IYO: Are Catholic weak on fellowship?

[Randy_Carson]

In Your Opinion, are Catholics weak on fellowship?

At the risk of over-generalizing…

I’m sure there are some really wonderful, tight-knit parishes out there, but the days of the inner-city, ethnic (Irish, Polish, Italian, etc.) parish which was the focal point of the community are over. We are mostly suburbanites now, and we may not even know the people sitting in the pew behind us.

So, as a former Protestant who converted to Catholicism going on 40 years ago now, my answer would be “yes”.

And where the Protestants have us beaten hands down is in Sunday School.

This is where adults (and children) learn the nuts and bolts of their faith in small groups that enable them to become not just parishioners but friends.

 

[Church_Militant]

Not at St. Ann

 

[PJM]

At the risk of over-generalizing…

I’m sure there are some really wonderful, tight-knit parishes out there, but the days of the inner-city, ethnic (Irish, Polish, Italian, etc.) parish which was the focal point of the community are over. We are mostly suburbanites now, and we may not even know the people sitting in the pew behind us.

So, as a former Protestant who converted to Catholicism going on 40 years ago now, my answer would be “yes”.

And where the Protestants have us beaten hands down is in Sunday School.

This is where adults (and children) learn the nuts and bolts of their faith in small groups that enable them to become not just parishioners but friends.

Hi Randy, GREAT post [as usual for you]

However, I’m not sure your point is completely valid in MANY parishes today, where bible studies, small-group meetings, K of C and the Ladies Guild are being offered.

This DOES vary greatly by parish; but it’s becomming more common in my experience.

And every parish I know of personally [before I retied I traveled quite a bit], offer at least formal instructions for youths; and many for adults as well

“FORMED” has really become a wide spread program offered by many parishes, large and small.

GBY my friend!

Patrick

 

[ConfusedLucy]

Maybe another question would be why is fellowship so variable? And whether other denominations are more on less variable than Catholics.

 

[TC3033]

Maybe another question would be why is fellowship so variable? And whether other denominations are more on less variable than Catholics.

^^This could be a better question, or why is a Catholics only group (such as KofC that I keep seeing brought up) considered good fellow ship. From the outside looking in, I don’t see that as good fellowship. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with said groups, but to me it’s another way to be exclusive to non-Catholics “in” the Parish vs. inclusive. Kind of: “We have fellowship, but we prefer it be with out kind”.

 

[o_mlly]

Not in our Mission Church. I love the people in our congregation. We have lots of fun and fellowship together.

Good point. The larger the congregation the less likely close ties of fellowship develop.

“The average number of registered households in U.S. parishes is 1,168.”
cara.georgetown.edu/CARAServices/Parishes%20Phase%20One.pdf

 

[tower_of_babel]

sometimes I feel this way, but then again my parish has had some good moments, We held a celbratory party for our priest on the anniversary of his ordination.

 

[ConfusedLucy]

^^This could be a better question, or why is a Catholics only group (such as KofC that I keep seeing brought up) considered good fellow ship. From the outside looking in, I don’t see that as good fellowship. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with said groups, but to me it’s another way to be exclusive to non-Catholics “in” the Parish vs. inclusive. Kind of: “We have fellowship, but we prefer it be with out kind”.

I think a lot of churches unintentionally have a target demographic. I speak very highly of the fellowship at my university church but if you were a stay at home mother married to a lecturer rather than a student you would have probably felt like there was no fellowship for you. My church splits it’s parish activities into family and over 50s, there is fellowship in this parish but not appropriate fellowship for me. Many parishes don’t know how to incorporate people without families or non Catholic spouses into their fellowship.

 

[PJM]

^^This could be a better question, or why is a Catholics only group (such as KofC that I keep seeing brought up) considered good fellow ship. From the outside looking in, I don’t see that as good fellowship. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with said groups, but to me it’s another way to be exclusive to non-Catholics “in” the Parish vs. inclusive. Kind of: “We have fellowship, but we prefer it be with out kind”.

YOU raise an interesting and valid point, but no the one as the OP, I had in mind.

But I have seen efforts [varies by parish] that do make an attempt to have fellowship with other Christians.

When Karen and I were still teaching Youth groups we’d meet each year with kids from a Synagogue, and share a Sater meal with them, and they would visit us for Easter.

I know of multiple faith activities outside of this example too.

So some interdenominational effort is happening. Perhaps not enough, but then is “enough?”

GBY

 

[TC3033]

YOU raise an interesting and valid point, but** no the one as the OP, I had in mind.**
But I have seen efforts [varies by parish] that do make an attempt to have fellowship with other Christians.

When Karen and I were still teaching Youth groups we’d meet each year with kids from a Synagogue, and share a Sater meal with them, and they would visit us for Easter.

I know of multiple faith activities outside of this example too.

So some interdenominational effort is happening. Perhaps not enough, but then is “enough?”

GBY

Fair. I was more or less trying to extrapolate off of Lucy’s post.

 

[PJM]

Fair. I was more or less trying to extrapolate off of Lucy’s post.

THANKS and continued Blessings

Patrick

 

[dronald]

So, as a former Protestant who converted to Catholicism going on 40 years ago now, my answer would be “yes”.

And where the Protestants have us beaten hands down is in Sunday School.

This is where adults (and children) learn the nuts and bolts of their faith in small groups that enable them to become not just parishioners but friends.

I agree with this here. I cannot wait for my child to begin attending Sunday School. I know they teach all the truths of the Bible without apology and they do this for both children and adults.

The common teaching in Evangelical churches today is, “This is what the world says, but here’s what the Bible says.” We also don’t have the culture that teaches one can just be Christian because their parents are Christian, they were baptized, confirmed and then given membership. Christianity is hard. It’s recognizing that one needs to turn from the things of this world, repent and be baptized. To put all their faith and trust in Jesus and be unafraid and unashamed to share ones faith.

We teach our children to do this in fellowship with their fellow Christian brothers and sisters and we teach them that they will be often mocked or disliked for their beliefs.

We’re very firm about our faith and don’t see it as a place to go once a week; that’s not the point. Church is daily, and fellowship is vital. Now with social media it’s very easy to create groups so we can meet weekly (outside of church) for a time of prayer and then board games or whatever. We see each other at church every week and are always praying to bring more people in by showing them the love we show and have for each other.

I don’t know if this happens in Catholic churches, but I’m sure it does for some people to an extent. I just never experienced it. I loved the history of the CC and was looking for friendships with whom other believers shared the joy and love I have for Jesus Christ, but instead it was old people and some families; even at our biggest cathedral. I believe God placed me where I am now, and I am dearly thankful.

 

[ConfusedLucy]

I agree with this here. I cannot wait for my child to begin attending Sunday School. I know they teach all the truths of the Bible without apology and they do this for both children and adults.

The common teaching in Evangelical churches today is, “This is what the world says, but here’s what the Bible says.” We also don’t have the culture that teaches one can just be Christian because their parents are Christian, they were baptized, confirmed and then given membership. Christianity is hard. It’s recognizing that one needs to turn from the things of this world, repent and be baptized. To put all their faith and trust in Jesus and be unafraid and unashamed to share ones faith.

We teach our children to do this in fellowship with their fellow Christian brothers and sisters and we teach them that they will be often mocked or disliked for their beliefs.

We’re very firm about our faith and don’t see it as a place to go once a week; that’s not the point. Church is daily, and fellowship is vital. Now with social media it’s very easy to create groups so we can meet weekly (outside of church) for a time of prayer and then board games or whatever. We see each other at church every week and are always praying to bring more people in by showing them the love we show and have for each other.

I don’t know if this happens in Catholic churches, but I’m sure it does for some people to an extent. I just never experienced it. I loved the history of the CC and was looking for friendships with whom other believers shared the joy and love I have for Jesus Christ, but instead it was old people and some families; even at our biggest cathedral. I believe God placed me where I am now, and I am dearly thankful.

I understand how you feel even though I have decided to stay with the Catholic church. I’m very lucky to have some other Christian friends and husband for fellowship.

 

[dnu]

I never really fit into any of the fellowship groups. My wife and I were 21ish, married college kids with baby #2 on the way when we joined. We never fit in with the youth group/young adults because we were the above, likewise we didn’t fit in with the “adult” ministries because we were “college kids.” Most of the married parents were working professional jobs and talking about their mortgage amortization and 401k maturity and I was working 20 hours a week at wal-mart.

 

[michaelArc]

To answer the original question, I would say yes and no and sometimes it depends. How’s that for a vague answer?

Attending mass at a Slovak Jesuit church as a child and in my teens, I found that there was tremendous sense of community and fellowship. Everyone knew each other and congregating after sunday mass would last up to an hour. If someone needed help in any form, the community would respond in full force. I haven’t experienced anything even remotely close in any facet of society. But I think a lot of this has to do with a cultural connection.

Returning to the faith later in life and living in Europe, I find that fellowship is nearly non-existent. I often feel like an outsider at my church. I think one of the factors is that the crowd is ethnically very diverse, a collection of expats who ultimately leave the country after awhile.

But I also take the blame. In the two years at this parish, I haven’t introduced myself to anyone or made the effort of being more forthgoing or getting involved at my church.

 

[PJM]

To answer the original question, I would say yes and no and sometimes it depends. How’s that for a vague answer?

Attending mass at a Slovak Jesuit church as a child and in my teens, I found that there was tremendous sense of community and fellowship. Everyone knew each other and congregating after sunday mass would last up to an hour. If someone needed help in any form, the community would respond in full force. I haven’t experienced anything even remotely close in any facet of society. But I think a lot of this has to do with a cultural connection.

Returning to the faith later in life and living in Europe, I find that fellowship is nearly non-existent. I often feel like an outsider at my church. I think one of the factors is that the crowd is ethnically very diverse, a collection of expats who ultimately leave the country after awhile.

But I also take the blame. In the two years at this parish, I haven’t introduced myself to anyone or made the effort of being more forthgoing or getting involved at my church.

Thanks for joining us on CAF

Perhaps my friend it is different in Europe where I’m told the CC has been greatly weakened. Perhaps you can comment on that?

Here in the STATES it’s SPOTTY and varies GREATLY from parish to parish. But every parish I personally am aware of *, but use to travel quite a bit for business; offers both women’s and men’s activities outside of the Mass.

Bible studies, women’s groups and the K of C are very common; and “Small Faith groups” are gaining in popularity.

So I’m not sure it is the same in Europe?

God Bless you, and again welcome:thumbsup:

Patrick*

 

[Padres1969]

In Your Opinion, are Catholics weak on fellowship?

In my experience both during the two decades I was Catholic and in the time since then… very much so. Catholics and fellowship in my experience are about as close to oil and water as one can get.

 

[ConfusedLucy]

Thanks for joining us on CAF

Perhaps my friend it is different in Europe where I’m told the CC has been greatly weakened. Perhaps you can comment on that?

Here in the STATES it’s SPOTTY and varies GREATLY from parish to parish. But every parish I personally am aware of *, but use to travel quite a bit for business; offers both women’s and men’s activities outside of the Mass.

Bible studies, women’s groups and the K of C are very common; and “Small Faith groups” are gaining in popularity.

So I’m not sure it is the same in Europe?

God Bless you, and again welcome:thumbsup:

Patrick*

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.

 

[michaelArc]

Thanks for joining us on CAF

Perhaps my friend it is different in Europe where I’m told the CC has been greatly weakened. Perhaps you can comment on that?

Here in the STATES it’s SPOTTY and varies GREATLY from parish to parish. But every parish I personally am aware of *, but use to travel quite a bit for business; offers both women’s and men’s activities outside of the Mass.

Bible studies, women’s groups and the K of C are very common; and “Small Faith groups” are gaining in popularity.

So I’m not sure it is the same in Europe?

God Bless you, and again welcome:thumbsup:

Patrick*

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.

 

[PJM]

In my experience both during the two decades I was Catholic and in the time since then… very much so. Catholics and fellowship in my experience are about as close to oil and water as one can get.

THANKS!

Bot I find that not to be my experience

My friend have you ever read Hebrews 6:1-9?

drbo.org/

You can look it up on this site

God Bless you

Partick