Idea: Catholic worship service for non-Catholics?

[sirach2v4]

A recent survey was published here

mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2015/11/look_up_the_religious_profile.html?appSession=751188473803569&RecordID=9&PageID=8&PrevPageID=2&cpipage=1&CPIsortType=&CPIorderBy=&cbCurrentRecordPosition=1&Mod0LinkToDetails=True

showing that in my county, 67% of people don’t go to church at all, any religion.

While Catholics believe that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian faith, it seems like a good idea to kick around to have a means to involve these unchurched people, before they make a commitment to join the Church, go to RCIA, etc. in some form of Sunday or weekday form of worship, to help them “taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”

An ex-Catholic friend used to round up truck drivers for a sunday worship service at a truck stop. That doesn’t seem to be a bad way to get people together to break open the bible and join in prayer. Just that, no commitments necessary, to perhaps make an opening for people.

 

[TimothyH]

We have to be careful when we use the word “Worship” to describe Bible study, thanksgiving and praise meetings and prayer groups. True worship is sacrificial and that means the Mass.

It is never a bad idea to praise God, pray as a community and study God’s written word. It should be genuine, out of love for God, and not with an agenda to convert.

-Tim-

 

[OraLabora]

If the Liturgy of the Hours were more widely available in a public setting, it would fit the bill perfectly: 30-60 minutes filled with praise, psalms and other scripture readings. Absolutely nothing “controversial” even for a Protestant; in fact it would open “Bible-only” Protestants’ eyes to just how much scripture really is part of Catholic liturgy. Like… most of it!

Of course if one lives near a monastery this is available but at the parish level, sadly not so much.

It should be though, and the nice thing about the LOTH is that it does not require clergy to lead.

Perhaps this is one area where involved laity can grab an idea and run with it. Parish priests are probably spread far too thin to have this on a regular basis, though mine offers Lauds a couple of times per week when there’s no Mass. I’ve actually never been; it’s probably lay-led. When I do attend the Divine Office outside my home, it’s at my abbey.

There was also, at one point in our history, the Mass of the Catechumens. It is now called the “Liturgy of the Word” and of course is and always was part of the Mass, except that in past times, catechumens would have to leave after this part of the Mass.

 

[phil19034]

I’m a big fan of set Liturgy of the Hours.

Parishes could have it Lay Led, unless a Priest or Deacon shows up.

I think it really is a good idea to have, if not daily, then at least once or twice a week.

Wednesday Nights would be a good way to show Protestants.

God Bless!

 

[ComplineSanFran]

Taize services all around the country, usually held at Vesper time, are bringing in scores of people for quiet prayer and music, mostly Millennials I believe. I know quite a few Episcopal churches have them once a week and there are times it is a full house.

 

[phil19034]

Taize services all around the country, usually held at Vesper time, are bringing in scores of people for quiet prayer and music, mostly Millennials I believe. I know quite a few Episcopal churches have them once a week and there are times it is a full house.

hmmm…

Monday night and Tuesday night, as part of our Cathedral’s annual 40 Hours Devotion, we had Solemn Vespers both nights. Part of the Cathedral’s Choir was in attendance. They lead us in Chanting the entire Liturgy, minus the Readings and a Sermon by the Rector.

It was a beautiful liturgy. I would love to see it every week.

 

[ProVobis]

We have to be careful when we use the word “Worship” to describe Bible study, thanksgiving and praise meetings and prayer groups. True worship is sacrificial and that means the Mass.

It is never a bad idea to praise God, pray as a community and study God’s written word. It should be genuine, out of love for God, and not with an agenda to convert.

Brace yourself because I agree with you. Good post, in fact.

 

[Starwarsfan2]

We have to be careful when we use the word “Worship” to describe Bible study, thanksgiving and praise meetings and prayer groups. True worship is sacrificial and that means the Mass.

It is never a bad idea to praise God, pray as a community and study God’s written word. It should be genuine, out of love for God, and not with an agenda to convert.

-Tim-

Worship is more than that , it’s something you do on a daily basis, so prayer meetings , bible studying at home , helping others and things like that are worship

 

[ProVobis]

Worship is more than that , it’s something you do on a daily basis, so prayer meetings , bible studying at home , helping others and things like that are worship

In that case, worship can be done outside the Mass service, and I’m sure it’s done all the time. In fact, I believe the Archbishop of Chicago is holding an interfaith service to unite the city after its latest police “mishap.”

 

[TimothyH]

Worship is more than that , it’s something you do on a daily basis, so prayer meetings , bible studying at home , helping others and things like that are worship

At what point is worship defined, by the individual, to suit the individual’s personal preferences, ideology and lifestyle?

When does golf or Monday night football become worship? Or drinking beer? I’m just asking the question. Where is the line drawn and who gets to decide?

What most people consider worship is about is about as far from true worship as it could be. I have been to many Southern Evangelical “worship centers” and “Sunday worship” services and what I see is defined more by what it the worshiper gets from the one who is worshiped rather than what they give to the worshiped.

-Tim-