IYO: Are Catholic weak on fellowship?

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TC3033 said:
That statement had to do with a specific discussion that is now buried in the thread. It has to do with where I’m at, there aren’t fellowship opportunities for everyone. I was noting that where I’m at it seems that it’s discouraged for non-Catholics to be part of Parrish activities at all.
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Yea, I head of that:(

May I suggest you talk to your parish DRE {Director of religious education} and see if she can’t be of some help in over-coming prejudice:)

Gd Bless you!

Patrick
 
PJM said:
ConfusedLucy;14341845:
My dear friend Lucy,

I’m guessing here that you’re a resent convert?

There is a risk of scandal for any Catholic to actively participate in ANY non-Catholic Worship service [weddings and funerals are normally exempted], because of the risk of the Protestants ASSUMING that you agree with their theology and religious philosophy; which of course we do not.

Truth can only be singular per-defined issue.
There is no problem with prayer groups, as all prayers are intended to end with God.
Might I suggest that every Catholic parish I have encountered in my 70+ years has both women’s and men’s groups; bible studies, and other opportunities for outside of Mass fellowship. You may wish to join in these opportunities.

As for the Eucharist:

Our Catechism explains:

CCC #1324 The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” “The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.” “Pasch” means “Sacrifice”;]

If you’d like more information on the Eucharist; the Real Presence, please send me a private message. I’m a trained Catholic Catechist [teacher] with nearly 30 years of faith sharing experience.

God Bless you Lucy!

Patrick [PJM] here on CAF
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I’m technically a cradle Catholic in that I was baptized as a baby, had first communion and went to Catholic school but I only really took my faith seriously after leaving home. I now feel confident enough in my faith to go to other churches and mix with other Christians though I can see why it could be more of a problem for people who are new to the faith. All my husbands church friends know I am Catholic and I certainly don’t hide it. Many of these people have been real rocks to me and have really helped me stick with my faith when I have struggled.

In my case (I’ve only been in 3 parishes since university) I have never seen a women or men’s group. (I don’t know if it’s more of a US thing) and nor have I seen a Bible study advertised, I think the older folk sometimes arrange them amongst themselves during the day but I work full time. There are some events outside of mass which I go to but it’s only about 4-5 times a year.

I’m not blaming anyone, I accept that as a twenty something childless person there aren’t a lot of people like me attending mass and it’s not the responsibility of the parish to provide me with fellowship but I don’t think it’s unreasonable for me to seek it from people outside the church.
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TC3033 said:
I don’t think the current pastor is behind anything. I think it is residuals from the last pastor, however, when my wife did meet with the Pastor last he did ask if I found a place to go to church yet.
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I’ve commented before about what I see as unChristian behavior at that parish (as you no doubt recall but other readers might not know). That being said, I would take ^^ this as a positive sign, albeit a small one.
 
Peter_J said:
I’ve commented before about what I see as unChristian behavior at that parish (as you no doubt recall but other readers might not know). That being said, I would take ^^ this as a positive sign, albeit a small one.
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How so? Without context it’s tough to tell but to me it comes across as “has he found someplace to go yet that isn’t here” I personally would have thought that after my wife say no that the standard response would have been something like “well, he always has a place here”, rather than Oh, that’s too bad.

Like I said, it’s tough to understand without real context but I understood it as the bolded.
 
Peter_J said:
I’ve commented before about what I see as unChristian behavior at that parish (as you no doubt recall but other readers might not know). That being said, I would take ^^ this as a positive sign, albeit a small one.
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TC3033 said:
How so? Without context it’s tough to tell but to me it comes across as “has he found someplace to go yet that isn’t here” I personally would have thought that after my wife say no that the standard response would have been something like “well, he always has a place here”, rather than Oh, that’s too bad.

Like I said, it’s tough to understand without real context but I understood it as the bolded.
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Edit: I should have said "Given what else I’ve heard about this parish, it would be worse if he didn’t say that.
 
ConfusedLucy said:
PJM;14344259:
I’m technically a cradle Catholic in that I was baptized as a baby, had first communion and went to Catholic school but I only really took my faith seriously after leaving home. I now feel confident enough in my faith to go to other churches and mix with other Christians though I can see why it could be more of a problem for people who are new to the faith. All my husbands church friends know I am Catholic and I certainly don’t hide it. Many of these people have been real rocks to me and have really helped me stick with my faith when I have struggled.

In my case (I’ve only been in 3 parishes since university) I have never seen a women or men’s group. (I don’t know if it’s more of a US thing) and nor have I seen a Bible study advertised, I think the older folk sometimes arrange them amongst themselves during the day but I work full time. There are some events outside of mass which I go to but it’s only about 4-5 times a year.

I’m not blaming anyone, I accept that as a twenty something childless person there aren’t a lot of people like me attending mass and it’s not the responsibility of the parish to provide me with fellowship but I don’t think it’s unreasonable for me to seek it from people outside the church.
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THANKS so much for taking time to reply.

Being an American, my comments were based on my experiences here at home.

God Bless you

Patrick
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TC3033 said:
That statement had to do with a specific discussion that is now buried in the thread. It has to do with where I’m at, there aren’t fellowship opportunities for everyone. I was noting that where I’m at it seems that it’s discouraged for non-Catholics to be part of Parrish activities at all.
Click to expand...
I’m wondering if there might be a simple administrative/clerical aspect to the non-invite issue. In our parish, if your name is not on the parish list, a label or envelope is not generated for you. I only learned this when someone came to me and said “why didn’t I get an envelope?”. She wasn’t aware she was not a registered parishioner. Could be your wife’s parish is not administratively able to deal with non-Catholics; which makes me wonder how my parish deals with non-Catholics. I’ll need to check into that.

God Bless You.
 
PJM said:
WHY:)

IF we know well our faith we ought to be anxious to share it:)

You live in a very beautiful country and area my friend!

GBY

Patrick
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Please reread what I wrote , LIVE FAITH,… Let the Light of Christ shine through you … and be anxious about nothing.

You are misreading faith, Sharing by your living.

Indeed I do.
 
PJM said:
ConfusedLucy;14341845:
My dear friend Lucy,

I’m guessing here that you’re a resent convert?

There is a risk of scandal for any Catholic to actively participate in ANY non-Catholic Worship service [weddings and funerals are normally exempted], because of the risk of the Protestants ASSUMING that you agree with their theology and religious philosophy; which of course we do not.

Truth can only be singular per-defined issue.
There is no problem with prayer groups, as all prayers are intended to end with God.
Might I suggest that every Catholic parish I have encountered in my 70+ years has both women’s and men’s groups; bible studies, and other opportunities for outside of Mass fellowship. You may wish to join in these opportunities.

As for the Eucharist:

Our Catechism explains:

CCC #1324 The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” “The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.” “Pasch” means “Sacrifice”;]

If you’d like more information on the Eucharist; the Real Presence, please send me a private message. I’m a trained Catholic Catechist [teacher] with nearly 30 years of faith sharing experience.

God Bless you Lucy!

Patrick [PJM] here on CAF
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Why is my name on the quotation please? :confused:
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TC3033 said:
I’m the non-Catholic husband and I get a ton of negativity. I hear about how that doesn’t happen, but it pretty much flies in the face of what I experience.

At the parrish we’re at now, there was a Father that really looked down his nose at non-Catholics. That may have trickled down through the congregation. We (and other families) left that parrish because of him. Now that he’s gone, it appears, some families are coming back.
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Where do you live? You don’t have to mention the city or diocese, but I’m very curious regarding what part of the country or world you live in. That might (or might not) help make sense of all this.

For example: if you say Northern Ireland, I will reply with “ahhhh, that makes sense.”
 
ConfusedLucy said:
Home groups are groups of about 8 people who meet during the week for prayer and Bible study, I suppose if Catholics were to do this it could include the rosary. It is a useful opportunity to meet people at church and it means that when you attend tea and coffee after mass you have at least a handful of people you know and the opportunity to meet others through them. Attending after mass tea and coffee alone as a stranger is awkward and doesn’t work for everyone.
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Catholics do do this. However, it’s usually kept quiet unless you are invited. For example: I just recently learned that there is a Legion of Mary group/chapter within the boundaries of my parish. They met at a parishioner house. I’m not sure if it’s officially sanctioned by the parish or not, but you can only join if invited.

For example: there are TONS of Great Adventure Bible Catholic study home groups all over the country. biblestudyforcatholics.com/. Some meet in homes/coffee houses/etc, others meet at the parish.

In my Parish, the Pastor leads a Bible study on Sunday evenings, biweekly. It’s listed in every bulletin and everyone is reminded every week during announcements.
 
PJM said:
ConfusedLucy;14344483:
THANKS so much for taking time to reply.

Being an American, my comments were based on my experiences here at home.

God Bless you

Patrick
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I think it’s a shame we don’t tend to do men’s groups here. Catholic gatherings can be very female dominated which I think sometimes puts men, especially young men off getting involved. Churches often have fellowship but not appropriate fellowship for some people.
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phil19034 said:
Where do you live? You don’t have to mention the city or diocese, but I’m very curious regarding what part of the country or world you live in. That might (or might not) help make sense of all this.

For example: if you say Northern Ireland, I will reply with “ahhhh, that makes sense.”
Click to expand...
Minnesota.
 
Mummsie said:
I’m wondering if there might be a simple administrative/clerical aspect to the non-invite issue. In our parish, if your name is not on the parish list, a label or envelope is not generated for you. I only learned this when someone came to me and said “why didn’t I get an envelope?”. She wasn’t aware she was not a registered parishioner. Could be your wife’s parish is not administratively able to deal with non-Catholics; which makes me wonder how my parish deals with non-Catholics. I’ll need to check into that.

God Bless You.
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IDK, it could be but on the family mailings, collection envelopes, church directory book my name is there with my asterisk.
 
Rosebud77 said:
really "religion " is best left out of daily conversation. It really is. Live faith though…
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I am not criticising you personally but…

Non-explicit and compartmentalized Christianity is a luxury for the comfortable.
Consider that many people are put to the sword for their faith.
Our evangelization could at least give some explicit honor to God and to the witness of the martyrs, even if it just gets us hard stares instead of the sword.
 
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