A person who is in Christ and in whom Christ is, is ALWAYS in the presence of the Lord. God isn't found only in church.
We receive graces by attending Mass, whether we are free of sin or not. If they weren’t at Mass, what else would they be doing with that hour of time? Watching TV? Going to a movie? Sleeping?
Reading the Bible. Praying. Sharing Christ with someone. Going to Bible study. Going to church services, which in non-Catholic circles often exceeds an hour at a time. Caring for the needy. Feeding the hungry. Visiting those in the hospital or prison.
BTW they also dress up in their Sunday best when attending Mass.
Not based on what I see going in and out of the local Catholic church on Sunday morning or Saturday evening. And if you think only Catholics dress up for church, you're living in a bubble.
First, regarding the dress up part, I was referring to my sister and brother in law, not to how others dress. I have a big issue with that. What I can’t figure out is, why does it matter to anyone else how my family members choose to spend an hour on Sunday? It’s really no one’s business. My original post was in reference to others who were saying that they wouldn’t be welcome at Mass because they haven’t been married in the Church. True, Christ is always present in our lives if we choose to accept Him into our lives, but spending an hour in Church attending Mass is hardly a waste of time as it was so inelegantly worded.