https://www.simplelivingforum.net/ Children, spouses, relatives, pets, homeschooling, etc. en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:27:44 GMT vBulletin 60 https://www.simplelivingforum.net/images/misc/rss.png https://www.simplelivingforum.net/ https://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?21349-Seeking-advice-wording-on-thank-you-notes-for-Catholic-quot-spiritual-bouquets-quot&goto=newpost Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:26:07 GMT My mother comes from an Italian Catholic background. Although she was not a fan of the Catholic church in her adulthood, she did consider herself a... My mother comes from an Italian Catholic background. Although she was not a fan of the Catholic church in her adulthood, she did consider herself a Christian. As you probably know, I am an atheist, or even an anti-theist. I would describe my sister as more of an atheist-leaning agnostic.

So here is my question. Many of the people who came to her visitation gave us "spiritual bouquets" or perpetual mass cards. The giver buys a card (for as much as $30!) to enroll Mom in daily prayers by a bunch of monks. Now these cards are less than meaningless to me, and I actually find it a bit annoying that the damned church made money from her death (leave it to the Catholic church). I also understand that the givers did this with love in their hearts, and that the practice is meaningful to them. I know better than to say what I really think, e.g. "so sorry that you wasted your money and helped to support The Evil Empire," but I also am not about to say something totally insincere like "I'm sure Mom is appreciating those prayers up in heaven!" Does it sound OK to thank them for their condolences and just leave it vague like that? I want to acknowledge the caring behind the gesture, without showing that I value the thing itself, if that makes sense. ]]> rosarugosa https://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?21349-Seeking-advice-wording-on-thank-you-notes-for-Catholic-quot-spiritual-bouquets-quot