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

[Zundrah]

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

Maybe you could have done some research before you went?

But I don’t know any catholics!

 

[SaltySirena]

…and would you mind explaining what you mean by this;
…when did I condemn anyone?

I went to a catholic church once and it was so hostile,

You don’t go out to the lost sheep but instead you call them “outsiders”…

You stay in you church and look after each other but what happened to christ good words such as - “Do you love me? Go and tend to my sheep.” I don’t see the catholic chruch trending to lost sheeps do you?

The chruch is just a museum of saints and a place of religious routine instead of a place of whorship.

I didn’t feel like I was in a chruch, it felt more like a temple with images and statues that people were kissing and bowing to! Some of the catholics there even got down on their knees to a statue of joseph (Mary’s husband).

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

Standing back and keeping christ all to your self is not very christian is it!?

Bob Crowley;5421349:

catholics are almost robotic at mass! It’s like a manufactering machine,

In catholic chruch mass its is like an act rather then worship…

the catholic church doesn’t take time to do this with each individual person.

xxx zundrah xxx

 

[Techno2000]

I will pray for your anger… NOT!

I walked past them… obviously! Why would I randomly pick up a book for no reason!? As I said before, we only use bibles in my methodist chruch!

Catholic books… they are so weird and foreign…

xxx zundrah xxx

catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/Mass.htm

 

[AshleyBelle]

I will pray for your anger… NOT!

I walked past them… obviously! Why would I randomly pick up a book for no reason!? As I said before, we only use bibles in my methodist chruch!

Catholic books… they are so weird and foreign…

xxx zundrah xxx

Does your methodist church not have a hymnal? Or even a bulletin of some sort? Most protestant Churches I’ve been to hand out a sort of “program” at the beginning of their services. Whenever visiting a new church, I was careful to look over the bulletins so I had an idea of what to expect.

Similarly, the Catholic missal which you will find in the back of every pew, contains the “order of mass” for every day of the year.

I’m sorry you felt unwelcomed in the Catholic Church you visited. But speaking as a convert myself, I think I would say my family and I felt “unwelcomed” the first time we tried to visit mass as well. Not because the people weren’t warm or friendly…and not because the Church did any wrong towards us… but because of our own inhibitions, awkwardness and general unpreparedness.

One thing that helped immensly, was that before visiting again, we scheduled an appointment with the parish priest to speak with him about the mass and other questions in general. This way, he knew to expect us and we avoided the akwardness of being “out of place.” We knew in general what the different prayers and sections of the liturgy were about, and we didn’t feel like we were being rejected as Christians because we couldn’t partake of communion. In fact… that was one of the best reasons to speak with the priest first. We learned that we could still go up in the communion line…and he knew in advance who we were. So he knew to give us a blessing as we approached instead of the embarassing “this is the body of … oh wait are you Catholic???” moment

 

[twopekinguys]

I will pray for your anger… NOT!

I walked past them… obviously! Why would I randomly pick up a book for no reason!? As I said before, we only use bibles in my methodist chruch!

Catholic books… they are so weird and foreign…

xxx zundrah xxx

You would pick them up for the simple fact that you weren’t in a Methodist church, you were in a Catholic Church.

I am sorry if this comes across as non charitable, but I and other posters have tried to explain to you that you have to put forth some effort. I said in an earlier post, it isn’t all going to just land in you lap.

If I was in your situation,(and I was at one point) after the Mass, I would have tried speaking with the priest. I would have looked over the books that everyone used. I would have looked for some sort of literature that could have been taken and read at a later time.

These are all things that you could have done to participate in the learning process. Instead, you have chosen not to.

Like I said in an earlier post, I am the Director of our parish RCIA program, but I came from a Protestant background. I take my position very seriously, and do my best to try and understand where people of other faiths come from. I attend services of other denominations from time to time, to see how their worship varies, or is similar to ours.
There have been many times that I have stayed after a service to ask questions of the minister, or members of the congregation in order to understand better.

Again, put forth some effort. You have to do some of this yourself.

 

[almightyservant]

Zundrah:

I AM IN BRITAIN!

The church of england is anglican! Not catholic, get it, there not many catholic chruches here!

Maybe the “cold” feeling you get is a result of the hostility that’s existed regionally between Catholics and protestants for so many years.

 

[AdriannaJean]

Can everyone just lay off Zundrah please?!?!

You anger and malice towards her are not going to bring her any closer to the Catholic Church. The last thing any of us wants is to push her away.

I understand that some of the things she said might have been a little spiteful, but it does no good to go off like a firecracker and fire a retort back at her. She’s obviously been hurt by her experience at this parish and offending her further will only make her clam up and become anti-Catholic.

Rise above the anger and just love!!!

A little bit of love has always done infinitely more good than any amount of anger ever has!

 

[ctkrcia]

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…

I would say, “All God’s children are welcome here.” As you can probably figure from my logon name, I teach RCIA at my home parish, Christ the King. There is a point in the process where those seeking admission into the church attend a “Rite of Election”. Here they approach the bishop in a gesture indicating their desire, made of their own free will, to formally join the church.

The opening song is always, “All Are Welcome Here”. Each person shakes hands with the bishop who personally greets them with words like, “Welcome Home” or “Welcome to the Family”. His homily usually speaks to the diversity of the members of Christ’ body (church) and how we all have different talents to offer. Some are evangelists, some are teachers, some are lectors, some are servers, etc. The point is we are all called to Christ. We all have been given talents by God. It is our job to identify that talent and use it to spread the Gospel. But we cannot all do it in the same manner.

Peace.
Jeff

 

[almightyservant]

Zundrah:

But I don’t know any catholics!

And now you do.

 

[SaltySirena]

twopekinguys,

Could some of her problem be stemming from the fact that Catholic Mass is liturgical worship, with a set form and established rituals? I don’t know anything about Methodist services… is their worship more free-form and changing from week to week?

Some people who come from backgrounds like that see Catholic ritual and the rigid structure of the Mass as empty, meaningless artifice. They don’t understand that it is a communication of our deep respect for what we are doing, and the honoring of traditions hundreds or thousands of years old.

Could this be part of what is making her feel so unwelcome and out of place? Because I am really not understanding her hostility. When I go to a church I have not been to, I expect to feel out of place and confused… because I am!

 

[almightyservant]

Zundrah:

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

xxx zundrah xxx

There are different methods of evangelising. Some choose to do so by living a saintly life. As for conversion, I pray for it. Beating people to bloody pulp with scripture doesn’t convert them.

 

[paperwight]

It’s true, people over here are very hostile…

England is very, very, VERY anti - catholic ( the church of england isn’t even catholic )!



Zundrah, what on earth do you mean? The only anti-Catholic law is that against a monarch marrying a Catholic, and moves are frequently being made to repeal that, but the monarch being head of the Church of England is the problem.

In what other ways are the English anti-Catholic? Or hostile? I’ve never come across any anti-Catholic hostility. Complete indifference, more like.

As for very very VERY anti-Catholic! Only the other week, the installation of the new Cardinal was given two hours on national televsion.

And I’m sorry to say this, but your remark ‘The Church of England isn’t even Catholic’ shows just how much history you need to go into - there are frequently documentaries on tv about the Reformation. I can’t understand why you didn’t cover it at school.There’s been a tv series in just the last few weeks, about Henry 8th, which covered a lot.

I can’t help wondering how the priest knew you weren’t Catholic. Forgive me if I am reading too much significance into your unusual first name, but were you wearing Arab dress by any chance?

 

[SaltySirena]

Beating people to bloody pulp with scripture doesn’t convert them.

^^^^True dat!

 

[twopekinguys]

Can everyone just lay off Zundrah please?!?!

You anger and malice towards her are not going to bring her any closer to the Catholic Church. The last thing any of us wants is to push her away.

I understand that some of the things she said might have been a little spiteful, but it does no good to go off like a firecracker and fire a retort back at her. She’s obviously been hurt by her experience at this parish and offending her further will only make her clam up and become anti-Catholic.

Rise above the anger and just love!!!

A little bit of love has always done infinitely more good than any amount of anger ever has!

Maybe I am reading these posts differently than you, but I don’t believe anyone is being angy or showing any type of malice.

If you read the whole thread, I think you will see it has all been a matter of why didn’t they tell me? why didn’t they do this for me? or that for me?

It is hard to help someone understand when they are unwilling to participate in the learning process.

Again, I don’t think anyone is showing any anger or malice. I think it is more frustration at the lack of effort.

 

[kage_ar]

Contact this group in London, they are aimed at Young Adults.

facebook.com/group.php?gid=2264876164

theologyontap.org.uk/

%between%

 

[twopekinguys]

I wish people at my church were more “robotic”. People talk too much when entering and leaving the Mass. It is a sacred place. There shouldn’t be any mingling. Worship is vertical, not horizontal. The main interaction is between individuals and God not between individuals.

I would have to disagree with you slightly on this.

Yes, people should be more respectful/quiet when entering Mass. I think we have all seen some abuse in that area.

Remember, there are two aspects to the cross. Verticle, and Horizontal. We are called to worship as individuals (verticle) and as a community (horizontal) Where two or more are gathered…

Also remember that communion strengthens the “community”, not just ourselves.

 

[Dorothy]

I know what you mean, they usually should have a list of numbers that are the songs of that mass, but there was no list and I heard no announcment!

LOL - This sounds like a good idea!

This was after mass! And any way I should have been able to speak with some one! It’s ridiculous that I had no one to speak to for more then 5 seconds!

That’s the problem! You leave the athiest to just be athiest! But protestant churches have people and missionaries who go out and preach! Standing back and keeping christ all to your self is not very christian is it!? That’s not going to get people into Gods kingdom!

kalt, the mass was just too much and with no explaination! Going into that catholic church was the biggest shock I’ve ever had in christianity!

xxx zundrah xxx

I am sorry that you had such a bad experienced as what you described in your original post.

Your description, I must say, did sound exaggerated. If you had made an appointment with a priest in the parish to ask questions first that would have helped a lot. When I go to Mass I have no idea if there is someone there who is there for the first time and that they would appreciate being welcomed. I go to Mass to worship and to strengthen my relationship with Jesus. It would be difficult for a non-Catholic to expect that by attending a Mass for the first time he/she would be noticed and welcomed and had their questions answered.

I know of many Catholics, including myself, who are ready to share about the Lord and what He means to them, and want others to come to know Him.

Peace,

Dorothy

 

[FCEGM]

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!?

Jessica, you seem to forget that you had been told that you wouldn’t be able to receive Holy Communion and acknowledged that you understood that:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=5339309&postcount=8

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=5339542&postcount=11

So why the assumed indignation now?

 

[RebeccaJ]

Hi Zundrah, a Catholic worship service is not like many worship services. The first time I went to Mass, I was totally lost. I was a bit freaked out, with my atheist urge to run out the door from all things religious. It took a great deal of will to stay there. The week following, I spent some time thinking about what I liked. I liked the prayers, the stained glass windows, the nice lady who said “peace be with you”. I didn’t know then that everyone says “peace be with you”. lol. What did you like about Mass?

There should be a missal that has the order of Mass in it. Some parishes hand them out as you walk in, some have them in the slot with the hymn books, some are in the hymn books, at the front of the book. If that is the case, look for “the order of Mass”. If you can’t find one, it’s ok. Just focus on God.

There is no socializing at a Catholic service. The first parish I went to is one I continue to attend now and then, alternating with another parish I like. This particular parish I have been going there for Mass for about 2 1/2 years now. I do not know the names of more than a few people. It isn’t that they are cold, it is just that I am the only Catholic in my family, so I am there, alone, just me. So I don’t go to the social events. I am a bit of an introvert, and showing up at big social functions alone is not something I find fun, at all. The other parish I go to, I know more people because it is where I went to RCIA. They also have coffee hour after Mass, which is a nice time to socialize. You can also pay attention to the bulletin, and if there are Bible studies or other adult religious education offerings, you can go to those to get to know people in the parish. I went to a bookclub once, and there were non-Catholics, including one woman who said she was agnostic. So don’t worry about not being Catholic. You an also try out other parishes. I attend and am registered at two parishes, one that is near my house. There is never word one in any language but English at this parish. The other I like the Mass, it is more of a “high” Mass with Latin, incense and choirs.

People don’t care who you are, sitting there, or they shouldn’t. Everyone belongs at Mass, no matter who they are. Everyone is on their journey to God and with God, and no one should be judging you at all. If you feel they are, it might be you, being a bit paranoid. I know this feeling, as I felt that way for months, as I went to Mass every Sunday. But no, it was me, thinking I didn’t belong there. If people really are giving you the stinky eye, it is their problem, not yours.

It doesn’t matter that you don’t know an Catholics. I didn’t know any until I showed up at Mass. Now, those dang Catholics are everywhere.

Praying to Saints might help you understand what people are doing when they are kneeling in front of a statue.

All in all, just relax. You aren’t putting the juju Protestant hex on anyone and nothing Catholic is putting one on you.

 

[BenM]

Personally, even before I was a Catholic and just walked into a Catholic church for the first time, I had the exact opposite happen to me (everyone was friendly and welcoming - our parish has a great community). I don’t know why your experience was so bad, but I think it says more about our failings as people than anything else; a person could have a similar experience of being an ‘outsider’ in a lot of different situations. Still, it doesn’t change the fact that you went there to learn and made yourself vulnerable in a new situation, and were treated badly.

From the sounds of it, finding another Catholic church to go to might be a good idea, as a few here have said. I’m glad you decided not to give up on us right away and want to try another church; the more you persevere with patience, despite our failings, the more you’ll be rewarded with the Truth.