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Halloween Costumes At Mass?


dUSt

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Okay, so my grandparent's church I attend sometimes on Sunday evenings had a blurb in the bulletin encouraging parishioners to wear their Halloween costumes to the evening mass on Oct 27th.

See "Trunk or Treat" on homepage: [url="http://www.sjtanrh.com/"]http://www.sjtanrh.com/[/url]

Discuss.

[color="#FF0000"][b]UPDATE: Success!!! The bulletin has been changed to instruct people NOT to wear costumes to mass. YEAH![/b][/color]

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I disagree with the idea. I can understand the concept of community building they might see in it, especially if there were to 'trick or treat' or something of the such as a Church community afterwards, however, secularized halloween costumes seem somewhat disrespectful at Mass.

However, a "All Saints Day" with costumes for the little ones could be nice as well, and it shares a similiar concept, though it should still be done in a tasteful way.

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aych. Effing.No.
Looks like a possible Halloween mass. I HATE HALLOWEEN MASSES.
And clown masses, and Barney masses, etc. This is only going to be an encouragement for a full blown Halloween mass. Tell the pastor this isn't pastorally prudent.He should scrap the idea, and let them have a costume party in the parish/school hall.
Not to metion, people are stupid, and might wear crazy things there(Skimpy outfits, blood/gore)

Edited by Deo Iuvente
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It would be going against the spirit of the laws which govern the Liturgy and would therefore be liturgically abusive.

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well, I don't agree with any celebration during halloween at all anyways. So dressing up for halloween and going to mass at the same time seem like a contradiction to me, an offense. I know most of you here will argue me that halloween is innocent fun, especially if the kids don't dress gruesomely or immodestly. But I have this sort of discussion come every halloween. Apparently there are a lot of you who don't fully understand MY understanding of halloween. I know that comes also from my lack of clarity in explaining, but even though it is all hallows eve, the day has been distorted. Completely demolished for children. This is what you could call another harry potter thing. Things threatening children that are very innocent, or so they seem. Alrighty, well I should stop getting off track and let you finish your lovely discussion that I interupted :)

I wouldn't have any kids celebrate, of any kind, during halloween. I would encourage however, mass, prayer, adoration during halloween.

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If anyone wants to help out...

Look at the "Trunk or Treat" announcement right on the homepage: [url="http://www.sjtanrh.com/"]http://www.sjtanrh.com/[/url]

Here's the e-mail for Kim Philp, the lady organizing the "Trunk or Treat", encouraging people to wear costumes to mass:

[i][b]Updated:[/b] No need to e-mail as bulletin has been changed. :)[/i]

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goldenchild17

I don't agree with costumes of any kind at mass, costumes of zombies or of saints. Afterwards, now that might be fun for the church to gather and do that.

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The email I just sent:

My dear priests,

Peace be with you! Thank you for the total and heroic gift of self that is your priest hood!

A friend of mine showed me your parish bulletin in which “Trunk or Treat” was advertised. I am writing on his behalf. Having worked in a Parish for quite a few years I understand that both not everything in the bulletin is typed by the priests and the great need for pastoral care of the Parish.

Over all, it is great idea. I can see it being something that really binds the community and brings a Christian Spirit to the holiday. That being said, wearing any sort of Halloween costume at Mass, would seriously distract from the Liturgy. And while wearing ghoulish costumes may not necessarily be immoral, surely it would be illicit as Mass.

May God guide all that we do.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

James III

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cathoholic_anonymous

The student chaplaincy here at Cambridge has a "Saints and Sinners" fancy dress party to mark All Saints' Day every year. However, this event is always kept totally separate from Mass. No one would dream of attending it in costume. Perhaps you could suggest that people keep the costumes (tastefully themed - no guts and nothing occultic) for a church party afterwards.

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fides quarens intellectum

i love how the bulletin announcement just below it is one for a "Catholic Social Teaching Series"

anyway, i emailed the priests.

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