Attending Non-Denominational Church?

[hortoholic]

Hello, its been a while since i have been on this forum in quite a while. I would like to say first off that I am Catholic. I have been in college and I found out about a church that is “non denominational”. It’s more of a modern and less traditional. Rock bands and such singing praise songs. There are many christian groups on my campus. But my main concern is would it be ok to attend this church whilst in college? What are your thoughts if I decide to take communion? Would that be wrong? or can I take with reverence of god? communion was slightly different so i did not go. Can you dip the eucharist in the wine then consume? would that be sacra-religious?

Thanks for your help,

hortoholic

 

[AJTheMan]

I’m not Catholic but don’t take the church at face value. Often, non-denominational churches are non-denominational in the sense that they accept all types of Protestants. It’s still very possible that it’s totally anti-catholic. It may espouse views that are contrary to that of your religion, or even have some of it’s members try to “convert” you. Secondly, I’m pretty sure that you have an obligation to mass each Sunday. As a Catholic, I don’t think you’re supposed to receive sacraments from any other religious body than that of Catholicism or E.Orthodoxy.

 

[JaMc]

“Non-denominational” really means “independent protestant,” and their theology usually leans toward the Evangelical/Baptist.

So, attending it would not fulfill your Sunday obligation, and a lot of these bodies also do not believe in the Real Presence - they say it is merely “symbolic”; even if they did believe in the Real Presence, they cannot validly consecrate the host and wine (if they even use wine - some use grape juice), as they lack apostolic succession and valid Holy Orders. As such, receiving “communion” from them would certainly be wrong.

It would be better to find the campus Newman Center. If they don’t have one, then find the nearest Catholic Church and attend there. If you like the modern worship, praise songs, etc., many Catholic Parishes have “Lifeteen” Masses, which incorporate many of those elements, and there is an active Charismatic Catholic movement as well.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Hello, its been a while since i have been on this forum in quite a while. I would like to say first off that I am Catholic. I have been in college and I found out about a church that is “non denominational”. It’s more of a modern and less traditional. Rock bands and such singing praise songs. There are many christian groups on my campus. But my main concern is would it be ok to attend this church whilst in college? What are your thoughts if I decide to take communion? Would that be wrong? or can I take with reverence of god? communion was slightly different so i did not go. Can you dip the eucharist in the wine then consume? would that be sacra-religious?

Thanks for your help,

hortoholic

Code of Canon Law

PART I : THE SACRAMENTS

Can. 844 §1 Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments only to catholic members of Christ’s faithful, who equally may lawfully receive them only from catholic ministers, except as provided in §§2, 3 and 4 of this canon and in can. 861 §2.

§2 Whenever necessity requires or a genuine spiritual advantage commends it, and provided the danger of error or indifferentism is avoided, Christ’s faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a catholic minister, may lawfully receive the sacraments of penance, the Eucharist and anointing of the sick from non-catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid.

§3 Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments of penance, the Eucharist and anointing of the sick to members of the eastern Churches not in full communion with the catholic Church, if they spontaneously ask for them and are properly disposed. The same applies to members of other Churches which the Apostolic See judges to be in the same position as the aforesaid eastern Churches so far as the sacraments are concerned.

§4 If there is a danger of death or if, in the judgement of the diocesan Bishop or of the Episcopal Conference, there is some other grave and pressing need, catholic ministers may lawfully administer these same sacraments to other christians not in full communion with the catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who spontaneously ask for them, provided that they demonstrate the catholic faith in respect of these sacraments and are properly disposed.

 

[kristanl]

Hello, its been a while since i have been on this forum in quite a while. I would like to say first off that I am Catholic. I have been in college and I found out about a church that is “non denominational”. It’s more of a modern and less traditional. Rock bands and such singing praise songs. There are many christian groups on my campus. But my main concern is would it be ok to attend this church whilst in college? What are your thoughts if I decide to take communion? Would that be wrong? or can I take with reverence of god? communion was slightly different so i did not go. Can you dip the eucharist in the wine then consume? would that be sacra-religious?

Thanks for your help,

hortoholic

I am also Catholic and live in the South. Their is no greater thing then recieving the sacraments. Especially with Lent coming up, you want to go to Ash Weds. and celebrate Lent. Hopefully you can find a CC around you, or attend mass on your campus, if they have one? I attend a lot of adult education things at a parish near-by, so sometimes you may have to travel a little bit to find something that suits you. You should not recieve communion at a non-Catholic church as they do not believe it is the Body, Blood, Soul and dinivity of Jesus. It is not wrong to attend these services, but you should do it while attending mass as well. I hope that you can find a CC around you

Godbless!

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

In short, no. There is no valid clergy and hence, no valid communion. No apostolic succession, no valid sacraments. The theology of the church is not in line with the Catholic Church but rather the innovations and interpretations of individuals with a sola scriptura agenda. Spend a lot of time reading the Early Church Fathers, the Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church, I recommend the “Christendom” series by Warren Caroll (especially the Cleaving of Christendom which details the Reformation and the damage it has done), and pray your rosary. Seek out a Catholic parish. Surely one is present. Don’t turn your back on the Church. I have been down that road. Trust me, been there, done that, hope you don’t! Listen to Catholic Answers and EWTN/Catholic media, pray hard, and look for the marks of the true church-one holy catholic and apostolic. The non-denom group you’re looking into holds none of these marks. My advice: stay clear! Just the words “praise band” make the hair on my neck stand up!

 

[hortoholic]

Thanks for the recommendations gurneyhalleck1! I’ll be sure to check those out. I have found a catholic church group upon doing som research. There is a father/priest so I hope that will fulfill my sunday obligation. When i went to that non denominational church, did I do anything wrong? will I go to hell? i didnt take communion. But in short, is it ok to supplement my sunday church with this just the songs or am I better of not attending?

Thanks

hortoholic

 

[Catholic1954]

If you were truly unaware that attending the other church was wrong, you have nothing to worry about, but maybe you should bring it up the next time you go to Confession, just to put your mind at ease. I would avoid that church all together. You are a Catholic; you belong at Mass, in a Catholic Church, every Sunday. Jesus is waiting for you in the Eucharist.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I’m in no position to condemn or judge you, horto, not at all. And I’m not putting you down or trying to scare you. I’m just cautioning you and encouraging you to stay true to your Catholic faith. It’s a jewel. If you weren’t aware of what you were doing, you have no culpability. And Christ Our Lord is kind and gentle in any case. He loves you and knows your heart. Just give your all to Him, try to use those sacraments as much as you can, and like I said, seek out EWTN, Catholic Answers and all the other great Catholic media out there.

My advice is that you’re better off not attending at all. It’s a slippery slope and it’s easy to start rationalizing things. Been there, done that. Caution! May God bless you!! IM me if you want to or need to talk, ok!

Thanks for the recommendations gurneyhalleck1! I’ll be sure to check those out. I have found a catholic church group upon doing som research. There is a father/priest so I hope that will fulfill my sunday obligation. When i went to that non denominational church, did I do anything wrong? will I go to hell? i didnt take communion. But in short, is it ok to supplement my sunday church with this just the songs or am I better of not attending?

Thanks

hortoholic

 

[yellowbird]

Don’t attend that church. They may have great music, but they don’t have Jesus in the Eucharist. That church, even with it’s good music cannot draw you closer to Christ than you already are when you receive Him in the Eucharist.

Your generation is the future of our Catholic Church. Please don’t leave us… we need you.

God bless.

 

[1ke]

When i went to that non denominational church, did I do anything wrong?

Yes, and no. Yes, you did something wrong by not attending Mass. It is OK to go to other denominations’ services for occasions like weddings, funerals, baptisms, etc. But, as Catholics we should attend Mass in order to worship God. Attending other groups’ services regularly gives the impression these services are the same as Mass, which is simply not true.

And, you should definitely NOT receive any communion in these services. They do not have valid Sacraments and Catholics are not to participate in these services.

will I go to hell?

You should go to confession for whatever sins you have committed-- such as missing Mass.

Mortal sin is what separates us from God. You cannot commit mortal sins on accident or by doing something you didn’t know was wrong.

i didnt take communion. But in short, is it ok to supplement my sunday church with this just the songs or am I better of not attending?

No, it’s not ok to “supplement” Catholic Mass with non-Catholic church services. Christ ordained worship in the Mass. If you want to do praise and worship, find a Catholic group at your college Newman Center.