If you travel in most of Europe you will notice that
shopping malls, or more likely hypermarchés are closed
on Sunday. There are sporting events, however

The Pope just said----

Pope Says Sundays for God, Not Sports

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope John Paul ( news -web sites ) on Friday said
Sunday should be a day for God, not for secular diversions like
entertainment and sports.

"When Sunday loses its fundamental meaning and becomes subordinate to a
secular concept of 'weekend' dominated by such things as entertainment and
sport, people stay locked within a horizon so narrow that they can no longer
see the heavens," the pontiff said in a speech to Australian bishops.

John Paul criticized the "culture of the 'here and now,'" urging Church
leaders to "lead men and women from the shadows of moral confusion and
ambiguous thinking."

The 83-year-old pope also encouraged Christians, especially young people, to
remain faithful to Sunday Mass, saying the secular culture was undermining
family life.

****

Of course one of the 10 commandments says something about keeping the Lord`s
day for the Lord.

In France, the pressure to keep stores closed on Sunday is from the unions
and not the churches, however.

It does keep Sunday a slower day than the other days of the week however, a
needed rest from consuming too much or too often. It at least gives the
pocket book a rest.

Earl