On 4/22/19 7:04 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 04/22/2019 04:05 PM, T wrote:
On 4/22/19 6:28 AM, rbowman wrote:
annual pilgrimage to church

Uhhhh.Â* "Semi" annual.Â* You forgot Christmas.

I don't think Christmas gets as much play although it's close.
Historically:

"Lest any be kept away from Communion by the fear that the requisite
preparation is too hard and laborious, the faithful are frequently to be
reminded that they are all bound to receive the Holy Eucharist.
Furthermore, the Church has decreed that whoever neglects to approach
Holy Communion once a year, at Easter, is liable to sentence of
excommunication."

That's from the 1215 Fourth Lateral Council and was affirmed by the
Council of Trent. It was modified in 1983. Canon law 989:

989 After having reached the age of discretion, each member of the
faithful is obliged to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least
once a year.

At least for people over 40, Easter is the time to air your dirty
laundry.Â* Note that it says 'grave sins'. If you've never chalked up any
grave sins, you never have to confess. Your call.

The Catholics left the Ancient Church in 10-54 (the Great Schism).
They have been going off on their own for some time now. But, they
still believe in Christ and are Christians.

The ancient church considers it a sadness, not a sin to neglect
services.

If you were not joking about Yom Kippur (Jesus saves, Moses invests),
then it was probably to some social event.

I absolutely was not kidding:

https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/14/u...ynagogues.html

https://www.templeisaiah.net/request...y-tickets.html

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/art...liday-tickets/


https://www.sinaibrookline.org/worsh...information-2/


Temple Sinai in Brookline MA is the specific on I am familiar with.
Cough up $250 if you're not somebody's close relative. Relatives get it
wholesale, only $150. What a bargain.

You read the book, didn't you, the part about the money changers in the
temple?

Nice discussion over he

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/art...liday-tickets/

It is not what you think. It is to support the temple. They look at it
like membership fees at a gym. Christians pass the plate.

That money goes to help pay for the building, staff,
rabbi, cantor, childrens programming, classes, even
food for Kiddush. Synagogues are businesses, in addition
to being places of worship. They need to stay afloat
financially if they want to be able to provide basics
like holiday and services to their members.

If you are already a member of the temple, it is free.

-T