(Methodist Protestant) This is my "protest" against the Catholic chruch!!!

[xAtlasx]

I and every other believer on these forums feels sorry that your experience in that particular parish was so unsatisfying.

But taking communion when you’re not catholic is sonsidered a big no-no. Not that we don’t believe you’re sincere but the fact that you may hold a different view on the Real Presence. I know John Wesley fervently believed in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, but do you?

 

[SaltySirena]

St. Francis said, “Preach the gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.”

Those people doing all those good works are following Christ’s command to care for the needy and the poor. They preach every day just by their actions.

BTW, your comment about praying to saints being blasphemous… no one told YOU to pray to any saints, they said the saints would be praying FOR YOU!

 

[Zundrah]

First of all, it is always good to remember, the Catholic Church is FULL of sinners! We aren’t exempt from being rude.

A couple of things. How big was the church you attended? Given that you didn’t even know it existed, it could be a very small parish. If that is the case, it could be that the same people are there all the time. Anyone outside that group could be seen as an outsider, including fellow Catholics! Believe it or not, there are some parishes that are very complacent and comfortable with their position and feel threatened when approached by an outside influence.

As to your point of evangelizing, that is the responsibility of all Catholics. However, not all are endowed with this gift. Like St. Francis is reported to have said, “Preach the Gospel always. Use words when necessary.” In other words, we are to LIVE the Gospel - not just speak it. The Catholic Church doesn’t impose itself on others. It exposes itself to all. It’s up to the individual, as moved by the Holy Spirit, to respond.

I strongly encourage you to find a parish where you can attend RCIA. The one you attended may not have the program. But that is the best way to understand the church’s teachings on Mass, liturgy, saints, prayers, etc. It’s way too much to try and cover all in this forum. Besides, the church is so rich in tradition and history that the best way to understand it is under the guidance of those who are best equipped to teach.

Reaching out to this forum is a great way to start. It appears to me that the Holy Spirit has called you to Christ already. He is still calling you to experience the fullness of Christ that can only be found in the Catholic Church. I pray that you have the courage and patience to respond!
Yours In Christ,

Jeff

Ah… but I am responding! I am responding by means of protest against the wrong doings of the catholic chruch!

xxx zundrah xxx

Why is it that the people in the catholic chruch were not as open to me as you people are?

If I came into your chruch and said, “I’m protestant and trying to understand whats going on here!” What would you say or do? Would you get all weird with me because I’m not catholic? Or would you think to your self, “God has guided this person into my cathloic church and I feel the need to do the best I can.”…?

Well I think I know the answer… you would probably act really weird and not talk much…

The pope wants protestants to come back to the **catholic church **and yet the catholics in the church seem to think the complete opposite!

What good is this going to do?!

xxx zundrah xxx

 

[Zundrah]

BTW, your comment about praying to saints being blasphemous… no one told YOU to pray to any saints, they said the saints would be praying FOR YOU!

Ahem… I know he said that the saints would pray for me… I didn’t say that I thought he said I should pray to saints… where did you get that idea from?

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[bpbasilphx]

These things you have mentioned here are VERY superficial, and simply show your own lack of culture or simple ignorance, but I’ll try to deal with them:

Catholics seem to be like muslims - very religious but lacking in love and peace giving emotions!

I’ve had the same experience with pop-evangelicals.

And when do catholics even bother to go to protestants and try to convert them!? I’ll give you a big clue, never, that’s when!

Where did you get the idea they didn’t? This is just one of the remarkes where you simply display your own ignorance. (BTW–“Ignorant” is not a perjorative. It simply means to not know something. We are all ignorant of some things and in some areas.

Why is all the writings on the walls in a strange language!?

Just because you don’t understand Latin doesn’t mean other people don’t.

Why was jesus spelt as Jesvs?

Because in Latin U and V are interchangable. In fact, the vowel U is post-classical.

 

[fermat]

Umm… you know that I am a protestant and yet you just said this to me;

Protestants view praying to saints as blasphemy… and I’m sure you know this!

I feel… all mushy! What you just said to me means alot to catholics, so this is how I know that you’re being nice to me!

thank you… Fermat

xxx zundrah xxx

Just because you don’t believe in the Communion of Saints doesn’t mean they aren’t real. And I am being very serious. You are in a place where you asking a lot of questions praying for you and asking all the angels and all the saints to pray for you too is one of the best ways I know how to help.

Worst case, I’m wrong. You’ve wasted nothing, I’ve wasted everything. Best case, you’re wrong and you have billions more prayers than you did yesterday.

 

[Zundrah]

I and every other believer on these forums feels sorry that your experience in that particular parish was so unsatisfying.

But taking communion when you’re not catholic is sonsidered a big no-no. Not that we don’t believe you’re sincere but the fact that you may hold a different view on the Real Presence. I know John Wesley fervently believed in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, but do you?

Of course I do! We do eucharist in my methodist chruch, so why can’t I do it in a catholic chruch!?

But taking communion when you’re not catholic is sonsidered a big no-no.

…why was I not told that!?

xxx zundrah xxx

 

[twopekinguys]

headncloudz;5421535:

That is helping the human race as a whole, but it is not preaching though is it!?

Maybe instead of dismissing something so easily, some research on your part may be helpful. Here is a thread that talks about the books you are talking about.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=246426

Learning about the Catholic church is actually a 2 way street. You need to participate in the process. You ask questions, do research etc. No one can anticpate what knowledge you are seeking.

I am the director of RCIA for my parish, and a few years ago, we had a woman come to us wanting to join the church.

During the initial interview process, I asked her if there were any specific questions about the Church I could answer for her, and her reply was, “I just want to know everything.” The funny thing is, she never attended any classes. The Church has over 2000 years of history, traditions, and teachings. They can’t all be summed up on an internet forum, or even attending RCIA. It requires additional work on your part. You can’t expect it all to just fall into your lap.

I learn new things about the Church, and Jesus with each and every class, and yes, I ask questions myself.

Pick up a copy of the Catechism, listen to Vatican radio, do research on the internet. By the way, I believe EWTN has live internet feeds, and I know they have great articles, etc.

I should also add, I am not sure if you posted it, or someone else did, but they mentioned all of the protestant TV ministers. Did you know that television evangelization was actually started by Archbishop Fulton Sheen in the US.

Here is a quote from Wikipedia:
For twenty years he hosted the night-time radio programme The Catholic Hour (1930-1950) before moving to television and presenting Life Is Worth Living (1951-1957). Sheen’s final presenting role was on the syndicated The Fulton Sheen Program (1961-1968) with a format very similar to that of the earlier Life is Worth Living show

 

[twopekinguys]

Well, if they are not in my bible then I guess they don’t need to be there at all do they?

xxx zundrah xxx

Maybe instead of dismissing something so easily, some research on your part may be helpful. Here is a thread that talks about the books you are talking about.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=246426

Learning about the Catholic church is actually a 2 way street. You need to participate in the process. You ask questions, do research etc. No one can anticpate what knowledge you are seeking.

I am the director of RCIA for my parish, and a few years ago, we had a woman come to us wanting to join the church.

During the initial interview process, I asked her if there were any specific questions about the Church I could answer for her, and her reply was, “I just want to know everything.” The funny thing is, she never attended any classes. The Church has over 2000 years of history, traditions, and teachings. They can’t all be summed up on an internet forum, or even attending RCIA. It requires additional work on your part. You can’t expect it all to just fall into your lap.

I learn new things about the Church, and Jesus with each and every class, and yes, I ask questions myself.

Pick up a copy of the Catechism, listen to Vatican radio, do research on the internet. By the way, I believe EWTN has live internet feeds, and I know they have great articles, etc.

I should also add, I am not sure if you posted it, or someone else did, but they mentioned all of the protestant TV ministers. Did you know that television evangelization was actually started by Archbishop Fulton Sheen in the US.

Here is a quote from Wikipedia:
For twenty years he hosted the night-time radio programme The Catholic Hour (1930-1950) before moving to television and presenting Life Is Worth Living (1951-1957). Sheen’s final presenting role was on the syndicated The Fulton Sheen Program (1961-1968) with a format very similar to that of the earlier Life is Worth Living show. By the way, he also won an Emmy for his programming.

He is originally from my Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, and is currently in the initial stages of being investigated for Sainthood.

 

[Techno2000]

Of course I do! We do eucharist in my methodist chruch, so why can’t I do it in a catholic chruch!?

…why was I not told that!?

xxx zundrah xxx

Once you know the secret handshake… it will all become clear.

 

[xAtlasx]

Maybe you could have done some research before you went? When I first studied about the church I learned about that custom pretty quickly

Protestants aren’t allowed to receive Communion simply because… they aren’t IN communion with the Church! The Church sees Protestants as “seperated bretheren” in Christ and not fully in union with he Church, thus no Communion

 

[SaltySirena]

Of course I do! We do eucharist in my methodist chruch, so why can’t I do it in a catholic chruch!?

…why was I not told that!?

xxx zundrah xxx

If you had looked inside the front cover of the missalette, the books in the pews, it would have told you that. Every Catholic Church that I have been to has missalettes, and every one of them has statements inside the front cover explaining why other Christians cannot take Communion in the Catholic Church. If you are truly a Methodist, you may have some kind of symbolic Communion in your church, but it is NOT Eucharist.

Eucharist is the Catholic sacrament by which the bread and wine are transformed, by the miracle of transubstantiation, into the ACTUAL body and blood of Jesus Christ. It is not a symbol, it is not a memorial, it is Jesus actually present on the altar. Until you have been educated to that fact, and accept and believe in the miracle and the True Presence, you cannot receive Communion in a Catholic Church.

 

[Zundrah]

Maybe instead of dismissing something so easily, some research on your part may be helpful. Here is a thread that talks about the books you are talking about.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=246426

Learning about the Catholic church is actually a 2 way street. You need to participate in the process. You ask questions, do research etc. No one can anticpate what knowledge you are seeking.

I am the director of RCIA for my parish, and a few years ago, we had a woman come to us wanting to join the church.

During the initial interview process, I asked her if there were any specific questions about the Church I could answer for her, and her reply was, “I just want to know everything.” The funny thing is, she never attended any classes. The Church has over 2000 years of history, traditions, and teachings. They can’t all be summed up on an internet forum, or even attending RCIA. It requires additional work on your part. You can’t expect it all to just fall into your lap.

I learn new things about the Church, and Jesus with each and every class, and yes, I ask questions myself.

Pick up a copy of the Catechism, listen to Vatican radio, do research on the internet. By the way, I believe EWTN has live internet feeds, and I know they have great articles, etc.

Here is a quote from Wikipedia:
For twenty years he hosted the night-time radio programme The Catholic Hour (1930-1950) before moving to television and presenting Life Is Worth Living (1951-1957). Sheen’s final presenting role was on the syndicated The Fulton Sheen Program (1961-1968) with a format very similar to that of the earlier Life is Worth Living show

It’s sounds a bit much…

I should also add, I am not sure if you posted it, or someone else did, but they mentioned all of the protestant TV ministers. Did you know that television evangelization was actually started by Archbishop Fulton Sheen in the US.

I didn’t mention protestant tv ministers, some one else id. Butl it was a very good idea of Fulton Sheen ( who ever he is )!

But why don’t catholics have a program where they deliberately go out in search of protestants to convert them!?

xxx zundrah xxx

 

[SaltySirena]

But why don’t catholics have a program where they deliberately go out in search of protestants to convert them!?

xxx zundrah xxx

Respect? I dunno about you, but I find it extraordinarily annoying and disrespectful when people come to my door or accost me on the street and start grilling me about my religion.

If I wanted to know, I would ask. Really.

Besides, a good example, a gentle voice, and true caring convert more people than all the loud, obnoxious shouting some other denominations do… I have this one friend. She is the kindest person, always spreading joy, truly caring. She radiates the love of Christ. If I were not Catholic, she would draw me in, because I would want to know what makes her like that!

 

[Zundrah]

If you had looked inside the front cover of the missalette, the books in the pews, it would have told you that. Every Catholic Church that I have been to has missalettes, and every one of them has statements inside the front cover explaining why other Christians cannot take Communion in the Catholic Church. If you are truly a Methodist, you may have some kind of symbolic Communion in your church, but it is NOT Eucharist.

Eucharist is the Catholic sacrament by which the bread and wine are transformed, by the miracle of transubstantiation, into the ACTUAL body and blood of Jesus Christ. It is not a symbol, it is not a memorial, it is Jesus actually present on the altar. Until you have been educated to that fact, and accept and believe in the miracle and the True Presence, you cannot receive Communion in a Catholic Church.

…how am I suppose to know about this “missalette”? If no one tells me…

 

[Techno2000]

It’s sounds a bit much…

I didn’t mention protestant tv ministers, some one else id. Butl it was a very good idea of Fulton Sheen ( who ever he is )!

But why don’t catholics have a program where they deliberately go out in search of protestants to convert them!?

xxx zundrah xxx

We can’t, they argue too much.

 

[SaltySirena]

…how am I suppose to know about this “missalette”? If no one tells me…

You can’t see the BOOKS in the pockets on the backs of the pews? You said you were inside the church… did you not see any books left in or near the pews?

Many Protestant churches have books in their pews… Bibles and song books, so I cannot believe this would be foreign to you. uch:

 

[Zundrah]

Respect? I dunno about you, but I find it extraordinarily annoying and disrespectful when people come to my door or accost me on the street and start grilling me about my religion.

If I wanted to know, I would ask. Really.

Besides, a good example, a gentle voice, and true caring convert more people than all the loud, obnoxious shouting some other denominations do… I would lay money on it.

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obnoxious shouting some other denominations do…

Besides, a good example, a gentle voice, and true caring convert more people

I never heard a gentle voice at my catholic chruch… all I heard was, “…fill in this membership form.”

If I wanted to know, I would ask. Really.

I did ask, but I had no actual response! The ministers at my **methodist church **were very helpfull to me when I first went there…

 

[AdriannaJean]

Hi Zundrah,

Sorry I got in on this thread a little bit late. First and foremost I want to apologize on behalf of the Catholics in the parish that you went to. The way you were treated is unacceptable and is the exact opposite of what we should be doing.

With regards to what you said about having the Eucharist in a Methodist church, I could be wrong and if I am you will have to forgive my ignorance, but most Protestant churches do not have Eucharist at all, they have communion. The difference being that communion **symbolizes ** whereas the Eucharist is Christ. The only churches that I know have the Eucharist are the Catholic and Orthodox churches. And, yes, you trying to receive the Eucharist could be a reason you got some nasty looks. Before receiving the Eucharist a person must be Catholic, must have taken the First Communion course or have been through RCIA, not be in a state of mortal sin, fasted for an hour before receiving the Eucharist and have gone to confession in the past year. So some weeks even I am not qualified to receive the Eucharist. These are all just to ensure that proper respect is given to the Eucharist as it is the real presence of Christ, not symbolic. Though you should have been informed of this in a much gentler way than you were.

The Catholic Church is the largest charity organization in the world. Without it we would not have public education, accessible healthcare or universities. The Catholic Church does do a lot of evangelizing throughout the world. Unfortunately, the missions are not up to snuff in the Western World.

But most importantly, NOT ALL CATHOLIC CHURCHES ARE LIKE THAT!!! I can speak for my parish here in saying that before every Mass, visitors are asked to stand and they are welcomed by the congregation and there is coffee and tea after Mass for everyone with our parish priest. It takes some searching to find the right parish for you, but do not be discouraged! I have attended almost every Catholic Church within an hour’s drive of my house before deciding on the one I attend.

And to answer your question, if you were to tell me you were a visiting Protestant I would invite you to sit with me, explain why you cannot have the Eucharist (yet!) and go through the Mass with you. After Mass I would introduce you to the priest and to people in the Parish I think you might like. Don’t presume that all Catholics are hostile. Mother Theresa and PJPII were anything but!

I will be praying to Mary for your full welcoming into the Catholic Church on your next excursion!

God Bless,
Adrianna

PS: If you have any questions at all, feel free to private message me. I am no great theologian, but I do have a fair bit of knowledge about why the Church does/believes what it does.

And most importantly…WELCOME!

 

[Zundrah]

We can’t, they argue too much.

…should I be laughing at this comment?

Am I arguing too much? Do you think I am some crazed protestant that despises catholics, Techno2000?

xxx zundrah xxx