Concerned about joining campus student ministry

[Merrick]

Some of my concerns are related to liturgy but not all. I think I am seeing the manifestation of some sort of culture war in the Catholic student ministry; perhaps I can get some perspective here from a traditional point of view.

I really want to become Catholic. I spoke with the priest who is great and willing to work with me one on one. I may not need the classes since I have been studying on my own for eight years but that will depend on him.

The campus ministry will be the easiest place to join right now. I don’t have lots of options. But I am really concerned. I first visited this place when researching churches and spoke with the priest who was a different man. I left because he became very militant but I don’t want to get into that too much. So I didn’t join but I have visited on and off.

About a year ago before the current priest arrived I was concerned with the liturgy. I still am though the current priest improved it and follows the rules. Now I don’t know if this is allowed in the Catholic Church, but during what we call Prayers of the People the previous priest began inserting political commentary about the liberal Obama administration. It was so bizarre!

The new priest I should say never does this but there is something strange about the student body. Before I ever visited some girls on campus from the ministry were arrested for vandalizing a student newspaper they perceived to be liberal. And when I wrote a prayer request in a book for students and read other requests nearly every page was covered with requests to end abortion. I believe abortion is a sin but why is nearly every request to end abortion and nothing else?

On the other hand the liturgy is very modern - not conservative at all.

I am concerned about joining this place because there seems to be some sort of culture war going on but they aren’t liberal or traditional. Could this have anything to do with the fact they are a small ministry in a heavily Protestant area? Other than this ministry I have never met Catholics that acted like this or seen these things in Catholic churches.

I do trust the new priest. I think I will bite the bullet and be received in here since my options are few. But I am worried about why this place seems so off. I am grateful for any perspective on this.

 

[NiceMarmot]

On the other hand the liturgy is very modern - not conservative at all.

All of your concerns are summed up here. Avoid this like the plague and make the effort to seek out one of the parishes in the area.

Modernism and novelty is not what the catholic faith (should be, but often) is about.

Good hunting!

 

[Merrick]

All of your concerns are summed up here. Avoid this like the plague and make the effort to seek out one of the parishes in the area.

Modernism and novelty is not what the catholic faith (should be, but often) is about.

Good hunting!

If I took this advice I wouldn’t be able to join a single parish in my town. I am concerned about liturgy but as I said my options are limited. There are no traditional liturgies here at all. So I am mainly worried about the other things I talked about. Why is it like this?

 

[WingsOfEagles]

If I took this advice I wouldn’t be able to join a single parish in my town. I am concerned about liturgy but as I said my options are limited. There are no traditional liturgies here at all. So I am mainly worried about the other things I talked about. Why is it like this?

It could be a reflection of the priest running things prior to this one? Is the liturgy just OF or is it breaking rules of the GERM? It might be worth talking to the priest about joining, so that you can be Catholic and at least attending their Mass fulfills the obligation. Some behavior from group members doesn’t sound great, but maybe you can help create the change. All of the pro-life intentions may be a result of something that was a big topic of discussion at a meeting.

 

[1newcatholic]

It does sound like the group you’ve described is embroiled in the politicized culture wars that can dominate not only Catholic but also Protestant Christianity in America. You might be better off seeking to join the church through a parish RCIA group. Even though I had studied religion and Catholicism for years, I myself went through an RCIA group and do not regret the time I spent there at all, even though some of the material was indeed remedial.

It sounds like the student group might be overcompensating for its liberal approach to liturgy with an appeal to ultra-conservative cultural values. It’s good that traditional church teachings are affirmed during prayer, but if the worship leader is using Mass to relentlessly advance or preach a specific politic agenda, that should be a huge red flag, especially if this is happening on a consistent basis.

On the other hand, it isn’t unusual to hear the Obama administration occasionally mentioned. I remember hearing a prayer for “wisdom and discretion for all those with political influence, including members of congress and the Obama administration.” That seemed normal.

The hyper-focus on abortion is a little alarming though, and the vandalism you mentioned suggests that your group has forgotten primary Christian doctrine (by their fruits ye shall know them; little children, love one another; they shall know you are my disciples by your love) and is dogmatically focused on popular political issues instead (abortion, gay marriage, political affiliation).

College groups can be especially politicized, perhaps because a lot of college-age Christians are just starting to become independent; when you’re on your own for the first time, sometimes familiar slogans and issues feel comforting and stabilizing.

If I were in your shoes I would look for a different group, but it is also true that once you’ve joined the Church, you can find other groups–you don’t need to find a perfect portal into the faith, just one that will get you in the door. I joined through an RCIA program at a church near my campus, but I am a registered member of the parish near my house. That’s one great perk of Catholicism–flexibility. Because the Church is practically everywhere, you have many, many options.

Best of luck in your discernment process.

 

[John_Martin]

I really want to become Catholic. I spoke with the priest who is great and willing to work with me one on one. I may not need the classes since I have been studying on my own for eight years but that will depend on him…

Merrick,
If you are studying on your own, and if you have the determination to do the hard work, try becoming a student of St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa (you can find a great online version here: ccel.org/ccel/aquinas/summa.toc.html ) - as you make your way through it, you will find and understand all the reasonings people go through in their various apparent agendas.
It is a difficult challenge, but you will come to know this God of the Church, come to know and understand yourself, your soul, and your life here. And you sound like you may be up to the challenge.
I found him after becoming Catholic, at 59 years old - get a head start for yourself. You will jump into this Church headfirst when you find the riches there.

John Martin

 

[NiceMarmot]

If I took this advice I wouldn’t be able to join a single parish in my town. I am concerned about liturgy but as I said my options are limited. There are no traditional liturgies here at all. So I am mainly worried about the other things I talked about. Why is it like this?

I apologise for the quick response…We were heading out the door for FOOD!!..must eat…

There are many reasons why it is like this. Very touchy subjects, all of them. I have been studying and researching the reasons for quite some time and there are a few common denominators. The most acceptable response at this time would be to simply say that the worldwide church, in the ‘excitement’ after Vatican II got carried away. PM if you would like continued conversation in this, as thread topics of this nature tend to degenerate quickly.

I am truly sorry that your options are so limited. It takes real fortitude and alignment with the Lord’s suffering to remain focused on the truths of the catholic faith and the sacrifice of the mass in your situation. I hope and pray that it is within your scope to forge ahead and become catholic while maintaining a traditional prayer life. You will recieve the graces that come with the sacraments, which will sustain you in ‘less than ideal’ times.

Going to assist at any valid mass is paramount. Prayer and alignment with Jesus’ suffering remain no matter what.

‘Student groups’ are notoriously suspect, although I think there are some good ones these days.

 

[Genesis315]

Join the Church, receive the sacraments, pray, and try to be the best Catholic you can. Don’t let others bother you, except to spur you on to greater charity toward them and to others.

 

[Big_Feet]

Join the Church, receive the sacraments, pray, and try to be the best Catholic you can. Don’t let others bother you, except to spur you on to greater charity toward them and to others.

I agree whole heartedly with Genesis above. You must remember that when you join the Catholic Church, you are joining a worldwide and universal faith, not merely the parish in your town.
Join the faith, pray for correctness of action, and possibly, as you learn, guide those in what you have learned. Turn to the teaching and documents of the universal Church, not to the limited actions of the local parish.
Remember, that which is placed upon the the altar for the consecration becomes our Lord and Savior, whom we then consume on His instruction! No other place can you do that! AMAZING!

May God bless you on your journey!

 

[Merrick]

Join the Church, receive the sacraments, pray, and try to be the best Catholic you can. Don’t let others bother you, except to spur you on to greater charity toward them and to others.

This is what I plan to do. I can say that – IF – some of the personal commentary inserted into the prayers was improper, that priest is gone and the new priest seems to follow the rules and I have talked with him and like him a lot. The liturgy has become somewhat more traditional with this priest as well. But when I pray privately, I personally use traditional prayers. I am not against modern ones, but for me the traditional prayers are easier.

These responses have been helpful. It will be easiest for me to join this chapel but once a member I will go to the parish when possible. The main benefit to me is that I like this priest, and the sacraments.