Don't Skip Meals, Especially Sunday Mass

Recently, a small leaflet made its way across my desk.  In these tough financial times I don't look at ads, even good ones, but this one caught my eye.  First, the price was right -- $0.23; yes, twenty-three cents.  It is a leaflet about our faith, not erudite, not boring, but actual thoughts an ordinary family would like to read.  I read it.  I'd like you to read it.  The following are short comments and exerpts from the leaflet to give you the flavor.

The leaflet addresses the hard questions about attendance at Sunday Mass.  There are no criticisms or guilt trips.  Instead, we are reminded that the Sunday Mass, the Eucharist, is our spiritual family meal.  Comparisons are made between reasons for not attending Mass and not attending family dinners.

"I can pray anywhere."  True, and we can also eat anywhere, but gulping a burger differs from sitting down to the family meal.  "I don't get anything out of it."  Check if it's really true.  Even the worst family meal is rarely all bad.  Different parts of the Mass appeal to different people.  As with dinners, the total experience has something for everyone.

Research has shown that one of the best things parents can give their children is a regular schedule of eating dinner together.  "The more frequently teens have dinner with their families each week, the lower the chance they will abuse alcohol and drugs."

"Almost half of teens say that if they had something important to speak to their parents about, they would choose to do it during or after dinner."

Today church leaders are asking whether a Catholic School is worth it if the parents and students do not attend Sunday Mass.  We all know that attendance at Sunday Mass is not the only thing that identifies a Catholic.  In addition to attendance at Mass, a life lived according to Catholic beliefs and values is the goal we are strive for.  Attendance at Mass, parent modeling of our faith, and a Catholic school offer our children the fullness of the faith we all treasure.  Our faith is a special gift from God and we all seek to live it fully. 

 So, in the Thursday envelope in November I'm sending the first copy of of the leaflet "At Home with Our Faith".  If you find it helpful, we will send you a monthly issue.

Please tell me what you think.