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7_Sorrows
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That looks very nice @rich123456
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Irishmom2
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Typo: Stations of the cross
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7_Sorrows
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Good catch!
po18guy
Well-known member
It is more important to know ourselves than it is to know God. If only more thought like this!
And, for that reason, I began to refer to CAF as “Contrary Answers Forums”
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rich123456
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Got it, thanks
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rich123456
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rich123456
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7_Sorrows
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So this is not specifically your church, but you are volunteering your services to
the Catholic churches in your area to give tours of their churches?
@rich123456
the Catholic churches in your area to give tours of their churches?
@rich123456
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TC3033
Guest
You asked for feedback on your pamphlet and I’m providing it. As a non-Catholic from an open communion background I’d probably skim through your invitation, at best, as I don’t see myself as welcome because I’m not welcome at your table.
Your pamphlet indicates a special blessing in lieu of communion. I guess I’d explain what’s special about this blessing as a non-Catholic unwelcome to commune with you.
Your pamphlet indicates a special blessing in lieu of communion. I guess I’d explain what’s special about this blessing as a non-Catholic unwelcome to commune with you.
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rich123456
Guest
After becoming a convert myself, I then proceeded to help others for 14 years.
Here is a common thread that I found in all those years. At first many questioned not being able to receive communion until they were baptized. Then after their baptisms we would meet to talk about the experience. They understood the wait. Its a beautiful thing, a beautiful journey.
Here is a common thread that I found in all those years. At first many questioned not being able to receive communion until they were baptized. Then after their baptisms we would meet to talk about the experience. They understood the wait. Its a beautiful thing, a beautiful journey.
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rich123456
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Yes, after 7 years from being away from doing this in Utah. I am ready to do this again. I know what happened. I cannot ignore the calling. I will be asking permission to do tours soon at our Parish in Placerville California. And yes I want to help others get this started, to do this at their Churches. At least once a month. It takes a bit of advertising. Some times no one shows up. At other times maybe one or two. Other times whole groups. Its powerful. For those who love to share our faith, nothing better!
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maryjk
Guest
But again, what is that “special blessing?” I know that it is the same blessing that everyone receives after Communion.
So, Catholics receive Communion and the blessing. Non-Catholics receive just the blessing.
That doesn’t sound particularly special. Understanding the wait after the fact is different than understanding before and during.
I would definitely take out any mention of a special blessing.
So, Catholics receive Communion and the blessing. Non-Catholics receive just the blessing.
That doesn’t sound particularly special. Understanding the wait after the fact is different than understanding before and during.
I would definitely take out any mention of a special blessing.
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paperwight
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I think substituting the phrase ‘special blessing’ with ‘individual blessing’ wold be more accurate and helpful .
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Minks
Guest
Do a search of that blessing as a topic here on CAF. There have been many extended arguments. We ALL receive a blessing at the end of Mass. Time for Holy Communion, historically, has been just that: a time in which those who are eligible—and only those who are eligible—receive Holy Communion.
Once upon a time, there absolutely were no innovations during Mass. Many have said that the Vatican has not approved this particular innovation; others have said that it’s okay as long as the Vatican doesn’t prohibit it. At least one bishop has okayed it in his diocese, and many churches scattered across the country do engage in the practice. Apparently, in the US, the practice is ok if the bishop approves? Has the Vatican said, “Well, Americans, let your bishop decide?” Is there a definitive answer? You need the answers to those questions before including that info for any particular church, if you’re taking church bulk orders.
Whether or not a bishop has okayed a blessing during Holy Communion, there’s another issue: only a priest, NOT an EMHC (Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion) is permitted to give a blessing, so an awkward situation ensues if someone reads a brochure promoting it, expecting a blessing, and is in an EMHC communion line—the wrong line.
For all of these reasons, I vote not to put that info in brochures unless for a specific church in which the practice is approved and welcome.
Once upon a time, there absolutely were no innovations during Mass. Many have said that the Vatican has not approved this particular innovation; others have said that it’s okay as long as the Vatican doesn’t prohibit it. At least one bishop has okayed it in his diocese, and many churches scattered across the country do engage in the practice. Apparently, in the US, the practice is ok if the bishop approves? Has the Vatican said, “Well, Americans, let your bishop decide?” Is there a definitive answer? You need the answers to those questions before including that info for any particular church, if you’re taking church bulk orders.
Whether or not a bishop has okayed a blessing during Holy Communion, there’s another issue: only a priest, NOT an EMHC (Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion) is permitted to give a blessing, so an awkward situation ensues if someone reads a brochure promoting it, expecting a blessing, and is in an EMHC communion line—the wrong line.
For all of these reasons, I vote not to put that info in brochures unless for a specific church in which the practice is approved and welcome.
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rich123456
Guest
Receiving a special blessing started me on the path to Catholicism. It was my epiphany so to speak.
One of those grey areas that I myself do not have a problem with. Nor would I take this to Confession. Others may have a problem with this, along with holding hands during Our Father. This is fine with me. I do understand the fear of this special blessing given. Once you start making little tiny changes to our Mass, you may end up with Bob Dylan songs instead of our Beautiful reverent Hymns with a Priest saying “everyone is welcome to receive Holy Communion here”
My individual experience tells me that what I received at that Mass several moons ago was not just a Blessing. It was a very, very special Blessing. ~In Christ
After attending several Masses, missing football. I was asked by the Priest this. If anyone would like to come up for a blessing who is not Catholic, please do. He gave us direction on how to proceed. I can’t remember if he said Special Blessing. You have a great question.
I ended up in the Eucharistic line. The Altar was not that far away, yet it appeared far away. Now I do not do drugs, an occasional glass of red wine. But this was early in the morning, I was straight!
The gravity of the line I found my self in hit hard. It was dreamy, felt levitated. There was a very old man in front of me. As he approached the Father he started to fall to the left. I grabbed onto him and helped him straighten back up. He got mad at me. (Catholics!) Kidding…kinda.
I received my blessing, special to me and continued for the most exciting days of my life with our Lord. I have always believed in God. Ever since I can remember. What the faith did for me was ad a lot of reality along with a very large family that spans. Well forever, I guess.
I will be replacing the Special Blessing with Blessing.
One of those grey areas that I myself do not have a problem with. Nor would I take this to Confession. Others may have a problem with this, along with holding hands during Our Father. This is fine with me. I do understand the fear of this special blessing given. Once you start making little tiny changes to our Mass, you may end up with Bob Dylan songs instead of our Beautiful reverent Hymns with a Priest saying “everyone is welcome to receive Holy Communion here”
My individual experience tells me that what I received at that Mass several moons ago was not just a Blessing. It was a very, very special Blessing. ~In Christ
After attending several Masses, missing football. I was asked by the Priest this. If anyone would like to come up for a blessing who is not Catholic, please do. He gave us direction on how to proceed. I can’t remember if he said Special Blessing. You have a great question.
I ended up in the Eucharistic line. The Altar was not that far away, yet it appeared far away. Now I do not do drugs, an occasional glass of red wine. But this was early in the morning, I was straight!
The gravity of the line I found my self in hit hard. It was dreamy, felt levitated. There was a very old man in front of me. As he approached the Father he started to fall to the left. I grabbed onto him and helped him straighten back up. He got mad at me. (Catholics!) Kidding…kinda.
I received my blessing, special to me and continued for the most exciting days of my life with our Lord. I have always believed in God. Ever since I can remember. What the faith did for me was ad a lot of reality along with a very large family that spans. Well forever, I guess.
I will be replacing the Special Blessing with Blessing.
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rich123456
Guest
Thank you for your advice. Sometimes its hard to understand. Then it makes perfect sense. That’s the beauty of our faith. Pretty much the whole RCIA experience.
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TheMortenBay
Guest
Holy Communion is not just closed to you as a non-Catholic, but to all with mortal sin on their heart. It’s an invitation to come into communion with the Church.
Hopefully you’ll eventually agree with the Catholic faith and doctrine, and that’ll lead you to convert and, eventually to your first confession and communion.
It’s not about that one event in your life when you weren’t ready to receive Our Lord, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, or the 100 Masses while you were converting, but it’s about communion with God. Not once, not twice, but forever. God bless!
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TC3033
Guest
To be fair here, nobody needs to continue telling me why this…or why that…or explain this…or hopefully you’ll convert…
We’re talking about feedback on an invitiation to Mass. As a non-Catholic, if my wife and her family weren’t Catholic, I’d probably never step foot in a Catholic church outside of a funeral or a wedding. With my religous background, on reason would be closed communion. If I were skimming this invitation, I’d say something about the “why’s” early on and what is “special” about a blessing in lieu of communion. Especially as a non-Catholic who comes from an open communion background.
We’re talking about feedback on an invitiation to Mass. As a non-Catholic, if my wife and her family weren’t Catholic, I’d probably never step foot in a Catholic church outside of a funeral or a wedding. With my religous background, on reason would be closed communion. If I were skimming this invitation, I’d say something about the “why’s” early on and what is “special” about a blessing in lieu of communion. Especially as a non-Catholic who comes from an open communion background.
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Minks
Guest
I’m not understanding what it is that’s “hard to understand,” but “makes perfect sense,” nor what RCIA has to do with the brochure and blessing during Holy Communion.
If you’re trying to entice people to visit Mass for the first time after reading the brochure, talk about Mass and not all these other points, which, although they’re true, and ok in a meeting, have nothing to do with Mass and just clutter the brochure. The Prodigal Son story and the Paul story have nothing to do with Mass or that particular Church.
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rich123456
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The Prodigal Son story is a story of what takes place at each Mass. We are all Prodigal Sons and Daughters. Its the story of love itself. Forgiveness and reconciliation. An Invitation to Christ Mass is an invitation to the RCIA. I myself was invited to Mass. This brochure was first put together by those who were baptized at the Easter Vigil in 1999 in Logan Utah. Converts put this together. The Mass contains all of Christianity. The Mass is the reason why all Christians Know Jesus, His love, His life.
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