Question: have you ever signed up for something (like this BBQ) and been denied. Or is it that they simply are not asking you? If it’s the latter, this asterisk might be the reason. They might feel like asking you would be putting you on the spot.
Hi Phil,
It sounds like you have done what you reasonably can. People shouldn’t have to grovel and beg for an opportunity to help out in a parish.
I AGREE:thumbsup:
My FRIEND, PLEASE READ Hebrews 6:1-8
1] Wherefore leaving the word of the beginning of Christ, let us go on to things more perfect, not laying again the foundation of penance from dead works, and of faith towards God, [2] Of the doctrine of baptisms, and imposition of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. [3] And this will we do, if God permit. [4] For it is impossible for those who were once illuminated, have tasted also the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, [5] Have moreover tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
[1] The word of the beginning: The first rudiments of the Christian doctrine.
[4] It is impossible: The meaning is, that it is impossible for such as have fallen after baptism, to be again baptized; and very hard for such as have apostatized from the faith, after having received many graces, to return again to the happy state from which they fell.[DOUAY BIBLE explanation
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[6] And are fallen away: to be renewed again to penance, crucifying again to themselves the Son of God, and making him a mockery. [7] For the earth that drinketh in the rain which cometh often upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is tilled, receiveth blessing from God. [8] But that which bringeth forth thorns and briers, is reprobate, and very near unto a curse, whose end is to be burnt
DEAR FRIEND
Their is but One true God
Who can and does have ONLY One set of TRUE faith beliefs
And desired and founded only One TRUE Church today’s RCC
You would do well to pray about your decision.
Church /Worship is about GOD, NOT how we feel. Amen
God Bless you
Patrick
I meant to reply before this, but I’ve been busy and unwell, at various times.
I don’t think I can really say I’ve left the Catholic Church because a big chunk of my heart is still there. For whatever it’s worth, tha lack of fellowship had nothing to do with it. I got over that years ago. It’s because I married and now live in a very small town with the nearest Catholic church 17 miles away. When I first married my husband had a good job, I was working and I thought getting to church would be no problem. To make a long story shorter, he became disabled and now we can’t afford the gas to get to a Catholic church.
I’ve tried several times to get a ride, but to say there are few Catholics here is putting it mildly, and the few who come don’t stay long, so I’ve been a little afraid of falling in love with a church only to not be able to get there any more. I do have a ride, for now anyway, to an Episcopal church. I love it for many reasons, but a part of me still misses the Catholic Church, chilly as it may sometimes be.
If you can spare a prayer or two, please pray for my family, and for me, that we may discern and follow God’s will, whereever it may lead us.
It seems to me that assigning tasks is pretty presumptuous even of members and would be extremely presumptuous to do to non-members.
Agreed.
It always seems to fall on the outsiders to fix this situation. I have accepted it isn’t my responsibility to lead and mentor people twice my age on fellowship. Sometimes we can only do what we can.
This kind of makes my point…Even though I can be put in the church directory and have collection envelopes with my name on it (even with an asterisk) I’ll never be seen as part of the church family because I’m not Catholic. Even though I go to Mass more often than many “members”, those members are asked or get to be part of the fellowship outside of the church where I am not…
I’m to the point where I’ve thrown my hands up, given it the proverbial “whatever” and given up.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR SHARING THISI meant to reply before this, but I’ve been busy and unwell, at various times.
I don’t think I can really say I’ve left the Catholic Church because a big chunk of my heart is still there. For whatever it’s worth, tha lack of fellowship had nothing to do with it. I got over that years ago. It’s because I married and now live in a very small town with the nearest Catholic church 17 miles away. When I first married my husband had a good job, I was working and I thought getting to church would be no problem. To make a long story shorter, he became disabled and now we can’t afford the gas to get to a Catholic church.
I’ve tried several times to get a ride, but to say there are few Catholics here is putting it mildly, and the few who come don’t stay long, so I’ve been a little afraid of falling in love with a church only to not be able to get there any more. I do have a ride, for now anyway, to an Episcopal church. I love it for many reasons, but a part of me still misses the Catholic Church, chilly as it may sometimes be.
If you can spare a prayer or two, please pray for my family, and for me, that we may discern and follow God’s will, whereever it may lead us.
What does AGE have to do with it?
where my FRIEND is God IS in charge in this view?
Praying for you and your family. I trust the Holy Spirit will guide you on this difficult journey.I meant to reply before this, but I’ve been busy and unwell, at various times.
I don’t think I can really say I’ve left the Catholic Church because a big chunk of my heart is still there. For whatever it’s worth, tha lack of fellowship had nothing to do with it. I got over that years ago. It’s because I married and now live in a very small town with the nearest Catholic church 17 miles away. When I first married my husband had a good job, I was working and I thought getting to church would be no problem. To make a long story shorter, he became disabled and now we can’t afford the gas to get to a Catholic church.
I’ve tried several times to get a ride, but to say there are few Catholics here is putting it mildly, and the few who come don’t stay long, so I’ve been a little afraid of falling in love with a church only to not be able to get there any more. I do have a ride, for now anyway, to an Episcopal church. I love it for many reasons, but a part of me still misses the Catholic Church, chilly as it may sometimes be.
If you can spare a prayer or two, please pray for my family, and for me, that we may discern and follow God’s will, whereever it may lead us.
), but have those seeking fellowship considered what the church may need…or other parishioners? Or needy in the community? Sometimes when we put others first, our needs seem to fall into place.I think sometimes we need a little structure to best help people. I think the needy are best helped by them being able to discretely express their needs to someone who can find appropriate people to help out. Mentoring of the volunteers can also be good. Often when clueless people blunder in they do more harm than good.Perhaps it’s already been said (memory is touch and go
My:twocents:
God Bless You.
Speaking as One who HAS been there and done that,
Agree with most of what you say. But, sometimes, it’s as simple as picking up the phone and calling the nearest Long Term Care facility and asking if they need volunteers. Or the nearest Crisis Pregnancy Center. I think there are many such facilities with the structure you’re referring to. If you know of a sick friend / parishioner, call and ask you can bring them some soup, ice cream, whatever. No matter how hard we try, we’ll never do it perfectly. That’s why St. Teresa of Calcutta was so special; she saw a need and jumped in. Didn’t ask if they were Catholic or what they needed. She was just there to help.
THANKS for sharing
I think I’ve just been unlucky with volunteering in that I have had some experiences where we were just thrown straight in with no or minimal training to work on our own and I did feel I was doing more harm than good. I think I would be better at volunteering as part of a group rather than alone but I get that it’s not always appropriate.