Chapter 1- Introduction

I can almost sympathize with the author in regards to the emphasis his mother placed on religion and the importance of following the Jewish education. Although, as I was growing up we didn't have to attend so many days to religious school as the Jewish kids did, I was obligated to attend Catholic Mass every Sunday without any excuse. Catechism classes were absolutely mandatory as they were a prerequisite for the sacrament of First Communion, following Confirmation. I still have not fulfilled every sacrament mandated by the Catholic religion. In part, I have not been obligated to do so because my family migrated to the United States and we no longer have the influence my grandmother used to place on us in regards to religion. My grandmother is the most transcendental Catholic member I have ever met. We could not avoid Sunday service, unless we were absolutely dying (literally). She made sure everyone was up and ready to attend service with her every Sunday morning no matter what. My brother and I literally, dreaded the fact of going over her house every weekend because we knew how demanding she was in regards to religion. Unfortunately, we were kids and had no other choice but to abide by her rules and ideas. Like the author, as I grew older, I separated from the Catholic teachings, and began to look for another church. Now that I'm a parent, I haven't quite follow the same traditions that I was forced to abide as I was growing up. Although, I still consider some of the teachings I learned from the Catholic religion, and don't necessarily incorporated every single aspect of it. I baptized my son in the Catholic church but I have not considered for him to follow every sacrament mandated by church. At this present time, my mother has been pressing the issue about it, but I have been reluctant to accept her ideas. I truly respect her concerns and ideas, but I wouldn't necessarily follow or agree with everything she recommends. It can be really difficult at times to follow through with those things that were inculcated to someone as a child, specially if those were things that the person truly disliked.