bad homily

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The deacon might not preach every week. In most parishes in my area the parish deacon preaches about once a month.
 
If it was me, rather than assume the deacon had it wrong I would approach him and ask him by saying that, I didn’t understand him properly and would you help me work out what you did say.
 
Thanks for your encouragement.
I think there is a big difference between church-hopping and a new Catholic (or will be Catholic hopefully next Easter!) trying to find a good parish. We do NOT want to church hop! My husband just said the same thing; he is afraid we are becoming church hoppers. I think he is too afraid of reverting to Protestant “practices.”
But doesn’t everyone out there think finding a good parish is important? How depressing and lonely is it to be shepherded by people you feel are not very mature in their faith? I love how God can use anyone and they don’t have to be perfect, but you know what I am talking about here. Especially as it involves our new faith, and teaching our children, I think it is a big deal to not only have the Eucharist and the liturgy, but faithful teaching and a supportive Christian community.

Just one further point regarding your response above:
Your apt/home address determines your parish. You should attend and support the catholic church in the parish that you currently “live”. The priests will likely be shifted and moved between the parishes, as most Bishops today use “rotation” of priests quite liberally, so your finding a “parish” is actually your finding a “priest” that suits you - whom will be gone before to long to another church in the diocese - which is the primary reason for rotating priests.
So, by shopping for a “good parish” you are reverting to the Protestant protocol of finding a pastor that suits your desires.
 
Julian0404 said:
I am impressed that you listened critcally and more impressed that you redirected your children after the Mass to correct any misconceptions that may have grasped from the homily. You reflect the soul that the Church needs in this moment of time - seeking truth and discerning what may be untrue.

You will discover in your faith journey that not all priests are great homilists or that they focus on the Gospel message - same with deacons - so church hopping will prove rather tedious and confusing for your children. Pick one and stick with it, as the focus is not “the priest”, it is JESUS and HIS presence and Sacraments.

With your enthusiasm and once you have entered the church I would encourage you enter into the CCD program and begin teaching the faith to children, which is a tremendous avenue to increase your knowledge as you study to answer their questions. This will begin your pursuit of Holiness and greatly assist with your own childrens formation.

And after Mass, the coffee and donuts time, is a good chance to ask the Deacon to clear up some questions you may have with his message.
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What she said:thumbsup: As a convert and a military family where we have experienced life in at least 15 different Parishes and many more priests over the passed 20 + years I have been very thankful to learn that the difference between mass and any regular American Protestant service is that Mass is first and foremost about worshiping God and giving thanks by offering the sacrifice and being fed primarily by the Eucharist and then also the Word of God. The homily is not paramount , some priests are good ( our Decon gave an awesome one on Mother’s day - one I would love to have a copy of to send to my mother) some make you cringe ( we had one priest who always told droll jokes and another who one could hardly understand because of his strong accent) but at the end of the day it was not about the homily and my instruction it was about my worship of God. As for RCIA …well since I had already read my way into the Church before I started RCIA - that time was just a little offering of the virtue of patience to the Lord. Teh most important part for the RCIA process is that you find a good and knowledgeable sponsor who you can ask and discuss things with.
 
Julian0404 said:
Just one further point regarding your response above:
Your apt/home address determines your parish. You should attend and support the catholic church in the parish that you currently “live”. The priests will likely be shifted and moved between the parishes, as most Bishops today use “rotation” of priests quite liberally, so your finding a “parish” is actually your finding a “priest” that suits you - whom will be gone before to long to another church in the diocese - which is the primary reason for rotating priests.
So, by shopping for a “good parish” you are reverting to the Protestant protocol of finding a pastor that suits your desires.
Click to expand...
Prior to 1983, when the law was changed, one was bound to the territorial parish. But now you have a choice of parishes.
 
Julian0404 said:
Just one further point regarding your response above:
Your apt/home address determines your parish. You should attend and support the catholic church in the parish that you currently “live”. The priests will likely be shifted and moved between the parishes, as most Bishops today use “rotation” of priests quite liberally, so your finding a “parish” is actually your finding a “priest” that suits you - whom will be gone before to long to another church in the diocese - which is the primary reason for rotating priests.
So, by shopping for a “good parish” you are reverting to the Protestant protocol of finding a pastor that suits your desires.
Click to expand...
Actually, the law which assigned us to our territorial parish was changed in 1983. There’s nothing which forbids us from choosing a parish outside our neighborhood.
 
Julian0404 said:
Just one further point regarding your response above:
Your apt/home address determines your parish. You should attend and support the catholic church in the parish that you currently “live”. The priests will likely be shifted and moved between the parishes, as most Bishops today use “rotation” of priests quite liberally, so your finding a “parish” is actually your finding a “priest” that suits you - whom will be gone before to long to another church in the diocese - which is the primary reason for rotating priests.
So, by shopping for a “good parish” you are reverting to the Protestant protocol of finding a pastor that suits your desires.
Click to expand...
Actually, the law which assigned us to our territorial parish was changed in 1983. There’s nothing which forbids us from choosing a parish outside our neighborhood.
 
friendlymomma said:
How would I speak to the deacon? It would be strange for him to accept advice from someone who is not a member of the parish, and not even Catholic.
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You start with, “Can you explain such and so, because it sounded like the literal meaing was A, while the Church teaches B, so I’m really confused.” Then let him explain.
 
friendlymomma said:
Yes, I think the “shuffling out” has to do with the next services. There seem to be some kind of fellowship lunches after, but I don’t know how to get involved with that; it doesn’t look like the kind of thing that you can just invite yourself in. 🙂

Sigh. After being a Protestant all my life, I feel like an outsider at church now. It is worth any little sacrifice I make now, and I have hope that it will change for the better.
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Hello… I also was raised protestant and was for almost 30 years. I was baptized catholic but ended up in the baptist church for all those years. And yes, I also know what its like to “not fit in” and “church hopping”. I am catholic now and Loving it! I wish I was raised catholic. I know what you mean about a bad homily, but that happens in the protestant churches too. But the good thing about the catholic church vs. the protestant when it comes to that is, catholics have different priests each week or every couple giving the homily where in the protestant church your stuck with the same one lol. Atleast thats my experience for the most part. Hang in there. Keep coming on to catholic.com and ewtn.com and your faith will continue to Grow as I know mine has. As far as fitting in, I’m actually so glad that no one knows me where I go. I dont want to get to know others. I want a break from the “clicks” within churches. Its just so nice to go and leave and if there are activities going on, than I go and im friendly but I dont get involved much. I like it that way alot better. Your in my thoughts and prayers 🙂
 
Just one further point regarding your response above:
Your apt/home address determines your parish. You should attend and support the catholic church in the parish that you currently “live”. The priests will likely be shifted and moved between the parishes, as most Bishops today use “rotation” of priests quite liberally, so your finding a “parish” is actually your finding a “priest” that suits you - whom will be gone before to long to another church in the diocese - which is the primary reason for rotating priests.
So, by shopping for a “good parish” you are reverting to the Protestant protocol of finding a pastor that suits your desires.

If you are suggesting that it is better for me to go to the parish nearest me no matter what, I disagree. I understand that Mass is primarily about the Eucharist and the liturgy, and that perhaps the homily is not so important, but the fact is that no matter how much I study on my own, my parish and those who are a part of it will play a part in my spiritual formation, and that of my children. This is not about “finding a pastor who suits my desires,” but about being careful who influences my family and me. Remember, we are new to this Catholic thing! 😉
Besides, DFW is where I live, and that is where I will go to Mass. 🙂 We are likely to move to a different part of DFW in the future anyway, as we are hoping my husband will get a better job.
 
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