Why go to church?

Do you HAVE to go to church on Sunday? Franciscan friar and Catholic priest offers his response.

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[caruya]

It's very easy to understand. Some African priest said it with a kind African accent:

"You don't have to go to mass, you get to go to mass"

[marcotourinho]

In Brazil, lot of old churchs has a roof painted as a heaven. The reason is that: in church, mass or celebrations, is an antecipation of heaven's experience.

[williamrosson]

"It's so easy to approach the holy table, and there we taste the joys of paradise." - St. Pius X

[louispalombi]

I go to church for my love of the Mass . I go for myself I don't care who is saying the Mass. If you don't like the priest or some of people there. You go because Jesus loves you and He wants there

[frankrault]

As a kid I went to church every week, it was in the early sixties. Sometimes we went to the "High Mass" at 11AM, but my father preferred "Early Mass" at 7:30 AM.

The people that attended High Mass were of a kind. World War II was over, and welfare slowly was increasing. Church and especially the High Mass was a place of gossip, whispered noise, and judgment.
Did you well enough in our recovering economy? It wasn't such a long time since this war was over, and some ran that steeple chase a bit slower than did others. What about that old repaired coat the neighbor was wearing, just awkward wasn't it? And, speaking of, look at his shoes. It really was a shame that he was sitting there, among those fine people, who arrived in big cars, while the "shameless" neighbour came through the rain after a 2 hours walk. He'd got no car, he'd got no bike. He didn't even have an umbrella. So embarrassing to see him showing his poverty to the Allmighty!
He was not supposed to join the after-mass coffee party. Of course he officially was invited, but he was simply ghosted.
That was pretty much what High-Mass was about. I don't make this up. I was there, and it happened right before my eyes.

But there was an Early Mass as well. down in the crypt. People who attended that mass had to wake up earlier. There was no noise, nobody whispered gossip in that half-dark crypt. Woolen coats smelled like rain. People were already silent, kneeling in prayer, before the bell rang to mark the beginning of the celebration..
Before the Eucharist there was this joyful moment: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you."
People then shook hands, exchanging honest smiles, kind smiles, whishing each other a genuinely intended peace.
Nobody was judgmental, people just prayed.
The collected donations of those early few equalled the sum of the fine and definitely richer lot at the High Mass.

I think my father did well, choosing to attend the Early Mass over the gossip-meeting.

[paulopimentel]

My mother and I just had this conversation this morning (in Portuguese) lol. We all grew up going every Sunday. Now, as adults it's seems the ways that we was raised didn't continue into their own married lives. The doors are always open.

[_TradCat_]

People say why go to church, God is everywhere. Yes God is everywhere in spirit. But the only place where God is there physically in body (Eucharist) as well as in spirit is at the Mass.

[SimplyZeyma]

I love that you brought up “go to church bc an hour a week is the least you can do” bc that’s what I was taught when I was little and it made mass a chore. I feel like things changed when I started seeing the importance of it and the strength given through the Eucharist.

[heyo]

So early, hope everyone is well and may I ask prayers for my fathers recovery ❤️

[Jp_games]

The community of the church, and the different ministries. Something that is missing at the moment sadly.

[alexsalentine]

I love to go to church. I am just 13
From a lay Dominican

[blujeans]

I guess I've been thinking of it all wrong, because when someone asks me why I go to church - although I know it is mainly because of the Eucharist - but to non-Christians, I have explained it like this: imagine you had a friend that whenever you asked a favor of him, he always tried to be there for you. But when he invited you to his house, you didn't feel like going (because it wasn't much fun), or you had other things you wanted to do. I accept his invite several times a week now, and am so glad he's still inviting me after all the years that I disappointed him.

[RamBo-yhkz]

My life is boring without church these days.

[karlo]

I dont attend Masses but I love going to church during my rest day... I'm not really sure but when I'm there, talk to Him even if He doesn't reply (Physically), I can feel the comfort. And I keep doing it. God, how great thou art...

[Dan_N_]

My favorite foreign priest...🤗🤗
Greetings from Brazil, Father Casey 🙏🙏🙏

[josephmillraney]

You go, Fr. Casey. Just the shot in the arm needed during this fast of the Nativity (Advent for Catholics). Blessings, Fr.

[gerardvinet]

Church, U can say, it's a spiritual spa for our souls, every week ." A shot in the arm " I like that, lol

[jean-claudedesormeaux]

Going to Mass by tradition is one thing; going by conviction is something else entirely. You want to go to Mass because you want to give time to Christ and ask Him to give you what He wants to give you. It's like going to visit a dear loved one; He greets you and invites you in to sit down and exchange words with Him. He wants to hear your heart speak. And like many important visits to loved ones, you end up at the table where you share additional intimacy by sharing a meal. In this case, He gives us his Body and Blood. Then we go forth to witness to our world around us. That is going to church by conviction. Praise to our Lord Jesus !

[patrickobrien]

I’m trying to re ignite my faith and I’m soon going to start going to church and I’m looking forward to it 😊

[jonflores]

"Taste of the kingdom oh heaven" thats why its not boring....Eucharist is life-giving celebration..