A New Time

Our family has gone to church at 10:00 am always. We found our parish just around our first anniversary. That means we've been going to this church for about 29 years.  29 years!!!!! How is that possible? 

When we were first married 10:00 suited us just fine. I think we enjoyed sleeping in then. 

When we had babies and toddlers and elementary aged girls 10:00 was the only option really. They were awake early but there was a lot to 'wrangle' in that stage. (although happiness, pure happiness and I loved it) I can remember laying out their church clothes with them the night before (oh how I loved that). I can remember cooking breakfast, cleaning up, helping them get ready, doing their hair, helping to brush their teeth, putting on their coats, shoes, and getting them into the car. I remember packing their 'church' bags with fun and quiet things to do during Mass (I miss that). 

When we middle school and high school teens 10:00 was again the only option for us. Those teens needed to sleep in and we accommodated of course. 

But now, we have one in college going to church on her own, and one young adult. And so we've changed our church time to 8:00 am. 

Here is why we love it so much more:

⛪Getting up and going without doing lots of things first helps make it feel more holy to us. It's first and we like putting our faith first. That time just feels like the day hasn't started yet and so our minds are clear and our hearts are open to hear the Word and participate. 

⛪When we get home around 9:15 we have soooOoooo much day ahead of us. It feels good to have all of Sunday to go. 

⛪It's less crowded and so I find it more peaceful 

⛪This might sound strange but the 10:00 has a certain feel to it. There is a lot of music and a lot of families. When I've been to 10:00 since our girls have grown it's actually kind of hard. I see all of those young families with their 'church bags' and I want just one more time to be that family. So going to an entirely different Mass feels like an entirely new time in our lives and we need that. We can't stay in that stage forever! 

This past Sunday Scott decided to entice Anna and give her a spring in her step to going with us to the 8:00 by making a homemade waffle brunch when we got home and it was so so good! Hot tea, turkey sausage, and warm buttery waffles... yes please!