New idea, unwelcoming

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warrior18

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I have a good friend who is in the middle of RCIA. He has been listening to Relevant radio during his commutes and is looking to become a Relevant radio ambassador for our parish. Last night he made a presentation about it to the church council. Here is how he said it went:

I presented my Relevant Radio thing to the board of St. [abc] last night and it was uncomfortable, to say the least. Nobody seemed to want to make eye contact with me and people were pretty silent…almost like they saw me as a salesman. I think part of it was because I am not in the “Catholic club”. It felt like it was one clear indication of why the Church is hemorrhaging youth (not welcoming). At least [my instructor] and Father [xyz] liked the idea. I think everybody was at or over fifty years old. One guy said, “So you aren’t from here?”. I would not do that again.

Anyone have any suggestions?
 
repentant2 said:
As a recent convert myself, I would never dream of getting up in front of an existing parish to lecture people unless asked to by the Pastor. Seems very pretentious.
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To clarify, it was not lecturing in any sense. He is seeking permission from the parish/priest to be able to have a kiosk with information about Relevant radio in the back of church. There are no fees, no costs. Sometimes, an ambassador could hold host a seminar to learn more about the faith.
 
That’s unfortunate. 12 years ago I went through RCIA and became Catholic. I was made a part of the RCIA team the next year. My focus was and still is making formation better. I discovered Formed.org when surfing around the Internet. I made a presentation to Father, then the parish council. It wasn’t a “lecture.” They were very receptive to paying for a parish subscription and now it is being utilized by all our religious education instructors and many individuals. Keep at it. If someone feels like they’re being “lectured,” that’s on them not you.
 
EricF said:
That’s unfortunate. 12 years ago I went through RCIA and became Catholic. I was made a part of the RCIA team the next year. My focus was and still is making formation better. I discovered Formed.org when surfing around the Internet. I made a presentation to Father, then the parish council. It wasn’t a “lecture.” They were very receptive to paying for a parish subscription and now it is being utilized by all our religious education instructors and many individuals. Keep at it. If someone feels like they’re being “lectured,” that’s on them not you.
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Thank you. This helps.
 
People are often wary about new ideas, which is more likely to be the problem rather than “not being in the Catholic club”.
Two significant people in the parish liked the idea, so best to work quietly on the plan with them, giving people time to accustom to the new idea.
There is “the new broom sweeps clean, but the old broom knows where all the dirt is” syndrome, and it doesn’t just apply to Catholics, but to human nature.

From the bible, Acts 5: 38-39

38 So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!”

They were convinced by him,
 
I am sorry your friend felt like he was not welcomed. While, I would not do what he did in RCIA, the church can have unwelcoming people. If the priest and his instructor liked the idea, it is a good sign. He should give the others time to think about the idea and he should not give up. It does not sound like your friend was lecturing. Sometimes, when someone asks permission, other people do not like the idea. I have experienced this myself, and while it is frustrating and discouraging, your friend should keep on trying.
 
Have them listen to Patrick Madrid and they will change their mind. =)
 
Until he has been brought into full communion, I’d hold off on trying to “sell” projects. Our pastor would have not permitted this for the very reason your friend experienced. Honestly, I am kindof shocked that Relevant Radio would put a non-Catholic in as an “ambassador”.

The parish may already have a relationship with Lighthouse Catholic Media, may already have Formed.org, may prefer to offer Catholic publications/CDs/etc from their own gift shop.

Honestly, from my experience with Relevant Radio, their production quality and programs would not be my first “go to” for young people. The programming trends more to an audience mid-30’s through baby boomers.

It is easy to be super zealous when one finds a program or speaker they like, when one is in the conversion process, but, realize that the demographics are likely better understood by those who are on staff and have been there awhile. There are more programs out there, find out what is in place, what may have been tried in the past, etc. Do get buy in from the stakeholders who are in place.

Patience is my advise.
 
warrior18 said:
Sorta put the cart before the horse, didn’t he?
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The issue isn’t that the parish was “unwelcoming”. It’s that your friend committed a huge diplomatic faux pas.

He isn’t even a Catholic yet, or a member of the parish, yet is aspiring for a very visible leadership role in the parish.

This response he got is natural for any type of organization, whether a church, a club, a company or a military unit.

He should hold off on taking any roles in the parish until he is actually a member, and has given himself plenty of time to settle in and acclimate to the specific prevailing culture of the group, and about their actual needs and preferences.
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warrior18 said:
Anyone have any suggestions?
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I would suggest to your friend that he forgive and move forward.

And also have a little humility. The presentation failed and I don’t know why, but I think it’s wrong to feel slighted and try to blame the parish council. Get over yourself and continue to look for ways to serve the Church and build faith in others.
 
GordonP said:
The issue isn’t that the parish was “unwelcoming”. It’s that your friend committed a huge diplomatic faux pas.

He isn’t even a Catholic yet, or a member of the parish, yet is aspiring for a very visible leadership role in the parish.
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Exactly.

He basically stood up and said, “I’m not Catholic, but I want to be your representative and hold Catholic Seminars for your parish.”

I’m not surprised at all that they weren’t welcoming.

Sort of like when I was home educating our child, I would have numerous people that sent their children to public school telling me what I should be teaching. Or how I should handle different schooling situations.
 
I recall when I had first returned to the faith when Christ came into my life

I was all full of energy and even signed up to get CCD certified.

Teen Encounter was strong in my area and I thought, why not have Confirmation Students go through a Teen Encounter Week-End and those who feel the call, can receive Confirmation on Sunday of that week-end.= ?

So, I brought it up to the priest teaching Church History as part of the Certification Program

His answer made me feel stupid for asking. All he said without hesitation was, “absolutely not !”
As a 26 year old, I regretted asking.

The next thing I know, I received a letter from that priest who was head of Religious Education for the Dioceses. In the letter, he invited me to be on the board he had established to help with CCD programs.

I was shocked, but of course accepted.

Anyway, the priest was Fr Kelly. For those of you who don’t know, Fr Kelly, he was head of the commission in Washington DC, assigned to translate the Catechism of the Catholic Church, from French into English. What we have today is the result of his work.

So, questions, even from newbies can be wrong, but they open doors and the Church is always open to new ideas.

Bottom line is, don’t get discourage. You don’t know what God has planned for you.

Jim
 
Jesus did not come to remain the status quo and be with the chief priests and scribes but rather He called out to the sinners and the outcasts by name, welcoming them as all sons and daughters of God. We must do the same in our attempt to imitate Christ
 
GospelOfMatthew said:
Jesus did not come to remain the status quo and be with the chief priests and scribes but rather He called out to the sinners and the outcasts by name, welcoming them as all sons and daughters of God. We must do the same in our attempt to imitate Christ
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But the parish isn’t sinning by not having a Relevant Radio ambassador. Nor are they sinning by not welcoming the OP’s friend as a Relevant Radio ambassador.

Parishes do not have to accept every single idea that comes down the pike. In fact, I bet our parish would say the same thing. We already have FORMED and Lighthouse (now Augustine Institute.) Oh, and we have Dynamic Catholic ambassadors. We really don’t need another kiosk or another person wanting to push something else.
 
GospelOfMatthew said:
Jesus did not come to remain the status quo and be with the chief priests and scribes but rather He called out to the sinners and the outcasts by name, welcoming them as all sons and daughters of God. We must do the same in our attempt to imitate Christ
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maryjk said:
But the parish isn’t sinning by not having a Relevant Radio ambassador. Nor are they sinning by not welcoming the OP’s friend as a Relevant Radio ambassador.
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Mary, I think what GospelOfMatthew is saying is that the council could have been a wee bit more charitable, while still declining the idea, if they did at all. It may have been approved for all I know, I haven’t learned of the decision yet.
maryjk said:
Parishes do not have to accept every single idea that comes down the pike. In fact, I bet our parish would say the same thing. We already have FORMED and Lighthouse (now Augustine Institute.) Oh, and we have Dynamic Catholic ambassadors. We really don’t need another kiosk or another person wanting to push something else.
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So to perhaps shed more light for everyone about this particular parish: FORMED, Lighthouse, nor Dynamic Catholic are being utilized at this parish. The church is situated in a very small rural (unincorporated) farm community - no stop lights or post office. The current priest is from India and splits his time with another parish. He is a very loving and devoted priest.

While I get comments about this invigorated individual coming into the faith should be to be patient and wait until a full member, and then even then wait some more. I imagine it is quite difficult when he is full of this new found energy and has this genuine desire to share the source material where his faith caught on fire, but it is diminished by the very organization he plans to enter.

I think Beryllos says it very well:
Beryllos said:
I would suggest to your friend that he forgive and move forward.

And also have a little humility. The presentation failed and I don’t know why, but I think it’s wrong to feel slighted and try to blame the parish council. Get over yourself and continue to look for ways to serve the Church and build faith in others.
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I appreciate everyone’s comments. Perhaps I’ll update upon further developments. Thank you and God Bless.
 
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