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Practicing Catholicism is "Old Fashioned"

5/21/2012

7 Comments

 
Picture
This has been rattling around in my head since the middle of last week.  A new mother was a bit frazzled because she was planning a baptism for her daughter.  In the course of the planning, she tried to solidify paperwork for the baby's godparents.  The godfather wasn't Catholic, but the godmother was.  She just couldn't get a letter from her pastor because she no longer practiced.

...

Now before any of you start rolling your eyes and stamping your feet with irritation, take a deep breath and let it go.  She's a good mom and wonderful person, but like many Catholics anymore, regular practice isn't "normal."

We can't punish the child by refusing baptism because the adults in her life are negligent in their Catholic responsibilities.  Baptism is still an avenue of grace for her, so every effort should be made to ensure she is able to obtain a proper Sacrament.


So again - no coming down on this woman.  It's not her fault our current pool of potential godparents is miserable. 

Anyway, as I was talking to the new mother about this, she and I agreed that it was darn near impossible anymore to find practicing Catholics our age to trust as godparents.  She said something, however, that made me kind of stop.  She said, "Who goes to Mass anymore?  I know I don't.  Do you?  It's just so old-fashioned."

I responded, "Yes, actually, I do go to Mass every Sunday.  All those days of obligation, too."  I then added with a laugh, "I guess that sorta makes me old-fashioned, huh?"

Now mind you, there was no animosity at all during this conversation.  She made a valid point that I hadn't given much thought to before.  It really is considered "old fashioned" to be a practicing ANYTHING anymore (when it comes to religion, anyway).  Religion has become antiquated in the minds of youth... a relic of a past era where science had not yet 'made sense of the world.' 

I dunno.  When you see novenas, pilgrimages and even your own weekly Mass being attended by mostly elderly parishioners, it's hard not to think you're the odd man out.  However, things like World Youth Day and the upswing in Pro-Life activism from people my own age are remarkable.  They're strong signs that the youth of Catholicism aren't to be discounted just yet.  I also have to admit that through blogging, I've come to meet other like-minded Catholics (my age, even!) which has done wonders for my own feelings of loneliness regarding the practice of my faith.  Though we aren't members of the same parish, we're members of the same Church.  We may be young, we may even be "old-fashioned," but last time I checked, Truth and Morality never go out of style.  Loving and praising the Father who created me can never really be considered outdated. 

:)

7 Comments
Jackie
5/29/2012 05:49:47 am

You are something else. Did you really just call me "negligent" in my duties as a Catholic mother simply because I don't go to Mass every sunday? Aren't you a little priss miss.

I pray with my son every night and teach him to treat others with kindness and respect. I make sure we have a nativity up every Christmas and that he knows his bible stories. Just because I came to you to vent about the problems I was having with Stella getting her shit together doesn't mean you should've posted it online - even anonymously.

Plus you know I read this?

Reply
Laura
5/29/2012 09:10:59 am

Did you really just call me "negligent" in my duties as a Catholic mother simply because I don't go to Mass every sunday? Aren't you a little priss miss.

- Then saddle up and call me Priss Miss. That IS negligent in your Catholic duties as a mother. Eating the chocolates out of a cardboard advent calendar and telling the story of the 3 Kings once a year means nothing unless you back it up by teaching your faith through example. Attending Sunday Mass shows your children what is truly important, and the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ is the most important thing for Catholics. It is what garnered for us salvation. Not nativities, not nightly prayer, and not "let's all be nice to each other" moments.

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Gina link
5/29/2012 05:56:51 am

Whoa whoa whoa.

Jackie, check the date on this entry. You realize that I only spoke to you on Sunday, right (the 28th)? How in the world would I have been able to write up a blog entry - about you - a full week before we had the conversation (the 21st)?

The woman I'm referring to simply had the same problem you're now facing. It's not unique. As another commentor responded (on the 2nd Godparent entry), it's damn near impossible to find a practicing, faithful Catholic anymore.

And yes, going to Mass every Sunday is a bit of a pre-requisite for those of us looking for PRACTICING, faithful Catholics.

However, no one is judging you because you don't go every Sunday. I know I'm certainly not. I don't judge the other woman I spoke to either. It's not my place to judge anyone. However, the fact remains that to be practicing Catholic, you have to go to the obligatory Sunday Mass (or Saturday vigil) as well as Holy Days of Obligation.

I'm not condemning you to hell for not attending. That's your choice. I'm not calling you a horrible Catholic mother. All of the other things you do are good and wonderful, too. However, the sacrifice of the Mass is the summit of our lives and is (or at least should be) more important than all that. The Sacrifice of the Mass and the reception of Holy Eucharist is what gives us the grace necessary to conform ourselves to Christ leading to things like treating others with love and respect.

I'm not being a priss-miss in stating that. I'm simply pointing out a very basic tenet of our faith as Catholics.

Reply
Gina
5/29/2012 06:01:20 am

I even went out of my way to defend the mother in question (and by default, any other parent in the same boat) because I know firsthand how sour some remarks can be. So I apologize if you were offended by any of my statements. It wasn't my intention.

I was simply speaking aloud the thoughts that've been banging around in my head due to a conversation that took place between myself and another person. I honestly meant no harm in it. I was actually appreciative of the woman's perspective as it deepened my own and made me realize just how lucky I am to be so "old-fashioned."

Reply
Laura
5/29/2012 09:14:27 am

Don't retract anything. Stand your ground. Goodness.

Gina
6/4/2012 08:14:01 am

Can't believe I didn't see this until now.

Laura - chill pill. Sheesh. There's really no need for such arrogance - even if your main point is spot on. Exactly who do you think you're gonna convert with venom like that?

Charity. It's the most revered virtue for a reason.

Reply
Brett Page
8/4/2012 12:33:54 am

Seems everyone here has missed the big issue. Being a 'practising' Christian is not about the rituals of attending a church service or Mass. It's about doing what Jesus would do in our daily lives. Including supporting measures which more equitably spread our immense national wealth and give a leg up to those amongst us who Christ called the 'least of my brothers'. Jesus told us (through Matthew) to go into our rooms, close the door and pray to our unseen Father (using what we now call the Lord's Prayer). Quiet, provate and intimate communication between a person and God. No priest needed. No ceremony required. Just what Jesus instructed in the Gospel. Seems more and more people are taking Matthew at his word.

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