What are they thinking? (The Easter and Christmas only Church-goers, that is!)

Archdiocese of Washington ^ | April 0, 2012 | Susan Timoney

[Salvation]

What are they thinking?

By: Susan Timoney

On Easter Sunday I had the privilege of serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at the 9:00 am Mass.  By the time Mass began it was standing room only in the church. This was not a surprise. I bet it was the same at your parish. When it came time to distribute Communion, another person and I were asked to go to a station at the rear of the church. A line formed among those standing. At a certain point, I wondered why the line did not seem to get shorter and I realized that people were coming through the doors of the church and getting in line for Communion. After Mass, I learned that indeed people were standing three deep on the sidewalk during Mass. Because it was such a beautiful day, the doors were wide open and the music could surely be heard, but how much of the readings and homily and Eucharistic prayer did people hear?

I’ve been wondering what made them stay and what makes our brother and sister Catholics who don’t come to Mass often and maybe only at Christmas and Easter come on these feasts. On the one hand, if recent studies are correct and a majority of Catholics consider themselves as “active” if they go to Mass once a month on average, then making sure you plan to go on Christmas and Easter is a no-brainer. But for those who come infrequently, why stand on the sidewalk? Reverend Andrew Greeley, SJ, a sociologist talks about the “sacramental imagination” that is nurtured in the Catholic mind and that like Baptism seems to leave and indelible mark and so even for the Catholic who is not practicing the faith, his world view is a Catholic worldview.  Another priest pondered that maybe if a person calls themselves Christian, then at the very least they see a need to come to church on Easter to “represent” so to speak!

Always welcomed

Don’t get me wrong, I love that the congregation overflowed onto the sidewalk on Capitol Hill. What a witness to the truth that the Easter story has real meaning and continues to capture people’s imagination. When I ask “what are they thinking,” I really want to know, because if we who are serious about the New Evangelization can better understand what the pull is to come to church once or twice a year than we can use that as a starting point for helping them look more deeply at their own experience. We can better able in our preaching and teaching and conversation make a more convincing argument for how active participation in life of the church will make a real difference in every part of one’s life. Fr. Bill Byrne, the pastor, in his homily said that the story of the Resurrection does not just have meaning for a moment but rather calls for a commitment. If you believe the story, you need to make a commitment—to discipleship, to Mass, to service. How did people hear that? Are they still thinking about it today?

He knows as all of us know that it won’t be standing room only next week. When we better understand the impulse to come to church once, twice, a few times a year, we can better help our brother and sisters move from impulse to commitment. Any insights you can share with me?

[murron]

Not on Christmas. At least not where I live. The vigil Masses are more crowded than the ones on Christmas Day itself.

[Salvation]

Please tell you wife that as a baptized Catholic she is marked FOREVER as a baptized Catholic.

She is always welcome to come back to the church.....she’s just not a practicing Catholic right now.

I personally invite her to come back to the richness of faith.

[Salvation]

** they don’t use the new language.**

LOL! Sure sign!

[murron]

Much of it is just for show. Back in the 80s when people actually dressed up for Mass, Easter Sunday was like a fashion show. People I had never seen before would show up with their little ones dressed to the hilt. One particular family who were the rich magnates in the Parish would show up late for Mass with the entire family, and the father would be dressed in a white suit and his family would be dressed in the most dressiest clothes and hats you can imagine. They would also drive themselves there in their white Rolls Royce and park illegally on the medium while the rest of the peons would have to park blocks away. He would never get a ticket because he was friends with the local sheriff, another fact he flaunted.

[ConorMacNessa]

Indeed, Biff - that would work for me as well! Sunday, half of the people present were saying "And also with you." I thought it was a big mistake to go to the vernacular when it happened, and I still feel that way fifty years later.



Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Salvation]

**Personally I prefer to avoid going on those days.**

Isn’t that interpreting Scripture as you would like? YOPIOS?

The ten commandments tell us to keep the Lord’s Day Holy.

[murron]

That should read “median”, not “medium”.

[johngrace]

I went to the 12:45PM. It was busting at the seams. They had video coverage for people in the school rooms. We delayed the Spanish Mass at 2:30.

[jboot]

Thanks, FRiends, for the answer. I though that it was the case. Apparently the consequences of sin don’t motivate like they used to.

[Salvation]

We always have the video feed in our vestibule and sometimes set it up in classrooms. This year, it was in the youth room.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

The idea that the Bible ALONE is the sole rule of faith, isn’t Christian.

The teaching can’t even be found in the Bible.

Nevertheless, non-Catholic Christians hold many truths, and the Holy Spirit undoubtedly works through these churches to varying degrees.

But only Christ’s Church possesses the fullness of truth.

To reject the infallibility of Christ’s Church is to reject the inerrancy of Scripture, since the Church wrote, preserved and canonized Scripture.

[Iscool]

A personal opinion contradicted by Scripture.

Hundreds of millions of Christians who actually read and believe the words of God disagree with your religion's decree on this issue...

[crosshairs]

Churches are packed on Easter, Christmas and the first Sunday after 9/11.

[KittenClaws]

Why does the Catholic Church believe missing Sunday Mass is a mortal sin?

I ask this with great respect, as I can not recall where this is in the Bible?

Thanks.

KC

[johngrace]

ACTS 2:

42 They devoted themselves to the Apostles’ Teaching and to Fellowship, to the Breaking of Bread and to Prayer.

43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.

45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

46 Every Day They Continued to Meet together in the temple courts.

They Broke Bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 Praising God and Enjoying the Favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being Saved.

42 They devoted themselves to the Apostles’ Teaching and to Fellowship, to the Breaking of Bread and to Prayer.

"They Broke Bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,"

Sounds Like Churches I have been to Indy or Catholic Churches.

The Communion is there every day with fellowship. Sounds like a Famous Church I know.

[Persevero]

“I am really uncomfortable with that wording. I see them as church leaders. Those that make decisions. Not those who “rule over me”. There have been some bad church leaders in every major religion. I’m glad I never saw them as “ruling over me”.”

Well, it’s biblical.

“7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. “ (Hebrews 13)

There are other passages as well. If we confess the Bible to be true, we must obey all of it, not just the parts we are comfortable with.

[Persevero]

“” Yes, but ... “

Then it’s not ‘yes’ “

Nonsense, a yes, but. . . is still a yes, just with more to it.

For instance, if you rang the bell and I answered, and you asked, “Is your father home,” and I said, “Yes, but he is asleep,” - my yes is still a yes, I am just giving you additional and pertinent information.

[Iscool]

Please tell you wife that as a baptized Catholic she is marked FOREVER as a baptized Catholic.

Your religion claims it...You believe it...The reality is, is that the Catholic baptism didn't leave a mark...That's why she got the real deal after accepting Jesus Christ as her Savior

Truth is, a person can quit any religious organization just as one can quit a political party...

Jesus said, Come unto me, and I will add you to my church...Jesus did not say, come unto my Catholic Church to be joined to me...

[Iscool]

Isn’t that interpreting Scripture as you would like? YOPIOS?

The ten commandments tell us to keep the Lord’s Day Holy.

And what is the penalty for not keeping one of the Ten Commandments???

But no...The Ten Commandments are our school teacher...They are not our law...We are not under the bondage of the law, but GRACE...

[johngrace]

Hi Metmom- All due respect.

" Attending church is works."

Wow!

That's totally Wrong. Amazing. Not unless we are sick.

This all stems from once saved. You believe once saved always. You better talk to the Apostle John. We have to confess our personal sins. It is a requirement.

If not we are in trouble.

Notice 1John1.

8 IF WE( Christians) claim to be Without Sin, WE DECEIVE ourselves and the TRUTH IS NOT in US. 9 IF WE CONFESS Our SINS, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have Not Sinned, we make HIM( GOD) out to be a LIAR and HIS WORD is NOT in US.”

IF = Requirement, Condition and Stipulation.

He is writing to Christians. Requirement!

He is also using the Plural "WE." He includes himself.

We do not walk in between the raindrops.

We are not yet pass the Pearly Gates were everything is totally over . The enemy is not there any more.

We are still on earth.

We still have a path to follow.