My #1 reason for not converting...

[homewardbound]

I go to Mass to feel God and be with Him, not to hear some random guy’s opinion on certain things and hold hands and sing.

The Mass will always be better than any Protestant service for me, cause thats where I feel closest to God. When I’m at a Protestant church I just feel like its all about everyone in the pews and them smiling and being all happy, most of the time fake happy, and shaking my hand and socializing. At Mass, I’m not there to socialize. I’m there to worship God. As long as I can kneel down with my fellow brothers and sisters and worship our God together as one, I am happy. I don’t need clappy music and insightful sermons to feed my soul. All I need is quiet, reverence, and God.

 

[rr1213]

I go to Mass to feel God and be with Him, not to hear some random guy’s opinion on certain things and hold hands and sing.

The Mass will always be better than any Protestant service for me, cause thats where I feel closest to God. When I’m at a Protestant church I just feel like its all about everyone in the pews and them smiling and being all happy, most of the time fake happy, and shaking my hand and socializing. At Mass, I’m not there to socialize. I’m there to worship God. As long as I can kneel down with my fellow brothers and sisters and worship our God together as one, I am happy. I don’t need clappy music and insightful sermons to feed my soul. All I need is quiet, reverence, and God.

The Eucharist is of the utmost importance, yet I would not disparage the sermon. As said in Romans 10, “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”.

 

[MariaG]

…congregational singing. For better or for worse, these are areas where many Protestant Churches excel and many Catholic parishes could use improvement.

In general, I do agree with this. I prefer the “worship” songs and the band over the songs we sing in our Mass with the organ. I don’t believe the atmosphere of Mass is conductive to the freer style and I really don’t even care for “folk masses” that much.

Although if there were any Gregorian Chants in my parish…We both would be wrong

 

[qui_est_ce]

I wonder if it is because in the Protestant churches I always underlined and took notes, so it FELT as if I got more/better sermons?

I always take notes at our homilies. They say such good things and quotes, that I have to write them down. I used to carry blank index cards in my missal, and then copy them into a notebook. But I started to get disorganized and began writing in the margins of my missal, so the next time the reading came around, I would more easily find my notes.

 

[qui_est_ce]

I scanned through the last posts which seem to focus on the effectiveness or lack of effectiveness of various preachers and homilists.
At the monastery in Conyers, a homily is not necessarily given after the gospel. Instead, the Word proclaimed in the gospel is allowed to resonate within the soul of the listener. It is not the length of the homily that is important. What is important is how the homily reflects and explains the Word of God. Personally, I have heard very few poor homilies.

Please explain how this is accomplished. One of my major pet peeves is our (former) choir director using music to promote an agenda. She used to change the words of the Responsorial Psalm to be more gender neutral. Sometime she decided the parishioners wouldn’t understand certain words, such as “usury,” or “expiate,” so she would kindly dumb down.

 

[SuperH]

The Catholic Church I believe is superior. Her teaching authority of faith and morals is very clear. Protestant Church authorities have varies views on the issue on contraception, abortion, homosexuality, euthansia, death penalty, and others.

I definitely agree here. And, to me as a moral person, the teachings of faith and morals are common sense… to me.

The Church’s stance on these issues is exactly how I feel about these issues - and how I feel I should feel about these issues.

And, the Church teaches these in a proper fashion - it recognizes that issues like abortion and homosexuality exist in today’s society - it recognizes that the people involved with such acts are still people - they are just living their lives immorally. It does not forbid Catholics from communicating with homosexuals or ones who have aborted - most importantly, it doesn’t teach that ones following these morals are better people – it teaches they are morally better, which is substantially different.

You simply don’t get that kind of consistency with Protestant teachings. Some Protestant teachings suggest that abortions are alright, while others do not. Simply put, when living life through God, scripture doesn’t change. Doctrine doesn’t change. A wise Christian once told me – you either believe it all, or you don’t believe at all.

 

[ILUVGSUS2]

Pretty sad, but ya, so far in my life journey, Protestants as a group are light years ahead of Catholics in terms of their relationship with God. Catholics know about God. Protestants know God. Measured as a group, not by the individual.

I converted 10 years ago. My faith in God has really grown. I have never in my life witnessed people *knowing *God like I have seen in recent years. The dedication to go to daily mass - at 7 am, not once in awhile or only during lent - everyday for 8 years I have known some of them - and to take an hour or more a week to go to the chapel for adoration. The love and dedication these people have for God is what made me decide to convert. And to see them actually putting God in control of their lives…whew! made me excited for Jesus!!! My life as a Christian was stale while I was protestant. I love the catholic faith and I’ve reached an all time high where my relationship with God is concerned and I know it will only get better!

 

[lak611]

I converted 10 years ago. My faith in God has really grown. I have never in my life witnessed people *knowing *God like I have seen in recent years. The dedication to go to daily mass - at 7 am, not once in awhile or only during lent - everyday for 8 years I have known some of them - and to take an hour or more a week to go to the chapel for adoration. The love and dedication these people have for God is what made me decide to convert. And to see them actually putting God in control of their lives…whew! made me excited for Jesus!!! My life as a Christian was stale while I was protestant. I love the catholic faith and I’ve reached an all time high where my relationship with God is concerned and I know it will only get better!

That is an awesome testimony! God bless you.

 

[Deconi]

Sermons and congregational singing. For better or for worse, these are areas where many Protestant Churches excel and many Catholic parishes could use improvement.

Someday, when you fully understand what the Mass is, you will almost not want to make a noise or any unnecessary movement!

You are IN THE PRESENCE of CHRIST!! In The Presence Of Christ. The Holiest of Holys. The Maker of Heaven and Earth!

Not the superflous “Just accept Jesus into your life and He will save you today” but to understand and realise that He is PRESENT with you and your brethren during Mass.

If you were led into the throne room of the Queen of England, would you strike up the band and jump around clapping, singing and shout? Yeah! Only because it’s a performance!

To be in The Presence of Our Maker? If The Church decreed that we are prone throughout The Mass, I just hope the floors clean!

Protestant services don’t just pale in comparison; they don’t even make the picture.

 

[rr1213]

Someday, when you fully understand what the Mass is, you will almost not want to make a noise or any unnecessary movement!

You are IN THE PRESENCE of CHRIST!! In The Presence Of Christ. The Holiest of Holys. The Maker of Heaven and Earth!

Not the superflous “Just accept Jesus into your life and He will save you today” but to understand and realise that He is PRESENT with you and your brethren during Mass.

If you were led into the throne room of the Queen of England, would you strike up the band and jump around clapping, singing and shout? Yeah! Only because it’s a performance!

To be in The Presence of Our Maker? If The Church decreed that we are prone throughout The Mass, I just hope the floors clean!

Protestant services don’t just pale in comparison; they don’t even make the picture.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness;
come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord he is God;
it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise;
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth to all generations.

psalm 100

 

[Teflon93]

Sermons and congregational singing. For better or for worse, these are areas where many Protestant Churches excel and many Catholic parishes could use improvement.

I would probably agree for Episcopalian and Methodist, and perhaps even for Pentectostal choirs in the like, but I think any such blanket assertion founders on the unmitigated horror that is the praise band.

So “High Church” Protestants yes, charismatic maybe, anyone with a guitar, no.

 

[rr1213]

I would probably agree for Episcopalian and Methodist, and perhaps even for Pentectostal choirs in the like, but I think any such blanket assertion founders on the unmitigated horror that is the praise band.

So “High Church” Protestants yes, charismatic maybe, anyone with a guitar, no.

The Church I am attending now has an early Sunday traditional service and a later “contemporary” service. I prefer the traditional service; my teenage daughters prefer the later service. It’s ok, but its certainly not my cup of tea and, actually, we have a pretty good praise band as those things go.

 

[Teflon93]

The Church I am attending now has an early Sunday traditional service and a later “contemporary” service. I prefer the traditional service; my teenage daughters prefer the later service. It’s ok, but its certainly not my cup of tea and, actually, we have a pretty good praise band as those things go.

I can help you find a good exorcist as I’m fairly certain that praise for praise bands is the Devil talking.

 

[rr1213]

Oooo…harsh.

 

[lak611]

I would probably agree for Episcopalian and Methodist, and perhaps even for Pentectostal choirs in the like, but I think any such blanket assertion founders on the unmitigated horror that is the praise band.

So “High Church” Protestants yes, charismatic maybe, anyone with a guitar, no.

Don’t get me started on this topic. I’ve posted in quite a few threads about praise bands in the Catholic Church.

 

[Teflon93]

Don’t get me started on this topic. I’ve posted in quite a few threads about praise bands in the Catholic Church.

Yes, I attended a Saturday Mass last week where we had “folk Mass” which basically consisted of a Joan Baez wannabe warbling in the Holy Presence. Sucked the reverence right out of the room.

At least she didn’t “one more time!” us to death and pass off verses to the drummer or something. She certainly made me appreciate our 8 am Mass cantor a heck of a lot more.

One hopes that as Baby Boomers shuffle off the stage they’ll take the awful 60s folk fetish with them.

 

[justinthemartyr]

Contrabass, you evidently have not read the lives of the saints or the miracles that have come about through them in their earthly lives and through their intercession in prayer. The statements you have made concerning miracles and people who are “on fire” show that you are contempt prior to investigation as it concerns the church and Her people. Maybe you should think about reading some history and writings about Padre Pio? That would be a good one to start with.

If it is merely miracles that you look for, then I suggest you go to the greatest Miracle of them all, that of Christs servants, the presbyters, confecting Jesus in the Eucharist Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity at every Mass and letting members of His Body receive Him within themselves. There is no miracle that is higher. How great is His love for us.

 

[Deconi]

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness;
come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord he is God;
it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise;
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth to all generations.

psalm 100

Yes. This is where most Protestants live. The Old Testament! To proclaim something. To tell of the promise, the hope. To proclaim The Almighty and His power, His Love; Who He is.

Nothing wrong with that.

But they are starved of The Fullness of That Truth. The understanding of His Presence during Mass. Not a memory of Him; but WITH HIM in ‘presenting’ His Sacrifice, The Eucharist. To partake in the sacrifice of old, in its NT form, and the following meal that sanctifys and grants us everlasting life!

 

[bobzills]

Yes, I attended a Saturday Mass last week where we had “folk Mass” which basically consisted of a Joan Baez wannabe warbling in the Holy Presence. Sucked the reverence right out of the room.

This has hit the Catholic Church, but not the Orthodox Church where the Divine Liturgy is typically celebrated very reverently.

 

[mgrfin]

Sermons and congregational singing. For better or for worse, these are areas where many Protestant Churches excel and many Catholic parishes could use improvement.

I do think that Catholic congregational singing is weak. As for sermons, these folks have all week to prepare these things. They should be absolute gems.

peace