Catholic Church reformation

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Dianne2us

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Hi all I just got the letter in my box about Catholics leaving the church to become Mormon…I am aware of what the Mormon church believes…Yikes!

The letter stated that Catholics are leaving because they do not know their own faith. Excluding some of the well leaned people on this site I believe that on a adverage that is true.

I’m an ex-Catholic because I had a thrist for information (spiritually) and I didn’t know where to turn. I am Baptist now. My church offers Bible study, one hour before the service and on Wednesday evening for an hour. I LOVE Bible Study.

Shouldn’t this be a wake-up call. Why doesn’t the Catholic Church make some reforms and begin to educate its people more about the workings of the Catholic Faith. Set up Bible studies and such that not only teaches Christianity but how it applies to the Catholic?..🤷
 
Dianne2us said:
I’m an ex-Catholic because I had a thrist for information (spiritually) and I didn’t know where to turn. I am Baptist now. My church offers Bible study, one hour before the service and on Wednesday evening for an hour. I LOVE Bible Study.
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You have an interesting definition of “spirituality” when you called it “information”. I was Baptist and I can not relate spirituality with Bible study. You can’t get much more spiritual than by actively taking part in the Sacraments that are in the Catholic Church.

I,too,love Bible study but I also know that what one Baptist church teaches the other Baptist church up the street will have a different take on it for the simple fact the each church is autonomous.

I am curious. Did the Baptist church you go to “re-Baptize” you?

My Parish has lots of different Bible studies as well as other formation groups like Why Catholic which is really popular.
 
YOu stated that Catholics were leaving because they do not know their faith. Is that why you left? Catholics leave the faith all of the time. I don’t know what the main reason would be but I would guess that the Catholic teaching is more that what they thought they were in for. Most read some protestant materials and feel that maybe the Catholic Church has too many rules. They,all of a sudden, think they have found a “God of grace” when they enter to other churches.

Catholicism is not for the light hearted nor for the person looking for feel good songs and happy sunday school classes where you only hear of how much Jesus loves us. Catholicism is more than just a Religion. It is a lifestyle:thumbsup:

May God guide you to His heart:signofcross:
 
It’s simple: Catholics leave their faith because they do not understand their faith and because they lack faith.

I do not like the subject–it’s a bit 16th century for me. 😉 The Church cannot change her faith; she does not need to. Maybe how she explains that faith might need to change, but the faith remains the same.

Anyway, I do Bible study; the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours are always stimulating me to go and study what I’ve just heard.

Dianne2us: can I ask? Don’t you miss the Sacraments? 😊
 
teadough said:
YOu stated that Catholics were leaving because they do not know their faith. Is that why you left? Catholics leave the faith all of the time. I don’t know what the main reason would be but I would guess that the Catholic teaching is more that what they thought they were in for. Most read some protestant materials and feel that maybe the Catholic Church has too many rules. They,all of a sudden, think they have found a “God of grace” when they enter to other churches.

Catholicism is not for the light hearted nor for the person looking for feel good songs and happy sunday school classes where you only hear of how much Jesus loves us. Catholicism is more than just a Religion. It is a lifestyle:thumbsup:

May God guide you to His heart:signofcross:
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I completely agree with you. There is one Protestant Christian ecclesial community (as Pope Benedict puts it) that I drive by on the way to work that has a big banner hanging that says, “Worship Experience.” Really? Is that why we attend Sunday services? To be the recipient of an experience? That is why I go to amusement parks, the movies, the beach, etc. Personally, I attend Mass to receive grace through the sacraments, I’ll save my experience for heaven. As you said, Catholicism is not for the light hearted.
 
Dianne2us said:
Hi all I just got the letter in my box about Catholics leaving the church to become Mormon…I am aware of what the Mormon church believes…Yikes!

The letter stated that Catholics are leaving because they do not know their own faith. Excluding some of the well leaned people on this site I believe that on a adverage that is true.

I’m an ex-Catholic because I had a thrist for information (spiritually) and I didn’t know where to turn. I am Baptist now. My church offers Bible study, one hour before the service and on Wednesday evening for an hour. I LOVE Bible Study.

Shouldn’t this be a wake-up call. Why doesn’t the Catholic Church make some reforms and begin to educate its people more about the workings of the Catholic Faith. Set up Bible studies and such that not only teaches Christianity but how it applies to the Catholic?..🤷
Click to expand...
Actually, no “reform” is needed…all that has to be done is an earnest approach for knowledge and it can be found. In FACT, the Catholic Church has set up several venues for education of the faith. Several parishes offer convert classes that anyone can freely attend, even RCIA anyone can attend. There is also my favorite venue established by lay people- “Catholic Answers”- www.catholic.com. Numerous books from Saints have also been written, just go even to the local library and you can find them…

EWTN is also a Church established medium that has been invaluble to my own continuing education in the faith as well as my children- if you have Cable or Sattelite you can tune them in- even on the radio or using the Internet - www.ewtn.com

Get modern- use the TV, Internet and radio…what “reform” is needed in this area? I see none…I see reform of the reform on the Liturgy needed most and for a correction of the errors of the “spirit of vatican II”.

Ken
 
Deja vu all over again! Wasn’t that what Vatican II was all about?
 
teadough said:
You have an interesting definition of “spirituality” when you called it “information”. I was Baptist and I can not relate spirituality with Bible study. You can’t get much more spiritual than by actively taking part in the Sacraments that are in the Catholic Church.

I,too,love Bible study but I also know that what one Baptist church teaches the other Baptist church up the street will have a different take on it for the simple fact the each church is autonomous.

I am curious. Did the Baptist church you go to “re-Baptize” you?

My Parish has lots of different Bible studies as well as other formation groups like Why Catholic which is really popular.
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Yes I was rebaptized, my church believes in complete submersion.
 
teadough said:
YOu stated that Catholics were leaving because they do not know their faith. Is that why you left? Catholics leave the faith all of the time. I don’t know what the main reason would be but I would guess that the Catholic teaching is more that what they thought they were in for. Most read some protestant materials and feel that maybe the Catholic Church has too many rules. They,all of a sudden, think they have found a “God of grace” when they enter to other churches.

Catholicism is not for the light hearted nor for the person looking for feel good songs and happy sunday school classes where you only hear of how much Jesus loves us. Catholicism is more than just a Religion. It is a lifestyle:thumbsup:

May God guide you to His heart:signofcross:
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Look in your email, I am assuming you got the same note. I was just repeating what this site sent me.🙂
 
markadm said:
It’s simple: Catholics leave their faith because they do not understand their faith and because they lack faith.

I do not like the subject–it’s a bit 16th century for me. 😉 The Church cannot change her faith; she does not need to. Maybe how she explains that faith might need to change, but the faith remains the same.

Anyway, I do Bible study; the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours are always stimulating me to go and study what I’ve just heard.

Dianne2us: can I ask? Don’t you miss the Sacraments? 😊
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I’ve recieved all the sacraments except the last rights, and they do communion the first Sunday of every month. As you know however it is not the body and blood of Christ as Catholics believe…What is that called…sorry…😊
 
kleary said:
Actually, no “reform” is needed…all that has to be done is an earnest approach for knowledge and it can be found. In FACT, the Catholic Church has set up several venues for education of the faith. Several parishes offer convert classes that anyone can freely attend, even RCIA anyone can attend. There is also my favorite venue established by lay people- “Catholic Answers”- www.catholic.com. Numerous books from Saints have also been written, just go even to the local library and you can find them…

EWTN is also a Church established medium that has been invaluble to my own continuing education in the faith as well as my children- if you have Cable or Sattelite you can tune them in- even on the radio or using the Internet - www.ewtn.com

Get modern- use the TV, Internet and radio…what “reform” is needed in this area? I see none…I see reform of the reform on the Liturgy needed most and for a correction of the errors of the “spirit of vatican II”.

Ken
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Why not Bible study for adults and Vacation Bible school for kids…its fun?

PS Not really directed at you Ken, but I do not want to argue religion so don’t waste your time writing a well thought out arguement I likely won’t read it or reply. My purpose is just to offer food for thought. What is so offensive in what I suggest?
 
Dianne2us said:
I’ve recieved all the sacraments except the last rights, and they do communion the first Sunday of every month. As you know however it is not the body and blood of Christ as Catholics believe…What is that called…sorry…😊
Click to expand...
Dianne,

Most Baptist still refer to is as “communion”. Is that what you wer asking? But you are right,this is just bread and grapejuice(depends on the church).

I asked you about the Baptism because I had been baptized in a Methodist church first. When I went to the Baptist they said my first one was not valid.😊 . When I came to the Catholic Church they said either was valid:shrug: I,actually,used to tell people that my first one “didn’t take”:o . Of course that was after I slowly started to become a fundamentalist. I,also,know that most Baptist churches will re-Baptize a former Catholic even if the former Catholic had been immerssed.

My family are still Baptist and you may see me pop in from time to time sometime in the near future whenever my nieces and nespews get Baptized. I have no problems with my former church even thought they do not agree with me or vice verse. The only pickle I am trying to avoid is the day I visit when they do commuinion. I don’t look forward to declining their commuinion for the sheer fact that I don’t want to cause strife in the family. I am confident that God will work in that situation whenvever it comes.

Oh,I did not get anything in my email from this site in regards to your original topic. Would you mind forwarding the one you go to me so I can read it. I am working nights and could use anything to help pass the time.

God Bless you and your family:)

I sincerely hope you find what you are looking for. You are always welcome to come back to the Catholic Church if you ever decide you can’t seem to find what you think you need to find. The doors are always open. May God watch over you in all areas of your life.:signofcross:
 
teadough said:
Dianne,

Most Baptist still refer to is as “communion”. Is that what you wer asking? But you are right,this is just bread and grapejuice(depends on the church).

I asked you about the Baptism because I had been baptized in a Methodist church first. When I went to the Baptist they said my first one was not valid.😊 . When I came to the Catholic Church they said either was valid:shrug: I,actually,used to tell people that my first one “didn’t take”:o . Of course that was after I slowly started to become a fundamentalist. I,also,know that most Baptist churches will re-Baptize a former Catholic even if the former Catholic had been immerssed.

My family are still Baptist and you may see me pop in from time to time sometime in the near future whenever my nieces and nespews get Baptized. I have no problems with my former church even thought they do not agree with me or vice verse. The only pickle I am trying to avoid is the day I visit when they do commuinion. I don’t look forward to declining their commuinion for the sheer fact that I don’t want to cause strife in the family. I am confident that God will work in that situation whenvever it comes.

Oh,I did not get anything in my email from this site in regards to your original topic. Would you mind forwarding the one you go to me so I can read it. I am working nights and could use anything to help pass the time.

God Bless you and your family:)

I sincerely hope you find what you are looking for. You are always welcome to come back to the Catholic Church if you ever decide you can’t seem to find what you think you need to find. The doors are always open. May God watch over you in all areas of your life.:signofcross:
Click to expand...
I’ll just copy and paste the note I got…

Confronting the New
Mormon Threat

Why Catholics are easy targets
for Mormon evangelists—
and what we can do to keep Catholics Catholic.

Click here to donate
Code: 
    The Mormon church has been in the news a lot recently. The head of the church, styled its “prophet,” recently died. Many dignitaries attended his funeral, including a major political candidate whose Mormonism has been discussed a lot these last few months. 

    Mormon evangelists have been taking advantage of their church being in the headlines. They have been doing their best to invite Americans to take a closer look at their religion.

    Many people have been doing just that—especially Catholics. In fact, in recent years the majority of converts to Mormonism have been Catholics.

    It makes sense, when you think about it. 

    Catholics are targeted by Mormons because many Catholics can be swayed easily by Mormon arguments. That’s because many Catholics don’t know their own faith.

    In a way, you can’t blame the Mormons. Targeting Catholics has worked for them, so why shouldn’t they keep their evangelizing focus on Catholics?


    What Catholics Don’t Know Can Hurt Them


    Think the Mormons are just a group of nice folks who uphold family values, clean living, and American patriotism? Think again.

    Think the Mormons are just a slightly eccentric offshoot of traditional Protestant Christianity? Think again.

    Think Mormons are actually Christian, accepting the core doctrines of Christianity? Think again!

    The truth is that Mormonism is far different from what most people think it is.

    If asked, most Catholics would not be able to explain what Mormons believe. Nor do they have a clue what is wrong with Mormonism.
 
I think that there is too much “kill the messenger” expressed here. Not as bad as in some other threads, but still…

Every suggestion contributed in sincerity without malice should be thanked and prayed over, not attacked or disparaged. As many issues as you may have with the comments of one interested soul, try to see it from their angle first.

If, as may be the case, there are a lot of cradle Catholics leaving the church for some reason (because they allegedly don’t know their own Faith, for example), perhaps an “exit interview” is worth the effort. People think about these things quite a bit when they get into new environments. In this case a person is offering up her own experiences and insights for the benefit of others.

Be grateful, for God’s sake! 😦 These people don’t have to share anything with you once they have gone, they could easily leave you to wallow in your own mess.

Michael
 
Sorry…it took me a while to figure out where I left off in this letter…

Here’s some more…

Therein lies the danger—especially today, as Mormonism is enjoying a resurgence in popularity and interest, largely because of recent news coverage.
Code: 
    But the news media aren’t providing useful information about Mormonism.

    This worries me—because, as I said, the majority of converts to Mormonism are ill-informed Catholics who are highly vulnerable to Mormon proselytizing.

    That’s why Catholic Answers is trying to head off a potential disaster among Catholics.

    And we’re going to need your help to make this new project successful.

    Here’s what it’s all about …


    What Mormons Really Believe


    There are many problems with the Mormon religion. In fact, the problems are so numerous, we had to write a special report just to explain and refute them all.

    It’s this powerful, eye-opening report that we need to get into the hands of as many Catholics as possible—as quickly as possible—before the Mormon juggernaut picks up more speed and takes in tens of thousands of our fellow Catholics.

    This report was written by our director of apologetics, Jimmy Akin, who has done a masterful job of clearly explaining Mormon beliefs … making sense of them … and then charitably refuting them, one by one.

    Let me give you a glimpse of what you’ll learn when you read this breakthrough report—and you’ll see why it’s “must reading” for every Catholic in America today …
 
More…
Code: 
•    Do Mormons really believe they can become the “god” of their own planet?

    •    Why Mormons claim the Catholic Church is a “church of Satan”—teaching a false gospel.

    •    Why Mormons believe God the Father was once a human—and became the “god” of planet Earth.

    •    Do Mormons believe there is more than one “God”?

    •    How the Book of Mormon itself contradicts core Mormon beliefs and practices.

    •    What Mormons believe about the Eucharist—it’s not what Catholics believe.

    •    What goes on inside their mysterious, no-visitors-allowed temples.

    •    Does the Mormon church approve of divorce and abortion? (The answer will disappoint pro-lifers!)

    •    Who are the leaders of the Mormon church?

    •    Do Mormons believe black people are “cursed”?

    •    Is Mormon baptism valid? What Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, said.

    •    How Mormons try to convert Catholics to Mormonism—successfully.

    •    How did Joseph Smith translate the “golden plates”—and why did no one else ever get to see them?

    •    Mormon doctrines have changed—often.

    •    Did Joseph Smith develop his teaching on polygamy only after betraying his wife?

    •    Joseph Smith: the “martyr” who died in a gunfight, shooting at people.

    •    Mormons dropped some of their unpopular teachings in order to clean up their public image and appeal to more Americans.

    •    Joseph Smith’s background before he started the Mormon church—and how this affect his credibility

    •    The psychological and emotional elements that attract people to Mormonism.

    All this—and much more—is covered in Jimmy Akin’s new special report. We will send it to you with our compliments when you help us with our project to distribute it nationwide.

    You see, the new Mormon threat is more serious than ever before.

    With all the talk in the media about Mormonism, more and more people are curious about Mormonism and are visiting Mormon web sites.

    But these web sites are deceptive. They do not explain the true beliefs of Mormonism. They try to convince readers that Mormonism is a Christian faith—in fact, the true Christian faith!

    As one Mormon web site put it, “Mormonism is the religion most consistent with biblical Christianity. We do not apologize for our beliefs. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true Christian church on the face of the earth.” 

    The problem is … people fall for it—especially Catholics.

    In fact, Mormons count Catholics as their main target.

    Over half of the current converts to Mormonism are Catholics.

    Mormons target Catholics who don’t know their faith.

    Sadly, that’s the majority of our fellow Catholics. They’ve been nearly defenseless against Mormon propaganda.

    Until now.

    With our new special report on Mormonism, we can “inoculate” Catholics from the half-truths and skewed history presented by Mormon missionaries.

    By getting this report into the hands of Catholics all across America, we can bolster the faith of Catholics and keep them from leaving the Church.

    But an ambitious project like this requires significant funds from generous supporters like you.

    We are dependent on you for financial support.
 
Last bit…

That’s why I’m hoping you’ll support Catholic Answers’ new project to expose the errors of Mormonism.
Code: 
    We want to give parish priests the materials they need so they can educate their parishioners—and can keep their Catholics Catholic.

    We estimate that the cost of this project—to print and distribute this report to thousands of parishes nationwide—will be approximately $140,000.

    We simply don’t have that much money right now. In fact, we don’t really have any of it.

    And yet, this project is crying out for our attention.

    That’s why I’m hoping you’ll be able to send us a special gift of $35 or more to get this project off the ground.

    In return for your gift, we’ll send you a set of these special reports to distribute to your friends, family, and Mormon acquaintances.

    For $35, we’ll send you 5 copies of our special report.

    For $75, we’ll send you 10 copies.

    For $150 or more, we’ll send you 15 copies.

    This way, you can be directly involved in this project. First, with your donation, by helping us get tens of thousands of copies distributed nationwide, where they’re needed most. And second, by doing your own distribution in your local area.

    Click here to make your donation to this very important project.
In case you’re not sure if Mormonism is really as big a threat as I’m saying it is, let me leave you with these statistics about the growth of this novel religion …
Code: 
    Facts about the Mormon Threat


    FACT: In 1984, sociologist Rodney Stark predicted that the Mormon church would grow at a rate of 30%–50% per decade for the next several decades, reaching from 70 million to possibly as high as 280 million members by the year 2080. He said it would be “the first new major world religion since Islam.” 

    Indeed, from 1984 to 2000, the church actually grew at an average rate of 52% per decade, outpacing the upper bound on Stark’s prediction. 

    FACT: When Mormon missionaries make their first contact with a person in the home of a Mormon friend or relative, a conversion will result 50% of the time.  

    FACT: Each year, the Mormon church baptizes 300,000 converts. (That’s 800 a day—or another million every three years.) Half are former Catholics. 

    The time to act is now—or we risk losing many Catholics to the Mormon faith in the decade ahead.

                        Simply put, we must not allow false teachers to mislead Catholics. 
                        Yet that’s exactly what Mormon theology is doing, even as you 
                         read this letter.

    Won’t you please make a special sacrifice and send your gift of $35 … $75 … or perhaps $150 or more today for this important project and all the good works of Catholic Answers?

    May God bless you for all you do in defense of the faith!

                    Sincerely in Christ,

                    Karl Keating 
                    President
P.S. The Mormon religion is not what is styles itself to be. Even our Protestant brethren agree that Mormonism is non-Christian. And yet, Mormonism is flourishing in America.
Mormons especially target poorly-catechized Catholics. (Worldwide, Catholics make up half the converts to Mormonism.)
 
Hesychios said:
I think that there is too much “kill the messenger” expressed here. Not as bad as in some other threads, but still…

Every suggestion contributed in sincerity without malice should be thanked and prayed over, not attacked or disparaged. As many issues as you may have with the comments of one interested soul, try to see it from their angle first.

If, as may be the case, there are a lot of cradle Catholics leaving the church for some reason (because they allegedly don’t know their own Faith, for example), perhaps an “exit interview” is worth the effort. People think about these things quite a bit when they get into new environments. In this case a person is offering up her own experiences and insights for the benefit of others.

Be grateful, for God’s sake! 😦 These people don’t have to share anything with you once they have gone, they could easily leave you to wallow in your own mess.

Michael
Click to expand...
Thank you, I did not post my post to attack nor say anything was wrong with the Catholic faith.
 
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