Although you don’t do it, I could see that if a Catholic regularly shared with fellow Catholics their enjoyment of preaching at XYZ church, some of them may be intrigued to join in or explore it on their own. I think preaching, specifically, is where I would express concern. I’m not suggesting there are rampant anti-Catholic sermons out there, as most of it is testimonials, stories, and/or teachings that the Catholic Church would not object to per se…but in the few that I have attended, there always seems to be some dosage of doctrinal conflict in the message. Perhaps the Catholic that would attend these would pick up quickly on those conflicts, and easily dismiss them. But some of them are subtle, and indirect…and I think over a lengthy time, it might set up a situation that fosters some doubt about Catholic teaching. Just a hunch, not an objective fact, mind you.
Also, you mentioned lack of fellowship…and I’m with you on that, assuming you meant after Mass, not during (wasn’t sure, because your wording earlier seemed to suggest you would like to see similar fellowship in the pews). Anyway, some Catholic parishes have excellent parishioner involvement, and convenient facilities to foster fellowship among the people. Most parishes I have been to do not, sadly.
But I think it’s difficult to have that atmosphere at Catholic parishes, simply because the whole parish is initially designed around solemn worship, and rightly so. But to take that original design and transform it into something accommodating to fellowship is difficult to do. Most parishes have small vestibules, and IF they have a community center, it’s way across the parking lot. You have to walk past your car, making a concerted effort to not drive away and get on with your day. I would hope people would have more motivation to not be swayed by the luring of secular activity on Sunday, but sadly they don’t seem to. But then again, we don’t know where they’re headed, do we? Perhaps they’re going down to the homeless shelter to serve, or to a bible study outside the parish, or a ministry meeting. We don’t know. Not* all *of them are going to watch football.
On the other hand, many bible-only churches with this high-energy fellowship are initially designed around…well, fellowship, not worship. Fellowship seems to be the primary architectural objective, and they do a very good job at it…most I’ve been to, you not only have energetic fellowship in the pews, but you walk out the door afterwards right into a big fellowship hall. It’s in the design of things. That’s the focus. Not saying I would like to see Catholic parishes designed this way. Not at all. I am partial to the old (cross) design, but it’s a shame we don’t have something other than the parking lot when we walk out of the church.
I digress. Sorry to all for the long post. I would caution you about the preaching part. But I see your point about fellowship…however still feel it’s something we should be spending our time in our own parishes trying to sow, rather than frequently escaping to other places away from Catholics where the garden is perhaps already ripe.
Peace.
