Members
Change Profile
Discussion
Topics
Last Day
Last Week
Tree View
Search Board
Keyword Search
By Date
Utilities
Contact
Administration
Documentation
Getting Started
Formatting
Troubleshooting
Program Credits
Coupons
Best Coupons
Freebie Newsletter!
Coupons & Free Stuff
|
Moms View Message Board: General Discussion Archive: Archive February 2005: Lent and a Friday birthday party
My ds is having his 16th birthday party Friday, he is having 4 buddies come for a sleepover. We don't eat meat on fridays through lent. We are the only Catholic family of the boys that are coming over. Would you just forget fasting and order combo pizzas? Would you order a few cheese and veggie pizzas and a combo? Would you as parents be offended or feel like we were trying to inflict our beliefs if your child came for a party and didnt have meat on the pizzas? My 8 and 4 yo are still under the age where they have to comply w/ the diet restrictions of lent, but the 11 yo really should fast but I dont want to make him feel like an outsider. The 16 yo will be cool w/ the cheese and veggie pizza. I am thinking maybe of letting the boys have pizza and then go meatless on Saturday. So what do you all think?
I would do what you feel in your heart is best. I would not be offended at all if my child came to a party and there wasn't meat offered. If you don't bring it up, chances are they won't even notice. Now, if you went on and on about how it is a sin to my child or something...that might be a different story..lol, but I am sure you wouldn't do that. Is it possible for you to order a large veggie pizza for your family and then a smaller one with meat on it for the other children? I don't see how your child could feel like an outsider if he is still eating the same type of food.... I don't think I would give my child a pass on it if it is your belief. I think that sends mixed messages.
I think I would continue fasting. Not having meat on pizza's isnt' that big of deal. I guess you have to decide why you participate in lent. My understanding is that we are to suffer a little so we can understand a little. So skipping it seems just wrong. If you do lent because you just do, then skipping it isn't that big of deal. As a parent I don't think I would mind if my child goes to play with her friend that doesn't eat beef, if they didn't eat beef, as long as you feed them. It isn't like you are asking them to eat something odd, it may not be their favorite, OH WELL. Your other option is to order cheese, veggie pizzas and then have a "bar" at home with meat toppings. You could do a make your own pizza instead of ordering.
Ditto Vicki
I wouldn't be offended at all if there was no meat on the pizza. Don't even mention why and it won't be a big deal.
I would go with just plain pizza and/or the veggie pizza. And don't mention anything.
If it's something you feel strongly about, forgo the meat, and offer whatever you want for the other boys. If you are ok with serving meat for them, a cheese/veggie pizza for your boys should be fine. I grew up with a large Catholic community, and never thought twice about the restrictions they followed. We went to lunch with my in-laws on Friday, they are Catholic so we went to Olive Garden, they ordered fish.
Can't you keep the fast, but offer your guests the choice of meat pizza?
Well I guess my dilema is that I would prefer not to order meat pizzas but dont want my ds to feel like a freak either
Serve cheese pizzas. Don't think twice about it. Not serving meat to a vegetarian is different than not serving meat to a carnivore. I eat meat, but I don't HAVE to eat it. Vegetarians cannot eat meat, therefore need a suitable substitute. Cheese pizzas will be fine, and if you don't make a fuss about it, no one is likely to say anything.
To be honest, I don't really think the other kids will care. They are your ds's friends, why should he feel like a freak around them?? It is your religious belief that is all. Please don't take this wrong, but it sounds almost like you are embarrassed that you are fasting??? If you don't want to have meat, then don't order it. Just order veggie pizzas and cheese. I don't know a child that doesn't like just plain cheese pizza. If they say anything, then your ds should just tell them that it is lent and because of your religious beliefs you don't eat meat on Fridays. Since they are his friends, then I would think that would be the end of it.
I don' think it's any big deal to have the meat pizzas and then your kids not eat them. They don't have to make a big annoucement that they aren't eating them, but if it's going to cause problems, just order a bunch of cheese pizzas.
Tend to one they don't even notice. I would order a veggie or cheese pizza's & not mention anything else about it.
We're facing this as well. We're Catholic, and abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. Well, my oldest ds will turn 21 in mid-March and the soonest he can get back in town for us to celebrate is Easter weekend (he'll probably have to come in on Friday, go back Saturday to work, and then come back). We've always made birthdays very special, with a full meal for the in-town relatives (we could have anywhere from 10 to 20 people).
Back to your original question - I would suggest that if your ds is okay with the cheese/veggie thing, then go with that. No explanations are necessary if there are no other choices, and you can still abstain without making a public announcement.
I think it depends on how faithful you are to lent.
Is there a KFC near you??? I'd just go with cheese pizzas. Shoot, that's what my kids prefer anyway! lol You could always add wings, too. (chicken is okay, right?)
chicken is meat. ;)
Only can eat fish for meat on friday, we usually just go vegetarian, maybe somebody likes anchovie pizza
I'm not Catholic and I'm not real clear on all you need to do for Lent, but would it be ok for you to make the pizzas at home using meatless pepperoni or meatless sausage? I think Boca makes both. I hope it's a possible solution to your delima.
Oops. Got chicken and fish mixed up. My bad. Sorry.
I really don't see why anyone would be offended if you didn't offer meat but if you are truly worried about it, I don't think that you would be a bad Catholic by serving it to non-Catholics. Just because it's in the house doesn't mean you are eating it.
I would also just choose the meatless option. However, if it was me, I would want to celebrate with my child...with cake or something and since you are fasting you will not be able to do that. Any possibly of having the party Saturday night instead? Although, that might make them very tired for mass on Sunday...
We are doing a cheese cake, I am not holding them to no sweets for his birthday. That just seemed outside of the original intent of fasting for me. I asked about saturday night but he is playing in the band at the basketball game from 6 to about 10 so that kinda blows that.
My best friend is Catholic. Most of their kids' friends are Catholic, too, but I wouldn't be offended if we were invited over to her house on a Friday, and we didn't get meat. It's what Edie does during Lent! However, we usually end up going out for pizza on Fridays. They order cheese pizza. We get what we like. Everyone's happy. (I'm Lutheran)
|
. I think having a meat pizza around the 11 yo will be a problem because we also are not supposed to make a big deal out of fasting (wash your face, dont wear ashes, what is done for God will be rewarded by God, what you do to show to others will be reward by the others and not by God) and I think he may make a big deal out of it. Being 16 is kind of a delecate time, I know he personally understands the reason for fasting. On the other side I also feel like I would be a bad host for not offering meat pizza because if a vegetarian came to the house I would certainly do my best to make sure they had what they liked to eat. So I feel like a bad host or a bad Catholic lol. And we cant have it Saturday night.