Catholics visiting Protestant Chruches

[AirForceMama]

Hello! I am a Catholic, and I am taking 9 of our parish teens to an interfaith camp next week hosted by a Methodist church. There will be a nightly worship service, and I have a few questions…

1. Should Catholics still genuflect when entering a pew at a Protestant church, even if it is not a church “service”?
2. Should Catholics always make the sign of the cross before and after a prayer (morning prayer, evening prayer, food prayer, etc)?

We’ve already talked to them about altar calls and such, but if anyone has any other advice, we’d really appreciate it!

 

[Redratfish]

1. No. You genuflect only in the presence of a tabernacle because it contains the Eucharist. Protestant churches do not have this, so there is no need to.
2. Theres no reason why not to.

Hope this helped a little

 

[Nicea325]

Hello! I am a Catholic, and I am taking 9 of our parish teens to an interfaith camp next week hosted by a Methodist church. There will be a nightly worship service, and I have a few questions…

1. Should Catholics still genuflect when entering a pew at a Protestant church, even if it is not a church “service”?

 

[Joe_5859]

Redratfish already answered your questions, but I will give just a little advice since you left it open-ended.

As the camp is a non-Catholic one, I would say you have a responsibility towards your kids that they not be given false or confusing information on the faith. Being an “interfaith” camp, they probably strive for a “mere Christianity” type of atmosphere that sticks to the doctrines we share, but it’s always possible for anti-Catholic doctrine or sentiments to creep in. You do not necessarily need to be obsessive about it (depending upon the group), but you definitely need to keep it in the back of your mind so that you can do damage control if the need arises.

If I were you, I would also prep the kids in advance and make sure they understand the difference between a Protestant worship service and a Catholic Mass. I would also make sure the kids are familiar with our own morning and evening prayer (i.e. the Liturgy of the Hours). This is not to say we can’t pray with non-Catholic Christians, but we should be intimately familiar with our own rich heritage in this regard. Perhaps a lesson on the proper place of ecumenism in the life of the Church would also be beneficial.

I would also do a follow up to gauge what they took out of the camp and to give an opportunity to catechize on the nature of the Church. It’s good for your students to be able to get along with those of other faith traditions, but we don’t want them to get the impression that it really doesn’t matter whether you’re Catholic or Methodist or anything else. It does matter, and they need to know why it matters.

Does your diocese sponsor any youth events that are similar? If they do, it’s good for the kids to go to those events, too. If they do not, contact your diocesan office and recommend that they start one.

 

[benidict]

Redratfish already answered your questions, but I will give just a little advice since you left it open-ended.

As the camp is a non-Catholic one, I would say you have a responsibility towards your kids that they not be given false or confusing information on the faith. Being an “interfaith” camp, they probably strive for a “mere Christianity” type of atmosphere that sticks to the doctrines we share, but it’s always possible for anti-Catholic doctrine or sentiments to creep in. You do not necessarily need to be obsessive about it (depending upon the group), but you definitely need to keep it in the back of your mind so that you can do damage control if the need arises.

If I were you, I would also prep the kids in advance and make sure they understand the difference between a Protestant worship service and a Catholic Mass. I would also make sure the kids are familiar with our own morning and evening prayer (i.e. the Liturgy of the Hours). This is not to say we can’t pray with non-Catholic Christians, but we should be intimately familiar with our own rich heritage in this regard. Perhaps a lesson on the proper place of ecumenism in the life of the Church would also be beneficial.

I would also do a follow up to gauge what they took out of the camp and to give an opportunity to catechize on the nature of the Church. It’s good for your students to be able to get along with those of other faith traditions, but we don’t want them to get the impression that it really doesn’t matter whether you’re Catholic or Methodist or anything else. It does matter, and they need to know why it matters.

Does your diocese sponsor any youth events that are similar? If they do, it’s good for the kids to go to those events, too. If they do not, contact your diocesan office and recommend that they start one.

interestingly enough. i bet there are methodist who would give the the same advice to their side. you do have some very good points. if my kids were not already protestant. i honestly would worry about them going to such a camp. Peace

 

[AirForceMama]

The camp is a mission style camp. During the day they go out and work on homes of less fortunate families in the community. At night, there are concerts, bowling night, etc. In our HS CCD class, we’ve been talking about situational apologetics… how to handle issues regarding other faiths, and making sure our kids know why we believe what we believe. We are using this camp as one - a great service to our community, and two - a hands on interaction with other faiths. There will be many faiths there, Methodist, Baptist, etc. We will be having follow-up meetings and classes with the kids as well. In our area, there are not many Catholics, and so far there hasn’t been much interfaith mingling. Since it is a small town, most of our kids already know many of the kids going to the camp from other churches.

I am an adult Catholic convert, but I really don’t know much about Methodist churches. I also know that during Mass we say many prayers, but we don’t always make the sign of the cross after every one of them. I wasn’t asking as in a “don’t be embarrassed” type of way, but of a “always, sometimes, distinguishing which ones” type of question.

thank you for your replies!

 

[Publisher]

The camp is a mission style camp. During the day they go out and work on homes of less fortunate families in the community. At night, there are concerts, bowling night, etc. In our HS CCD class, we’ve been talking about situational apologetics… how to handle issues regarding other faiths, and making sure our kids know why we believe what we believe. We are using this camp as one - a great service to our community, and two - a hands on interaction with other faiths. There will be many faiths there, Methodist, Baptist, etc. We will be having follow-up meetings and classes with the kids as well. In our area, there are not many Catholics, and so far there hasn’t been much interfaith mingling. Since it is a small town, most of our kids already know many of the kids going to the camp from other churches.

I am an adult Catholic convert, but I really don’t know much about Methodist churches. I also know that during Mass we say many prayers, but we don’t always make the sign of the cross after every one of them. I wasn’t asking as in a “don’t be embarrassed” type of way, but of a “always, sometimes, distinguishing which ones” type of question.

thank you for your replies!

I am not Catholic. I have however been involved with interfaith ministries in the past and Catholics have been participating without any issues. We had a “Meeting for Worship after the manner of Friends” one evening. We all sat together in the Living Silence awaiting the Spirit to provide vocal ministry through someone. A few stood and provided vocal ministry.

At the close the one given “care of the Meeting” turned to the person next to him and shook his hand…everyone turned and shook hands signifying Meeting was over…some of the Catholic participants crossed themselves before shaking hands…no one thought anything of it.

I would suggest to simply “be real”…if you wish to cross yourselves…do so…if it makes you feel uncomfortable…don’t…if you genuflect upon entering the worship space…do so…Christ is truly present where two or three are gathered in His name…perhaps “imperfecly” according to Catholics…but present just the same…if it is part of your religious practice…do so…if not…don’t…

“Be Real”

 

[Joe_5859]

The camp is a mission style camp. During the day they go out and work on homes of less fortunate families in the community. At night, there are concerts, bowling night, etc. In our HS CCD class, we’ve been talking about situational apologetics… how to handle issues regarding other faiths, and making sure our kids know why we believe what we believe. We are using this camp as one - a great service to our community, and two - a hands on interaction with other faiths. There will be many faiths there, Methodist, Baptist, etc. We will be having follow-up meetings and classes with the kids as well. In our area, there are not many Catholics, and so far there hasn’t been much interfaith mingling. Since it is a small town, most of our kids already know many of the kids going to the camp from other churches.

I am an adult Catholic convert, but I really don’t know much about Methodist churches. I also know that during Mass we say many prayers, but we don’t always make the sign of the cross after every one of them. I wasn’t asking as in a “don’t be embarrassed” type of way, but of a “always, sometimes, distinguishing which ones” type of question.

thank you for your replies!

It sounds like you’re preparing them well. Serving together is certainly the great uniter.

 

[Mikeoffaith]

Hello! I am a Catholic, and I am taking 9 of our parish teens to an interfaith camp next week hosted by a Methodist church. There will be a nightly worship service, and I have a few questions…

1. Should Catholics still genuflect when entering a pew at a Protestant church, even if it is not a church “service”?
2. Should Catholics always make the sign of the cross before and after a prayer (morning prayer, evening prayer, food prayer, etc)?

We’ve already talked to them about altar calls and such, but if anyone has any other advice, we’d really appreciate it!

1. No you guys shouldn’t genuflect when entering a pew at a Protestant Church. Most Protestant churches do not reserve the Sacrament.
2. Of course! A number of us Lutherans do it.

Have fun and enjoy each other.

 

[Michael_Facist]

Hello! I am a Catholic, and I am taking 9 of our parish teens to an interfaith camp next week hosted by a Methodist church. There will be a nightly worship service, and I have a few questions…

1. Should Catholics still genuflect when entering a pew at a Protestant church, even if it is not a church “service”?
2. Should Catholics always make the sign of the cross before and after a prayer (morning prayer, evening prayer, food prayer, etc)?

We’ve already talked to them about altar calls and such, but if anyone has any other advice, we’d really appreciate it!

The kids are likely to ask you “What happened to all the statues?” Just tell them that unfortunately, they don’t worship statues. And if they ask you where’s the Father? Just tell them their Father is in heaven, ours are on earth.

 

[RoryMcKenzie56]

Hello! I am a Catholic, and I am taking 9 of our parish teens to an interfaith camp next week hosted by a Methodist church. There will be a nightly worship service, and I have a few questions…

1. Should Catholics still genuflect when entering a pew at a Protestant church, even if it is not a church “service”?
2. Should Catholics always make the sign of the cross before and after a prayer (morning prayer, evening prayer, food prayer, etc)?

We’ve already talked to them about altar calls and such, but if anyone has any other advice, we’d really appreciate it!

Do we genuflect on Good Friday when the Lord is absent from the Tabernacle of Catholic churches? No. So why in the world would we genuflect in any Protestant church where the Lord is absent?

Yes, you should make the the sign of the cross. It is a sign of our faith in the Crucifixion and the Blessed Trinity.

Only because you ask…if you agree that the Catholic Church is the one true church, I would strongly advise against any interfaith meetings sanctioned by churches lacking apostolic succession and valid sacraments.

I would no more take teenagers to a church founded upon the principles of John Wesley than I would take them to a brothel founded upon the principles of Hugh Hefner. Yes…that was intended to shock. Both are impossibly non-Catholic. If one can say that there are degrees of “impossible”…I would prefer Methodism over Playboyism…but either are dangers to the soul, and Methodism has a veneer of innocence that Playboyism lacks. In some respects, interfaith meetings present a greater danger to your teens.

Rory

 

[Mikeoffaith]

Do we genuflect on Good Friday when the Lord is absent from the Tabernacle of Catholic churches? No. So why in the world would we genuflect in any Protestant church where the Lord is absent?

Yes, you should make the the sign of the cross. It is a sign of our faith in the Crucifixion and the Blessed Trinity.

Only because you ask…if you agree that the Catholic Church is the one true church, I would strongly advise against any interfaith meetings sanctioned by churches lacking apostolic succession and valid sacraments.

I would no more take teenagers to a church founded upon the principles of John Wesley than I would take them to a brothel founded upon the principles of Hugh Hefner. Yes…that was intended to shock. Both are impossibly non-Catholic. If one can say that there are degrees of “impossible”…I would prefer Methodism over Playboyism…but either are dangers to the soul, and Methodism has a veneer of innocence that Playboyism lacks. In some respects, interfaith meetings present a greater danger to your teens.

Rory

Heffner? I would be more worried about taking my teenagers to the Vatican, especially the boys.

cbsnews.com/stories/2010/03/06/earlyshow/saturday/main6272743.shtml

 

[AirForceMama]

I would no more take teenagers to a church founded upon the principles of John Wesley than I would take them to a brothel founded upon the principles of Hugh Hefner.
Rory

We live in a very non-Catholic area. Our kids mingle constantly with non-Catholics. I would much rather first expose them to other faiths with Catholic adults by their side to correct and educate them, rather than let them go off to college to experience it all without that support. I think the more practice they have in defending and explaining their faith, the better prepared they will be in the long run.

 

[RoryMcKenzie56]

We live in a very non-Catholic area. Our kids mingle constantly with non-Catholics. I would much rather first expose them to other faiths with Catholic adults by their side to correct and educate them, rather than let them go off to college to experience it all without that support. I think the more practice they have in defending and explaining their faith, the better prepared they will be in the long run.

Yeah AirForceMama…we lived in Tennessee ourselves for a while…I can see you have good intentions…I stand on what I said about genuflection, but my other comparison was perhaps overstated. Thanks for your patience with me.

Rory

 

[autdrew]

I was taught to genuflect to the tabernacle of Jesus and to the Eucharist after the consecration. I attend Mass in military chapels so there is not a tabernacle behind the altar. In this case, we (myself & my family) bow to the altar, out of respect, but not genuflect.We get looked at funny because I think some genuflect out of habit not knowing they are supposed to be genuflecting the tabernacle (real presence). Ive known some who genuflect to the crucifix &not realize there is a difference.
Does that make sense?

As for the crossing ourselves, I say yes. There is no reason not too. You could remind them to say the mental prayer of “In the name of the Father, the Son & The Holy Spirit” when the do.

 

[Zooey]

The camp is a mission style camp. During the day they go out and work on homes of less fortunate families in the community. At night, there are concerts, bowling night, etc. In our HS CCD class, we’ve been talking about situational apologetics… how to handle issues regarding other faiths, and making sure our kids know why we believe what we believe. We are using this camp as one - a great service to our community, and two - a hands on interaction with other faiths. There will be many faiths there, Methodist, Baptist, etc. We will be having follow-up meetings and classes with the kids as well. In our area, there are not many Catholics, and so far there hasn’t been much interfaith mingling. Since it is a small town, most of our kids already know many of the kids going to the camp from other churches.

I am an adult Catholic convert, but I really don’t know much about Methodist churches. I also know that during Mass we say many prayers, but we don’t always make the sign of the cross after every one of them. I wasn’t asking as in a “don’t be embarrassed” type of way, but of a “always, sometimes, distinguishing which ones” type of question.

thank you for your replies!

I know exactly the kind of camp you are talking about. I had some of these young folks do some repairs on my home a few years ago, and expect more to be done this year.
This is a terrific way for Christians of different churches to join together to serve others.

And, a couple of years ago, the youth group from my own Methodist Church had a “guest” attendant when they went to another state to take part in such a group. She was a delightful Catholic girl who had recently been confirmed. She had wanted to do something for others, and her priest contacted my pastor, who assured him that she would be very welcome…One of the nicest side effects of this was that one elderly couple whose home was repaired had the opportunity to meet, in her, the first Catholic they had met who was willing & able to chat with them about her faith, & they found in her a fine apologist for the Catholic Church.

“By this you will know My disciples, that they love one another”.
God bless you & your youth group. It warms my heart to hear of those young folks wanting to serve others.