I have to swipe 'dul's digital camera next time I go to the Western Beef...

[conuly]

The signs there are so bad, it's not even funny. Except that it is. I don't know what it is about that store, but they're completely unable to get anything right on their signs. Wanuts, indeed! (and that's hardly the worst of it)

So, I went to the Western Beef today, I laughed at their signs... and got to observe the following message at the nearby White Castle: "For Lent, Enjoy A Fish Fillet" (I'm not sure what fish-food they were advertising, so I just filled in a name)

I'm not sure if that ad is clever or sacriligious. Or possibly both - is one *supposed* to enjoy their substitute for whatever they're giving up on Lent? Isn't that the purpose of giving something up?

And here's a question. Recently, I was informed that most modern Catholics don't go into a little booth with a screen to confess. They just talk to a priest. Face to face. And then, when I exclaimed in (mock) shock over this, my mother told me that most Catholics don't use rosaries anymore! (What's next, they'll stop saying the Mass in Latin? :P)

Honestly, it's like the foundation of my world is crumbling all around me. But still, I persevere. Tell me truthfully: Do many/most/some Catholics (still) give up meat for Lent? I know it's not done on Fridays anymore (world, crumbling), but, not actually being Catholic (if infant baptism counts when done by people who are inherantly anti-organized religion counts, that'd be Jenn. And I suppose that makes me Episcopalian. Whatever *they* believe) I don't actually know. I'm kinda scared to ask my mom. Our conversations about religion always end with somebody making really sacriligious jokes, and then my mother getting scared for my safety and requesting that I move at least 50 feet away from her at all times....

Comments

Comment from an ex-Irish-Catholic (ex-Catholic; I'm still Irish)

[phoenixdreaming.livejournal.com]

Face-to-face confession sounds a little creepy. In my experience, it's usually in booths, unless there are no booths available in the place it's been held in -- confession at school, where there weren't enough booths, usually involved just sitting down on a chair beside the priest, not facing directly towards him.

I'm never given up all meat during Lent, though I know my (not-very-observant) parents won't cook meat on Good Friday, and I'm not even sure it's possible to buy meat that day. Rosaries are still used (though more by older people); they're very practical. Not sure if I can remember anything else relevant. Almost all of strangelette's comment applies to my experience, fwiw.

Re: Comment from an ex-Irish-Catholic (ex-Catholic; I'm still Irish)

[ciara-belle.livejournal.com]

Face to face confession is terribly creepy. Especially in a small parish like mine at home, where the priest definitely knows exactly who you are.

I keep thinking that he's going to tell my parents what I'm saying, even though I know that will never, ever happen. o.O