Come on, Dad…we’re on vacation…why do we have to go to Church?

That was my plea, but my dad said: “We don’t take a vacation from God”

Growing up in western New York State back in the 60’s, our family always went to church on Sundays.  We were “low-church” Episcopalians (no “smells & bells” for us…we left that up to those who were “high church” Episcopalians….good grief, we thought they might just as well have been Catholics).

In our church there was just a plain cross over the altar (which faced East, against the wall….we did have an altar rail and took communion kneeling, but the similarity ended there).

We recited the Nicene Creed…but when we got to the part about one holy, catholic and apostolic church my big sister leaned over to me and said “don’t worry, that doesn’t mean we’re Catholic“….whew…what a relief…..apparently being Catholic was something to avoid at all costs, although I had no idea why!

Now that I am Catholic, there is one thing I still miss. it’s the sense of reverence that comes with kneeling at the altar rail.   since they no longer exist in many Catholic churches.

Well, back to my point about going to church while on vacation:

In our family, we went to church on Sunday, even when on vacation.   Having to wake up and get dressed seemed out of place.  Wasn’t a vacation supposed to mean a break from all the rules of every day life?  But my dad was serious about his religion and so we went to church on Sunday……..no matter where we were.

It was pretty easy to find an Episcopal church in many towns. As you arrived at the city limits, you could often find a sign, like the one shown here on the left.

Some times we felt a bit out of place in our casual clothes among all those people in their “Sunday Best”.

Today, of course, vacationers might fit right in with those who trot off to their local Sunday Mass in shorts and flip-flops…but don’t get me started on that!

If you’re not lucky enough to spot a sign….yes, some Catholic churches still have them, but not many…..then be sure to plan ahead.  And, of course, that is one of main reasons we developed The Catholic travel Guide.

 

You might find a New York Cop…or a Nun… to help with directions, but that is pretty unlikely (kinda like the photo, though, so I thought I would add it to this article).

We do have some suggestions for those going on a cruise…or those who might be looking for a Mass in an airport.

In the U.S. & Canada there is a website called Masstimes.org that is useful.

Otherwise, dads…Sunday Mass attendance is an obligation under the Catechism of the Catholic Church (I really hate that word “obligation”…shouldn’t it be a “privilege?)….so spend as much effort planning to attend Mass as you do getting to your destination!  Some day in the future, your kids will appreciate it as I now do.

 

Post by H. Johnson