Do You Ever Attend Non-Catholic Worship Services?

[SwizzleStick]

ElToro, I say this in charity. What you are doing could turn out to be a very negative thing for your Catholic Faith, considering what you posted on another thread about Mass at your Catholic parish versus what you have posted here about the Protestant services you attend. You were quite negative about the Mass experiences at your parish, while posting glowing accolades about the Protestant services you attend. The comment below “To make themselves feel good about being Catholic” makes you seem hostile toward Catholics, yet you don’t want to hear about negative Protestant services, “people were literally running down the aisles,… .” You indicated that your Catholic Faith is strong, but surely you can see that this may not be a good situation for your Faith?

Based on what I have described in several posts on this thread why would anyone want to mention a church where “people were literally running down the aisles, jumping in the pews and being slain in the Spirit. Then as luck would have it the preacher had a sermon on the fact that the Roman Catholic Church was the Beast in Revelation and Pope John Paul II was the anti-Christ.” To make themselves feel good about being Catholics? As an excuse for poor music/singing/preaching/fellowship? Such comments have absolutely no application on this thread yet they keep coming. Why?

Rather than continuing to discuss this on the internet, considering those versus posts, you might be well served to seek out your confessor and discuss it with him.

 

[ElToro]

ElToro, I say this in charity. What you are doing could turn out to be a very negative thing for your Catholic Faith, considering what you posted on another thread about Mass at your Catholic parish versus what you have posted here about the Protestant services you attend. You were quite negative about the Mass experiences at your parish, while posting glowing accolades about the Protestant services you attend. The comment below “To make themselves feel good about being Catholic” makes you seem hostile toward Catholics, yet you don’t want to hear about negative Protestant services, “people were literally running down the aisles,… .” You indicated that your Catholic Faith is strong, but surely you can see that this may not be a good situation for your Faith?

Singing, good Christian music, Bible discussion, preaching and good fellowship is going to be a “very negative thing for your Catholic Faith”? Why is that? Seems like it’s just more spritual nourishment? As I have said before there is nothing even remotely anti-Catholic in their services. Did you miss that when I mentioned it before?

I deeply (and I mean DEEPLY) appreciate the benchmarking aspect of experiencing others doing certain things FAR better than I have ever experienced in the Catholic Church. I know for a fact that the heads of the music ministry and hospitality ministry of my main parish have visited different local non-Catholic parishes because of feedback from others in this community. The terribly difficult thing is that it’s quite likely that neither individual is capable of planning and implementing the quality of programs they witnessed at the non-Catholic parishes. They lack the training and experience. They also lack the support of the pew-sitters who for the most part have no idea just how wonderful music/singing/fellowship can be in the context of a Sunday Mass.

Rather than continuing to discuss this on the internet, considering those versus posts, you might be well served to seek out your confessor and discuss it with him.

I have nothing to confess on this matter and as I noted I have already talked to my pastor about this.

You suggest I seem “hostile towards Catholics” and that is wrong. I am hostile towards those who are trying to compare this worship service to a Catholic sacrificial liturgy. If they were honest about things, they would compare them to a Catholic Bible study with music and singing.

I am also fairly hostile to those who use the universal excuse of “but they don’t have the Eucharist.” Gee, no kidding? I don’t like that people use the AWESOME GIFT of the Eucharist as an excuse not to do whatever it takes to improve the music/singing/preaching and fellowship of the average Sunday Mass experience. That attitude has helped to support the “in, out and gone” mentality that dominates so many Sunday Masses. I believe this in trun has driven many people away from the Church.

 

[ElToro]

A nice merlot? That’s interesting.

The church I was most recently attending has awesome music and I guess you can say they are Christian light too. Very liturgical in their services but also very open minded to different cultures and unfortunately lifestyles. Very welcoming church.

But never have they served alcohol in the church itself. Oh they would go out for a drink among friends, but never in the church.

I believe God led me to this church in preparation for Catholicism. I was able to adapt to the liturgical nature of its services, which I first found boring, having come from more charismatic circles. Also, because they were open to Catholicism, in fact, there is an nun biblical scholar who does twice weekly bible study, I was able to stop seeing Catholics as seriously in darkness.

Everything happens for a reason.

This group is VERY non-liturgical. It feels like a prayer meeting. That’s one reason why I feel comfortable attending.

The Merlot was in their social hall after the service, not in their sanctuary/nave.

I LOVE the liturgy – ALL Catholic liturgies.

 

[Jack_Bauer]

Wow, ElToro. You sound like you’re part of the 60s crowd that went astray. Sound like my aunts. Very uninformed.

 

[ElToro]

Why would you ask such a thing in this manner?

We get it, we know. You keep coming back and extolling the virtues of attending your Protestant services, the wonders of the music and fellowship, and even the food and drink now.

Is your purpose here to get support or validation for your choice? Perhaps you are getting frustrated because you are not getting it? Perhaps you are frustrated that your sharing isn’t prompting some obvious positive reaction to your Protestant experiences? Are you frustrated due to the lack of enthusiasm for your choices? I’m sorry for your frustration, whatever the cause if you are, in fact, frustrated, but there is no reason to imply that there is something the matter with some other posters.

My purpose was to pick some brains on the matter. In the process though I most certainly received validation that supports my choice to attend these services when I can on Sunday evenings.

 

[nickybr38]

I am also fairly hostile to those who use the universal excuse of “but they don’t have the Eucharist.” Gee, no kidding? I don’t like that people use the AWESOME GIFT of the Eucharist as an excuse not to do whatever it takes to improve the music/singing/preaching and fellowship of the average Sunday Mass experience. That attitude has helped to support the “in, out and gone” mentality that dominates so many Sunday Masses. I believe this in trun has driven many people away from the Church.

And in contrast that attitude that worship services are meant to be entertainment is what leads to ‘church hoppers’.

The music is not my primary focus at mass or in any worship experience. So of course I’m going to say: They don’t have the Eucharist. Because all I want in any worship experience is an encounter with God. The rest is unimportant. I would gladly attend a Mass carried out in total silence. Clearly that isn’t the same with you, but you have to expect there are people out there who just don’t care if the music is good or not because their eye is on the prize not the paper egg.

I think the reason you have received the responses you have is because Protestants DO NOT VIEW their worship services as a ‘Bible Study’ and little else. Their worship service is as important to them as our Mass is to us and in some ways you are belittling it by treating it as nothing more then a supplement to your faith. Or at least, that’s how I see it. As a Protestant I would have been very confused by a Catholic regularly attending our worship services. I might have even thought to myself that God had sent you as an opportunity to teach you truth and bring you to salvation.

I’m not saying these Christians are thinking that but I do feel that your regular attendance could lead to some confusion - on their part if not yours. Later on why would they consider the Catholic Church at all? Why should they? If any Catholics seek further food elsewhere why would they feel any need to seek out the Catholic Church?

I don’t know. Those are just my concerns.

 

[ElToro]

Wow, ElToro. You sound like you’re part of the 60s crowd that went astray. Sound like my aunts. Very uninformed.

Now you’re resporting to ad hominem attacks? What’s with the juvenile reactionary behavior?

Based on your own comments I would match my knowledge of the Church and the depth of my faith against yours anytime.

 

[ElToro]

And in contrast that attitude that worship services are meant to be entertainment is what leads to ‘church hoppers’.

Bull. That just another virulent excuse. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass SAVES us. But it also nourishes us. I bouys us, it makes

The music is not my primary focus at mass or in any worship experience. So of course I’m going to say: They don’t have the Eucharist. Because all I want in any worship experience is an encounter with God. The rest is unimportant. I would gladly attend a Mass carried out in total silence. Clearly that isn’t the same with you, but you have to expect there are people out there who just don’t care if the music is good or not because their eye is on the prize not the paper egg.

There you go again…

No one said that music should be our primary focus at Mass. I certainly never said it was mine. You are objectively wrong when you suggest “The rest is unimportant.” That’s not simply a differing of opinion. Attitudes such as yours have led to the sorts of half-baked Masses that have caused MILLIONS to leave the Church. For if the Mass is truly the Sacrifice of Jesus to His Father at Calvary (which it is!), how could it be celebrated in such a quick, utilitarian and cavalier manner? Many, many people have asked that question and I have yet to hear a decent answer.

 

[Jack_Bauer]

Now you’re resporting to ad hominem attacks? What’s with the juvenile reactionary behavior?

Based on your own comments I would match my knowledge of the Church and the depth of my faith against yours anytime.

Well, that would be a mistake, because I’ve spent the past 35 years studying scripture, Judaism, Church history, history, Greek, Jewish Customs, Geography, Patristics, and such.

I wasn’t challenging you. I just feel sad for you, honestly. In a charitable way. I did not mean to insult. BUt I can see how a statement like that might come over offensive to you. I apologize.

Maybe you don’t know my background, Protestant minister, seminarian, preparing for the diaconate now. Kind of took the long way Home to the Catholic Church.

 

[nickybr38]

There you go again…

No one said that music should be our primary focus at Mass. I certainly never said it was mine. You are objectively wrong when you suggest “The rest is unimportant.” That’s not simply a differing of opinion. Attitudes such as yours have led to the sorts of half-baked Masses that have caused MILLIONS to leave the Church. For if the Mass is truly the Sacrifice of Jesus to His Father at Calvary (which it is!), how could it be celebrated in such a quick, utilitarian and cavalier manner? Many, many people have asked that question and I have yet to hear a decent answer.

I was sharing MY VIEW of Mass. So it is MY objective opinion, I thought I’d made that clear and further I thought that was what you were seeking when you asked if others had attended non-catholic worship.

Millions left the Church because the music wasn’t to their taste? That’s quite sad. Very, very sad actually. Do you have any surveys to back this statement up? I hesitate to say that their faith was obviously quite weak if something like poor music could drive them away. Personally I’d like to hear nothing but Chant or complete silence at Mass… I don’t get that and I won’t be leaving anytime soon. Perhaps others should approach Mass in the same manner instead of running away because it’s not carried out in a way that pleases their sensibilities.

I have never seen Mass delivered in a quick and cavalier manner so I have no idea where you’re getting that it is. Perhaps it’s time to seek a new parish if your parish is treating the Mass like something that can be hurried through.

 

[Jack_Bauer]

There is not much of a comparison between the Mass and a non-liturgical worship service.

 

[nickybr38]

There is not much of a comparison between the Mass and a non-liturgical worship service.

I would say there’s no comparison.

I still feel like I’m in a totally different world when I attend Mass. It’s been a year but it still feels totally otherworldly to me. What awes me the most is the unity. When all voices raise together as one in prayer… that gets me every time.

I just started helping with music ministry at my parish and I find it so difficult. It’s so, so different from anything I experienced before.

Anyway, to you sir.

 

[Jack_Bauer]

I would say there’s no comparison.

I still feel like I’m in a totally different world when I attend Mass. It’s been a year but it still feels totally otherworldly to me. What awes me the most is the unity. When all voices raise together as one in prayer… that gets me every time.

I just started helping with music ministry at my parish and I find it so difficult. It’s so, so different from anything I experienced before.

Anyway, to you sir.

Well, they use words. The have music. There’s someone leading. There are places to sit down. There are walls and a roof. There are automobiles that parked outside.
Maybe you should reconsider.

 

[nickybr38]

Well, they use words. The have music. There’s someone leading. There are places to sit down. There are walls and a roof. There are automobiles that parked outside.
Maybe you should reconsider.

ROFL. SOMETIMES there are places to sit down and walls and a roof. I’ve been to outdoor services that were conducted while everyone sat on the ground. It was actually kind of peaceful, but it didn’t feel like worship to me, just good old person to person fellowship.

 

[SwizzleStick]

Singing, good Christian music, Bible discussion, preaching and good fellowship is going to be a “very negative thing for your Catholic Faith”? Why is that? Seems like it’s just more spritual nourishment? As I have said before there is nothing even remotely anti-Catholic in their services. Did you miss that when I mentioned it before?

I deeply (and I mean DEEPLY) appreciate the benchmarking aspect of experiencing others doing certain things FAR better than I have ever experienced in the Catholic Church. I know for a fact that the heads of the music ministry and hospitality ministry of my main parish have visited different local non-Catholic parishes because of feedback from others in this community. The terribly difficult thing is that it’s quite likely that neither individual is capable of planning and implementing the quality of programs they witnessed at the non-Catholic parishes. They lack the training and experience. They also lack the support of the pew-sitters who for the most part have no idea just how wonderful music/singing/fellowship can be in the context of a Sunday Mass.

I have nothing to confess on this matter and as I noted I have already talked to my pastor about this.

You suggest I seem “hostile towards Catholics” and that is wrong. I am hostile towards those who are trying to compare this worship service to a Catholic sacrificial liturgy. If they were honest about things, they would compare them to a Catholic Bible study with music and singing.

I am also fairly hostile to those who use the universal excuse of “but they don’t have the Eucharist.” Gee, no kidding? I don’t like that people use the AWESOME GIFT of the Eucharist as an excuse not to do whatever it takes to improve the music/singing/preaching and fellowship of the average Sunday Mass experience. That attitude has helped to support the “in, out and gone” mentality that dominates so many Sunday Masses. I believe this in trun has driven many people away from the Church.

My concern was that you seem to place a high value on being “fed” by the positive feelings of music, fellowship, preaching that you get at the Protestant services while your experience at Mass have left you feeling negative. You seem to think that your experiences with the Mass are inadequate in those areas and so you have your needs in those areas met by the Protestant services.

Many have left the Church because they feel fed by those same things when it is an empty feast in comparison with our Lord in the Eucharist. It is a feel good faith, but it isn’t the fullness of Faith. I know you indicated you spoke with your pastor, but sharing a word of caution seemed like a good idea considering your negative posts about the Mass and your positive posts about your Protestant services. You say that your Faith being negatively impacted isn’t a concern for you, that you won’t be drawn away from your Faith, that you aren’t confused at all about your Faith. Okay. You yourself apparently don’t need a word of caution then.

What about others, though? Are the Protestants confused by the attendance of a Catholic at their services? Do they know that you feel Mass is inadequate to fill your needs for music, preaching, fellowship and that is why you also attend there? Do you share your Protestant experiences at your Catholic Church and possibly confuse or scandalize your fellow Catholics?

Please don’t answer me. I suggest you ask yourself these things, examine your conscience and talk with your confessor. Note that I didn’t say “confess” to your confessor. I said talk, as I did in my previous post. I think it would be wise to just seek his counsel and guidance. I don’t know what else to say to you, as that seems like a prudent course to me.

 

[Jack_Bauer]

ROFL. SOMETIMES there are places to sit down and walls and a roof. I’ve been to outdoor services that were conducted while everyone sat on the ground. It was actually kind of peaceful, but it didn’t feel like worship to me, just good old person to person fellowship.

Protestants have perfected “Praise Worship”. However, I believe they learned it from the Catholic Charismatic Renewal meetings, like at Steubenville Ohio, from the 70’s. My time.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

My purpose was to pick some brains on the matter. In the process though I most certainly received validation that supports my choice to attend these services when I can on Sunday evenings.

Most of the posts I read, including mine, said that we would not attend a protestant service on a regular (weekly basis) for music and food. I know it seems innocuous enough to you, but I still feel that it is dangerous, ESPECIALLY considering your dissatisfaction with your parish and diocese.

Yes, we know you know it isn’t a Mass. Yes, I’m sure they are lovely people. My advice would still be to stop attending so regularly. However, as I said earlier, I’m sure you’ll do whatever you want to.

May your guardian angel be with you always.

 

[nickybr38]

Protestants have perfected “Praise Worship”. However, I believe they learned it from the Catholic Charismatic Renewal meetings, like at Steubenville Ohio, from the 70’s. My time.

Honestly I would say more they’ve perfected the ‘Emotional Manipulation’ Worship. I know I sure came away with some major emotional highs going to praise services. It always wore off and was such a disappointment. Not saying all Protestant services are like that but those were my experiences.

 

[ElToro]

Honestly I would say more they’ve perfected the ‘Emotional Manipulation’ Worship. I know I sure came away with some major emotional highs going to praise services. It always wore off and was such a disappointment. Not saying all Protestant services are like that but those were my experiences.

It’s a darned shame that more Catholic parishes don’t make the effort so that people can feel that way after leaving Mass.

I mostly see people scurrying to leave and get a good seat at their favorite place for breakfast. A real shame.

 

[Sword_Brethren]

Never!