Maybe I should stay Protestant

[tomarin]

I’m more than a little disappointed in my journey back to the RC church and my side curiosity in the EOC.

I admit I haven’t yet read all the responses in this thread, so forgive me if I’m repeating what someone already said, but to be honest I’ve always been puzzled by this kind of objection to Catholicism and/or Orthodoxy. The reason that newcomers are not in every instance approached by gatekeepers is because for us going to mass is a reverential experience and that means you may not want to be disturbed by strangers. Of course sometimes there is a self-appointed person who greets new people but as far as I know that’s a voluntary thing.

 

[Dee123]

While I agree with most of the posters here that it is true doctrine and true worship that is most important, I think the OP’s concerns should not be sloughed off. The fact is, as another poster has mentioned, the Church of Christ is also supposed to be about community, and fellowship, and outreach, and, in my experience, the Protestant churches, especially the evangelicals, do a much better job with that.
I’m lucky in that the Orthodox church I usually attend is actually very welcoming of visitors, and has a church pot luck after every Sunday DL, so there is actually a pretty good community there. But I understand it isn’t always that way.
It seems to me that Orthodox, Catholic and Prot/Evangelical each have things they can and should learn from each other.

What do you mean when you indicate you’re Catholic and Orthodox?

 

[Lutheranteach]

You are not picking a social club you are picking a church. Most protestants are used to just socalizing because lets be honest, thats all they do on sundays.

Insulting and ignorant

 

[Cursilista]

Avoid Cursillo like the plague!! Its very cultish, and has been banned in a number of diocese. Not a good thing!!

ciero,

What evidence do you have to make such a claim. Have you ever attended a cursillio weekend. Do you even know what Cursillio means. Before you make claims as you have,
fully examine your information.

Cursillio is a spanish word meaning short course. The purpose is to provide a short course for Catholics on their faith and practices and how we should be an example of our faith in both our secular as well as our church communities.

As a middle age Catholic, I last had instruction when i made my confirmation at age 13. Im sure there are a lot of Catholics that are in the same boat. The retreat refreshed me on all that I had learned through the cathechism classes of my youth. My parents and sister and many from my community have made a cursillio weekend at some time in their lives. Today they are the leaders of the church, participating as Eucharistic ministers, lay ministers, youth ministers, you name it, they have taken a leading role in the church.

More importantly, my spiritual side was awakened. I had been studying the history of the faith, legitimizing the faith again in my mind, but The weekend touched me spiritually like nothing I had ever experienced before.

After the weekend, i was able to put together what my mind knew and understood together with a spirituality to make my faith whole.

Today, I serve my church as a Eucharistic minister, and a commentator.

I will always thank the Cursillio movement for reawakeing my faith.

Here are what the Vatican says about the movement. You decide

Pope John Paul II has recognized Cursillio as an important movement within the church

zenit.org/article-4342?l=english

vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/2000/jul-sep/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20000729_jub-cursillos_en.html

Even Cardinals have been leaders in the movement

vatican.va/news_services/press/documentazione/documents/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_castrillon-hoyos_d_en.html

what the current pope thinks of cursillio

natl-cursillo.org/news/nmail0905.pdf

 

[Aramis]

Insulting and ignorant

Not really. Catholic teaching is that protestants (excepting a very few small groups, like one of the Malabarese groups) have no valid orders, and thus only one valid sacrament: Baptism.

From a catholic standpoint, a Lutheran mass is, while a valid (but illicit) mass text, done by an invalidly ordained person, thus a layman, and the ayman can only commemorate, not consecrate.

In short, fellowship and bible study is all that the Catholic view can see as valid in protestant services, even amongst the Lutherans and Episcopalians.

While you Lutherans may believe you have valid sacraments, from a Catholic viewpoint, you can’t, since you don’t have valid bishops to ordain valid priests.

I really wish it were different. But the Lutherans are what they are…

 

[5Loaves]

Originally Posted by CatholicGuy22 View Post
You are not picking a social club you are picking a church. Most protestants are used to just socalizing because lets be honest, thats all they do on sundays.

I agree…

"Why am I an Eastern Catholic? ….For** the same reason any other Catholic is Catholic any other Christian is a Christian** --to give Glory to God and to receive God’s mercy. " Father Maximos of Holy Resurrection Romanian Catholic Monastery

I have no doubt that Christians who are members of protestant churches very much give glory to God and receive His mercy.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

 

[awatkins69]

Being a Catholic is NOT about how you feel, how nice the people are to you, how much you have in common with them. Trust me, if you’re in it for all the perfect people, good luck. If you’re in it for a good time, good luck. It is NOT about the people. It is about TRUTH. It is about GOD.

 

[graceandglory]

I’m more than a little disappointed in my journey back to the RC church and my side curiosity in the EOC. I’ve been two EO churches, both VERY small, and obviously a visitor, little was done to evangelize me. There was a couple of nice folks there… but almost nothing done to want me to come back to that congregation…
At least RC parishes have a local radio station to evangelize, but the local parishes aren’t overly friendly either.
I am scheduled to get my marriage convalidated next month… but I figured now would be a good time to make sure that I want to get back into the RC. Whatever I choose… I want it to be the last time.
I like what I read about the EO approach to theology… but without instruction…
I kind of get a “you should feel priviledged to worship with us” from the EO & RC churches. The local Protestant churches do everything they can to get more members and follow-up with visitors, get their name, address, visit their home, give them an info packet, etc…
I came away thinking… they’re not friendly, a lot of non-english speaking folks, what do I have in common with them? Why investigate changing if they’re not really interested in converts…

I did the exact same thing. Only the Roman Catholic Church has the Magisterium. The Authority and the Pope were my sticking points. The lack of magisterial teaching on the Sanctity of Life in the EO also was a deciding point.

Stay!

 

[graceandglory]

Hey Dave,
I know what you mean. I’ve had protestants tripping over themselves to invite me to their potlucks and the Catholics, meh, they mind their own.
I’ll pray for your journey.

They also have marketing departments and directors of “evangelism” who are like real estate agents. They will hunt you down.

 

[graceandglory]

You have to dig a little but you can find that fellowship your seeking

Wish it was true, but it’s not.

 

[graceandglory]

Churches like this will probably be liquor stores, night clubs or something else in a few years after they have died on the vine.

You must be speaking of the “Bell Tower” Brewpub in my neighborhood…

 

[Matthew_Kane]

Dave, I hope you can understand. That either the parishes of the church that you visited are not friendly or your looking at it the wrong way. Just think about it. Just because there is something bad about one parish, does not mean that they are all bad. That is illogical and unreasonable. I am sixteen and I have seen bad things that I do not like in certain parishes I used to attend. I couldn’t even get confirmed in my old church years ago because of the change in catechism classes there. It really hurt me. But I did not act as a protestant would and go “church-shopping”. I went and found another Catholic church, I did not leave Catholicism over that one issue. I love being Catholic. But anyway, just pray about it. and maybe talk to the priest there or email you local bishop. I did and it helped a bunch. And about the Orthodox. They may appear to be stylish and more traditional than the church, but it’s about substance. Not appearance. The Catholic church is much more theologically defined than the Orthodox. And I believe the reason they don’t evangelize is because they are ethnically based. Not universally based as the church is. I hope and pray that you consider to stay in the church. It’s not about the people, it’s about truth. God bless you and I hope you will think on staying!

 

[KathleenElsie]

What I mean is that if you go to a church and your a visitor… and everyone knows you’re a visitor… I would expect someone to at least thank me for coming, ask us to come back, maybe ask what I thought, or at least show some interest in getting us to come back… (thinking of the Great commission)

I believe this is a common problem in most places. I had the same problem most places I went no matter East or West.

The way I found to have people notice you is to be persistent (many EO or EC believe stranger are there to just see the funny Liturgy). Once they realize or you make a true effort to “fit in” I have found the most parishes truly welcoming.
Our small parish has coffee and sweets after Sunday Liturgy and most of the regular members are Sunday morning attendees. This is a great way to meet and greet future friends.
Also what Liturgy you attends makes a big difference. In our area the following holds generally true: Saturday night tends to be the crowd that is in a hurry and finds going as fulfillment of obligation only. Sunday night is usually attended by those that for some reason could not go to their own parish in the area and thus we have no idea who is a stranger or not in most cases.
So make the effort to introduce yourself to the priest and ask about what things the parish you are interested in offers for new attendees.

 

[Khrystyne]

I believe that I have had a similiar experience. It’s not evangelicalism but, I believe, a sense of community. Reading the responses were a bit disheartening. The church is not just the body and blood of Christ. The church is a community brought together by the presence of Christ. Why not a simple hello welcome? We are all in the same community whether you are from far off lands or just down the block. WE come together to worship and bring Christ to worship with us. I do understand the importance of Christ’s presence but that is not all he asks of us in our worship. I may be young in my understanding but please in your love of Christ do not abandon the love of your neighbor.

DITTO ! I completely agree.

       I was lamenting once to a fellow Catholic who was once Protestant and she told me at one point early on in her Catholic walk that she would go to mass and then go to a protestant church to commune with people. 
       I decided to do an experiment and go to various parishes to see if I would be welcomed and/or said hello to and I would have to rate this particular diocese where I am right now as very poor AND very sad. There was only one parish out of many that stood out as having the FRUIT of Jesus Christ's presence there. I more or less would get the feel of going to the movie theatre than the Holy Church. There are no strangers in Christ and the Catholic Church is not a club. Is Jesus really there to majority of Catholics? :rolleyes: God has revealed a lot to me concerning this, but I can't share that. I'll have to write a book instead. Even though the Catholic Church is the true Church the Protestants sure do have it down with the most important of the three....LOVE.:) :thumbsup:

God Bless!

 

[malphono]

Even though the Catholic Church is the true Church the Protestants sure do have it down with the most important of the three…LOVE.

Well, that last part is strictly a matter of opinion, and one that I, personally, do not share. That said, though, I am not looking for an argument nor will I engage in a debate.

 

[Khrystyne]

1 Corinthians 13:13
So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

The Two Great commandments;

Love God with all your heart, mind, and strength and
Love your neighbor as yourself.

God Bless!

 

[malphono]

1 Corinthians 13:13
So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

The Two Great commandments;

Love God with all your heart, mind, and strength and
Love your neighbor as yourself.

Yes, I know, but that’s not what I meant.

 

[Topaz1128]

One reason I left Protestantist (evangelicalism) is because of the “seeker-friendly” mentality. I got tired of being viewed as a potential recruit that they could boast about. The pastor’s sermons were more geared toward making us laugh: complete with funny skits and multi-media videos.

I got so tired of the slick, commercialized sermon series that entertained more than anything else. First-time visitors were awarded with a “gift package” of candy, flowers, and a coffee mug with the church’s name and website plastered on the side.

I am becoming Catholic because I believe the Sunday worship (Mass) should be about God and not about how entertained we are – the “What’s in it for me?” mindset.

In my parish, it’s not all “non-English speaking folks” as you mentioned. I am in RCIA and have met numerous friendly, sincere people who really want to help me. My parish has people various nationalities, but the Spanish-speakers attend the Spanish Mass. If I could understand Spanish, I would be more than happy to go to the Spanish Mass. But since I don’t, then I go to the English Mass which mainly consists of white Americans.

When I quit attending evangelical churches, I get shunned and forgotten by so-called shallow “friends.” But when I quit midway through two previous RCIA attempts, I kept in touch with priests and congregants because they sincerely cared about me as a person. They even told me they would support whatever decision I made.

Am I bitter toward evangelicals? You’re darn right I am. I’m overcoming it, though, because I want to please God. My advice is to go back to the Catholic Church – at least they look at you as a person and not a giant dollar sign.

 

[moto5150]

I believe the church should be a source of community, family, encouragement, trust and accountability. These are mostly relational aspects. Obviously, there are other things that are important, but I do agree that the church, as a fully functioning body, should be relational by nature. Outreach to newcomers is absolutely necessary. Some of the most effective churches and ministries are those belonging to the churches willing to reach out to the community and briing people in, as Christ did. I believe the author of this thread makes an extremely valid point.

 

[DallasTexas]

I’m more than a little disappointed in my journey back to the RC church and my side curiosity in the EOC. I’ve been two EO churches, both VERY small, and obviously a visitor, little was done to evangelize me. There was a couple of nice folks there… but almost nothing done to want me to come back to that congregation…
At least RC parishes have a local radio station to evangelize, but the local parishes aren’t overly friendly either.
I am scheduled to get my marriage convalidated next month… but I figured now would be a good time to make sure that I want to get back into the RC. Whatever I choose… I want it to be the last time.
I like what I read about the EO approach to theology… but without instruction…
I kind of get a “you should feel priviledged to worship with us” from the EO & RC churches. The local Protestant churches do everything they can to get more members and follow-up with visitors, get their name, address, visit their home, give them an info packet, etc…
I came away thinking… they’re not friendly, a lot of non-english speaking folks, what do I have in common with them? Why investigate changing if they’re not really interested in converts…

Hey Dave!

Just read your post. I’ve asked myself many of the same questions.

I grew up in a Baptist church and I really missed a lot of the Sunday school and fellowship. You really felt like a part of a large Christian family. Those friends often helped me to strengthen my Christian life and relationship with Jesus.

I don’t know where you’re located at in Dallas, but if you’re in the Richardson area, please come by Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church (click here for a map).

Of course before and during mass, we’re not socializing in front of the altar or anything, but after mass most seem to go get a cup of coffee in the “St. Joseph’s Cafe” are and talk with friends and meet new ones. Usually there some people floating around sign-up sheets for retreats etc. We have two fathers who usually pass by to see introduce themselves. Sometimes the Knights of Columbus do a breakfast for vocations or the Squires sell donuts–all proceeds go to good causes.

I know the leaders of the RCIA program and would love to introduce you to them.

Please send me a message if you have any questions.

God bless!