I'm Jealous

[vocatio]

What I miss about the Baptist church that I used to go to was the Family Life Center. Membership was just $25.00 a yr and have access to the spa, gym, basket ball court, game room and other things as well. In the winter time and hot summer days I can go upstairs and walk in circles for miles and get my exercises and not have to worry about being hot, cold, wind and other element. Also, I get to meet different people and socialize. The center was open until 10pm and I think opened around 7a. My children and I spent a lot of time at the center when they were younger and kept my children active and out of trouble most of the time. Not sure how the center was funded; am guessing through donations. It has crossed my mind many times to go attend the church services just so I could get access to the gym but I don’t think that would be morally right. I wish I had the ability it takes to round up people from church to donate and come up with the funds to build such a center.

I don’t miss the overhead projects, the big band instruments and the coffee and donute shop nex to the merchandise shop. No, protestants are turning Christianity into a night club. I’m heard that there is a “church” that meets in bars now. Oh wouldn’t Jesus be happy with that.

That was actually our last Protestant experience that even my teen son choked over. I should get him a username to post you his spill on it. If you were thinking right on this and I mean had experience from which to draw, you’d choke at your own claim of jealously.

DO what some more progressive people do. Start a ministry with the approval of your pastor. Go to adoration if you have it. Spend time prayig about it. Show the pastor you are serious by investing time in it. Ask for your special intensions at mass. Submit your request to the office. I beleive mass intentions can be submitted. Do that. Make your pastor see you in action in prayer. Locate a Christian Prayer book and start a prayer group for the Liturgy of the Hours. Start a book club for teens or what ever age is appropriate for you. Be proactive. Know that all Children of God joined together in Baptism share in the inheritance of Christ as priest, prophet and king. Use the power given you by your baptism. Make a difference.

Start a youth group. Look for some guys to help lead it to ballance it out. It would involve catechesis, singing, praying and activities. And retreats. Don’t tell me. But I wish there was a safe way to guide you to the right place. We need nationwide teen mentors. Maybe you could start a new minstry. If you don’t I’ll recruit someone else. I’m getting too old. The bleached top spiked hair look just looks silly on old wrinckly men like me.

 

[Verisimilitude]

Why is it that other Christians seems to do so much more together? They have church vans and organize field trips as a group and seem like more cohesive communites.

I’m jealous!

Well, when you know everything to include the Truth it’s easy to become complacent. We Catholics never sin anymore anyway so we don’t need AA or marriage counseling or retreats to make us better than we already are…at least that is the feeling I get sometimes. It felt a lot like that back in the 70’s & 80’s at least.

My parish now though offeres many things that you speak of so maybe you are stuck in a time warp. I get caught in them still once in a while.

 

[vocatio]

This is what you’re sold on. Don’t be fooled we were part of this and they are not to be trusted. You just have to trust me on that last statment.

Dear Parents,

This Sunday, June 22nd, Student Ministry will be hosting a 6th grade transitioning event! From 5:30 - 8pm students will be involved in different activities and games, followed by a cookout for those who are hungry. The main aim and purpose for this event is to make the transition into Student Ministry as smooth and comfortable as possible. We are welcoming all current 7th and 8th graders to attend this event. We want to connect our future 7th graders to our larger body Jr High group.

This event is absolutely free! Just bring a pair of shorts, and get ready to have a blast!

My son was part of the Junior High group and now he will have nothing to do with them. They believe in absolutely nothing. They call themselves Christian but do the work of the devil in my book. I know the youth minister, my age, and I’m pretty sure his wife is really Catholic. I caught him red handed proselytizing children right out from under their parents who are active in other faiths. This technique is used to get parents in later on…it’s a money game more that it is a salvation game. Bigger congregation preachers or choke choke choke “pastors” make six digit incomes compared to our pastors and priests making $18K to $22K per years. Follow the money. The nearly force tithig literally. 10% of your income. It doesn’t matter who you are. You are expected to give it up no matter what in many cases. Even if you’re poor. Just think, most family’s in my neighborhood average around $65k minimum. A 5,000 member congregation that practices birth control and some abortions because “that’s not in the bible” produce quite a bit of money to establish the “Family Life Centers” that we looked for in our past as a family. We were never truly happy with those folks. They tend to be rather shallow in their faith. Don’t believe for a minute that they konw bible better than Catholics. It’s just not true. I knew more bible than most Protestants. So what did that make me…an idiot for leaving the Catholic faith.

 

[vocatio]

The following is from my wife telling our pastor and select Catholic friends about our new Catholic convert son. It is important to realize that your desires to participate in Protestant activities is only out of poor judgement, but understandable I admit. If you were in my parish I could point you in the right direction. There are probably parishs around you that are active. If not look online at the Bishop’s or Diocese website. Read you bible and do things like that for now. That’s the kind of stuff that will really help you grow less envious of other groups.

St. Jerome said “to not know scirpture is to not know Christ”. Just dont start your own church of defect into an existing Protestant group. You have the most important thing we Catholic have…the Eucharist… Read John 6. Next chance you get, tell a Protestant what you believe and ask them what they believe is there and why. If they ask you quote “John 6 verses 32 to 69” watch their mouth droop to the floor. You could go one more step and memorize it. Be careful you might get a mad rush of converts that Father can’t handle at one time.

When I answered the phone said “Mom” and then he whispered very, very quietly “Say, NO!”

Then he continued… “hey mom, FRIEND#1 wants to know if I can go to TEEN DISCIPLER’s Bible study” (His dad is youth minister at XXXX [alocal mega church]).
I said “no”, and then I heard him tell FRIEND#1 “My mom said I can’t go tonight. I have chores that have to be done before I go vacation.” What a great kid.

I have felt bad about him missing because all his friends go. They have a devotional and then spend the evening swimming. Now I know he does not feel like he is missing anything. He loves Wednesday youth group at our church though. J

 

[Cat]

First of all, a correction of one of the posts. Many evangelicals are indeed involved in the same church or at least the same denomination that their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents were involved in. So it’s not all “choice.”

I agree with much of what has already been said. Our Catholic parish (about 7000 people) rivals any evangelical church in our city, including the 10,000 member megachurch, when it comes to activities. There is something going on every minute in our parish! Some of the activities are purely social (the “Dinner Club,” the Book Club, etc.), while others are deeply spiritual (the Why Catholic group, the Catholics Returning Home group, the charismatic Catholic group, etc.). Our Youth Group attracts around 200 teenagers, and the evangelical kids come to our pro-life activities. Cool

So you might want to look around and try to find a parish that offers a little more.

I also agree with those who say, “Do it yourself.” It doesn’t have to be big. Just start a “Friendship Circle” and invite people to join you for coffee/desserts/chatter. Or maybe try a “Dinner Club” and just go out to dinner together. Lots of fun and easy. Or the Book Club–this is a nice activity that develops friendships, and gives people who read a chance to get together and talk over books.

Keep in mind that teenagers don’t necessarily need something fancy. They just need people who care.

Try a games night at your home and feature old board games, not computer games. Or try a Guitar Hero night- when my husband bought this, I shook my head. But it was the hit of our family Christmas party! All ages joined in, either playing or watching, and it was so much fun for everyone!

Or try getting a service project for teenagers going every other month. One thing that I did that was lots of fun is working with our church youth group to stencil little t-shirts for the local pregnancy life care center. We all took the shirts to the Center, and the director gave a tour and short talk on the work done at the center.

Another pro-life project that I believe is nation-wide is the Car Wash project. Our parish gets very much involved with this and raises a lot of money for the local pregancy life care center. This activity attracts Protestant teenagers ,too. Try it.

Service projects are so appealing even to busy teenagers, and the socializing happens while everyone works on the project. You can also send out for pizza or have everyone bring a treat to pass after the service project work is complete.

Just make sure anything you start goes through the priest! (I’m sure you know that already!) And do a lot of praying. Try to find another like-minded family or person(s) in your parish and join forces to make things happen.

 

[ufamtobie]

I look at my Evangelical friends and see that their churches offer many ministries, youth groups, and fellowship opportunities. My Catholic Church seems dead by comparison. All there is is Altar society and YLI, which meets at a totally inconvenient time for me so I’ve never joined.

My friends’ churches sponsor kids going to camp and they all go together. They have ministries for alcoholics, for single parents, for all sorts of things. I’m jealous that they are so well organized, while in my church everyone does their own thing for the most part.

Why is it that other Christians seems to do so much more together? They have church vans and organize field trips as a group and seem like more cohesive communites.

I’m jealous!

Hi LovesMary,

Are your Evangelical friends well organized in the true faith the true teachings of Jesus Christ!

How organized are they with regards to the true presence of Jesus Christ Body, Soul and Divinity in the Blessed Sacrament! This is what truly matters.

Filed trips here filed trips there will not save you, how can you say you are jealous of this. Instead of being Jealous of them pray for them to come Home (Catholic Church) if you don’t do it already.

Ufamtobie

 

[tundramom]

I just have to say that I used to be jealous too… until I realized that all these programs don’t make one more Holy.

I was so busy with this and that and everything in the A/G church, that I almost lost my relationship with Jesus. I was so focused on DOING, that I hardly had time to breathe. We were a small congregation, maybe 40 families. EVERYONE was expected to attend Sunday Morning, Sunday Evening, Wednesday Evening, Monday evening for women’s Bible study, Clean the church at the appointed time, Put on a 4th of July event, Easter egg hunt, Easter Play, Thanksgiving feed the homeless, New Year’s Day “picnic”… as well as many many other activities throughout the year. Literally every time the doors were open, we were all expected to be there. Oh I almost forgot “early morning prayer” at 5:30am.

When did I have time to be a wife and a mother? I will confess to all of you that I failed miserably! In trying to be the “good” Christian so that others could learn of this free gift of salvation, etc. etc. that I nearly lost my mind. I literally spent a month at Mayo Clinic after a breakdown.

Praise God for the peace that He has given me. Now I can choose where I can help, sift through those activities that look pleasing to me (although I do have a tendency to say “yes” too often but I’m working on it:thumbsup: )

Ultimately, we have what no other church has.

I have learned since fully coming Home that I need that alone time with God in order to serve others. I need that time in adoration and I need the Mass to get through the things that need doing.

Don’t be jealous. Be grateful!

in Christ
Steph

 

[tundramom]

OH and I forgot to add.

In all the years I was at the A/G church, nearly 7, I was their token “salvation”. People came and went who became born again at all those events we sponsored. At one point during the Easter Play, at the Altar call, I peeked open my eyes. The Pastor would always say, “heads down eyes closed with no one looking around, who would like to accept Jesus?”…

I had never looked. I heard the Pastor saying, "yes, I see you there in the back row. Thank you there in the blue suit. Bless you here in the yellow shirt. " etc. I LOOKED. There wasn’t any of those people doing anything. Not raising their hands, they weren’t even there! He was lying!!!

Now that I’ve been away from that church, it has finally collapsed in on itself. I realized that the relationships that were formed there, although very good ones, were ALL those people had. I was one of them. Sure they were close. But it became a sort of “personality cult” if you will. When the church split, which is inevitable, there were a lot of confused and hurt people and people who were ALONE and couldn’t even talk to each other about what they were going through because the Pastor had preached to them so often about gossip that no one could lend a shoulder to another without that fear.

Again, Praise God I’m HOME!

in Christ
Steph

 

[GailMac]

Dear Tundramom,

You “peeked?” More like God opened your eyes to what was really going on! Praise God you’re home! Thank you for becoming a part of the Body of Christ!

Peace,

Gail

 

[tundramom]

Dear Tundramom,

You “peeked?” More like God opened your eyes to what was really going on! Praise God you’re home! Thank you for becoming a part of the Body of Christ!

Peace,

Gail

Amen Gail. God did truly open my eyes.

in Christ
Steph

 

[lovesMary]

Thanks for the interesting responses. As I said, we’ve tried to get some things going for kids in our Church but people have other things to do. I’m glad others here have more active churches.

No, I don’t want to go church shopping, our family prefers to stick with our local Catholic Church, we feel like that is the best thing to do, all things considered.

 

[strngrnrth]

actually most mega-churches of the non-denom variety have several paid pastoral positions, such as youth pastor, children’s pastor, pastor to single and divorced members, pastor for seniors etc., and a variety of other paid staff including their very ambitious music ministries, social service outreach etc. That is because they tithe.

Not only that, many are told that the tithe is simply the dues they owe. They will be blessed only if they give above their tithe, and only if they give to the point of worrying how they will make it through the month. The next step is to refuse to worry. This faith will lead to blessings. With that attitude, no wonder the churches have money for programs and groups. it’s not free.

I don’t miss the overhead projects, the big band instruments and the coffee and donute shop nex to the merchandise shop. No, protestants are turning Christianity into a night club. I’m heard that there is a “church” that meets in bars now. Oh wouldn’t Jesus be happy with that.

Part of why I left.

No, I don’t want to go church shopping, our family prefers to stick with our local Catholic Church, we feel like that is the best thing to do, all things considered.

Good choice. I hope you can get some activities going on. One sign that you are about to take on a new project is that when you ask people around you who is doing it they all think you said you were.

 

[vocatio]

Thanks for the interesting responses. As I said, we’ve tried to get some things going for kids in our Church but people have other things to do. I’m glad others here have more active churches.

No, I don’t want to go church shopping, our family prefers to stick with our local Catholic Church, we feel like that is the best thing to do, all things considered.

You’re not a child are you… I hope I didn’t sound condesending. Didn’t mean to either way. I just know how that operation works. I got 2 more emails for the kids “bible class” and pool fun… Their way of creating a teen hang out for summer fun while self promotion of the local non-denom church. But it has inspired me to consider kicking off our own Catholic style youth activities in the area. I just need to start small and work big. I’d prefer to had it over to someone younger though. Kids would see me as some old guy with a cool story to tell until they got tired of it and then I’d just be another old guy.

 

[mangy_dog]

I look at my Evangelical friends and see that their churches offer many ministries, youth groups, and fellowship opportunities. My Catholic Church seems dead by comparison. All there is is Altar society and YLI, which meets at a totally inconvenient time for me so I’ve never joined.

My friends’ churches sponsor kids going to camp and they all go together. They have ministries for alcoholics, for single parents, for all sorts of things. I’m jealous that they are so well organized, while in my church everyone does their own thing for the most part.

Why is it that other Christians seems to do so much more together? They have church vans and organize field trips as a group and seem like more cohesive communites.

I’m jealous!

What are you doing. Never mind WWJD - think of WWYD or what would you do.

Have you started a Legion of Mary? Have you brought it to the attention of the priest, the bishop?

How about music ministry, youth ministry, Eucharistic adoration, petition the priest or the deacon (if you have one) to start a bible study; are there any members of catholic movements in the church? Cursillo? John XXII? Charismatic? Are these people motivated to establish with the priest, bishop a comprehensive program to have regular meetings?

I don’t like beating my own drum but, when I arrived at my church, we had the same problem. people were coming to mass and leaving the church because there weren’t enough other activities to hold their catholic interest. I was a catalyst for change. I put the “bug” in the people’s collective ear. I brought the priest in on my thoughts and intranquilities about our congregation. And change happened. Today we have music ministry, altar servers, prayer meetings, rosary, people are actually volunteering to serve in one of the many ministries within the church.

I am not jealous of any other church or denomination. Even if it was just a quiet community without all the bells and whistles…I would still not look on the other side of the fence for “greener pastures”.

Nothing - nothing! compares to the Eucharist, the true and real presence of Jesus Christ.
I can always serve in one capacity or other. I use the “talents” that the Lord gave me to serve Him and His people.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.