How can I tell them?

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english_guy

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Hello everyone,
I have mentioned before that I work for a large Funeral Home here in the U.K…The question I have is this,at times I have to wait inside churches of many different denominations while the service is in progress. As a practising Catholic how can I ,in a polite way tell the person who offers me a hymn book that I do not wish to participate in their worship as I do not share their beliefs?.
I hope you can offer me some suggestions, thanks in advance for any replies,
God Bless,
Mick.
 
Be polite.You’re in their church.Smile,accept the hymn book and don’t engage in the singing,if that bothers you.But under no circumstances accept “communion”.Civility goes a long way especially in ecumenism or evangelization.😉
 
You can’t— why would you want to? :confused: Take the hymn book and just smile and do your thing. What in particular do you not want to participate in?
 
Hi,
thanks for your fast replies, to Fighting Fat,I just do not feel that I should show any co-operation in their worship.I respect their beliefs but they are not mine and I would feel uncomfortable joining in,I mean no offence but it is the way I feel.
thanks again,
God Bless,
Mick.
 
Trying to think of any hymns I have heard which contradict Catholic teachings… 🙂
 
FightingFat said:
You can’t— why would you want to? :confused: Take the hymn book and just smile and do your thing. What in particular do you not want to participate in?
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Is it more important to you to TELL them that you will not participate in their worship,or to just not to?If it’s the former, that smacks of triumphalism and just a tad rude.I know what MY reaction would be if I was on the receiving end.I do not expect Protestants or others to participate in Catholic worship at Mass,and it does not bother me if they do not kneel at the Consecration.If they don’t believe in the True Presence to do otherwise would be hypocricy.But I DO expect them to be polite and maintain approriate decorum.In no way would I want them to do something contrary to THEIR Faith.God understands.So should we.😉
 
english_guy said:
Hello everyone,
I have mentioned before that I work for a large Funeral Home here in the U.K…The question I have is this,at times I have to wait inside churches of many different denominations while the service is in progress. As a practising Catholic how can I ,in a polite way tell the person who offers me a hymn book that I do not wish to participate in their worship as I do not share their beliefs?.
I hope you can offer me some suggestions, thanks in advance for any replies,
God Bless,
Mick.
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I would still say the Our Father if it was being said, but the right way of course.🙂 After all, Jesus taught that prayer and I would feel like ignoring him if I was silent for that one especially
 
Assuming that you are there to attend to the body of the deceased, you might smile and say, “I’m sorry but I’m on duty.”
 
Soutane said:
Is it more important to you to TELL them that you will not participate in their worship,or to just not to?If it’s the former, that smacks of triumphalism and just a tad rude.I know what MY reaction would be if I was on the receiving end.I do not expect Protestants or others to participate in Catholic worship at Mass,and it does not bother me if they do not kneel at the Consecration.If they don’t believe in the True Presence to do otherwise would be hypocricy.But I DO expect them to be polite and maintain approriate decorum.In no way would I want them to do something contrary to THEIR Faith.God understands.So should we.😉
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Exactly-- I don’t want to see non-Catholics participate in the mass, for example, I would have serious problems with Protestants going to communion, I just expect them to be polite and not make a big fuss about being there and not being Catholic.
 
FightingFat said:
Exactly-- I don’t want to see non-Catholics participate in the mass, for example, I would have serious problems with Protestants going to communion, I just expect them to be polite and not make a big fuss about being there and not being Catholic.
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Would you have a problem with a protestant who participated in all the kneeling singing, and praying as long as they refrained from communion?
 
english_guy said:
Hello everyone,
I have mentioned before that I work for a large Funeral Home here in the U.K…The question I have is this,at times I have to wait inside churches of many different denominations while the service is in progress. As a practising Catholic how can I ,in a polite way tell the person who offers me a hymn book that I do not wish to participate in their worship as I do not share their beliefs?.
I hope you can offer me some suggestions, thanks in advance for any replies,
God Bless,
Mick.
Click to expand...
my suggestion is that of St. Ambrose, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. You are at a funeral, you are not joining in their worship, and singing along with the hymns is not a problem in any case. Taking the communion or taking an active role in the service such as leading the singing or the readings might be, depending on circs, but just responding with a smile and graciously taking the hymn book from a congregant who is trying to make you feel welcome is not a problem. If you think it is stay away, but do not by any means behave rudely to the people who are welcoming you as a guest.
 
notsmart said:
Would you have a problem with a protestant who participated in all the kneeling singing, and praying as long as they refrained from communion?
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I personally would not.I would be delighted to worship at the mass with them But as long as they refrained from receiving the Eucharist.If necessary I would GENTLY and with LOVE explain why they should not receive Communion.I would also explain to them how they could!👍
 
Soutane said:
I personally would not.I would be delighted to worship at the mass with them But as long as they refrained from receiving the Eucharist.If necessary I would GENTLY and with LOVE explain why they should not receive Communion.I would also explain to them how they could!👍
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:cool:

Good, because the way Fighting Fat replied, I was confused by what she means by “participation”. I think some catholics only see “participation” to mean being an EHMC, or recieving the Eucharist, when it is not limited by any means to those.
However, Holy Communion is the highest means of participation with Christ I would guess.👍
But, only for those who can, lest they drink a cup of judgment.
 
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