Sundays...
A friend of mine owns this lobby forum http://groups.yahoo.com/group/saveoursundays if you want to join in...also check out http://www.bluelaws.net
St. Patrick's Day is a day of rest! I drink...then rest!!
Can denying Communion to those who support shopping on Sunday be far behind?
Now that's going too far, unless you live in a community where such is the norm. There's a difference between stopping business to cover 85% of the population and stopping to cover 5%.
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