Hope Dorman (The Beacon)
By Hope Dorman, Guest Commentary
Like many other raised-but-not-practicing Catholics, I decided to go to Mass on Easter Sunday. My friend and I decided to go to the Sunday service, wanting to attend the Pilots vs. Thorns game instead of the Saturday Vigil. On Sunday morning, we walked over to the Chapel of Christ the Teacher, but instead of finding no room at the inn, found no seat in the chapel.
We looked around and noticed many family members that filled the seats usually empty or taken by students during the Sunday night service I've previously attended. It looked like all of the open seats were reserved with purses or programs. As my friend and I are not religious, we decided to head back instead of standing for the whole service.
On the way back, I wondered why there was only one Sunday service on one of the most heavily attended days of the year. While many students at UP go home for break or don't attend an Easter service, less frequent churchgoers are more likely to attend on Easter. To have fewer services on a more popular day seems a little counterproductive.
I understand that all of those involved in the Mass want to spend time with their families or friends on Easter Sunday, and I don't mean to sound as if they should sacrifice their holiday for those few students unable to find a place during the Easter service. But with the numerous priests and chapels on campus, would it be possible to have a sort of "overflow" Mass?
With the closest Catholic church to UP being Holy Redeemer about three miles away, it seems like we could take advantage of the abundance of chapels on campus for students who don't have cars. While I know that next year I should probably walk over a bit earlier to ensure getting a seat, I simply think there is an easy solution to account for the stragglers with good intentions.
Hope Dorman is a freshman English major. She can be reached a dorman16@up.edu.
