Do you guys always go to Holy Thursday Mass?

[Gnarwhal]

I was planning to go until my wife revealed she wasn't, she just didn't want to do battle with the overcrowding with two kids. And honestly I was relieved not to go as well, since our parish only does one bilingual Mass. Last year I had to stand in the choir loft the whole time and park three blocks away in the rain because so many extra people show up.

It got me wondering how many folks miss Mass on Holy Thursday since it's not a Holy Day of Obligation.

 

[Michie]

I was planning to go until my wife revealed she wasn't, she just didn't want to do battle with the overcrowding with two kids. And honestly I was relieved not to go as well, since our parish only does one bilingual Mass. Last year I had to stand in the choir loft the whole time and park three blocks away in the rain because so many extra people show up.

It got me wondering how many folks miss Mass on Holy Thursday since it's not a Holy Day of Obligation.

I have gone but I don’t always go. There is also a Good Friday short service but not many go to that.

 

[Lady Bug]

I have done so every year since Confirmation (OK that sounds extremely bizarre since it seems like literally yesterday I said that I have RCIA "tomorrow") but this year was a hot mess and I couldn't go. I feel devastated because the reason I didn't go were unfair. I want to watch it online but I may feel worse about it, because I didn't go.

 

[Michie]

I have done so every year since Confirmation (OK that sounds extremely bizarre since it seems like literally yesterday I said that I have RCIA "tomorrow") but this year was a hot mess and I couldn't go. I feel devastated because the reason I didn't go were unfair. I want to watch it online but I may feel worse about it, because I didn't go.

You should not feel bad about not going. You know you have valid reasons for not going.

 

[Gnarwhal]

I have gone but I don’t always go. There is also a Good Friday short service but not many go to that.

I just found out my wife's not planning to go to that either. I guess she's been intending to go to Easter Vigil this year because a friend of ours is coming into the Church, so she'd rather not deal with the hassle of taking the boys to everything else if she's going to be getting them through 3+ hours of Vigil Saturday night.

Now I feel obligated to go but I'll have worked 10:30-7 that day already, I'm not sure I can stay awake through the Vigil...

 

[Lady Bug]

You should not feel bad about not going. You know you have valid reasons for not going.

I do have valid reasons. I don't think I sinned by not going, but I'm only more resentful because it wasn't within my control.

 

[Michie]

I just found out my wife's not planning to go to that either. I guess she's been intending to go to Easter Vigil this year because a friend of ours is coming into the Church, so she'd rather not deal with the hassle of taking the boys to everything else if she's going to be getting them through 3+ hours of Vigil Saturday night.

Now I feel obligated to go but I'll have worked 10:30-7 that day already, I'm not sure I can stay awake through the Vigil...

It’s a long service and very crowded. I know the intent is to go as a family but there are times where it is not always possible. I’ve seen couples go separately at times for various reasons.

 

[Michie]

I do have valid reasons. I don't think I sinned by not going, but I'm only more resentful because it wasn't within my control.

I understand your frustration but I do not know what to say about it except to say that this is not going to last forever. I know it sounds trite but I’m at a loss anymore. I think it’s good that you vent about it though. You should not just stuff your feelings and people are here to support you as far as they can on the internet and pray for you.

 

[Lady Bug]

I understand your frustration but I do not know what to say about it except to say that this is not going to last forever. I know it sounds trite but I’m at a loss anymore. I think it’s good that you vent about it though. You should not just stuff your feelings and people are here to support you as far as they can on the internet and pray for you.

I didn't mean to upset you in any way.

 

[Michie]

I didn't mean to upset you in any way.

Why do you say that?

 

[RileyG]

Yes. I do my best to attend Holy Thursday, and Good Friday. Glad I did!

 

[RileyG]

I have gone but I don’t always go. There is also a Good Friday short service but not many go to that.

I think it depends on your parish? My parish is always pretty full!