Do You Ever Attend Non-Catholic Worship Services?

[Mrs_Sally]

Is that really the teaching of the Church? Obviously our weekly obligation comes first and I would never attend a non-Catholic service at the cost of meeting my obligation.

As crazy as this sounds I considered asking my pastor is we could put together a weekly worship/prayer service at my parish. Certainly not to replace the Mass. (Some of you need to read that last sentance 3-4 times before proceeding.) But after thinking about it for a while there is just no way it would work. We lack the caliber of music ministry that would be required to make it a success. We lack the type or caliber of preaching that would be required. We lack the inherent fellowship – people would be zipping out of there as soon as they could if Mass is any indicator.

There is also the problem of the “insiders” That group of people at many parishes that attend almost every event and ultimately try to control everything. They’re usually disliked and they ruin a lot of good works. The insiders would lay waste to such an effort in my parish within 6 months.

Well that’s a pretty negative view of your parish! So a prayer service may not start out as the most spectacular thing, but I assure you not many of them do. Try and see what happens. There may be talented musicians who can’t commit to a weekly service, but might come out once a month. In a non Mass setting, lay people can speak and there might be some very interesting “witness” stories in your parish.

You could also look to see if other parishes or your diocese does something like that. I would encourage you to look to authentic Catholic venues before settling into regular attendance at a protestant service.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Their services are rather simple. Begin by singing 3-4 songs most of which I already know. I really enjoy this. It’s like the entire congregation is the choir. It begins with some basic, non-fomulated prayer. Then there is some reading of Scripture sans commentary intermingled with more music. Unless you are weary of the Bible or the most basic forms of communal prayer there is no way you could take issue thus far.

Then there is a sermon. I certainly have never heard anything remotely anti-Catholic or anti-Christian in it. It might be a bit too Christian lite for my tastes but there is nothing wrong with it. It’s very engaging and delivered very well. Then more singing, a call for special intention prayers, there might be a 5 minute bit on some community matter (local team wins championship and 4 members of the team also attend that parish) and more singing. Then there is time for fellowship which is nothing more than an evening coffee social.

The pseudo-communion, altar calls and other things that people seem to be conjuring up in their minds just doesn’t exist. I obviously wouldn’t attend it they did.

This just does not sound worth a weekly visit in my opinion. I get plenty of Bible and commentary from Catholic sources. Since we like to sing quite a bit, my children are involved in several choirs (Catholic and secular) and we sing like crazy to our worship music CDs.

I think what bothers me the most about this is the “fellowship” ***in a church setting ***with protestants on a weekly basis. Of course, we have many friends who aren’t Catholic, but we don’t hang out with them in a church setting which as others have said can easily lead to confusion – for them and for you.

Obviously you aren’t going to change your plans based on feedback here. And it doesn’t look like you’ve got too many heading out to coffee with the Methodists, so I’d call this a draw.

 

[familyof4]

Well that’s a pretty negative view of your parish! So a prayer service may not start out as the most spectacular thing, but I assure you not many of them do. Try and see what happens. There may be talented musicians who can’t commit to a weekly service, but might come out once a month. In a none Mass setting, lay people can speak and there might be some very interesting “witness” stories in your parish.

You could also look to see if other parishes or your diocese does something like that. I would encourage you to look to authentic Catholic venues before settling into regular attendance at a protedtant service.

I agree with the above poster, and particularly the highlighted portion.

OP, I don’t know what area of the country you live in, but within my area, I can drive to ten different parishes within 20 minutes (including our Cathedral). My parish has a number of very active ministries, and no one group runs all of them-- it would be impossible!

My niece, although not Catholic, goes on occasion to the Catholic church closest to her because on Sunday night they have an incredible service with a lot of talented musicians.

As for your original question-- none of my extended family is Catholic, so I have been invited to non-Catholic services quite often. My usual experience is that while the people are nice, and the music is great, it isn’t a satisfying experience, so I wouldn’t go back on a regular basis.

Like someone up thread, I suggest that if music and a more emotive experience draws you in, check for a charasmatic mass in your diocese. It might fit the bill for you. I would NEVER attend a protestant/non-Catholic service on a regular basis, since to do so would imply that I endorse it and that could be confusing to others.

 

[Angel_Bradford]

Never.

 

[ElToro]

This just does not sound worth a weekly visit in my opinion. I get plenty of Bible and commentary from Catholic sources. Since we like to sing quite a bit, my children are involved in several choirs (Catholic and secular) and we sing like crazy to our worship music CDs.

I think what bothers me the most about this is the “fellowship” ***in a church setting ***with protestants on a weekly basis. Of course, we have many friends who aren’t Catholic, but we don’t hang out with them in a church setting which as others have said can easily lead to confusion – for them and for you.

Obviously you aren’t going to change your plans based on feedback here. And it doesn’t look like you’ve got too many heading out to coffee with the Methodists, so I’d call this a draw.

Oh really? What’s the opportunity cost in your world? What do you do on Sunday evenings after dinner that trumps reading the Bible, communal prayer, singing of Christian hymns and Christian fellowship?

I don’t know too many who actually attend Mass at that time (I attend on Sunday mornings) or spend time in Euchariustic Adoration during that time – although I am sure some will claim both.

The opportunity cost is not huge. It might take away a couple of hours of reading or watching TV or surfing the web – activities that I can do at many other times.

 

[ElToro]

Well that’s a pretty negative view of your parish! So a prayer service may not start out as the most spectacular thing, but I assure you not many of them do. Try and see what happens. There may be talented musicians who can’t commit to a weekly service, but might come out once a month. In a non Mass setting, lay people can speak and there might be some very interesting “witness” stories in your parish.

You could also look to see if other parishes or your diocese does something like that. I would encourage you to look to authentic Catholic venues before settling into regular attendance at a protestant service.

Ain’t gonna happen. That’s not being either overly negative nor is it being pollyanna. I have never heard a music program anywhere in my diocese that even approached this non-Catholic group (and I don’t think they are by any means unique in their world.) That includes the “best of the best” liturgies like ordination Masses. I have very, very rarely witnessed the quality of preaching in my diocese. I don’t know for certain why that’s the case (we all have our ideas) but it is and excellence in music and preaching would be one of the cornerstones of such a service.

As far as the “insiders” go at my parish? They are a cancer. They have taken a terrible toll on my parish and I do all I can to avoid them. So do many others, some sadly to the point of leaving the parish. My skin just crawled as I thought about how this group has mistreated so many over the past 20+ years.

 

[ElToro]

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is a sacrificial liturgy within the Church. So are the various Divine Liturgies of the Byzantine Catholic churches. So is the Holy Quarbono (sp) of the Maronite Catholic church. There are others as well.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Oh really? What’s the opportunity cost in your world? What do you do on Sunday evenings after dinner that trumps reading the Bible, communal prayer, singing of Christian hymns and Christian fellowship?

I don’t know too many who actually attend Mass at that time (I attend on Sunday mornings) or spend time in Euchariustic Adoration during that time – although I am sure some will claim both.

The opportunity cost is not huge. It might take away a couple of hours of reading or watching TV or surfing the web – activities that I can do at many other times.

The point I was making is not that I’d rather be watching TV than reading the Bible. The point was that I do not feel it is appropriate to spend time every week listening to protestant sermons. I actually spend Sunday evenings with the Catholic youth group in my parish. And further that Bible study and worship music also come in Catholic flavors.

I see from your response to my next post that you feel nothing in your diocese or especially parish compares to the music and sermonizing at this protestant church. I say again what many have told you already on this thread, you are putting yourself in a very dangerous position with weekly attendance there. Especially since you are so dissatisfied with your parish.

I pray that your love of the Eucharist keeps you from rationalizing even more involvement with them. Please seek out groups within neighboring parishes or at the diocesan level that offer what you are searching for in this protestant service.

 

[SwizzleStick]

"Examination of Conscience
…
…First Commandment

1. 
   *]Am I ignorant of my catechism (Act of Contrition, Apostle’s Creed, Ten Commandments, Seven Sacraments, the Our Father)?
   *]Have I willfully doubted or denied any of the teachings of the Church (heresy)?
   *]**Have I taken active part in any non-Catholic worship? ***]Am I a member of any anti-Catholic or any secret society?
   *]Have I knowingly read any anti-Catholic literature?
   *]Have I practiced any superstitions (horoscopes, fortune tellers, etc.)?
   …
   
   Source link: catholic-pages.com/penance/examine.asp

 

[TrueLight]

"Examination of Conscience
…
…First Commandment

1. 
   *]Am I ignorant of my catechism (Act of Contrition, Apostle’s Creed, Ten Commandments, Seven Sacraments, the Our Father)?
   *]Have I willfully doubted or denied any of the teachings of the Church (heresy)?
   *]**Have I taken active part in any non-Catholic worship? ***]Am I a member of any anti-Catholic or any secret society?
   *]Have I knowingly read any anti-Catholic literature?
   *]Have I practiced any superstitions (horoscopes, fortune tellers, etc.)?
   …
   
   Source link: catholic-pages.com/penance/examine.asp

1. 
   Right, but where did number three come from?
   
   This is what I found on this page:
   
   FIRST COMMANDMENT
   “I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before Me.” (Ex 20:2,3)
   

   * Did I doubt or deny that God exists?
   * Did I refuse to believe what God as revealed to us?
   * Did I believe in fortune telling, horoscopes, dreams, the occult, good-luck charms, tarot cards, palmistry, Ouija boards, seances, reincarnation?
   * Did I deny that I was Catholic?
   * Did I leave the Catholic Faith?
   * Did I give time to God each day in prayer?
   * Did I love God with my whole heart?
   * Did I despair of or presume on God's mercy?
   * Did I have false gods in my life that I gave greater attention to than God, like money, profession, drugs, TV, fame, pleasure, property, etc.?

   Aren’t these guidelines for examining one’s conscience using the ten commandments or is there a standard examination of conscience.

 

[SwizzleStick]

Right, but where did number three come from? …

I don’t understand your question.

…Aren’t these guidelines for examining one’s conscience using the ten commandments or is there a standard examination of conscience.

There are likely many guidelines for examining one’s conscience using the ten commandments. (You and I have provided two already). Some are probably more thorough than others and there might be variance as to where some sins fall, i.e. scandal could likely fall under more than one commandment. I do not think there is a standard examination of conscience.

I did notice this in the guidelines at your link:

"FOURTH COMMANDMENT
“Honor your father and your mother.” (Ex 20:12)

Did I disobey or disrespect my parents or legitimate superiors?
Did I neglect my duties to my husband, wife, children or parents?
Did I neglect to give good religious example to my family?
Did I fail to actively take an interest in the religious education and formation of my children?
Did I fail to educate myself on the true teachings of the Church?
Did I give scandal by what I said or did, especially to the young?
Did I cause anyone to leave the faith?
Did I cause tension and fights in my family?
Did I care for my aged and infirm relatives?
Did I give a full day’s work for a full day’s pay?
Did I give a fair wage to my employees? "

 

[TrueLight]

I don’t understand your question.

This is the number three I am referring to:
**

Have I taken active part in any non-Catholic worship? **​

I’m wondering why you posted it?

 

[BernadetteM]

Largely I think because he wondered why this group is offering something he does not. Yes, he can confect the Blessed Sacrament and no Protestant minister can do that. But that’s not an excuse for having inferior music, preaching and fellowship.

Some seem to use the AWESOME GIFT of Catholic Sacrificial Liturgies (including the Mass) as an excuse not to want or provide excellence in music, excellence in preaching and excellence in fellowship. I find that deeply troubling. Will excellence in music, excellence in preaching and excellence in fellowship ever cause me to abandon Catholic Sacrificial Liturgies? No way. But I still want both and I am envious (in a good way) of those that DO get both within the context of a Catholic Sacrificial Liturgy.

I guess it would depend on what considers excellent preaching, music and fellowship.

Personally I do not like comtemporary music, I don’t find it spiritually uplifting, whether in a protestant church or a Catholic one. If you want wonderful, spiritual and uplifting music then attend an Anglican Use Catholic Church or a Catholic Church that uses the traditional hymns and chants.

As far as preaching I have heard a good homily every Sunday at Mass. I don’t like to hear a minister go on and on for 45 minutes talking about issues that are not related to the Gospel. As I recall in some of the more evangelical and fundamentalist churches the preaching was loud and there were many times when just a few scripture readings were used week after week. I am not saying that there are not good preachers in other churches, however, I prefer that the preaching is also associated with the Gospel of that day. God has given different gifts to the clergy and not every one of either church has been given that gift. All our priests have the gift of offerering Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Mass is true worship. Read Revelations it gives an idea of how worship is in Heaven.

I agree that our parishes are not as friendly, however, compared to most protestant churches, unless they are mega ones, we have many Masses and people who attend. In small parishes one can get to know one another more easily.

I too have attended protestant churches and right away feel that something it missing and I know that it is the Body and Blood of our Lord.

God Bless

Bernadette

 

[thequeen]

I think Catholics may attend a non-Catholic service for just cause, as long as we meet our Mass obligation too. Otherwise, I take it that we should not attend a non-Catholic service. As I indicated in my earlier post, I’ll keep looking for clarification.

You tell them SwizzleStick! We are obligated to meet our obligation of Mass on Sunday and Holy Days of obligation after we attend a wedding or play or something like that in another church we need more people who are serious about their faith and mass obligation. Thank you for a post that has made absolute sense. and why would anyone want to attend a church of another denomination especially since we have Jesus in the Eucharist and they don’t.

 

[SwizzleStick]

This is the number three I am referring to:
**

Have I taken active part in any non-Catholic worship? **​

I’m wondering why you posted it?

I’m still trying to find the answer to the question whether it is or is not acceptable practice for a Catholic to regularly attend non-Catholic worship services. Apparently, it is okay to attend with qualifications, for just cause. Some sources say it is not okay to attend for good “feelings,” fellowship or to attend just for the sake of attending.

With that particular examination of conscience, if one were attending non-Catholic service regularly, I would think one would have to look within to answer the question “Have I taken active part in any non-Catholic worship?” With the examination of conscience that you linked to, one might look within to ask “Did I give scandal by what I said or did?” (as suggested by Fr. Levis in my post #53).

At the very least, it does not seem to me to be a prudent practice for a Catholic to regularly attend non-Catholic service because it could be detrimental to Faith, but is it more than that?

 

[SwizzleStick]

…Thank you for a post that has made absolute sense. and why would anyone want to attend a church of another denomination especially since we have Jesus in the Eucharist and they don’t.

It is not something I understand that some would say the Mass is not enough to sustain them. Catholics have the Eucharist at Mass. I don’t know why anyone would look elsewhere for fellowship, music, sustenance, etc. when we have our Lord in the Eucharist.

 

[SteveGC]

It is not something I understand that some would say the Mass is not enough to sustain them. Catholics have the Eucharist at Mass. I don’t know why anyone would look elsewhere for fellowship, music, sustenance, etc. when we have our Lord in the Eucharist.

They look for it because the Christian life is about beauty in all things, not just the Eucharist, which is clearly the most beautiful and majestic thing on this earth. Most of life is lived outside of our direct consumption of the Eucharist, even though the spiritual affects of that consumption are meant to be lifelong and ever present in us.

What I mean is…we are naturally and wonderfully drawn to fellowship with one another…to celebrate with one another…to sing and rejoice, laugh and cry, and feast together as fellow Christians in communal life. And Catholics in our day and age just don’t do this very well anymore. Most non-Catholics do. Most Catholics don’t commune after Mass. Some do, most don’t. Most also don’t get involved in their own parish in general. We have 1500 people at my parish. We have upwards of 80 ministries, all run by about 10% of the parish. The other 90% come to Sunday and HDO Masses, and that’s all you see of them. Some of that 90% take their wonderful talents (for music, public-speaking, teaching, etc) away with them in their absence from parish life…which is an absolute shame.

Some Catholic parishes I’m sure are different…and more vibrant outside of Mass in their shared communal life. I envy that reality…and I think that’s a healthy envy. Catholics need to get together and celebrate together, and eat together, and sing together…and we need to do this outside of Mass. Granted, if all we do is Mass together and nothing else, then I can live with it, as the Eucharist is our faith’s source and summit, and in a huge sense, we are feasting and praying and singing and lamenting and rejoicing together at Mass. I get that 100%. I just lament the lack of communal life among Catholics outside of Mass. Not that we have to be together all the time…not even that we have to do it most of the time. But come on.

That’s my experience anyway. I’m a 4 year convert, btw.

Peace.

 

[ElToro]

WRONG. Were were discussing “The Mass.”

“The Mass” defines the sacrificial liturgies of the Latin Rite of the Church. Had someone used something along the lines of “Catholic Sacrificial Liturgy” rather than “The Mass” I would not have said anything, for their comment would not have been in error.

 

[ElToro]

The point I was making is not that I’d rather be watching TV than reading the Bible. The point was that I do not feel it is appropriate to spend time every week listening to protestant sermons. I actually spend Sunday evenings with the Catholic youth group in my parish. And further that Bible study and worship music also come in Catholic flavors.

You’re changing your story now. You said “This just does not sound worth a weekly visit in my opinion.” That does not equate to "I do not feel it is appropriate to spend time every week listening to protestant sermons. "

I see from your response to my next post that you feel nothing in your diocese or especially parish compares to the music and sermonizing at this protestant church. I say again what many have told you already on this thread, you are putting yourself in a very dangerous position with weekly attendance there. Especially since you are so dissatisfied with your parish.

I have never heard music/singing anywhere near as good anywhere in my diocese including our cathedral. You reached a false conclusion (VERY common on these forums) when you suggested I am “dissatisfied” with my parish. I never said that I am. Three elements I did discuss – music/singing, preaching and fellowship (or lack thereof) are pretty much on a par (possibly even a touch better) than what I have experienced through my lifetime in different Catholic parishes. The fact that through my parish I can avail myself to the sacraments of the Church ENSURES I am not “dissatisfied” with my parish. On the other hand I do enjoy the music/singing, preaching and fellowship of this other parish. I have no idea why you claim that I put myself in a “dangerous position”? Would you care to elaborate?

I pray that your love of the Eucharist keeps you from rationalizing even more involvement with them. Please seek out groups within neighboring parishes or at the diocesan level that offer what you are searching for in this protestant service.

I’ve looked – for years. It’s not that I find them and reject them – they simply don’t exist.

 

[ElToro]

It is not something I understand that some would say the Mass is not enough to sustain them. Catholics have the Eucharist at Mass. I don’t know why anyone would look elsewhere for fellowship, music, sustenance, etc. when we have our Lord in the Eucharist.

Why wouldn’t they? You seem to be using the excuse we have (WONDERFUL GOD-GIVEN GIFT OF) the Eucharist so HIGH QUALITY music/singing, preaching and fellowship are not important.

That’s simply not true. More and more I see it as an excuse in the Church because a fair number of Catholic parishes do very poorly when it comes to HIGH QUALITY music/singing, preaching and fellowship.

By the time Sunday evening rolls around I have always attended the Mass and nearly always attended the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom. Following those my day is normally filled with either a family event or a reacreational event – and both include prayer. A teriffic way to spend a Sunday.

After dinner I can’t think of too many things I would enjoy more (particularly in the context of the entire day) than singing some Christian hymns, hearing some good preaching and taking part in fellowship with other Christians. At that day/time of the week, every Catholic parish in my town is padlocked…