I have a question, not sure if someone is teasing me or what..

[buddy&wooz]

Our bishop granted the dispensation but asked that we abstain on a different day instead.

So we had shrimp last night .

(yes, yes, I know, I know...)

 

[momrek06]

It is OK to eat meat in Worcester County, Central MA.

GO IRISH!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Disney Doll]

Lent is a time of sacrifice, a time of preparation for the Resurrection of Jesus, which occurs on Easter Sunday. A time for us to share some of the pain Jesus felt in the days leading up to His Crucifiixion.

Way back in the years of the early Church, the edict of no meat on Fridays was actually made in support of the fisherman. If the RC Church forced people to eat fish one day per week, the fishermen would benefit.

As time went on, it became no meat on Fridays during Lent...remember, these were the days when meat was considered more of a treat or delicacy than it is now, so not eating it for one day was considered a "sacrifice". Realistically, how much of a "sacrifice" is it to eat shrimp scampi on a Friday during Lent just because it is a Friday? Not much.

These past couple of years, our diocese has been leaning toward active rather than passive sacrifice. In other words, rather than giving up something, do something. Go to church every day during lent. Resolve to be nice, patient, kind to everyone you meet all the time during Lent. Give up something that is truly a sacrifice for you...in my case that would be chocolate!! Too many folks think "well, I don't eat meat on Fridays during Lent, so I am a good Catholic, even if I just went and screwed my business partner out of his share of the profits".

What do you think God cares more about, really???

 

[golfgal]

Our Bishop did NOT grant a dispensation for us this year. It did not go over well with the Irish Community but they should have expected it since our Bishop is the most conservative one in the nation, at least I think so.

I like our priest's view on the whole no meat on Friday thing, his thought that if giving up meat is no big deal for you then eat meat but give up something that does mean something to you, like your daily coffee or soda or whatever. You should have to think more what you are giving up then which fish fry you are going to hit that week. One year I gave up snacks and that was a LOT harder then giving up meat.

Now, for the history of how this all started: way back when one of the Popes owned a fish factory or what ever they were called. In order to make more money, he required all Catholics to eat fish on Friday. It has since evolved into a symbol of the sacrifice Jesus made.

 

[glass slipper girl]

in the midst of extreeme fatigue and morning sickness, here is a bit of sunshine...being pregnant I am expempt from this year's "meatless Fridays." That's a nice thing since DH's boss is taking everyone (and their spouses) who worked on a project they just completed out to dinner at a local Steakhouse tomorrow night. DH was raised Baptist and though he attends Mass with me and our children are baptised Catholic, he has not officially converted so he doesn't observe things like this.

Now if I can just stay awake through dinner and not lose any of it later due to "morning" (HA!) sickness.

 

[lbgraves]

We always eat corned beef & cabbage on St. Pat's Day. I have a very small percentage Irish in my but that isn't why we do it...it's tradition. The Pastor told everyone a couple weeks ago that he thought that it would be a sin NOT to have corned beef & cabbage on St. Pat's Day even if it was on Friday. It wouldn't matter to me if the Bishop granted an exemption or not. Like DisneyDoll posted, What do you think God cares more about, really???

 

[scoutsmom99]

Our Bishop did grant a dispensation this year here in the Twin Cities it was on the news last night.

 

[swea_pea1]

16 years of Catholic school has ingrained it in my head.

Yep, me too!

Seems we're living parallel lives...except I'd never ever root for those Brownies

 

[golfgal]

Our Bishop did grant a dispensation this year here in the Twin Cities it was on the news last night.

Yes, but with a name like Harry FLYNN, how could he not!

 

[Bob Slydell]

Yep, me too!

Seems we're living parallel lives...except I'd never ever root for those Brownies

Well, we can't all be perfect

 

[Mercy]

So what happens if you eat meat today and your parrish has not granted dispensation??? You go to hell or something, that is just

On the other Fridays of Lent, if you don't eat meat... what do you eat? Lobster, crab, shrimp... yeah that's a sacrifice

 

[beattyfamily]

So what happens if you eat meat today and your parrish has not granted dispensation??? You go to hell or something, that is just

On the other Fridays of Lent, if you don't eat meat... what do you eat? Lobster, crab, shrimp... yeah that's a sacrifice

Why is it always ok to pick on Catholics around here?

No, we don't go to hell. It's a recommendation based on tradition. It is not a sin.

 

[Bob Slydell]

So what happens if you eat meat today and your parrish has not granted dispensation??? You go to hell or something, that is just

On the other Fridays of Lent, if you don't eat meat... what do you eat? Lobster, crab, shrimp... yeah that's a sacrifice

Yep, off to hell you go!!

As a kid, my mom used to make us eat tuna noodle casserole -- that was a sacrifice

 

[Mercy]

Why is it always ok to pick on Catholics around here?

No, we don't go to hell. It's a recommendation based on tradition. It is not a sin.

Sorry, I am an ex-Catholic, and ridiculous rules like this, that don't make sense are one of the reasons why I left.

If it is not a sin, why would you need dispensation?

 

[mickeyfan2]

Actually it has been done for decades. My 70 year old Uncle remembers this being allowed in the 50s. It was more common in areas that had Irish parishoners. We are allowed, but DH will not do it, so he gets his corned beef and cabbage tomorrow.

 

[golfgal]

Sorry, I am an ex-Catholic, and ridiculous rules like this, that don't make sense are one of the reasons why I left.

If it is not a sin, why would you need dispensation?

It is not a sin but a practice of the church. People need a dispensation to relieve the guilty feelings of eating meat on Friday during lent. No one is going to come a shoot you for eating meat. It is just something the church asks in remembrance of the suffering Jesus did for us. It isn't too much to ask of anyone. It isn't a ridiculous rule, it is a form of worship.

 

[helenabear]

Sorry, I am an ex-Catholic, and ridiculous rules like this, that don't make sense are one of the reasons why I left.

If it is not a sin, why would you need dispensation?

If you are an ex-Catholic, why do you need to post? You should know the answer yourself then.

Sorry... I didn't take your post badly until you stated this.

If you eat meat, they say that you should try to think of some other "extravagence" you should give up. Lent is about sacrifice, not sinning for not sacrificing. It isn't a rule to make you 'burn in hell' The idea is there so you can try to understand what Jesus went through

 

[mickeyfan2]

Sorry, I am an ex-Catholic, and ridiculous rules like this, that don't make sense are one of the reasons why I left.

If it is not a sin, why would you need dispensation?

Sorry no answer I can give you will really matter to you anyway.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I had no idea Catholics were not supposed to eat meat on Friday. Does this apply to all Catholics? I had a friend who was a very devout Catholic and I'm almost positive she did.

Meat was actually beef, chicken or pork. On Friday you are allowed to eat fish (I will make you a fisher of men). You don't go to hell for not abstaining, it is there to remind you and help you get more spiritual for the celebration of Easter.

 

[mickeyfan2]

So Catholics don't eat meat on any Friday or just during Lent? I'm confused...LOL

And what is the reason for no meat on Fridays? Just curious

Just during Lent. It is a way to prepare for the Easter Season.