IYO: Are Catholic weak on fellowship?

[Kielbasi]

In Your Opinion, are Catholics weak on fellowship?

I guess, but its just part of our mobile society.

Back in the day, all the Catholics in a neighborhood or community attended the same church, and the people were a lot less mobile, staying in their own hood most of the time. These weren’t just your fellow parishioners, they were your neighbors, bosses, employees and storekeepers for the most part.

Hanging out, or fellowshipping , with people you deal with regularly anyhow is a lot easier.

Drive 6 miles out of town, and there is less of a connection.

I think some people back in the day attended mass on Sunday religiously to keep up with what is “going on” in the area.

 

[MichaelP3]

Is this a demographical thing? I have never been to a Mass and been invited to coffee/tea afterwards…like ever.

I guess! Most Catholics here would be from an Ubuntu background (I think many should google this word if they don’t get what I am saying) and take the history into account if they are wondering? I can give an explanation if anyome is interested.

Otherwise I have been to numerous Polish Catholic masses as well as one in that big Cathedral in Milan and YES St Peters Basilica. And no, even if they asked me for tea I would not know. But it was an experience!

 

[Peter_J]

I guess! Most Catholics here would be from an Ubuntu background (I think many should google this word if they don’t get what I am saying)

I’m one who had to look it up.

So I learned something – that Ubuntu means human kindness. But I’m not sure beyond that.

 

[Usige]

I’m one who had to look it up.

So I learned something – that Ubuntu means human kindness. But I’m not sure beyond that.

Bad things is I was wondering if they leaned more towards Natty Narwha, Trusty Tahr, or Xenial Xerus. Only in hindsight did I realize MichaelP3 was talking about a philosophy rather than a Linux distribution.

 

[rcwitness]

I think the productive result of examining our habits of fellowship would be to make an effort to identify our faith with one another, in order to build and strengthen one another. If we practice Confession, in the sacrament, we should be able to confess, to one another, the things we struggle with and how we overcome them. If we venerate Scripture and look to its divine message, we have lots to share and listen, with one another. If we venerate and adore His Eucharist, then we have that to show and demonstrate, with others, how He impacts and converts us through this devotion!

Fellowship is a brotherhood and it’s relationship. It’s living Communion with those who are one in faith.

To say our fellowship is weak, is to say our brotherhood is weak, or our relationship with one another is weak, or our communion is weak, or our love for one another is weak. It’s not good.

I truly believe the more we engage in our parish brotherhood and life, the more the devil is enraged to break us (to sift us like wheat). It’s important to be humble, confess our weakness, and persevere in more fellowship with each other.

 

[MichaelP3]

Bad things is I was wondering if they leaned more towards Natty Narwha, Trusty Tahr, or Xenial Xerus. Only in hindsight did I realize MichaelP3 was talking about a philosophy rather than a Linux distribution.

People just looked weird at me when I laughed a bit louder than socially accepted levels while reading that.

 

[PJM]

Shades of meaning, shades of practice…

Some small points…

What can happen is that folk can feel “obligated” to eg coffee after mass. A superficial thing…

One day after Mass in our cathedral, I was lighting candles etc when I noticed two ladies deep in conversation in the side area… After half an hour, the older one left and the other came over to me to apologise for any disturbance. I assured her there had been none and that I knew that many of the old ones linger after mass as they are lonely, it is warm, and a pity we did not offer tea etc after mass, She had been she said then to a church where that was done… great idea…

But there is nowhere suitable; so many linger after mass to pray in that deep silence and i do not think it would be a good thing spiritually… That time after mass is so… holy, As it should be… In the cathedral they dim the lights… utterly silent and … holy…

What has happened a few times is that I have met the same folk a few times and we have gone on after mass to a cafe. That was lovely.

Why not develop that aspect? Like our Station Masses but less formal? Really getting to know folk. No obligation

Wondering how many here do meet fellow parishioners outside church? How real any idea of “community” is?

One friary I know offers this once a week after mass… all the women go and the noise level is … staggering, but then this is Ireland …I only went once…

as many have said, this is not what Mass is about. It really is not. And I am glad it has not taken off here. ald

I’m aware that in several of the parishes I have attended, that the attendees at Daily Mass, do have a group that go out after Mass, as you stated…

There IS a need for Christian fellowship, BUT, IMO, outside of the Mass:thumbsup:

 

[PJM]

The Church is comprised of humans. We don’t get away with failing and still expect a perfect record.

I know where you are going with this. But it’s a little cheap. I think we need to acknowledge how our failings do damage to the Church. Good behavior and practice will inevitably result in strong fellowship with God’s people. And bad behavior and practice will result in fellowship with the faithless world. Who do the men and women of His Church have fellowship with?

Thank you &God Bless you

 

[PJM]

I was just more curious than anything. I’ve gone to a few different Parrish’s around here and none of them do post Mass anything, at least that I’m aware of.

I {ME here} find that to be a bit ODD, as I have {used to before my retirement} relocate rather frequently, and hvae not personally experienced that:shrug:

Here’s you chance to make a change for the better my froend!

GBY

Patrick

 

[PJM]

I’ve been called on many, many times to defend my Catholic beliefs to Protestants. It’s not rare at all, in my experience. In fact I have several non-Catholic friends who I meet with regularly to debate and discuss theological differences. Many co-workers and friends who are devout Christians have asked me why Catholics do x, y or z. I’ve also has Mormon missionaries to my home several times. All Catholics should have at least a basic understanding of why they believe what they believe, why they are Catholic.

I never insinuated that vibrant parish = happy clappy. I’m really not a fan of contemporary, “happy clappy” Masses, but they do seem to be the best attended in my area.

Absolutely AGREE

Which is precisely why after I retired, my, my last 3 years in co-teaching RCIA, I developed a COMPLETELY FREE OF ALL COST, home study course to supplement what RCIA time constraints do not teach {NORMALLY anyway}…

“BUILDING BLOCKS OF OUR CATHOLIC FAITH” is a easy to understand, comprehensive set of Lessons, that explains our Faith and practices, AND a heavy -emphasis on providing the evidence of what we do and WHY we do and believe so.

The course is FREE and available to anyone interested in learning more about our Beautiful Catholic Faith, One Lesson is E-mailed each week:thumbsup:

Father Hardon used to teach US: "you can’t share what you yourself don’t have."

Thanks for you’re Ministry, and continued Blessings

Patrick {PJM} here on CAF

 

[PJM]

You are so right. People could be a little friendlier after Mass. I’m thinking of the Protestant minister who dressed like a bum and came to a Serbia e where a new minister was supposed to debut. In a word he got shunned. Imagine the congregations surprise at the beginning of the service when he walked up front snd told them who he was!

Some parishes are divided now. We belong to a parish where sadly they’re Spanish cliques and English ones. It’s like two parishes! The English speaking people have coffee after Mass, and the Spanish I think have other things to sell after theirs.

Our pastor has tried to draw everyone in with limited success. He tried bilingual Bible classes but not many turned out. Then he had separate ones and the Spanish wouldnt come. It’s just a clash of cultures and I wish we’d have a TLM Mass sometime when both could attend and learn the Latin together.

On the otherhand the for English only parishes have problems too. Maybe we just need to realize that fellowship is in the Mass, not in activities the Protestant churches have, because they’re missing out on the Real Presence. As my mom used to say, “offer it up”.

THANK YOU!

Keep trying * Pray MUCH!

 

[PJM]

You make some excellent points. I am on the Adult Faith Formation committee, and we do have communication and advertisement issues in the parish. We’ve had FORMED for two years and only managed to get 100 people signed up, despite running in the bulletin weekly, two ministry fair exhibits, pulpit announcements, and bulletin board posts.

I LOVE “FORMED!”

But it is NOT a user-friendly format for everyone! It takes commitment; that you have a 100 or so even in a large parish is quite good IMO

We {all of us, need to be more creative .} Suggest MAYBE taking a parish survey; giving as many options as you and perhaps the PC can come up with; leaving the option to even more suggestions. Do this before or after Mass, so it involves as many as possible; then share your results, and implement what you can.

It is sadly “typical” {HATE THAT WORD} that most parishes are “10-90”… 10% do all of the work. Another idea that I have seen meet with some success, is to have the heads of ALL of the various Church committees give a BRIEF talk about what THEY do; what THEY are about and INVITE others to join them {and If and WHEN they do; go out of the way to make THEM truly feel welcomed, …From personal experiece I KNOW that at times these committees can be clickish:blush:… So OPEN up the opportunities!

God Bless you

Patrick

 

[Sarcelle]

This is the first I’ve ever heard of an hour fast after communion.

That’s because there’s no such rule.

A priest explicitly told me that one is free to eat and drink whatever they want right after communion.

 

[rcwitness]

That’s because there’s no such rule.

A priest explicitly told me that one is free to eat and drink whatever they want right after communion.

Yes, it’s one hour prior to Communion.

 

[phil19034]

While in complete agreement with your reply, nevertheless, the numbers of self IDENTIFIED Catholics has dropped precipitously in the past 40+ years

The reasons for this are MANY, but at its core, is IMO {ME HERE}, poor catechesis

Thanks and GBY

I agree 100%. We need more catachsis. Which is why I believe things like formed.org are so important. We need to give parents the tools needed to teach themselves and to teach their kids when they are young.

I strongly believe the main reason things went downhill after the 1960s is because parents could answer their kids “why?” questions, esp when things were changing.

Strong Evangelization and catechesis are super critical, esp with today’s easily accessible misinformation

 

[PJM]

i agree 100%. We need more catachsis. Which is why i believe things like formed.org are so important. We need to give parents the tools needed to teach themselves and to teach their kids when they are young.

I strongly believe the main reason things went downhill after the 1960s is because parents could answer their kids “why?” questions, esp when things were changing.

Strong evangelization and catechesis are super critical, esp with today’s easily accessible misinformation

thank you!

Gby

 

[Church_Militant]

I don’t know where you guys are but in our parish we spend a lot of time talking and chatting before and after Mass and especially at our Wednesday night KoC dinners and their Lenten Friday fish fries. The food is outstanding and the fellowship is the best I’ve ever experience Catholic or not. We even have some n-Cs who come to fellowship with friends and it’s always great!

If you want better fellowship start a weekly dinner and watch what happens. Also Christ Renews His Parish has been really good for spiritual growth and fellowship in our parish so check that out too.

 

[Peter_J]

I don’t know where you guys are but in our parish we spend a lot of time talking and chatting before and after Mass and especially at our Wednesday night KoC dinners and their Lenten Friday fish fries.

Nothing wrong with that.

 

[CurtHo]

Your question has very little substance, leaving one to search not for the answer to your question. But to the intention of the question. I find the question to be very vague to entrap Catholics and have them begin to question their faith.

Knowing the purpose of the question, my answer to this question is very simple,“why do a Catholic go to Mass?” There is only on answer to this very simple question.

It is to commune with Jesus (God) and I can guarantee it is not to Socialize. It is a time for Catholics to be in his real presents. It is a time for Catholics to witness his passion on the cross. It is the time we bare witness to his love for us.

The Catholic Church is the bridesmaid, and Jesus is the bridegroom and through this perfect union Catholics have the chance to grow a personal relation with Jesus, that is not available outside the Catholic Chuch.

Now, my question is as simple as yours, why do you go to church? Is it to strengthen fellowship or to commune with Jesus. Only one answer is correct. So what is yours?

 

[ConfusedLucy]

I struggle with fellowship, I had a very positive experience at my university parish and not much luck at the next two parishes. My current parish has some things going on outside mass but it’s very infrequent making it difficult to build rapport with people. Even if you do go to social events or help out at the parish you aren’t necessarily included by the others.

My non-Catholic friends seem to have better luck with weekly small groups that mean you at least already know a few people at tea and coffee.