IYO: Are Catholic weak on fellowship?

[PJM]

One big difference I think with England at least (I can’t comment on other European countries) is that people don’t like discussion of religion. Sadly I think this attitude seems to have spread to the Catholic churches I have tried to find fellowship at. When trying to tag along with people at different life stages that I don’t have much in common with people have suggested to me that our shared faith is what we have in common, I then point out that people at after mass coffee don’t ever talk about faith or anything Catholic.

Maybe that’s the real problem with the UK Catholic church. It could also be why people struggle to pass on the faith to their kids.

AGREED!

I’m a trained and certified Catholic Catechist, now retired

If you want to talk just sen me a private message

PRAY much my friend!

Patrick [PJM] here on CAF

 

[punisherthunder]

To be honest, I’d rather Catholics in my area concentrate less on fellowship and more on all the practices, customs, and theology of the Church. I don’t mind meeting up at say a park or even at a tavern to discuss more mature Catholic issues.

What I do mind, is being required to bring a covered dish to all events only to see that others don’t follow the requirement, or the product is substandard. There is more concentration on “potlucks, AYCE, doughtimes, dessert functions and soup-a-thons” than there is on the basics. Sorry if this is a bit of a rant, but to me the fellowship should be limiting and concise in its execution.

 

[dronald]

One big difference I think with England at least (I can’t comment on other European countries) is that people don’t like discussion of religion. Sadly I think this attitude seems to have spread to the Catholic churches I have tried to find fellowship at. When trying to tag along with people at different life stages that I don’t have much in common with people have suggested to me that our shared faith is what we have in common, I then point out that people at after mass coffee don’t ever talk about faith or anything Catholic.

Maybe that’s the real problem with the UK Catholic church. It could also be why people struggle to pass on the faith to their kids.

I can’t wrap my mind around this mentality. Do they even read the Bible? Don’t they know what it says about how Christians ought to be to one another and to outsiders as well?

 

[ConfusedLucy]

I can’t wrap my mind around this mentality. Do they even read the Bible? Don’t they know what it says about how Christians ought to be to one another and to outsiders as well?

It’s just how it is. Most Catholics in the UK will be living and working alongside mostly people who don’t practice a religion and there is a lot of negativity towards it. I think it’s just the culture, of course we are called to be counter-cultural but its hard. I don’t feel people are always well grounded in the faith and maybe lack confidence in this. Im not perfect in this and have sometimes felt like I’m living a bit of a double life with going to church and not really talking a lot about my faith outside church.

 

[Michael68]

It’s just how it is. Most Catholics in the UK will be living and working alongside mostly people who don’t practice a religion and there is a lot of negativity towards it. I think it’s just the culture, of course we are called to be counter-cultural but its hard. I don’t feel people are always well grounded in the faith and maybe lack confidence in this. Im not perfect in this and have sometimes felt like I’m living a bit of a double life with going to church and not really talking a lot about my faith outside church.

I can totally understand!!! I used to be the same way. The more I learned about the Faith and began participating more and more, I found I was wearing my Faith on my sleeve, so to speak! lol

Now days I enyoy talking with protestants about God and try to keep differences out of it unless that is the topic.

 

[PJM]

Thanks for the welcome!

To answer your question, I currently live in The Netherlands where the CC is but a tiny niche. I attend mass mainly in English and its made up of different ethnic groups. There are small gatherings but they are generally offered just after mass. There is the occasional field trip and I know there are some study groups and catechism classes for young professionals. While mass in Dutch is more readily available, attendance is sparse.

However, I’ve been noticing a trend in the last few years. There is an increasing number of single young people attending mass. The majority of which are women. I’ve also noticed a fair number of what I can only speculate, as non-catholics attending mass as well. I can only guess that they are non-catholics because they don’t genuflect, kneel or go up for communion but simply observe the mass.

THANK YOU!

This shows that God the Holy Spirit is alive and WELL in Europe too

As a FYI,

I’m a trained Catholic Catechist , now retired from Face to face ministry.

Some years ago after 3 rears with RCIA, I developed a FREE OF ALL COST Home study; E-Mailed course called “BUILDING BLOCKS OF OUR CATHOLIC FAITH” … One Lesson is mailed each week and I also answer all faith related questions for anyone interested.

God Bless you, Pray MUCH & keep going to Mass

Patrick [PJM] here on CAF

 

[PJM]

To be honest, I’d rather Catholics in my area concentrate less on fellowship and more on all the practices, customs, and theology of the Church. I don’t mind meeting up at say a park or even at a tavern to discuss more mature Catholic issues.

What I do mind, is being required to bring a covered dish to all events only to see that others don’t follow the requirement, or the product is substandard. There is more concentration on “potlucks, AYCE, doughtimes, dessert functions and soup-a-thons” than there is on the basics. Sorry if this is a bit of a rant, but to me the fellowship should be limiting and concise in its execution.

There CAN be too much of a “good thing”

I LIKE your idea on the mature refection and discussions.

Send me a private message if there is anything in particular you’d like to discuss. I’m retired and have the time to do so.

God BLESS You!

Patrick [PJM] here on CAF

 

[PJM]

I can’t wrap my mind around this mentality. Do they even read the Bible? Don’t they know what it says about how Christians ought to be to one another and to outsiders as well?

I SUSPECT that those practicing their FAITH beliefs do

Let us pray for them:thumbsup:

GBY

 

[ConfusedLucy]

I SUSPECT that those practicing their FAITH beliefs do

Let us pray for them:thumbsup:

GBY

Just wanted to add, I’m not saying that these Catholics have no faith as obviously I have no idea, just that it isn’t something that’s talked about.

 

[dividus]

It’s just how it is. Most Catholics in the UK will be living and working alongside mostly people who don’t practice a religion and there is a lot of negativity towards it. I think it’s just the culture, of course we are called to be counter-cultural but its hard. I don’t feel people are always well grounded in the faith and maybe lack confidence in this. Im not perfect in this and have sometimes felt like I’m living a bit of a double life with going to church and not really talking a lot about my faith outside church.

I am located in England and I would broadly agree with what has previously been said on

this thread but - to my surprise - having begun to attend the Extraordinary Form over the

Christmas period, I have received the warmest welcome from the other people who attend

the Traditional Masses at the Shrine Church, which is managed by priests of The Institute

Of Christ The King Sovereign Priest.
The two
French Canons each say a Mass every day with a Sung Mass (Missa Cantata) every

Sunday. There is also Holy Hour and Benediction at 6.00 pm Monday to Friday. They have

given me and others the warmest welcome, inviting us all to the presbytery for a buffet on

New Year’s morning following a Te Deum which began at 11.45 pm on New Year’s Eve.

There is hospitality in the presbytery every Sunday following the Missa Cantata.

Since returning to the faith several years ago I have attended the New Mass but the EF

resonates so strongly with me, as I attended it regularly up to the age of around sixteen. I

am well aware of how incredibly lucky I am to be able to attend the EF every day.

 

[PJM]

just wanted to add, i’m not saying that these catholics have no faith as obviously i have no idea, just that it isn’t something that’s talked about.

thanks,

gby

 

[rinnie]

In Your Opinion, are Catholics weak on fellowship?

Not so much in the Last few years. The New series Discovery Christ started last year. There were 3 parts to the series. I only got to make the first one, have the last two to finish yet.

The RCC is making alot of changes lately to get us all to become closer.

We are uniting a ton of Church’s together here in Pa. That’s not going very well with ever person. They see it as losing their Church not getting more people in attendance in mass.

But we are working on thing’s and it is slowly growing. It will take time. Anyone who can attend the Discovery Christ do it. It is not boring. You will be glad you did.

 

[PJM]

Not so much in the Last few years. The New series Discovery Christ started last year. There were 3 parts to the series. I only got to make the first one, have the last two to finish yet.

The RCC is making alot of changes lately to get us all to become closer.

We are uniting a ton of Church’s together here in Pa. That’s not going very well with ever person. They see it as losing their Church not getting more people in attendance in mass.

But we are working on thing’s and it is slowly growing. It will take time. Anyone who can attend the Discovery Christ do it. It is not boring. You will be glad you did.

THANKS so very much