Comments on: Catholics in a Secular World http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2007/03/02/110/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:31:04 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Joe http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2007/03/02/110/comment-page-1/#comment-217 Joe Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:48:28 +0000 http://www.catechistsjourney.org/2007/03/02/110/#comment-217 ann, thanks for your comments...good points. ann, thanks for your comments…good points.

]]> By: ann http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2007/03/02/110/comment-page-1/#comment-216 ann Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:32:34 +0000 http://www.catechistsjourney.org/2007/03/02/110/#comment-216 I agree that society is becoming increasingly secularized but it is also becoming religious diversified. Where I live in northern CA, there are many Buddhists, Hindus, Moslems, and Sikhs, as well as followers of many other faiths and sects. In the public sector where I work, it's impossible to acknowledge the religious holidays of so many groups, so the tendency has been to avoid closing for any religous holidays--for example, we're open on Easter. Employees must use personal or vacation leave for time off for religious observances, but their requests are always granted. I agree that society is becoming increasingly secularized but it is also becoming religious diversified. Where I live in northern CA, there are many Buddhists, Hindus, Moslems, and Sikhs, as well as followers of many other faiths and sects. In the public sector where I work, it’s impossible to acknowledge the religious holidays of so many groups, so the tendency has been to avoid closing for any religous holidays–for example, we’re open on Easter. Employees must use personal or vacation leave for time off for religious observances, but their requests are always granted.

]]> By: Joe http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2007/03/02/110/comment-page-1/#comment-215 Joe Tue, 13 Mar 2007 13:57:12 +0000 http://www.catechistsjourney.org/2007/03/02/110/#comment-215 Siobhan, the discussion above is about abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent which is still a discipline. At one time, of course, Catholics abstained from meat on all Fridays of the year. Although that regulation was removed, we are still encouraged to do so voluntarily as an act of penance. During Lent, however, the discipline remains. I think that the person Sr. Julie talked about who challenged the local supermarket owner was not asking him/her to make the store "Catholic" but to offer an option that recognizes the needs of Catholics who make up a percentage of their clientele in a very diverse area. Many establishments advertise "Lenten specials" to serve their Catholic clientele in much the same way that they offer a section of Kosher foods for their Jewish clientele. Siobhan, the discussion above is about abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent which is still a discipline. At one time, of course, Catholics abstained from meat on all Fridays of the year. Although that regulation was removed, we are still encouraged to do so voluntarily as an act of penance. During Lent, however, the discipline remains.
I think that the person Sr. Julie talked about who challenged the local supermarket owner was not asking him/her to make the store “Catholic” but to offer an option that recognizes the needs of Catholics who make up a percentage of their clientele in a very diverse area. Many establishments advertise “Lenten specials” to serve their Catholic clientele in much the same way that they offer a section of Kosher foods for their Jewish clientele.

]]> By: Siobhan http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2007/03/02/110/comment-page-1/#comment-214 Siobhan Tue, 13 Mar 2007 11:44:46 +0000 http://www.catechistsjourney.org/2007/03/02/110/#comment-214 I thought that it was no longer a requirement to eat fish on Friday - did that not change with Vatican II? I am just curious why you would ask the manager of the grocery store since there are people from all faiths and spiritital backgrounds? I live in a mid sized city )well for Canada at any rate, 150,000) and even here, we have representatives from so many different religions and spiritual heritage that I am not certain a date we consider Roman Catholic Holy Day would be on the mind of every person. I thought that it was no longer a requirement to eat fish on Friday – did that not change with Vatican II? I am just curious why you would ask the manager of the grocery store since there are people from all faiths and spiritital backgrounds? I live in a mid sized city )well for Canada at any rate, 150,000) and even here, we have representatives from so many different religions and spiritual heritage that I am not certain a date we consider Roman Catholic Holy Day would be on the mind of every person.

]]> By: Joe D. http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2007/03/02/110/comment-page-1/#comment-213 Joe D. Sun, 04 Mar 2007 03:43:48 +0000 http://www.catechistsjourney.org/2007/03/02/110/#comment-213 I agree with our Sister. History has recorded and no one will disagree that Jesus did live and exist. The difference in our Christian Faith is that the day Jesus was in fact crucified and we see in the symbol of the cross and is the very basis of our Faith. As I teach my students, Holy Week and the Triduum is the true basis of our Faith. The fact that Holy week and all the days that encumber it our left to secular decision making seems to undermine our journey each year. Quiz the kids: when don’t we celebrate Mass? Good Friday. If He had not died for our sins we would be lost. I agree with our Sister. History has recorded and no one will disagree that Jesus did live and exist.
The difference in our Christian Faith is that the day Jesus was in fact crucified and we see in the symbol of the cross and is the very basis of our Faith. As I teach my students, Holy Week and the Triduum is the true basis of our Faith.
The fact that Holy week and all the days that encumber it our left to secular decision making seems to undermine our journey each year. Quiz the kids: when don’t we celebrate Mass? Good Friday. If He had not died for our sins we would be lost.

]]> By: Joe http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2007/03/02/110/comment-page-1/#comment-212 Joe Sat, 03 Mar 2007 15:30:24 +0000 http://www.catechistsjourney.org/2007/03/02/110/#comment-212 The new evangelization in action! The new evangelization in action!

]]> By: Sister Julie http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2007/03/02/110/comment-page-1/#comment-211 Sister Julie Sat, 03 Mar 2007 14:11:19 +0000 http://www.catechistsjourney.org/2007/03/02/110/#comment-211 Hi Joe, Thanks for addressing this issue. I like what you said ... "in order for us to live a Catholic lifestyle, we need to be more intentional and proactive in doing so, often taking stands that are counter-cultural" ... I think it is so important to be comfortable as a Catholic in secular spheres, not hitting people over the head with our faith, but also not shying away from standing up for what we believe in. Just yesterday (Friday) a mutual friend of ours had a talk with the manager of a local grocery store because they had absolutely no hot meatless options for lunch. She simply and graciously said, "You do know it's Lent, don't you?" The manager said he'd take care of it. That kind of action that she took can be such a powerful sign to others. Keep up the good work, Joe! Hi Joe, Thanks for addressing this issue. I like what you said … “in order for us to live a Catholic lifestyle, we need to be more intentional and proactive in doing so, often taking stands that are counter-cultural” … I think it is so important to be comfortable as a Catholic in secular spheres, not hitting people over the head with our faith, but also not shying away from standing up for what we believe in. Just yesterday (Friday) a mutual friend of ours had a talk with the manager of a local grocery store because they had absolutely no hot meatless options for lunch. She simply and graciously said, “You do know it’s Lent, don’t you?” The manager said he’d take care of it. That kind of action that she took can be such a powerful sign to others.

Keep up the good work, Joe!

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