What a long, crazy weekend. It wasn’t just the Patriots winning the Super Bowl (I have some more to say about that now that I’m well rested.), but the whole thing. You might find some of it interesting, so here goes.
On Saturday, Melanie and I decided to drive up to Freeport, Maine, to L.L. Bean. I gave her a pair of winter boots for Christmas, but they didn’t fit exactly. The Bean store is only a couple of hours away, so we decided to go in person rather than make the exchange by mail. Off we went at 8 am, arriving before 10. It was a beautiful, sunny day with temperatures that are warm for early February in New England, upper 40s or lower 50s. Melanie quickly found her new boots and as we were walking around, I decided to find out if I could get a replacement button formy Field Coat, which I was wearing. As I asked, the lady at the counter took my coat and, to my surprise, offered to attach a new button or three new ones if they didn’t have a match. An hour later, and my coat was ready. There was a matching button, but they also re-sewed the rest of the buttons to make sure they stayed on. The best part of all was that they didn’t charge me a cent. You may pay a little more for Bean, but the service is worth it.
After, we decided to stop at my sister’s house in nearby Windham and visit her and my Mom. We stayed for dinner and I didn’t get to bed until late. A long day. Yesterday was longer.
I had to be up at 6:45 am to get to the church and get the religious education classrooms ready before the 8:30 Mass. The Mass was extra-special yesterday because my nephew Joshua was being baptized during it. Of course, the Mass went on a little long, and I was dismayed when I came out after to see all the parents and children standing outside the school, waiting for the door to be unlocked. Excuse me, but if you were at Mass, you wouldn’t have had to wait until the Mass was finished to get in. Sure, a few of them go to the 10:30 Mass after classes, but not all of them by any means. What kind of Catholics do they think their kids are going to be if they don’t take them to Mass? Just after class, the 2nd-grade catechist told me that as she was telling the kids that missing Mass is a mortal sin, some of the kids were worried because they don’t go and their parents don’t take them. She told them that they are not culpable if it’s not their fault, that if they have no control over it. Hopefully they won’t think of the further implications. I don’t need the headache of parents complaining that I’m teaching their kids to tell them they’re in mortal sin. Maybe it would help some of them, but it would still be a headache.
“I was dismayed when I came out after to see all the parents and children standing outside the school, waiting for the door to be unlocked.”
This would be a funny story if it wasn’t so sad. We have our religious ed classes on Sunday morning between masses, too. Some time back, then-Archbishop Rigali visited our parish on a Sunday morning. After the first mass, he asked if he could spend some time with the kids.
The pastor took him over to school and he seemed to be enjoying the visit. As he was getting ready to leave the first graders, he said to one of them “I’ll see you in church.” The kid’s answer? “I don’t think so. We’re not ‘church people.’”
Obviously, the six year old didn’t make up the phrase. He had to have heard it at home. It’s strange how much bigger the crowd is on Sundays when we have a kids’ mass. I guess it’s easier to stay than to make another trip.
BTW, congrats on another trophy! At least we know that the Bruins won’t be winning the Stanley Cup!
I am amazed at the people who also send their children to Catholic schools and then don’t attend Mass with them. Why bother with the cost of tuition? I guess in most cases the parents are “cultural Catholics” or don’t want to annoy the grandparents.
I have the same problem in my parish. We have Religious Ed every Sunday between the Masses and the parents drive by and drop off their kids. It is sad. I always try to stand outside, even when the weather is bad, and wave to the parents driving by. Some of them give me the “go to hell” look. Some of them sadly wave back. My DRE isn’t perfect, but she is really good at getting people involved and even people who don’t go to Mass. Many of them start going to Church after she somehow get them involved in the parish, not necessarily teaching a class, but in other areas of parish life. She is a real blessing.
In regards to L.L.Bean, I love the place. I have had this pair of British Khaki corduroy pants for three years now. They are in mint condition. I love that place.
And who is this girl Melanie?
Don’t worry. I never wear my corduroys on the job. I wear my black clerical suit or cassock.
Father, you must pay closer attention to the blog.
Melanie is my girlfriend, for this past year almost. Photos are in the gallery.
It’s not like I don’t mention her all the time, incluidng visiting her family with her in Dallas last month.
Melanie is my girlfriend, for this past year almost.
“Almost?” Then my timing must be in error (which it rarely is, by the way). By my calculations you have known Melanie for more than one year.
[harumph]
LL BEAN!!! That reminds me! I need shorts, slippers, boots…the best area of the store is the basement “outlet” section. Good stuff CHEAP!
Sorry to say, Dom, my parish has the same problem as yours and Father Ethan’s: drive-by parents, drive-away kids. Father Ethan, your DRE sounds like an angel. I know I’ve made mistakes in our parish, or I think I have. Or maybe not, I don’t know. I mean, ignoring the Sunday obligation, especially given the vigil Masses available, is grave sin, isn’t it? Yet saying so is a great way to get into grave water. I wouldn’t care about it except when the parents either remove their kids from CCD or find another “friendlier” parish.
Perhaps if I’d have paid attention to which kids’ parents missed Mass, I would’ve thought to do what your DRE does…get them involved in the parish. Definitely room for improvement on my part. I wonder how many souls I’ve endangered by not paying enough attention?
I’ve known Melanie for several years. We’ve been dating for less than one. I was only able to finally convince her to go out with me last March.
Huh… the (nun) DRE in my parish told my daughter that it wasn’t necessary to pick a Confirmation sponsor who attends Mass each week.