QUESTION

I have been having a hard time finding an answer to a question. Is it sinful to eat out on Sundays at restaurants, fast food shops, etc.? I have the same question about patronizing national parks or areas that require you to pay a fee. Thank you!

RESPONSE

When I was a youth we still had the blue laws and except for drug stores and hospitals, most places were closed on Sundays or operated at reduced hours. Obviously, there were police, firefighters and emergency personnel remaining on the job. I recall allowances were made for a few places to stay open in the morning, like the local doughnut shop, as there was a big business after church services (remember Catholics once fasted from midnight on and not just an hour before Holy Communion). Boy scouts might also sell newspapers outside churches as well. Remember, there was no Saturday anticipatory…