Changes in the Catholic Church's Membership

[Michaeljc4]

I found this article interesting. The data from the larger Pew survey has been fascinating. What do you all think?

A Browner, Poorer, More Southern and Charismatic Catholic Church in America?

On a side note, I went to a Catholic Church in La Quinta, California last year while visiting my mother in law. There were many people of Mexican descent there during the masses I attended. I don’t mean to generalize from my limited experience, but what I observed matched the findings of the Pew research: the people in the church were just so into it; it was great. Singing every song, lighting candles, waving rosaries around. I loved it! I wish some more of that sort of spirit took a hold in my local church in Massachusetts.

 

[rien]

I found this article interesting. The data from the larger Pew survey has been fascinating. What do you all think?

A Browner, Poorer, More Southern and Charismatic Catholic Church in America?

On a side note, I went to a Catholic Church in La Quinta, California last year while visiting my mother in law. There were many people of Mexican descent there during the masses I attended. I don’t mean to generalize from my limited experience, but what I observed matched the findings of the Pew research: the people in the church were just so into it; it was great. Singing every song, lighting candles, waving rosaries around. I loved it! I wish some more of that sort of spirit took a hold in my local church in Massachusetts.

I think the charismatic thing is intriguing. Hispanic Catholics seem generally not to be attracted to the EF. European descent Catholics are far more attracted to it. Despite the Pope’s opening up the EF, I think demographics will ultimately see a more charismatic/less traditionalist Mass emerge in the US over this coming century.

 

[Nohome]

The story says 10 percent of Americans are former Catholics, that is 30 million people. One in three raised catholic.

I thought I was alone, guess not.

Nohome

 

[Michaeljc4]

Out of 100 people born into Catholic families, 30 of them leave the faith. Here in Massachusetts–according to the statistics that I read–of the 70 people remaining, only 20 go to weekly mass. The other 50 are what I think of as ‘cultural Catholics’; they may go to church on Christmas and Easter; perhaps get married in the church, have thier kids baptized, bury their parents and grandparents…that’s it.

You are far from alone.

 

[Nohome]

Out of 100 people born into Catholic families, 30 of them leave the faith. Here in Massachusetts–according to the statistics that I read–of the 70 people remaining, only 20 go to weekly mass. The other 50 are what I think of as ‘cultural Catholics’; they may go to church on Christmas and Easter; perhaps get married in the church, have thier kids baptized, bury their parents and grandparents…that’s it.

You are far from alone.

O.K., I’m a cultural Catholic then.

Nohome

 

[irenaeus1]

O.K., I’m a cultural Catholic then./quote]

Why not become part of the 20%, Nohome? Come on in; the water’s fine.

 

[Michaeljc4]

O.K., I’m a cultural Catholic then

.

So is most of my family. Where do you live, if you don’t mind me asking? (obviously I don’t want your home address!)

 

[puzzleannie]

I regularly attend Mass at 10-15 churches in this diocese, and have attended Mass at over half the 63 parishes (and growing). In this diocese, officially 80% Hispanic, I have encountered a true Charismatic Mass only once, and that was a healing Mass conducted by a visiting priest, a leader in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, very orthodox with impeccable credentials. I attend Spanish language Mass at least once a month in various parishes, and in only one parish, where for many years first Cursillo and then the Charismatic Renewal were very active, have I encountered a Charismatic style Mass.

I think the “All Hispanics are charismatic/pentecostal and a more Hispanic church will mean a more charismatic church” is a generalization without validity.

 

[Michaeljc4]

I’ve never been to a charismatic mass. I’d like to go sometime. My mom went to one years ago; she still talks about it.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

. . .; perhaps get married in the church, have their kids baptized, bury their parents and grandparents…that’s it.

You are far from alone.

Hatched, Matched, and Dispatched.

 

[Steeltemplar]

lighting candles, waving rosaries around. I loved it! I wish some more of that sort of spirit took a hold in my local church in Massachusetts.

That really sounds rather inappropriate for the Holy Mass. Solemnity and reverence are essential. Prayer candles are good, but they are not for during Mass. Waving rosaries around just sounds out of control.

I do not understand why people have to be acting in such ways for there to be “spirit”. Solemnity and reverence are very powerful things. Waving your rosary around sounds like you are more effected by your human emotions than by the Holy Spirit. When I am effected by the Holy Spirit, I feel inclined towards awed silence and prayerful worship.

A problem with high energy services is that people who attend them regularly are not learning how to experience faith outside of an emotionally charged environment. What happens when they are having a dry period, as even saints have had? You’re not going to be able to keep an emotional high all the time.

Faith is about devotion, not emotion.

I see the Spirit most when I see people giving sincere attention in the Mass, when I see them praying reverently. That is the beauty of devotion.

 

[Michaeljc4]

Waving rosaries around just sounds out of control.

That was a bit of hyperbole on my part to make a point: there was a lot of energy in the masses I attended. The singing was loud, the tone emotional, the worship…energetic. I don’t know how else to describe it.

If I gave you the impression that people were whipping rosaries around their head like lassos, my apologies.

The mass tends to reflect the culture that it’s celebrated in. Mass in Africa probably has a different feel than mass in Germany, or New York, or Brazil. I’ll take a bit of exuberance if it leads to greater attendance, but that’s just me.

 

[SenorSalsa]

Out of 100 people born into Catholic families, 30 of them leave the faith. Here in Massachusetts–according to the statistics that I read–of the 70 people remaining, only 20 go to weekly mass. The other 50 are what I think of as ‘cultural Catholics’; they may go to church on Christmas and Easter; perhaps get married in the church, have thier kids baptized, bury their parents and grandparents…that’s it.

You are far from alone.

done here we call them “Flower Catholics” They only come when the special flowers are put out

 

[Nohome]

Hatched, Matched, and Dispatched.

You’ve heard the story about the pigeons that wouldn’t leave the church belfry?

The local electrician installed horns, it didn’t work.

The local carpenter installed screen, it didn’t work.

Then the priest went up there. A few minutes later the pigeons flew away never to be seen again. The parishioners asked the priest “what did you do?” “Easy”, said the priest, “I confirmed them”.

Nohome

 

[Nohome]

Nohome;3831516:

O.K., I’m a cultural Catholic then./quote]

Why not become part of the 20%, Nohome? Come on in; the water’s fine.

Thanks but no, I pretty much just go for the donuts.

Nohome

 

[Nohome]

.

So is most of my family. Where do you live, if you don’t mind me asking? (obviously I don’t want your home address!)

I live in central Iowa. Of the four kids in my family, I’m the only regular attendee and I just go because my wife and kids do.

Nohome

 

[Michaeljc4]

My grandfather confided in me that he completely lost his faith during WWII when he saw so many of his friends die. He went to church every week while my uncle and aunts and my mom were growing up. When the last one made confirmation, he stopped going and never went back. I respect his dedication to a faith he did not share; he did what he thought was best for his children even while it meant little to him personally.

That, to me, is honorable. Sounds like you are in a similar situation, nohome.

 

[Nohome]

My grandfather confided in me that he completely lost his faith during WWII when he saw so many of his friends die. He went to church every week while my uncle and aunts and my mom were growing up. When the last one made confirmation, he stopped going and never went back. I respect his dedication to a faith he did not share; he did what he thought was best for his children even while it meant little to him personally.

That, to me, is honorable. Sounds like you are in a similar situation, nohome.

I’m not atheist or anything, I just don’t believe some of the fundamental tenets of the faith. The music is enjoyable and we are now at a parish with a decent priest. I enjoy his homilies.

I don’t partake in the sacraments.

Nohome

 

[Michaeljc4]

That’s a bummer. Have you ever tried going to a different type of church?

 

[Nohome]

That’s a bummer. Have you ever tried going to a different type of church?

I really don’t see any value in attending another church. Culturally, I am catholic, I would be as out of place as a secular jew in a mosque.

Switching Parishes was a great move. The priest at the other place plagiarized his homilies and spoke like the teacher is Ferris Buehler’s Day Off.

Nohome