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I am a former Judaizer who used to Go to the extreme when it came to resting on Sunday. After praying in the morning, I would eat pre prepared foods and sleep all day. I would seldom leave the house, never watch TV, bathe, or even flush the toilet! Now I am converting to Catholicism. I was wondering what is the Traditional practices in Catholicism when it comes to keeping sunday Holy? Can I watch TV? cook food. Do Laundry? I already know that the church isn't as strict as I was on this issue, but what would the ideal be?
Hi, Mark:
Pretty good questions... Certainly the end of keeping Sunday Holy is for the purpose of honoring God with due worship, and taking legitimate recreation. It sure sounds like your former observance of the Sabbath was quite intense and deep.
I should think that as a Catholic, you may certainly flush the toilet; watch TV with normal discretion that you would want to watch good and wholesome things in moderation; if you gotta eat, you might need to do some minimal food preparation (sounds like your former practice of having pre prepared foods is a pretty good idea, actually - this would give you more rest on the day); you might do laundry if you're down to your last pair of underwear, I should think, realizing that doing laundry would be the exception and not the general rule of practice...
As far as an "ideal list" - now there's another neat idea. I can't say I have exactly seen one ever. It could certainly provide a basic guide, couldn't it? For the overly scrupulous, I suppose that it could become a snare...
I looked this up in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the paragraphs I read were not so specific as to address your particular concerns or questions; nevertheless, the general principles were laid out. Have you got a copy of the CCC? If not, you ought to get one. I highly recommend it!
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Answers by Expert:
Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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