May a Catholic attend interdenominational worship services?

[McKevin]

Is it acceptable for a Catholic to attend Sunday evening and mid-week praise and worship services at an interdenominational church on a regular basis?

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

McKevin

It is my understanding that a Catholic may attend non-Catholic church services if he/she still fulfills their weekly obligation of Mass and does not take part in the communion of non-Catholic churches.

God Bless

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Is it acceptable for a Catholic to attend Sunday evening and mid-week praise and worship services at an interdenominational church on a regular basis?

If necessary, there should be some good reason to do so.

 

[EBSSTF4]

I would only do this if you are comfortable and well informed in you’re faith. Many services can directly contradict our teaching, and often attack them. I went to a funeral a few years ago and the minister used a prayer from a catholic priest. He qualified it by saying he “changed it a bit to fit our beliefs”.
Many non-denominational church members are disgruntled former Catholics who will attack your beliefs if they know your background. And some use a form of the Eucharist that you need to avoid.
I only go to funeral services or weddings for non-catholic, and often am not comfortable with their forms of worship.

 

[McKevin]

I’m a convert from the Nazarene church and a PK (preacher’s kid), I love the Catholic Truth and the Eucharist, but I miss the praise and worship - raising hands, etc…that isn’t found in the mass and so I’m considering attending Mass on Sunday morning but the Sunday evening service at the Nazarene church. Is that a good enough reason?

 

[EBSSTF4]

I’m a convert from the Nazarene church and a PK (preacher’s kid), I love the Catholic Truth and the Eucharist, but I miss the praise and worship - raising hands, etc…that isn’t found in the mass and so I’m considering attending Mass on Sunday morning but the Sunday evening service at the Nazarene church. Is that a good enough reason?

There is a reason the Catholic Church does not have the type of praise and worship you describe. You need to ask yourself your reason for being there. It seems people let their personal needs get before Christ, Mass is for to worship God, not socialize. To go to any type of worship service that is not inline with you’re beliefs can wear on your soul.

Matthew 6:5

5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

 

[Mommyof02green]

I’m a convert from the Nazarene church and a PK (preacher’s kid), I love the Catholic Truth and the Eucharist, but I miss the praise and worship - raising hands, etc…that isn’t found in the mass and so I’m considering attending Mass on Sunday morning but the Sunday evening service at the Nazarene church. Is that a good enough reason?

It’s understandable seeing that’s how you grew up…

Maybe you need to learn how to get more out of the Mass!!

There actually a book that is called “The How to Book of the Mass” The book has tips on how to pray at Mass, how to hear a great homily every time, and how to experience the Mass as an encounter with our Risen Lord. It basiclly is a good book if you wished the Mass was more exiting.

Also you might enjoy listen to the program: The Lamb’s Supper: The Mass and the Apocalypse with Scott Hahn and Mike Aquilina

God Bless.

 

[jmcrae]

Is it acceptable for a Catholic to attend Sunday evening and mid-week praise and worship services at an interdenominational church on a regular basis?

What is an “interdenominational church?”

I’d be very suspicious of something that claims to be “interdenominational” or “non-denominational” because there’s really no such thing. There are two possibilities - either they are self-deceived, or they are trying to deceive someone else (like maybe you?)

Watch out …

 

[EBSSTF4]

What is an “interdenominational church?”

I’d be very suspicious of something that claims to be “interdenominational” or “non-denominational” because there’s really no such thing. There are two possibilities - either they are self-deceived, or they are trying to deceive someone else (like maybe you?)

Watch out …

Interdenominational or nondenominational churches;

Purpose- to get the most money from as many people as possible so the minister can build his mansion.

Just kidding, sort of. But they do well with needy people who only want to believe the parts they agree with, e.g. birth control, gay marriage, cohabitation, everyone go to heaven etc. Big bashers of basic catholic beliefs.

There is a big one not to far from me and I have attended a few weddings and funerals for my wife’s non-catholic family. Very uncomfortable with what they preach.

Went to a funeral once and the minister quoted a poem by a Priest with the disclaimer, “I changed the words to fit our beliefs.”

 

[prv]

I’m a convert from the Nazarene church and a PK (preacher’s kid), I love the Catholic Truth and the Eucharist, but I miss the praise and worship - raising hands, etc…that isn’t found in the mass and so I’m considering attending Mass on Sunday morning but the Sunday evening service at the Nazarene church. Is that a good enough reason?

Perhaps you can get non-liturgical worship during the weekdays, in a Catholic church, w/ approved speakers (by the pastor, if necessary, by the bishop) for the same. Or consider retreats. Consult:

Directory for for the Application of Norms and Principles of Ecumenism

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_25031993_principles-and-norms-on-ecumenism_en.html

 

[prv]

Interdenominational or nondenominational churches;

Purpose- to get the most money from as many people as possible so the minister can build his mansion.

Just kidding, sort of. But they do well with needy people who only want to believe the parts they agree with, e.g. birth control, gay marriage, cohabitation, everyone go to heaven etc. Big bashers of basic catholic beliefs.

There is a big one not to far from me and I have attended a few weddings and funerals for my wife’s non-catholic family. Very uncomfortable with what they preach.

Went to a funeral once and the minister quoted a poem by a Priest with the disclaimer, “I changed the words to fit our beliefs.”

Changing the words, huh? That is the cause of arguments and even wars, all b/c we “thought we heard…”

It is like spitting out truth, half-truth, and downright nonsense.

 

[rwoehmke]

Try finding a Catholic Charismatic prayer group. The raised hands and songs of praise will replace what you are missing. The chancery office of your diocese should be able to direct you to where one of these groups might be found in your area. If the Chancery doesn’t know about one that you might stumble on, be cautious as some Charismatic Prayer groups are filled with nuts who may be on the fringe when it comes to being Catholic. You want one that is in submission to the Pastor and the Bishop.

 

[McKevin]

There is a reason the Catholic Church does not have the type of praise and worship you describe. You need to ask yourself your reason for being there. It seems people let their personal needs get before Christ, Mass is for to worship God, not socialize. To go to any type of worship service that is not inline with you’re beliefs can wear on your soul.

Matthew 6:5

First, thanks for sharing, but what about the scriptures on fellowshipping with one another and “quench not the spirit”?

Also, I think it’s worth noting that the church I grew up in was full of a bunch of hillbillies that ran the aisles and praised God not for their personal needs but because they really do love the Lord and get excited about it…it’s a tough transition for me to attend a service that’s governed by a program that tells you when to sit, when to stand, when to kneel, etc…and as for hypocrites, I see much more of them in the Catholic church than I ever did see growing up in my home church.

 

[McKevin]

What is an “interdenominational church?”

I’d be very suspicious of something that claims to be “interdenominational” or “non-denominational” because there’s really no such thing. There are two possibilities - either they are self-deceived, or they are trying to deceive someone else (like maybe you?)

Watch out …

Thanks for your insight, and good question. There acutally is a difference between inter-denominational and non-denominational. The non-denom’s claim that they are not affiliated with any particular organization and as a child my dad first preached in a non-denom church of God which is affiliated with Anderson, Indiana - If you ever saw a Gaither Homecoming show then you’ve seen my church. Then we moved to an inter-denom, which recognized denominations but strives to welcome anyone and everyone to their services. In my inter-denom years we had a Catholic couple who stopped in one night because they could hear the singing from the gas station across the street. They were a great couple, whom I got to know and love very much, they would attend Mass in the morning and then come to our church at night…that’s what I’m considering, but it does seem to create some BIG questions.

Peace!

 

[APFGON]

I’m a convert from the Nazarene church and a PK (preacher’s kid), I love the Catholic Truth and the Eucharist, but I miss the praise and worship - raising hands, etc…that isn’t found in the mass and so I’m considering attending Mass on Sunday morning but the Sunday evening service at the Nazarene church. Is that a good enough reason?

I am a roman catholic and live in So Florida. Mass in my Catholic Church is serious yet fun. I always feel the presence of the Lord in Mass, yet we sing many of the same songs that other denomination Christian churches sing, we clap, we raise our hands to the Lord, we hug and we also have a band of young people accompanying the church music. Reading what has been posted here about Catholic Churches and Mass it would negate my church and I truly believe that both can be had. Jesus talked to the people and lived among the people, my priests are approachable, they participate in lots of non-church events, during Mass they discuss personal experiences and apply them to the daily Readings. It is a parish rich in young people attending our Masses. I would recommend trying some other Catholic Churches, maybe try the afternoon services which is attended by younger people and you may find that you do not have to go outside the Catholic Church to still find that personable touch.