A Catholic in a Protestant church

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Whitacre_Girl, We have something similar to what you describe here. The Masses are all very reverant, but once a month or so we have a Holy Hour devotion with praise music. It is kinda a weird concept combining to two, but it works well for our high school youth. For folks a bit older like you, we have quiet an active Young Adult group at the diocesean level. They do “Theology on Tap”, different Holy Hour and Benediction times, quite a bit of stuff. Have you checked to see what is available from the diocese rather than an individual parish? I do understand what you are asking for, but i strongly caution you not to start attending protestant services on a regular basis or form all your friends from that group (obviously most everyone has protestant friends, I mean don’t be exclusive to friendship just from that group).

Also, you may find willing folks to start a praise group outside of Mass at another parish–not the one so far away, but from among those close to you so you could rotate between the parishes, or at least not drive an hour one way!
 
GodisGracious

Good thought! I have been thinking of that too. The weird thing is, towards the tail end of my protestant years I was more of a “quiet devotion” kind of person. But that was in light of the rather rowdy and energetic atmosphere I was in.

I can’t thank you all enough for sounding off. Your support, understanding and prayers are really helping more than words can say. I have an appointment to talk to a priest tomorrow at 11am, so I am hoping to figure some things out there. I am thinking right now, the best case scenario is to chage parishes.

I am just in a weird situation. I have a very strange and versitile relationship with God. I find myself able to dig in deep with prayer and devotion in almost all settings. Quiet candlelight vigils, rowdy hard-rock praise, I’ve even felt the spirit move on my during christian rap concerts. And while I always feel the spirit during communion (the affirmation I have that I am in the right path) I am still left feeling shriveled by my current situation.

Thank you again for your prayers and thoughts. You are all truly wonderful people!
 
Sr_Sally said:
Whitacre_Girl, We have something similar to what you describe here. The Masses are all very reverant, but once a month or so we have a Holy Hour devotion with praise music. It is kinda a weird concept combining to two, but it works well for our high school youth. For folks a bit older like you, we have quiet an active Young Adult group at the diocesean level. They do “Theology on Tap”, different Holy Hour and Benediction times, quite a bit of stuff. Have you checked to see what is available from the diocese rather than an individual parish? I do understand what you are asking for, but i strongly caution you not to start attending protestant services on a regular basis or form all your friends from that group (obviously most everyone has protestant friends, I mean don’t be exclusive to friendship just from that group).

Also, you may find willing folks to start a praise group outside of Mass at another parish–not the one so far away, but from among those close to you so you could rotate between the parishes, or at least not drive an hour one way!
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Thanks for this!! I will bring it up with the priest tomorrow at our meeting, and if he doesn’t know anything, I guess I will make some phone calls or write a letter to the dioceses (I really can’t spell that word…lol). It sounds like what you have going on there is JUST the medicine I need.

You know what else I think would be really cool? If we had these praise sessions, but since we are Catholic, we can put a real strong catholic spin on things. I write worship choruses actually, and I was just thinking about how fun it would be to pen a devotional chorus to the Holy Mother or something grin
 
Hi Whitacre_Girl–

There really is a lot out there, if you search for it. As a young adult exposed to the charismatic side of prayer, I started a prayer group in my parish. Fortunately, I do have a musical background so I was able to head it up, but it doesn’t hurt to put feelers out there to see if others are interested in getting together outside of Mass for fellowship and worship. That is not to say that I don’t also attend holy hour in silence which is very satisfying for me as well.

I don’t know what part of the country you are living (Whitacre as in Virginia?), but I also seek out conferences to attend…Fullness of Truth, Adore 2097, Arise, Steubenville, Proud2BCatholic. Great stuff going on!!

proud2bcatholic.org/
adoreworship.com/
youtharisena.org/
fullnessoftruth.org/
www.franciscanyouth.org

Peace in Christ,
Teri
 
Whitacre_Girl said:
Thanks for this!! I will bring it up with the priest tomorrow at our meeting, and if he doesn’t know anything, I guess I will make some phone calls or write a letter to the dioceses (I really can’t spell that word…lol). It sounds like what you have going on there is JUST the medicine I need.

You know what else I think would be really cool? If we had these praise sessions, but since we are Catholic, we can put a real strong catholic spin on things. I write worship choruses actually, and I was just thinking about how fun it would be to pen a devotional chorus to the Holy Mother or something grin
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Sorry. Just saw this post after I posted. You have a musical background also! Sweet!

What differentiates Catholic praise nights is that often we included adoration and benediction paired with praise and worship. We had a night once a month in which we started with praise music, then invited a speaker to share on a topic, then exposed the blessed sacrament with worship music and times of silence, ended with benediction.

It makes for a beautiful time with Jesus:D

I hope you consider starting something in your parish. I’ll keep you in prayer.

Blessings,
Teri
 
To the OP - there is no such thing as a “freaking mass!”😦

While you are talking to your Priest you might also mention that you have missed Mass on Sunday (I believe you said you did); that would make a visit to the Confessional a necessity.

You seem to find so much wrong in your present parish, old people, terrible music, language problems, politicial problems, etc. - down deep do you miss being the “Pastor”?🤷

:highprayer::amen:
 
Why don’t you just find a charismatic Catholic prayer group and join them? They usually sing songs and such before they pray. 👍
 
1ke said:
And yet, that is the same argument atheists use against God, “love me or go to Hell.” God does command us. We are free to accpet or reject his call. Those are just the facts.

Your argument is with the way in which God established the universe and his expectations of his creation, not with the Church.
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The atheists would have a good case if it were true. But its not. God does not say: “Love Me or go to hell”. He says He desires to be with us, and that we have a free choice to say no to being with Him or trying to get to know Him and His ways. However, this does not mean we have to meet him at a prescribed time and location.

Actually you point at the crucial thing here 1ke. I think its natural that you are against me on this and I realise I stand in the weak position.
See, I dont think it actually IS God’s intention that His Church makes a new law like: fast this day, dress like that, go to mass this day and that day.

Paul says in his letter: Dont let anyone accuse you on the grounds of sabbaths, new moons or feasts. Its the same with food.

Through the law we become guilty, Paul says, and I feel it in these discussions. Sometimes I feel I became a Catholic and now I am under a new law… I become more and more guilty in fact, because in my obstinacy I “refuse” to obey, to understand…
so I am the quilty one for my rebellion.

I think: The Church has authortity to make rules (just like people may cast out demons in Jesus’ name) because God is true to His promises. This does not mean that whatever rule, teaching, or discipline the Church puts forth is in line with the Spirit of the Gospels…

But there is no reason to talk about this any further. The longer I stay, the more I find out that I am in the cafeteria to some, a heretic to others and a fanatic fundamentalist to others…
Its not easy to be me…🤷
 
GraceDK said:
Paul says in his letter: Dont let anyone accuse you on the grounds of sabbaths, new moons or feasts. Its the same with food.

Through the law we become guilty, Paul says, and I feel it in these discussions. Sometimes I feel I became a Catholic and now I am under a new law… I become more and more guilty in fact, because in my obstinacy I “refuse” to obey, to understand…
so I am the quilty one for my rebellion.
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I think this is probably why many (not all) Protestants are against the Catholic church. I’ve read that some see these laws, rules, and obligations as how the Pharisees were. So it’s understandable. If I were to miss Mass one week, OH NO! Mortal sin! Go confess! Because it is an obligation.

It’s like, why would it matter? Why would it matter what we wear? As long as we freely and willingly choose to go towards God? Really, why does he really care about whether people have babies in a marriage? Or have sex outside of it? Why would he really care if I ate meat today or abstained?

And it was all of these rules and laws and obligations that keep many people away from the Catholic church. It did for me.

I’m not saying that we should allow people to pick and choose from a buffet of items. What I am saying is that I can understand why some people stay away from the Catholic church.

Many times it feels like unless you’re a complete automoton, any slight infraction and you’re baking at the local Fire and Brimstone “spa.”
 
GodIsGracious said:
I think this is probably why many (not all) Protestants are against the Catholic church. I’ve read that some see these laws, rules, and obligations as how the Pharisees were. So it’s understandable. If I were to miss Mass one week, OH NO! Mortal sin! Go confess! Because it is an obligation.

It’s like, why would it matter? Why would it matter what we wear? As long as we freely and willingly choose to go towards God? Really, why does he really care about whether people have babies in a marriage? Or have sex outside of it? Why would he really care if I ate meat today or abstained?

And it was all of these rules and laws and obligations that keep many people away from the Catholic church. It did for me.

I’m not saying that we should allow people to pick and choose from a buffet of items. What I am saying is that I can understand why some people stay away from the Catholic church.

Many times it feels like unless you’re a complete automoton, any slight infraction and you’re baking at the local Fire and Brimstone “spa.”
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I think you are going over the line here.
I assume you read the epistles of Paul on a regular basis. So, you can see that he is strongly opposed to sexual impurity. Yet he said clearly: DO NOT let any one accuse you on the grounds of days or feasts or new moons or sabbaths.

Its very clear. This is not anarchy, Its the Gospel news.

I tend to distinquish between ritualistic rules and moral rules. There is a moral rule against fornication. Its universal.

When it comes to making rules for ritual behaviour such as attire, food, washing or times of prayer and worship, I feel its here that such rules - when they become rules that condemn to hellfire rather than guide lines - go against the words of Paul.
 
GraceDK said:
I think you are going over the line here.
I assume you read the epistles of Paul on a regular basis. So, you can see that he is strongly opposed to sexual impurity. Yet he said clearly: DO NOT let any one accuse you on the grounds of days or feasts or new moons or sabbaths.

Its very clear. This is not anarchy, Its the Gospel news.

I tend to distinquish between ritualistic rules and moral rules. There is a moral rule against fornication. Its universal.

When it comes to making rules for ritual behaviour such as attire, food, washing or times of prayer and worship, I feel its here that such rules - when they become rules that condemn to hellfire rather than guide lines - go against the words of Paul.
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I’m not saying I disagree with it and this is how I feel, although sometimes I do. 😛

The point is that I am willing to trust in the Holy Spirit and do what the Catholic church tells me since I do believe she is Christ’s teaching authority on earth and obey.

That was my point. 🙂
 
Tezza said:
What differentiates Catholic praise nights is that often we included adoration and benediction paired with praise and worship. We had a night once a month in which we started with praise music, then invited a speaker to share on a topic, then exposed the blessed sacrament with worship music and times of silence, ended with benediction.
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This sounds exactly like what I have seen here. It is a wonderful evening. I think that as Catholics all our worship–even outside of Mass–should have be Catholic, not a recreation of someone else’s praise style. That’s why I love things like Benediction, Holy Hour, processions. Let’s be close to Our Lord in the Eucharist because it is only in the Church that He can be found!!
 
GodIsGracious said:
Many times it feels like unless you’re a complete automoton, any slight infraction and you’re baking at the local Fire and Brimstone “spa.”
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I have to be honest. I have encountered this attitude a lot in the church, and while most of the time I focus on the repentance made available through the church, just occasionally it really gets under my skin.

It’s just kind of painful for me to be back in a community where if you miss church (or mass) you are under spiritual or temporal punishment. I went to a school where for 4 years, if you didn’t go to their church, you faced acdemic probation, or you were kicked out of the school, losing all the money you put into your education so far. It makes me pull back a lot sometimes. It’s just…well…painful. Bad memories, ya know? I am remembering the times I have missed mass. Like this last week. I have to drive to another town for a friend’s wedding. And due to my involvement in that wedding, I did that hour and 15 minute drive 4 times that week. My husband and I had no time to see each other, and I was averaging 4 hours of sleep a night. When sunday rolled around, I opted for staying home, sleeping in, and trying to spend time with my husband before the work week started up again, and my evening would be retaken by choir rehearsals at church, meetings, and doctor appointments. Then, because of the feeling of being “forced” to go, I pulled back another step from it all.
 
Whitacre_Girl said:
I have to be honest. I have encountered this attitude a lot in the church, and while most of the time I focus on the repentance made available through the church, just occasionally it really gets under my skin.

It’s just kind of painful for me to be back in a community where if you miss church (or mass) you are under spiritual or temporal punishment. I went to a school where for 4 years, if you didn’t go to their church, you faced acdemic probation, or you were kicked out of the school, losing all the money you put into your education so far. It makes me pull back a lot sometimes. It’s just…well…painful. Bad memories, ya know? I am remembering the times I have missed mass. Like this last week. I have to drive to another town for a friend’s wedding. And due to my involvement in that wedding, I did that hour and 15 minute drive 4 times that week. My husband and I had no time to see each other, and I was averaging 4 hours of sleep a night. When sunday rolled around, I opted for staying home, sleeping in, and trying to spend time with my husband before the work week started up again, and my evening would be retaken by choir rehearsals at church, meetings, and doctor appointments. Then, because of the feeling of being “forced” to go, I pulled back another step from it all.
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You’re not alone. And it is just one of the reasons why it kept me away for nearly 2 decades. It is definitely an attitude that can be in the Catholic church.

The way I’ve turned this situation around, because this is truly how I feel now… it’s not so much that I’m afraid of going to hell, it’s that I’m afraid of not being in communion with Christ. And I want that more than anything, yanno? That is paired with the fact that I am back home, I was given the privilege of being able to come back home before anything … “untoward” happened to me. It’s like a second chance at eternal life.

When I used to go to Mass it was like, “alright… here I go again. take time out of my one day off in a week…” That can make anyone tired of going to Mass! Now, coming back, it’s, “I get to partake in Communion! Yay!”

I think we all go through what we go through and come out of it with our own lessons. It doesn’t take the responsibility off of us, but I think it’s a way to learn a different way of being with Christ. That’s why I had the question I had for you. 🙂 It’s totally different for me this time around.
 
It is not inherently sinful to visit nonCatholic churches without joining their communion, but it probably isn’t what is best for you. There are charismatic groups within the Church that you could seek out, and you are not required to attend in your geographical parish. To start, you might run an Internet search for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and your geographical area.

Meanwhile, I would point out that being a good Christian is NOT all about feeling that high all the time. There is more to life than those ressurection moments. Many of the saints have gone through lengthy, spiritually dark/dry spells in which their faith alone carried them through rather than receiving consolation from the Lord. St. John of the Cross called it the “Long Dark Night of the Soul.” It would be a good idea to read about some of these saints and how they dealt with it. St. John of the Cross is a good starting place, but also St. Therese of Liseux and Bl. Teresa of Calcutta.

You will be in my prayers.
 
It is not inherently sinful to visit nonCatholic churches without joining their communion, but it probably isn’t what is best for you.
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As a Catholic, you are only allowed to attend a Protestant service due to a very important social obligation such as the occassional wedding or funeral…

Certainly not one a week, every week because they have that great music over there;) (however, I think it would be ok if you bought some CDs of some Protestant choirs and listened to them at your leisure).

I asked a similar question a few months ago here, and that is the Catholic Answer I found:

I hope this helps the OP:

link:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=300457

Of course, there were a lot of people who disagreed with the Catholic Church’s teaching, but that is that Catholic Church’s teaching.

There is a lot of confusion on this very question out there.
 
Dwyer said:
As a Catholic, you are only allowed to attend a Protestant service due to a very important social obligation such as the occassional wedding or funeral…

Certainly not one a week, every week because they have that great music over there;) (however, I think it would be ok if you bought some CDs of some Protestant choirs and listened to them at your leisure).

I asked a similar question a few months ago here, and that is the Catholic Answer I found:

I hope this helps the OP:

link:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=300457

Of course, there were a lot of people who disagreed with the Catholic Church’s teaching, but that is that Catholic Church’s teaching.

There is a lot of confusion on this very question out there.
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This is not what I was taught. But that certainly wouldn’t prove your statement wrong. Regardless, I do know this: If you attend a Protestant service, it does not fulfill your basic obligation to attend a weekend Mass. I have on occasion gone to church with my non Catholic parents to make them happy while visiting them since I entered the Church, however, we have always also gone to Mass that weekend, much to their dismay.

But perhaps, most importantly, you will hear teachings that are different from those of the Church as well as less than Catholic interpretations of scripture, which many would find confusing, especially over a long period of time. Such things can degrade your faith. It is certainly best to seek a Catholic group that will support your faith AND your personal spirituality.
 
Dwyer said:
As a Catholic, you are only allowed to attend a Protestant service due to a very important social obligation such as the occassional wedding or funeral…

.
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Says whom?
So I need to go to confession perhaps, because I have for long periods of time attended a Pentecostal Church or a Messianic Church once a week for prayer and worship and listening to a sermon on levels I cant find in the Catholic Church. I went not to get an “emotional high” but to be nourished in my faith and be encouraged in a world where we are often confronted with darkness and perversion all around us.
If you say I am not allowed to go and woship Jesus with my brothers, then you should also say I am not allowed to go to the cinema, go to a soccer game or to a party of a non-catholic friend.
I am glad I know that I am actually allowed. Furthermore I invite non-catholic friends to come with me to Mass and I go visit their churches too and we are blessed.
 
1ke said:
I think it would be a big mistake. What are you going to do, go to this church forever?

That’s not the answer.

The answer is to focus on building **Catholic **spirituality into your life. Catholic spirituality is more than just the Mass. It is the devotional life of the Church through the Liturgy of the Hours, the Rosary, and others. Explore the spirituality section of a Catholic bookstore. Explore devotions and find one that suits you. Explore all the treasury of music the Catholic Church has to offer-- chant, for example.

If you like contemporary Christian music, then listen to those CDs as well-- Michael W Smith is a Catholic.

The answer doesn’t lie in going to this other ecclesial community and building your social life there. It will likely draw you away from the Catholic Church and stunt your growth in Catholic spirituality.

You’ve only been Catholic a short time. What you have to discover is that there are **Catholic **ways to fill the needs you have. Look around your area for other Catholic parishes with a different demographic. Start your won charismatic prayer group (there are charismatic Catholics, you know).

You would not be sinning, depending on the circumstances. The Church has several documents dealing with ecumenism. We are not to regularly attend non-Catholic ecclesial communities and services. We are not to participate in leadership ways in their services. Certainly we are not to take communion. Our reasons for attending must be along eccumenical lines, not regular worship.

Which, as I mentioned earlier, is more problematic than I think you realize. Don’t build your social network in a non-Catholic community. Build it in a Catholic community. If there aren’t any people your age, make friends with people in other age groups-- you will learn a lot from them. Look around at other parishes, see what activities you can start yourself such as bible study, prayer and praise group, etc.
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Are you sure Michael W Smith is Catholic?
 
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