My seven-year-old daughter’s Catholic elementary school is attached to the church it is named after. For reasons I won’t address in this post, the school’s cafeteria is located in the basement of the church. Consequently, the students often have to modify their path to lunch on days when a funeral is taking place. However, given the tight quarters, regardless of the amended route, it is nearly impossible to escape hearing the choir sing funeral hymns and viewing glimpses of flower-strewn or flag-covered caskets. Most parents are well aware of the minor exposure their children are subject to on days when … Continue reading →

Fat Tuesday is typically associated with half-naked women whipping out their hooters and half-naked men whipping beads at ladies to see said hooters. Not exactly kid-friendly stuff. These days you don’t have to travel to New Orleans or Rio de Janeiro to partake in R-rated Fat Tuesday celebrations complete with raucous booze-filled parties. Heck, the tiny rural town I reside in holds an annual Fat Tuesday beer chugging contest at the pub on Main Street. Hide your children… or steer clear of the mayhem by taking them to Mass. On Shrove Tuesday our church is celebrating a Votive Mass in … Continue reading →