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jack_hawkins
Guest
I don’t think that’s in any way a constructive response to criticism - blame the complainant?
The Church is fine so any complainers must be the problem?
As a former cradle Catholic, I have found many Protestant churches much more welcomin
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The Church is fine so any complainers must be the problem?
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Tonks40
Guest
Did I ever find out this was true! On Christmas Eve, I decided to attend the non-denominational church’s service that I use to sing at to give support for the group and to see old friends. (Of course, this was prior to attending the Christmas Vigil Mass later that night) I was surprised about a couple of things:
- The people who knew me and were very friendly with me did not show that same welcoming friendliness as before. They were actually pretty indifferent towards me…
- The numbers attending their services seemed to have dwindled dramatically than when I was previously there.
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Maureen_Fiore
Guest
It is funny I was just having this conversation with my two daughters this morning regarding our religion. We are all Catholic and I was telling my two girls that you should feel grateful that we your parents decided to Baptise both of you into the Catholic faith. I think many who leave the Catholic Church don’t fully understand their faith. I told my children how many other religions can trace their religion back to Jesus? Not Many, only one, The Catholic Church. We as Catholics are so lucky to have this faith I cannot understand why people would choose to leave it.
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homewardbound
Guest
I’ve witnessed these things happening in non-Catholic places as well. I grew up Baptist and went through a lot of fake friends just because they merely wanted their numbers to grow in their groups.Did I ever find out this was true! On Christmas Eve, I decided to attend the non-denominational church’s service that I use to sing at to give support for the group and to see old friends. (Of course, this was prior to attending the Christmas Vigil Mass later that night) I was surprised about a couple of things:
I love and care a lot for my non-Catholic friends…so it was kinda sad to see that a once-triving Christian community seemed barely alive that evening.
- The people who knew me and were very friendly with me did not show that same welcoming friendliness as before. They were actually pretty indifferent towards me…
- The numbers attending their services seemed to have dwindled dramatically than when I was previously there.
Also, at the church my family now attends…I get completely ignored(as does my family but they don’t care cause all the churches in their area are the same) and a man who went there for 28 years quit because he went to the hospital for a week and no one even called or visited. He went to ask the pastor about it, and instead of giving him a reason…they fired him! (He was the organist)
So to say Catholics aren’t welcoming, and Protestants are, is just silly. It depends on the individual parishes/churches. I have no pity for anyone silly enough to leave the entire denomination they are practicing for that reason, because its not a reason at all.
Although as I read above there were other reasons for the OP leaving the Church, and I’d be interested to hear them. I will pray for the OP, that God will open their eyes, mind, and heart to his everlasting love and will lead him and his family to where He wants them to be(if he hasn’t already)
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slyboots
Guest
As a former cradle protestant fundamentalist, I have found only the Catholic Church has the truth as revealed by Christ, the Bible and the holy sacraments.
Welcoming is great. But I feel my salvation is of higher priority.
Welcoming is great. But I feel my salvation is of higher priority.
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scylla
Guest
My Parish is very welcoming, we have greeters, outreach and many people who share time with each other. I am sorry you did not experience nice people in your Church, it is common people are not nice in all parishes, it really depends upon the attitude of the leadership in the parish.
But now if the people are not nice to me, does that mean I should leave? What if they are busy praying, should I tap them on the shoulder to hold my hand?
First and foremost we should put Jesus as the center of our Faith. Friendliness is great, but only after Jesus. As a follower of Christ I go to Church for Him alone then I pay attention to my neighbors to share my love of Jesus.
To put Jesus first means to search out the Church He founded no matter how crummy the people are. Then to change myself to conform myself to His will. This means being in a Church full of sinners who are united in faith, which traces it’s way back to the Apostles. Pride should take a backseat and we should unite ourselves in fidelity to Christ by submitting to the successors of the Apostles and being in One Church.
God is the center and if we are not united then we are rebelling against Him, even if it is partially. We have to fully follow Christ.
God Bless
Scylla
But now if the people are not nice to me, does that mean I should leave? What if they are busy praying, should I tap them on the shoulder to hold my hand?
First and foremost we should put Jesus as the center of our Faith. Friendliness is great, but only after Jesus. As a follower of Christ I go to Church for Him alone then I pay attention to my neighbors to share my love of Jesus.
To put Jesus first means to search out the Church He founded no matter how crummy the people are. Then to change myself to conform myself to His will. This means being in a Church full of sinners who are united in faith, which traces it’s way back to the Apostles. Pride should take a backseat and we should unite ourselves in fidelity to Christ by submitting to the successors of the Apostles and being in One Church.
God is the center and if we are not united then we are rebelling against Him, even if it is partially. We have to fully follow Christ.
God Bless
Scylla
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Tonks40
Guest
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mary_bobo
Guest
I agree with you. But it is my contention that people leave for reasons other than the one atated by the OP and that is a good excuse to be able to live as you wish regardless of what Mother Church teaches.
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Kristine1957
Guest
I look at this as maybe God wants you to change the way your parish fellowships others…You my dear friend could be that person and if you stay away you will never know what God has in store for you…Go back… your journey is just beginning…
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JLSacred
Guest
That would be a very positive step. It sounds as if this poster did try to reach out, however. It’s true, some Catholic parishes don’t provide much fellowship. I do think it’s a weakness we, as a Church, really need to address better. I’ve belonged to several different parishes and, yes, Catholic parishes don’t provide the level of social support that some of my Protestant acquaintances and friends find in their churches. So, I think there’s some sad truth to what Traveler is saying.I look at this as maybe God wants you to change the way your parish fellowships others…You my dear friend could be that person and if you stay away you will never know what God has in store for you…Go back… your journey is just beginning…
Jesus set up the Church to provide support in the faith for us, as a Body of Christ. How can we better do this? Humans are social beings and we should be reaching out to one another. We shouldn’t be strangers with those we worship God with.
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NVBurch
Guest
Blamers and Complainers are a problem.I don’t think that’s in any way a constructive response to criticism - blame the complainant?
The Church is fine so any complainers must be the problem?
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NVBurch
Guest
Some of us that were born Catholic were not raised in His truth as children, and had some horrible experiences as Catholics. the grass is NOT greener!
Trust me on this: Every denomination has someone angry with it.
Trust me on this: Every denomination has someone angry with it.
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jack_hawkins
Guest
blamers and complainers are a problem -why?
the same sort of problem?
they are the problem and the church is not, ever?
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boppaid
Guest
Hi. I wanted to answer your questions as to how they relate to me: a Catholic who has been going to a Protestant church (as well as my Catholic Church) because I get so much more out of the Baptist service.
They are done by Catholics through hospitals, St Vincent de Paul Societies, charities, outreach groups and so on.
Just because Protestants hang out in the foyer before service doesn’t mean they don’t do all the outreaches that the Catholics do.
Yes. It keeps me on the right path by hanging around other Godly women. It also enables me to see Christ within these people. Finally, it gives me the opportunity to study His word in fellowship with other Christians who are going through the same struggles as a sinner that I am.
I think both. Good quality service is important, but if you’re only serving others once a year, then how is that living the Gospel?
You are never in any obligation to join x number of groups. But it certainly is nice having many options open to you. It seems in the Catholic church that there are so few fellowship groups that if one doesn’t fit your schedule or spiritual need, then you are out of luck.
Protestants believe that the Holy Spirit lives within each believer. So, to a protestant, Christ already lives within them.
Sometimes it does. We need to have fellowship as believers. We need to learn from each other. We need to lean on each other and pray for each other. I know that I, personally, have become a better Christian since joining the Ladies Bible Studies, Women’s mentoring group, etc.
I have never seen a protestant service that was not humble to the Lord. Have you ever listened to the words in their praise & worship songs? The pastor at the baptist church is extremely humble in his sermons as well.
What is a “stand out in a worship group”?
Where? I don’t remember seeing that.
Absolutely. I don’t think you’ll find an argument here from even a non-Catholic. I think of all the missionary work that Baptist Church does, and all the charity as well.
They are done by Catholics through hospitals, St Vincent de Paul Societies, charities, outreach groups and so on.
Just because Protestants hang out in the foyer before service doesn’t mean they don’t do all the outreaches that the Catholics do.
I have yet to hear a Catholic spread the good news. Doesn’t mean they don’t, but I’ve never heard them.
What does visiting have to do with spreading the news? And further, yes it can be done that way. Many times people bring non believers to protestant services, who enjoy visiting with people “in the foyer” and start coming to church, thus start listening to and reading God’s word.
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ohiocatholic07
Guest
If you truly left the Church for reasons of doctrine and tradition (which is not exactly what you wrote when you started this thread) then why come to a Catholic site and tell us how our parishioners made you feel unwelcome?
Every group has its clicks, and, sadly, churches are no different, but don’t single out the Catholic Church.
Nobody has kicked you off this site, yet.
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maryalene
Guest
Are you still here Traveller? Or did we lose you?
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why_me
Guest
There is much that one can do to activate the social aspects of the catholic church. First, there are the retreats that one can attend. This is a great place to meet devoted people and share in the catholic experience. Then there are the catholic organizations that one can join and every parish has such organizations.
Also, if possible the church can have a coffee hour after mass. This is a great place to socialize and fellowship each other. It is true that people come to mass to partake of the eucharist but I do believe that much more is needed. And the communion of earthly saints would be a nice start.
Also, if possible the church can have a coffee hour after mass. This is a great place to socialize and fellowship each other. It is true that people come to mass to partake of the eucharist but I do believe that much more is needed. And the communion of earthly saints would be a nice start.
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christianley
Guest
I have to admit this is a struggle since I became Catholic. I felt much more social fellowship in the Mormon Church and people were always doing things for each other. They also felt comfortable asking others for help. I think the reason is pretty simple. It’s much easier to feel close in a 400 member congregation as compared to a congregation of 8500. I’m sure another part of the problem is that my wife and kids are all still Mormon. Now I know what it is like to be single in a congregation, but at least the single people at the parish might be able to date each other! Having said that, I became Catholic because I desired the Body and Blood of Christ rather than fellowship. My desire in that regard have been more fulfilling than attending a ward dance.
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mikew262
Guest
I personally think this is good, but I’m very surprised some of your hard core Catholics weren’t outraged.
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Freshman88
Guest
an ecumenical service? I’ll object. Shouldn’t we be converting and bringing people into the faith instead of giving credibility to other denominations? Doesn’t * Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus * ring a bell?
It’s ideas like “ecumenical services” that push me more and more into Traditional Catholicism. I am told the Truth is within the Church, but at the same time I am told that we should be giving credibility to other denominations that do not contain the fullness of the Truth. If that’s the case, why don’t I join a denomination that is way easier to practice than Catholicism. Why don’t I just succumb to modernism and join the Episcopolians. At least I wouldn’t be a “bigot” then, at least I wouldn’t be made to feel ashamed of my faith during class… But I don’t want to bust my butt to follow my faith or to defend my faith and be labeled as a bigot or made to feel like an outsider, only to be told that some other denomination is acceptable because thats exactly what an ecumenical service says to me, that their form of worship is “okay” or at least “well they have most of it right, let’s focus on that”. What garbage! If we honestly have the Truth, then we should have a zeal for that Truth, anything less then the Full Truth is unacceptable.
Anyway, if that’s the rant the above poster was wanting, there it is.
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