Tell Me Something............Anything!

[Joe]

I've given up hope for Lent.

Actually, fasting isn't what it was. When my mother was young, you had to fast for twelve hours before Holy Communion. By the time I was a nipper it had dropped to three hours, then one hour. By now I expect you're OK as long as you're not actually eating as you approach the altar rails. I guess God must be getting more lenient in His old age.

The other thing on Good Friday was a Mass (mostly in Latin) that seemed to go on for ever, and which included a prayer for the conversion of the Jews. You couldn't have that now, of course. It's PC gone mad, I tell you!

[Macca]

I've given up hope for Lent.

Actually, fasting isn't what it was. When my mother was young, you had to fast for twelve hours before Holy Communion. By the time I was a nipper it had dropped to three hours, then one hour. By now I expect you're OK as long as you're not actually eating as you approach the altar rails. I guess God must be getting more lenient in His old age.

The other thing on Good Friday was a Mass (mostly in Latin) that seemed to go on for ever, and which included a prayer for the conversion of the Jews. You couldn't have that now, of course. It's PC gone mad, I tell you!

Lol, there was a bloke at our church who had converted from Judaism to Catholicism. Out of the frying pan and into the fire, you might say. Anytime his name was mentioned my mother would always say, sotto voce, 'He's a convert you know' in the same way you might say 'He's a convicted paedophile, you know.' Always used to crack us up.

[struth]

cant remember last time i was in a church of any description. probably the funeral of a family friend about 10 years ago. I'm sure God was as surprised as my PE teacher when I went to gym once...Didnt have any kit mind, just went to see his face

[spendorman]

cant remember last time i was in a church of any description. probably the funeral of a family friend about 10 years ago. I'm sure God was as surprised as my PE teacher when I went to gym once...Didnt have any kit mind, just went to see his face

Funny, yes, last time I was at church was for a funeral. time before, same again.

[Macca]

Wedding for me. Although it was C of E so probably doesn't count.

[Marco]

I've given up hope for Lent.

Actually, fasting isn't what it was. When my mother was young, you had to fast for twelve hours before Holy Communion. By the time I was a nipper it had dropped to three hours, then one hour. By now I expect you're OK as long as you're not actually eating as you approach the altar rails. I guess God must be getting more lenient in His old age.

The other thing on Good Friday was a Mass (mostly in Latin) that seemed to go on for ever, and which included a prayer for the conversion of the Jews. You couldn't have that now, of course. It's PC gone mad, I tell you!

Ha - all these rather draconian tales of 'church life as a Catholic' is so far removed from what I experienced when I grew up, so as to almost make me think we're talking about a different religion!

Things were rather more laidback/less staid in Catholic churches when I grew up, either when I went church at school or when I was at home, otherwise it would've probably put me off for life!!

My parents were strict Catholics, insofar as they went to mass, obeyed the 10 commandments, and as far as possible tried to lead a good (and holy) life, which was how I was brought up, but there was never the draconian control/brainwashing or 'doom and gloom', often portrayed here for life as a Catholic, or Christian.

My parents used religion to teach me good morals/manners , and how to be a caring and considerate person, all of which paid dividends, and which is why I continue practicing my faith to this day. The single most important thing to me in life is my Catholic faith, as God has given me so many wonderful things to be grateful for.

Marco.

[struth]

Roman Catholic church up here is known as the chapel...not sure why.

[Macca]

My parents were strict Catholics, insofar as they went to mass, obeyed the 10 commandments, and as far as possible tried to lead a good (and holy) life, which was how I was brought up, but there was never the draconian control/brainwashing or 'doom and gloom', often portrayed here for life as a Catholic, or Christian.

My parents used religion to teach me good morals/manners , and how to be a caring and considerate person,

Marco.

I'd largely say the same but Joe is a bit older than us and a lot of things changed with Vatican II in '65.

[Joe]

I'd largely say the same but Joe is a bit older than us and a lot of things changed with Vatican II in '65.

Yeah. I'd mastered the Creed and the Our Father in Latin so as to qualify to be an altar boy, then, after a couple of years, it all switched to English. I stopped being an altar boy after a furious row with the parish priest over wearing 'unsuitable' shoes for an early morning Mass during the summer holidays. I remember saying 'I don't think God cares what shoes I wear', and that was it. I had to hand in my cassock.

[Pigmy Pony]

As with many things, our attitude towards religion will be largely influenced by our childhood experiences. My uncle used to 'pimp out' his wife and daughters to his friends from his local church group, while my step dad was apparently beaten almost daily by the nuns at the convent where he was raised. He's in the clink now and will die in there, good riddance.

It only takes a few bad apples...