Continuing our series on what we miss from the last century, I miss church, especially during Easter Week.
In my hometown of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, like in thousands of other cities, the big Catholic churches - - with their beautiful architecture - - now are empty and ready for destruction. When I was growing up in the "mid century" (as in, "mid century classic furniture"):
*My aunt went to mass every day, early in the morning.
*Palm Sunday service was devoted to Palm Sunday, not Good Friday like it is today. Today few people go to church on Good Friday, so the day is commemorated on Palm Sunday. And the whole joy of Jesus' triumphant entrance into Jerusalem is lost.
*There was an ecumenical service on Good Friday that lasted from noon to 3 pm. It was held in the movie theater, the town's largest auditorium.
*Some stores closed between noon and 3 pm. Many of us took off work, although it was not deemed a holiday by employers.
*And most of all, I miss the hymns. Sometimes on Thanksgiving I copy the words off the Internet and we sing a couple of the hymns at home or driving in the car. I like that.
Church somewhere in Puerto Rico. Julie took the picture last month.
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