[friendociate]

The Mass I 'attend' (or rather 'watch most of while I eat a meal at the beginning of the week') is broadcast (with the 'paid-advertising' announcements stations always put before religious programs and/or infomercials) nationwide.

It's Heart of the Nation CATHOLIC MASS, "A ministry of Santa Fe Communications since 1984 ... in Milwaukee, Wisconsin." And I get a free calendar from them ... mostly just because they offer it, as I already get a yearly calendar from Kenneth Copeland Ministries (which they just offer for free as well (also not available this late in the year); I get them both, because I'm an 'infomaniac' )

I'm looking at my calendar from Heart of the Nation (like I said, they're not offering it this late in the year; but they do offer a free subscription to a monthly Prayer & Worship Guide).

Beside 'the returnable envelope to use to send in a donation,' the calendar comes with this enclosed letter:

Your 2023 Catholic Art Calendar

Dear Friend of Heart of the Nation,

Displaying your 2023 Each Day with the Lord calendar will welcome the Lord and His love into your daily life. Here at Heart of the Nation, we hope that religious art, prayers and thoughts inspired by Holy Scripture will make your calendar part of blessed and grace-filled days.

Please return the enclosed reply slip with your special prayer intentions and an offering if you can. Your response will share the Lord's compassion for the sick, lonely and struggling who find hope through Heart of the Nation's Catholic ministry and prayer for one another.

Your Each Day with the Lord calendar includes Catholic feast days honoring Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and other saints. There is also room on your calendar for you to write birthdays, anniversaries, and any occasions celebrating the people you love. Whenever you note appointments, please know that the Lord accompanies you in His love.

In the Heart of Jesus,
Fr. Mark

P.S. Returning the enclosed reply slip with your gift will ensure that every possible penny you donate will directly help in Heart of the Nation's ministry.

And--after the cover, which reads "2023 Each Day with the Lord Heart of the Nation(R)CATHOLIC MASS" with a picture of the (allegedly) 'Virgin' Mary caressing the infant Jesus--the pages of the calendar begin.

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December

And on the inner side of the the back cover,

Each day with the Lord offers opportunities to seek holiness in ways tailored to the gifts bestowed on each person in the heavenly plan for salvation. By reflecting on the art, prayers, and thoughts inspired by Scripture in your 2023 Catholic calendar, you will open your heart to encouragement and spiritual comfort. Your calendar shows the Holy Days, each one focused on following the example of the Lord and saints whose lives gave Him gladness. Birthdays or anniversaries written in your calendar will celebrate the blessings of family and friends. When noting appointments, you can renew your faith that the Lord accompanies you.

Heart of the Nation provides Catholic Mass and prayer publications to keep people connected in faith with the Lord and one another. Please send your prayers to be included at Mass, make an offering for Heart of the Nation's ministry if you can, and display your calendar to help you find holy purpose in each day with the Lord.

My Reminders: (above eight blank lines, where I can write ... whatever I would look at 'the last page of a calendar (even AFTER "December") to remember) ...

Holy Days of Mass Obligation

January 1 - Mary, the Holy Mother of God

May 18 (Thursday) or May 21 (Sunday) - The Ascension of the Lord

August 15 - The Assumption of Mary

November 1 - All Saints

December 8 - The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

December 25 - The Nativity of the Lord

Fasting and Abstinence Guidelines

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22 (2023. Easter Sunday is on April 9, 2023

Fasting: From midnight at the end of a person's 18th birthday, through midnight at the end of the 59th birthday, fasting occurs on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Three meals are allowed, but two small meals together should be less than the full one.

Abstinence: Starting at midnight at the end of the 14th birthday, Catholics do not eat meat or poultry on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent. On other Fridays of the year, you may choose a penance more meaningful for you.

[Shavkat]

I am not that religious when it comes to attending masses. It sounds weird for me not to be one, since I studied to a Catholic school during my high school. I was being doctrined and even read the Holy Bible page by page at that time. But still, I can attend the mass virtually.

[friendociate]

I am not that religious when it comes to attending masses. It sounds weird for me not to be one, since I studied to a Catholic school during my high school. I was being doctrined and even read the Holy Bible page by page at that time. But still, I can attend the mass virtually.

Reminds me 'what "church-meetings" are actually for'---in so many words, they (along with public performances, -lectures, -sports games, -etc.) are for 'taking your place in society.' Your place as a parent or some other leader of the people.

Does this mean it's BAD for some of us not to go to 'church-meetings' (I think we only call them 'Mass' if they're Catholic ... the only other place non-Catholics use it is in what they call Black Mass)? In Heart of the Nation's Mass they include in their Prayers 'a prayer for the sick, including those who attend virtually,'

... and--during 'the Eucharist' (the Communion---sharing 'the holy crackers & -grape juice' they've prayed over to make it symbolize the body & blood of Lord Jesus Christ) they always put text on the screen that prays that--though we can't actually take the blessed snack-tray --we'll feel the love of His sacrifice in our hearts just the same.

(That's not 'the reason why' I'm always eating while I watch the broadcast Mass, but it's a lucky coincidence.)

The reason I don't go to a real-life Mass is because it's inconvenient---going to Mass would thus be against God, no? I mean, look; in the Garden of Eden, did Yahweh make Adam search far-&-wide for Eve? No! He brought her to him! If I lived nextdoor to a church (as I actually DID until I moved back in to my mom's ... due to my brain-injury ), I'd go to Mass (or 'church-meetings' ... none of my nextdoor churches were Catholic) about once a week!