Feeling uninspired with my church

[KingAlfred]

I have found that if I learn the rituals of the Mass if done well, I am more interested in attending the Mass. I think lack of interest is, again, due to lack of catechesis and teaching Catholics the truths of the Religion, including what the Mass is and why it is done with specific rituals. But I do know what you mean. We just have to try to overcome the non existence of entertainment, for lack of a better word, and focus on why we are there.

I love the essentials. It’s the singing, the admin announcements, boring sermons (missed opportunities, really) that put me to sleep. I want fire and brimstone…in a taseteful way, of course. I want to be* inspired.* I work hard to inspire my students as a teacher. I want some of my own medicine.

 

[elts1956]

Yes…I have. Our Mass is boring. It’s well done, but boring. I’ve resigned myself to viewing as a form of self-mortification and sacrifice. Truthfully, I don’t find it inspiring, but then maybe it’s not meant to be. The ‘screaming and hollering’ version, common to some evangelical sects, however, is totally unacceptable to me. My frustration is that while I’m very religious/spiritual/committed to Christ, I find the Mass dull.

ljtv,

I have not been on this site much. I have noticed when this topic of the church being impersonal and cold was brought up before some come up with excuses to why that is OK. However, I agree with you that people at mass should at least appear to be friendly even if they aren’t - afterall, it’s called “loving you neighbor.”

John

I have noticed that the members of the Protestant Churches are more friendly than Catholics, unless you happen to know them personally. One answer is to join a group, Bible Study, Why Catholic etc.

I have always wondered if the difference is that Catholics are turned “inward” while attending Mass. They focus on their relationship with Christ and the focal point of the Consecration which is ALL. Those people of the Protestant faith seem to be more interested, perhaps?, turned “outward”, interested in what they deem important social issues, in forming relationships with those outside their own families, or just evangelizing and trying to get more members for their Church???

 

[KingAlfred]

I have noticed that the members of the Protestant Churches are more friendly than Catholics, unless you happen to know them personally. One answer is to join a group, Bible Study, Why Catholic etc.

I have always wondered if the difference is that Catholics are turned “inward” while attending Mass. They focus on their relationship with Christ and the focal point of the Consecration which is ALL. Those people of the Protestant faith seem to be more interested, perhaps?, turned “outward”, interested in what they deem important social issues, in forming relationships with those outside their own families, or just evangelizing and trying to get more members for their Church???

They’re more into the ‘gospel-life’ than sacraments. Sacramental theology has almost totally ritualized the Mass. That’s why powerful sermons are needed, to balance it out. So many priests simply don’t grasp that. They focus entirely on the rituals, and forget that preaching the gospel forcefully, with passion, is a major component of Christian leadership. All people need inspiration. All people want to be led to their greater glory.

 

[ljvt]

They’re more into the ‘gospel-life’ than sacraments. Sacramental theology has almost totally ritualized the Mass. That’s why powerful sermons are needed, to balance it out. So many priests simply don’t grasp that. They focus entirely on the rituals, and forget that preaching the gospel forcefully, with passion, is a major component of Christian leadership. All people need inspiration. All people want to be led to their greater glory.

Here here!

 

[Cordelil]

Oh, lets’ not start down the road of boring, non inspiring, ill prepared Catholic sermons, that’s another topic. That said I previously noted in this thread that I have heard enough homilies on “the mustard seed” to last me 3 lifetimes, let’s get on with some other substantive topics.

John

 

[JPUSC]

Those people of the Protestant faith seem to be more interested, perhaps?, turned “outward”, interested in what they deem important social issues, in forming relationships with those outside their own families, or just evangelizing and trying to get more members for their Church???

This is true. I asked a parish priest once why we didn’t try to aggressively promote our campus Catholic parish as the Protestants promoted theirs and he said that the Catholic parish exists only to serve the Catholics on campus (and to run programs for the poor) while the Protestant groups are there to prosletyze. It comes from Protestants belief in faith only for salvation vs. faith and good works.

 

[Rosetta]

since i was a baby my parents had been in the neocatechumenal way. and because of that i have always found the mass invergorating.

please go to your parish or surrounding parishes and see if they have any communities there.

but you must not look on the internet about the neocatechmenal way because we are greatly persecuted and it all appears on the web.

we are approved by the pope. go to one of the masses of the way it truly is amazing how diffrent it is from the mass you have been goin to. if you would like more information i would be more than willing to explain it even better and in more detail to you and also help you find a community

 

[kurtmasur]

I would like to share some advice but I don’t know where you exactly stand in regards to your Catholic faith. You say you are in the Church by your own choice, which is great. Does this mean you have read into the Catechism or read a book on mainstream Catholic theology?

I ask this because it is with faith and belief in what Catholic teachings says (which is all explained in detail in the Catechism), and belief in the Sacraments, that should keep you firmly held in the Church. Because I firmly believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church, I wouldn’t ever consider joining any other denomination, no matter how boring the mass at my local parish would get. Granted, I too have attended a few parishes where I walk out uninspired. But that shouldn’t be a reason for leaving the Church. Perhaps you would feel more comfortable in a different parish with an atmosphere better suited for you? (as long as it’s a faithful orthodox parish that adheres to Church teachings).

Also, it sounds to me that you are spiritually unsatsified by the Church. Have you heard of the Liturgy of the Hours? In case you haven’t, this is the other form of official liturgical service besides the Mass, which all baptized persons have a right to take part in. Although it is meant to be prayed in a group, preferably at a church, you can pray it anywhere you wish individually. The idea is that through this prayer you sanctify the major hours of the day in union with Christ and his Church as other people will be praying with you at the same hour from afar.

In short, I used to be a Catholic who only knew the Mass, and was left spiritually “hungry” for more. My life changed completely when I discovered the Church’s official prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours (LOTH).

I suggest you pick up the 1-volume version of the LOTH, called “Christian Prayer” (the full LOTH is in 4 volumes). I guarantee you that your spirtual life will change and become richer. If you do decide to try praying the Church’s offical prayer, you might ultimately discover that you are being called to start your own prayer group at your own parish (which is what parishes need in these days, to get more people discovering and praying the LOTH). As clichee-ish as it may sound, the Lord does work in mysterious ways, and perhaps he is giving you this “spirtual emptiness” to get you to search for more within his church and thus draw you closer to Him.

You can get Christian Prayer here: amazon.com/Christian-Prayer-Catholic-Book-Publishing/dp/0899424066/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228699050&sr=8-1

 

[bknebel]

LJVT,

I can totally relate. For me as well, its not a matter of being faith-less or bored or looking for social instead of faith. I know how you feel, just wanting people to share the faith with and share time with both at Mass and without. Jesus himself told us that “Where two or three are gathered…” and God the father also said that “It is not good for man to be alone.” We know that our faith is not one of loners, but one of community, and when we love our faith, we crave that community to share it with.

PM me and we’ll chat more if you want. I’m praying for you, we’re all in this together!

 

[bpbasilphx]

It sounds like your trouble is NOT feeling “uninspired,” but not feeling like you’re part of the parish on a social, personal level.

 

[kurtmasur]

It sounds like your trouble is NOT feeling “uninspired,” but not feeling like you’re part of the parish on a social, personal level.

I guess it would be interesting to take a survey of regular church goers about what it is that is important for them in their parish experience. i.e. what do they expect to get out of their parish? Do they prefer to be active and involved members or just passive members? Do they wish to lead some church group or ministry?

Me being more on the reserved side, I don’t really have a want or desire to be socializing with people from my parish before/after mass. I actually appreciate the fact that in most parishes attendance is “anonymous” and nobody really speaks to each other except at the time of peace… but that’s just me. In fact, I find this to be so second nature to parishes that I don’t even think about it.

For me what is most important in a parish most of all is that the priest gives very good, thought-provoking and inspiring homilies. It is these types of homilies that always make me look forward to next Sunday. I am fortunate enough to say that I live very near to such a parish. But based on my past experience at other parishes, I’ve felt that the mass itself is dull when the homily is nothing special. And after that I walk out uninspired. Keep it up and in the long-term you might begin to think if it’s really worth going. At least I would feel this way.

And besides an inspiring homily I should add that I observe very carefully if the parish is run by clergy who are faithful to Church teachings. If not, I won’t return there either.

So… maybe you just need to try out a different parish… have you already tried this?

 

[kurtmasur]

And one more thing:

I just want to say that I’ve seen a few exceptions, though, regarding socializing with fellow attendees at parishes. I know of one place in particular where the members actually know each other and socialize before/after mass. In fact, each Sunday after mass everyone’s invited to go to the parish hall for coffee and donuts. And when I was attending university, there was always a free supper for all attendees after mass, and obviously this was conducive to chatting with others and getting to know each other. BTW, does there happen to be any university campus catholic ministries in your area where you could attend their mass? It would be perfect for you since almost everybody would be young.

 

[elts1956]

Yes…I have. Our Mass is boring. It’s well done, but boring. I’ve resigned myself to viewing as a form of self-mortification and sacrifice. Truthfully, I don’t find it inspiring, but then maybe it’s not meant to be. The ‘screaming and hollering’ version, common to some evangelical sects, however, is totally unacceptable to me. My frustration is that while I’m very religious/spiritual/committed to Christ, I find the Mass dull.

Have you studied the intricacies of the rituals, meanings of the vessals used, the garments worn, the history behind all these? I found the Mass to be boring too until I began to study the theology and reason behind all these. Nothing is done in the Mass that doesn’t have the worship of God behind it. The Mass is greatly nuanced. It is up to us to find the meaning for ourselves.

 

[withwind]

I’m just wondering if anyone else has felt the same in there church and if they’ve ever started any intiatives within their church to help people feel more involved?

Thanks

I have heard this concern once in awhile. While it helps you to have that feeling between fellow parishioners, deep down it is between you and God that you come to the mass for and this feeling and comprehesion will move you beyond the feeling between fellow men.

There is no better place than to participate a mass at a Catholic church.

 

[Proxima]

Acts 2:42Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Notice that Our relationship with the Church is supposed to include fellowship! I have the same problem as the original poster…and I can’t join Bible Studies at my local parish because all of the groups take place during the working day.

I was a Protestant for years, and after studying Catholicism personally and at University, I converted, but I fully admit that I miss the music, joy, relationships and activities of the Protestant churches I attended. I hope to bring my children up in a Parish family like that, or one open to the change.

 

[sepgs2004]

Dear God help us.

Dear brother or sister,
Expecting what you expect is fine I believe. However, they are not required to be a true Christian or in other words a Christ lover.
God is everywhere. God is more present in the Churches no matter how the people in the Church are.
What guarantee is there that you would find a welcoming church satisfactory for ever?
Why do not you talk to the priest in there?
Why do not start one welcoming group in your church?

Try if you can see God (Christ) in this Church. In a silent and a private place, try to share with God sincerely whatever you feel.

Loving wishes to you brother/sister.