Spring Break Dilemma

[DJ B.K.]

I know you all probably aren't ready to talk about spring yet but I've got a new dilemma on my hands now that even though I have time to figure out what I want to do but I want to get it off my mind soon. So here's the dilemma:

I have 2 choices for Spring Break this summer. Choice 1 is what I did last year with my church. I believe it will be at the same place and will be doing the same type of thing. It is a mission trip where we rebuild houses and stuff. The second choice is a trip with my choir to Florida for a week performing and such. While more expensive ($400), it is a deal considering where we are staying at. We are staying 3 different 4 star 4 diamond hotels wih stuff like 42 inch plasma screens, marble surrounded bath tubs, kichenettes, baclconies, and all the luxuries. The one in Orlando we are staying is even right next to Disney World. You can watch the Disney firworks from your balcony.

The first dilemma I have is that I feel bad skipping out on a mission trip for a luxury tour with my choir that isn't required. Sure I can always make up for it and to some extra community service some other time or even try to do some ministry on the choir trip. While the choir trip won't be religous for sure. I assume we can't do anything to wild because we've got perform. But the dilemma doesn't even stop there.

Our school's spring break is on Holy Week this year. I'm not sure what's al required in Catholicism to go to other than good friday and easter. So I don't know if there are holy obligation days I might miss. They did mention that we'd be back for good friday though. I might need to ask if I would be able to get to a church on the sunday we are down there because we leave the friday before good friday. But getting to a holy day of obligation mass could be trouble. I don't believe I would have this problem on our church's trip.

So basically I just want your opinion on whether it is out of the question in going to the choir trip because of holy week, or if i shouldn't give up on the chance for a mission trip. Be honest with me now. I know I can trust you OBOB'ers and even non-catholics.

 

[plum]

My first gut-response was "you should go on the mission trip"

but ah!

you should NOT go if you are not going for the right reasons... I have made that judgment mistake before... thinking that because it was "holy work" and a mission trip, that it was obviously the only choice I have and also that I would be going for the right reasons since I'm a Christian..........
I mean, how would it have looked if I went on a relaxing road trip instead of going to minister in inner city Memphis?

But truly, I went because of my ego, my sense of duty (not calling), and fear of how it would look on my spiritual résumé.

I'm not sure how this could help you make a decision. Of course I think the world would benefit greatly from your physical service and also service of heart... but don't go just because you think you should. Go if you honestly desire to serve the Holy God by sacrificing your enjoyment on the other trip... pray for God to show you if He will bless either or both of your options.

you're so blessed to have these options in your life!

 

[epiclesis]

I'd go on the mission trip.
I've always wanted to go on one and havent' yet had the opportunity.

pray about it.

 

[DJ B.K.]

I'd go on the mission trip.
I've always wanted to go on one and havent' yet had the opportunity.

pray about it.

Well I did so on the same trip last year. I will pray about it though of course but it helps me a lot to have human opinions.

 

[Epiphanygirl]

Both sound wonderful! You will honor the Lord either way! Helping build homes or spreading love through music in honor and worship of Him! Please don't feel guilty for being 19 and wanting to have some fun! Also, If there is another time during the year where you could donate your time to help out again, make a commitment to do it then.

 

[DJ B.K.]

Both sound wonderful! You will honor the Lord either way! Helping build homes or spreading love through music in honor and worship of Him! Please don't feel guilty for being 19 and wanting to have some fun! Also, If there is another time during the year where you could donate your time to help out again, make a commitment to do it then.

Another thing though. My choir isn't religous and I'm not sure what they will be doing for fun in between performances. I don't think it shoul get real wild like I've said because we've got to perform but I guess I should ask this the next time we have choir. That'll be awhile becuase we are are done until after Christmas break.

 

[Epiphanygirl]

Another thing though. My choir isn't religous and I'm not sure what they will be doing for fun in between performances. I don't think it shoul get real wild like I've said because we've got to perform but I guess I should ask this the next time we have choir. That'll be awhile becuase we are are done until after Christmas break.

Ahh...
Well then, all I can ask is "Where is your heart in this"? Do you really want to go to Florida, but feel guilty for wanting to go?
Do you really want to stay and ehlp build, but the other sounds like more fun?
Do you want a real break from all your hard studying, time to unwind?
I would go to Adoration and meditate on this, as I don't think God wants you to be persuaded by guilt either way!

 

[DJ B.K.]

I just don't want to conivince myself to do what God doesn't want me to do just because it's more fun. I really posted this just to make it wouldn't be a very bad thing to go to florida instead of a mission trip.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

It really kind of sounds like you know the answer that you are seeking..... you seem to be cautioning against choosing the choir trip.

Really the thing to do is to seek out theanswer in prayer- wherever God wants you to be-- go there! It could be that He desires you to be on the choir trip, so that you mught be a Godly influence to those around you, and let them see the importance of your faith, and that you will not compromise through sin in order to have a great time. It could be that HE desires you to go on the mission trip and be edified by the faith of others around you.

One is not superior to the other- without it being wherever it is God wants you to be!

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

Adoration then go ask a preist

 

[DJ B.K.]

Adoration then go ask a preist

i should have plenty of time for that depending on when my church does it. I haven't done adoration myself before so I'll have to see if I can find a good explanatory thread about it.

 

[MParedon]

Actually... I think you should go on the choir trip. I think during Holy Week you would be an excellent witness to the Faith. I don't mean for you to proselytise, like in your face, but if you have a pamphlet or something for you to focus and meditate on about the Holy Week that you can look at during some of the 'off time' during the trip. As you said, you have been to the mission trip before, and you will probably be able to go again.
While the people on the Choir trip may not be as in need as those you would help on the mission trip, there is a definite need to see young faithful in everyday activities.

but that is just my .02

 

[DJ B.K.]

Well thanks for your opinions all. Anymore are appreciated but I've got some questions I need to ask about both first before I decide. It'll be awhile because we're not meeting again for choir for awhile because it's the end of the quarter here but I will let you all know the answers to my question so I can get more advice if needed.