My friend wants me to go to his Non-Denom Men's retreat!!

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One thing to remember is that non-denominational is a cutesy way to try and unite a divided group of Protestants. I am no expert but the mission of these people is to save you which is good. However, you need to be aware of this that they may be otherly motivated by inviting you to come along. If you are not so sure you know the answers bring along Karl Keating’s Catholicism and Fundamentalism. It covers all the issues well and in easy to understand language. Don’t foist it on them but if they ask show them what the Church thinks in Keating’s book.

If you are not a fan of the mindless praise music and testimonies I would skip it. I tried a Promis Keepers a fe years ago and it was a rally that kept telling when to say Amen to their preaching. If you want me to say Amen say something true and awesome and I will. they were not lying but they were not as inspiring as they thought they were. At least not to me.

Ecumenism should highlight what we share in faith but not ignore the differences. It should also not attack you on your differences. I have heard too many testimonies about people leaving the Catholic fold because of situations like yours.
 
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uofl19:
What should I do?? He is really pressuring me to sign up and go.
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Most, if not all non-denominational churches are in fact baptist churches(theologically)–and some can be quite hostile toward the Catholic Church. Be cautious.
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uofl19:
He said all they do is probably the same stuff they do at a Catholic Retreat
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I’ll bet they don’t receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in the Holy Eucharist.
 
One of the interesting things I have observed in reading all the various posts in this and many other threads is that when people come to the Catholic Church later in life, sometimes they bring with them their “non-Catholic” vocabulary.

I don’t mean “non-Catholic” in any kind of prejorative sort of way, but just that … some folks continue to use “non-Catholic” words, phrases, expressions, “culture” … in Catholic contexts. And there is a “clash” of … thought…

These are different expressions and words from “normal”, “common” Catholic usage. There is often no real translation.

And I pick it up here also. Folks talk about being “born again”, for example. I think another word is “justified”.

These expressions really don’t have any “equivalent” in the Catholic religion.

So I think unless someone is REALLY well grounded in Catholic thought, it could be … “dangerous”? Opening ones-self up to unnecessary questions?

Is a former non-Catholic who has embraced Catholicism ready and equipped to explain that “we” (Catholics) don’t use that expression… and then go on to explain… I mean, there might not even be a “functional equivalent” in the Catholic lexicon.

For example, suppose a non-Catholic attended a Catholic Cornerstone retreat… and everyone was talking about “transsubstantiation”. How could a non-Catholic relate to that. He might raise the issue of “consubstantiation”, which would probably leave the Catholics TOTALLY confused.

Anyway, for what it’s worth, unless a Catholic has the functional equivalent of a Master’s degree in Apologetics, it may be best to regard non-Catholic retreats as the equivalent of an “occasion of confusion”. [Not an occasion of sin, necessarily… but … confusion, instead… ]

My experience is that non-Catholics are often EXTREMELY enthusiastic about their faith. Very passionate in their beliefs.

When confronted with this in the past, I asked them to explain one of their tenets or another, and often they cannot explain. But they raise their voices and raise the pitch of their voices and get very upset because, even if they cannot explain or discuss their beliefs, they nevertheless hold those beliefs PASSIONATELY!!

And when I challenge them and say that they cannot go around prosletyzing without being able to explain the history of a particular belief, they respond that their passion is worth far more than any mere logical explanation.

And I guess that’s my concern… that in going into such an environment, we are going up against both extreme passion and a “foreign” language that simply does not translate into “Catholic” language.

[Some years ago, I had to compare four different translations of “Dark Night of the Soul”, and it was amazing because each of the translations was substantially different from the next. That’s why we have to be so careful when stepping across a cultural divide, as for example, between “non-Catholic” and “Catholic”.]

I don’t know if I’m helping or not…
 
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Mickey:
Most, if not all non-denominational churches are in fact baptist churches(theologically)–and some can be quite hostile toward the Catholic Church. Be cautious.

I’ll bet they don’t receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in the Holy Eucharist.
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Frankly, I’m having a hard time understanding why you would want to go to it. If you hve time to go to a weekend retreat, go to one that is Catholic. If you don’t have time, make time. The purpsoe of a retreat is to get closer to God. As Catholics, we know that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. Go where the Eucharist is the center of the retreat. I for one go annually to a silent retreat based on the retreats of St. Ignatious.

The purpose of a retreat isn’t fellowship w/ the guys. If that is what you want, go on a fishing/hunting/golf trip.
 
Al Masetti:
And I guess that’s my concern… that in going into such an environment, we are going up against both extreme passion and a “foreign” language that simply does not translate into “Catholic” language.
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Well said! 👍
 
I have family who are non-denoms and frequently spend time with them. There is always a hint of bias in their testimonies when I am around, since they are so passionate about their beliefs they want to show me the error in mine. That is ok with me as I am used to it, unfortunately they now are gun-shy and wont discuss any matters of the faith with me. They are used to Catholics without answers and Catholics with answers for them are devastating to their position.

So if you are prepared go and enjoy sharing some time with them. You can certainly praise the lord with them and if you get a chance share your testimony! If you are not prepared then I wouldn’t recommend it unless you are good at just saying I don’t know, I will get back to you, and you are in sincere in doing that.

The first time we shared our new Catholic faith with my sister in law, she got pretty mad and just kept saying the Church is bad, the Church is bad. She wouldn’t talk to us for a couple weeks. Some wont want to discuss anything and just want you to listen, and religious feelings run real deep. So always use caution and keep calm.
Pray, Pray, Pray
There is my advice if you go.

God Bless
Scylla
 
Guys, I just talked to my friend. He called and said well… I told him maybe next year, I used the excuse of the newborn baby 1st. Aftr him telling me OH CMON!! I then went on to say, I just don’t think I would fit in. I did not want this to become Bible Fest “Faith Only” 2005. Which I’m sure it would have. He would never tell me how much time is spent goofing around and how much is spent on the Bible.

I do know that there was going to be like 4 guest speakers. The main topic was going to be called “Making Christian Men Held Accountable” something about how men are called to be the spirtual leaders of the house!! I agree!! There would just be a disagreement over the direction of my spirtual leadership then theirs. 🙂

So I will work on knowing my faith better and better and then next year be ready.

To the poster that asked why don’t I go on a Catholic Retreat? The problem is I don’t know anyone at my Parish. It is a Monster old time Parish that to be honest isn’t what you would call a family Parish. Sits in Downtown and the reason I go there is because I have a great relationship with the Head Priest. Trust me if I knew someone and had a buddy to go with I would!!
 
Dear ufl019,
Hopefully, there won’t be a problem for you but a heads up just in case. I have heard a lot in from my wife about being a spiritual leader for my family. So you might want to discuss this with your wife before she becomes bitter with you about you not being what they tell her that an evangelical father should be. Also, you need to be building a case for your child being a Catholic, I would suggest talking to your priest about it.

Congratulations on your decision.

Good luck.
You’ll be in my prayers.

P.S. I don’t know if you’ve seen this website about finding retreats in your area
findthedivine.com/
 
Thank you Love to B2. It seems like we have a lot in common. We are having our new child Baptized 3 Sundays from now. We are also getting him dedicated at her Non-Denom Church. I know it may be confusing but he will go through all the Sacraments and everything however will still attend Church with Mom as I will too. I know I may get blasted on here for doing that but I’m trying to be fair here and that’s what I get for Marrying an Evangelical I know. She is not becoming Catholic and I’m not becoming an Evangelical. We are understanding of each other’s Faith. There are those especially on her side who really think this is a bad plan. But you know what, we are the parent’s

We are not getting a divorce, she is the best lady in the world to me. Regardless of her Faith. I know everything will turn out fine.

Yes there are sometimes where I may roll my eyes at things they do and she vice versa but she has really since we have known each other got a much better understanding of the faith and does not think of it as evil. She probably once did because of what she was told, never by experiencing it.
 
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uofl19:
She is not becoming Catholic and I’m not becoming an Evangelical.
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Learn your faith thoroughly and share it with her at opportune times–then let the Holy Spirit do the rest. She may be Catholic yet. With God, all things are possible. 😉
 
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uofl19:
To the poster that asked why don’t I go on a Catholic Retreat? The problem is I don’t know anyone at my Parish. It is a Monster old time Parish that to be honest isn’t what you would call a family Parish. Sits in Downtown and the reason I go there is because I have a great relationship with the Head Priest. Trust me if I knew someone and had a buddy to go with I would!!
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That is me. 🙂 What state do you live in and I’ll get you some contacts for Ignatius retreats in your area. Don’t worry if you have noone to attend with. Trust me your focus will be so much on Jesus Christ that you won’t even notice that you know nobody.
 
It took me 7 years of searching to come home to the Catholic Church with my wife, she fought it and fought it. It was the worst when I was coming back to the Church and she was still fighting against it. Yet we eventually came together on this after a lot of prayer, study and stress.

Learn more about your faith and we are here to help,

God Bless
Scylla
 
Orion, I live in Louisville, Ky. I’m sure there are plenty, I just never thought on to go on one. Maybe I can get a friend of mine who is also Catholic. He could use it too. I don’t think he goes to Mass right now. He is going to be the Godfather of my Child so I guess it would be good for him to go and get back into his Faith.
 
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uofl19:
What should I do?? … Should I go or run miles the other direction?? HELP!!!
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It sounds more like your friend is trying more to convert you rather then spend time with you.

If it were me…

I love to talk and evangelize others. I enjoy discussing Protestant “ME”-ology with them, their ‘opionion’ on what they believe today. Who knows what they believed yesterday and what they’ll believe tommorrow? I enjoy spreading the Faith and truth found in Christs body, His Catholic Church. I also know the Catholic Faith very well and keep trying to learn it better. The members here do a very good job on helping us learn our Faith. I also study Protestant “propaganda” to learn how they bend the truth, take liberties with the truth, invent truth, or simply become historical revisionists and rewrite history (i.e. The Baptists were founded by John The Baptist and are the origional Christian Church and all others broke off from them. I herd this one at the Tulsa Fair just last week again from Baptist “missionaries” passing out anti-Catholic Propaganda and trying to convert me. They also claim the Catholics mudered 100 MILLION Baptists in the Inqusition!:rotfl: ). So… I would go in a heartbeat to share my Catholic/Christian Faith with those who neeed it.

If you are not strong on your Faith and what the Church teaches and why, DO NOT GO! They will mislead you and try to convert you. They may mix truth with half truths and confuse you about the Catholic Church. I know, I’ve been there. They will also teach you their own interpretation of the Bible that may or may not be accurate.
 
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uofl19:
Orion, I live in Louisville, Ky. I’m sure there are plenty, I just never thought on to go on one. Maybe I can get a friend of mine who is also Catholic. He could use it too. I don’t think he goes to Mass right now. He is going to be the Godfather of my Child so I guess it would be good for him to go and get back into his Faith.
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I haven’t taken the time to read the specific mission of these retreat centers. I for one have found Ignatius retreats very satisfying.

retreatsintl.org/list.htm#kentucky

I looked at a couple and I think they are all Catholic but not sure. I urge you to make sure.
 
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uofl19:
Thank you Love to B2. It seems like we have a lot in common. We are having our new child Baptized 3 Sundays from now. We are also getting him dedicated at her Non-Denom Church. I know it may be confusing but he will go through all the Sacraments and everything however will still attend Church with Mom as I will too. I know I may get blasted on here for doing that but I’m trying to be fair here and that’s what I get for Marrying an Evangelical I know. She is not becoming Catholic and I’m not becoming an Evangelical. We are understanding of each other’s Faith. There are those especially on her side who really think this is a bad plan. But you know what, we are the parent’s

We are not getting a divorce, she is the best lady in the world to me. Regardless of her Faith. I know everything will turn out fine.

Yes there are sometimes where I may roll my eyes at things they do and she vice versa but she has really since we have known each other got a much better understanding of the faith and does not think of it as evil. She probably once did because of what she was told, never by experiencing it.
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ufl019,
I’m very glad that you have a plan and it’s so good that you both can work everything out. I’m sure God is happy that you both can be an example for us all. I’m glad that you realize what a special wife that you have. I’ll keep your son in my prayers for his baptism.
 
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Orionthehunter:
That is me. 🙂 What state do you live in and I’ll get you some contacts for Ignatius retreats in your area. Don’t worry if you have noone to attend with. Trust me your focus will be so much on Jesus Christ that you won’t even notice that you know nobody.
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Aren’t Ignatius retreats hosted by the SSPX?
 
Thank you very much Love 2B!!

God Bless and thank you for the prayers:thumbsup:
 
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