[Heartofsong83]

Interesting comment. I know it will likely be a split decision here. I am strongly opposed to Sunday retail personally and believe business will be just as efficient in 6 days and 6 nights. Let's have a day of rest, religion and prayer.

[IrishGOP]

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.

[livius]

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.

[Bigg Red]

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.

**

Amen. God bless this bishop.

[Judge Roy]

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.

[Bigg Red]

Let's have a day of rest, religion and prayer.

((

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.

[anniegetyourgun]

Jesus said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." Mark 2:27

[Non-Sequitur]

Can denying Communion to those who support shopping on Sunday be far behind?

[Zionist Conspirator]

It's long been my understanding that the Catholic Church doesn't have the Puritan blue-law mentality, any more than it is against drinking or gambling.

Of course, they use the wrong day of the week, but we'll have to agree to disagree about that.

[skr]

I agree. I manage a shop that is closed on Sunday, although we are up against a large discount chain that is open every day and for longer hours. We are blessed as it is and am grateful to God for watching over us.

[Who dat?]

I am strongly opposed to Sunday retail personally and believe business will be just as efficient in 6 days and 6 nights. Let's have a day of rest, religion and prayer.

It isn’t the end of the world. The town I grew up in was part of a “dry” county and the city wouldn’t allow any tobacco products be sold within the city limits.

They had “blue laws” and you couldn’t buy anything other than “non-prepared” foods on Sunday. That meant you could buy hamburger meat or chicken or a bag of rice, but you couldn’t buy KFC or Pizza Hut or tennis shoes or gasoline or anything other than non-prepared food.

No cigarettes or beer/booze within the city/county line under any circumstances - Sunday or not. Somehow we survived. It wasn’t the end of the world.

[HungarianGypsy]

My dad used to say he remembered stores used to be closed on Sunday in his day.
Since I am LDS (Mormon) we are strongly encouraged to keep the Sabbath holy and not to spend money. There is even a children's song about preparing on Saturday for the Sabbath, so we don't have to work again until Monday.

[kAcknor]

I know it will likely be a split decision here.

A split? Here? Nawww... :)

Let's have a day of rest, religion and prayer.

What is stopping you? No, really! What? There is no law or directive compelling you or anyone else to do anything on Sunday you do not wish to do.

If you desire, or are required by your belief to stay at home, or spend the day in prayer, or keep it strictly for family, please, do so.

Just do it without telling others that they have to do the same as you, and do not restrict the activities of others because the do not hold sacred the same day or not to the same level.

Before you answer, consider that we also play host to religions that hold Saturday as the Day Of Rest and if there is reason for restrictions of activities on Sunday, those reasons apply also to Saturday or any other day deemed 'Holy'.

[Joe Boucher]

Country lost moralality when it forewent church to make a buck.
Obviously we need to get some of the morality back.

[little jeremiah]

later pingout.

[brooklin]

Couldn't this bishop have just issued a "Fatwa" and been done with it? :-)

[rockabyebaby]

Finally, someone who makes sense. I wholeheartedly agree, families have been torn apart since the Blue Laws were disbanded. I refuse to shop or bank on Sundays and holidays. Here in MA you can do your banking through a local supermarket chain which has bank branch offices located on the supermarket premises. Families need to be together more than one day a week and this would be a good start.

[WyCoKsRepublican]

I recall the Blue Laws in Missouri. Only those providing "necessities" were open, gas stations, etc. As a hypocrite, and one who even on football sunday "dashes out to pick up a six pack", I feel the Bishops remarks are a welcome topic. Sunday should be a day of rest, and time well spent with family and friends.

[freeangel]

"used to be reserved to religious and family togetherness"

The operative words are "used to be."

Libs have pretty much killed off religion and families so there is no "togetherness" today. I personally try never to shop onSundays as my own little boycott.

[bella1]

agreed

[Salvation]

It would be wonderful if this would be implemented nation-wide!