New Wave Catholics

[Esdra]

Hi

I have been talking recently with what I call “New Wave Catholics”.

It was pretty interesting.

They for example have bible studies and pray for each other in prayer-groups (just like the Baptitsts).

They also speak in tongues in their gatherings and so on.
They even entrutst their life to Jesus (excepting him as their saviour) and/or entrust their life to Mary.

Such groups include the Charismatic Renewal, but not only those. There have been several groups shooting out of the earth recently.
In Austria one for example is called “Loretto”, there is as well Cursillo which I would count to that group or people going to Medjugorje on a regular basis.

What unites them all is their deep love for the Blessed Mother Mary and that they continue going to masses.
They differ compared with the “Traditional Catholics” that they form “families” comparable to the Baptists.
They organise themselves in such groups and every year there are more and more and more, also young people, go to such a group.

Do you also now similar groups in your country?
Do they have a name?
It’s not Charismatic renewal… there are more groups.

esdra

 

[Barbkw]

In some Filipino communities, many Catholic family men work in Qutar and the UAE. It leaves the women and children at home for extended periods of time (multiple numbers of months). Local communal societies of Catholic families join together for support, protection, encouragement, celebrations, etc.

Adult faith formation classes are well received in my area. We have short courses on various Books at Advent and Lent. We’ve also had a 2 month Core Compendium Class on the Catechism. We’re starting a class on the Catechism of the CC in January.

 

[Esdra]

I forgot to mention that they are even making worship services with “modern songs” like those form Hillsong or from the publisher Haenssler which is a German Evangelical/Baptist publisher.

So except the honoring of Mary and going to masses instead of Protestant services, they seem to be very alike the Baptists.

Esdra

 

[JRKH]

Esdra,
This sounds interesting and may provide the support group that you are seeking within The Church.
The particular groups you have mentioned I have not heard of, but then I tend more toward the “traditional”, though I find the “mystical” to be very attractive.

In any event the only, “caution”, that I would offer here is to check the beliefs promoted by the various groups against those of the Church in the Catechism.
Try to stick with groups that are not only Catholic in name, but are “Loyal to the Pope and the Magisterium”.

Peace
James

 

[Esdra]

Esdra,
This sounds interesting and may provide the support group that you are seeking within The Church.
The particular groups you have mentioned I have not heard of, but then I tend more toward the “traditional”, though I find the “mystical” to be very attractive.

In any event the only, “caution”, that I would offer here is to check the beliefs promoted by the various groups against those of the Church in the Catechism.
Try to stick with groups that are not only Catholic in name, but are “Loyal to the Pope and the Magisterium”.

Peace
James

Yes, I know this sounds great.

The problem is that these New Wave Catholics meet rather far away and as I am always during week in the Capital of our county (where the meetings of them would be) and actually I don’t wanna go there an weekends also. A journey of 2 hours to and back are exhausting enough from Monday to Friday!

But as I am probably moving to mentioned capital in near future, you knows what will envoke?

As far as I know they are all loyal to the pope and the magesterium. - at least judging from the talks I had with them when I met with them (to a rather “non religious” meeting called CcM Party - Contemporary christian Music which was organized by a collegue of mine and myself. The aim was to strenghten the dialogue between the various Catholic groups and all other denominations in our county. Sadly enough we were not that successfull. - From the other denominations none came. )

Esdra

 

[JRKH]

Yes, I know this sounds great.

The problem is that these New Wave Catholics meet rather far away and as I am always during week in the Capital of our county (where the meetings of them would be) and actually I don’t wanna go there an weekends also. A journey of 2 hours to and back are exhausting enough from Monday to Friday!

I understand this. Some years ago I drove 1.5 hours and 65 miles (abt 100 km) each way to work. Three hours on the road and 8-9 is exhausting…

But as I am probably moving to mentioned capital in near future, you knows what will envoke?

That would be really good.

As far as I know they are all loyal to the pope and the magesterium. - at least judging from the talks I had with them when I met with them

This sounds great. It also demonstrates what a “big tent” the Catholic Church is. Here you are a “contemprary worship” guy who also likes the contemplative and meditative aspects of the faith and just by looking around a bit you are beginning to find what you want/need without leaving Holy Mother Church. God is Good indeed.

(to a rather “non religious” meeting called CcM Party - Contemporary christian Music which was organized by a collegue of mine and myself. The aim was to strenghten the dialogue between the various Catholic groups and all other denominations in our county. Sadly enough we were not that successfull. - From the other denominations none came. )

Ah - So it appears you do have some organizational talents, and this has opened a path for you to connect with other, like minded, catholics.
I’m sorry that no other denominations came to your meeting.
Not even anyone from your baptist “family”?
Unfortunately I think you will find this is something all too common. The protestant denominations, especially the more evangelical ones, will happily welcome catholics to something they organize, but want nothing to do with something organized by Catholics.

Peace
James

 

[Esdra]

Ah - So it appears you do have some organizational talents, and this has opened a path for you to connect with other, like minded, catholics.
I’m sorry that no other denominations came to your meeting.
Not even anyone from your baptist “family”?
Unfortunately I think you will find this is something all too common. The protestant denominations, especially the more evangelical ones, will happily welcome catholics to something they organize, but want nothing to do with something organized by Catholics.

Peace
James

Hi

yes, I was really happy to have found Thomas (the main organisator) and that he also was intersted in making a project where ALL denominations are welcomed.

No, also from my Baptist family (and I not only count my brothers and sisters in my Baptist Church to that, but also others [Pentecostals, Baptitsts {they are, by the way, that what you American understand under Baptist! } and of course other “Free Evangelical Churches”]
[in the capital of my home county there are, by the way, 3 “Free Evangelical Churches”, all linked through the BEG (alliance of Evangelical Churches)
In Austria there are also no problems between the bible-onlyists: So no quarreling between Baptists, “Evangelicals” (in German: Evangelikale) and Pentecostals] Although SDAs are not really seen as brothers and sisters in Christ and usually there is also no community from these Churches to SDA!
none come. Although they had told me that they are definitely interested - later on some said that they didn’t have time…

But I guess you are right. (concerning that the Evangelicals DO invite Catholics but are not willing to visit Catholic organised events!) I have also got to know people in my big Protestant family (see above) that have a very negative view on the Catholics!
But not all (see also above) there are quite a few that are really interested! (For example is a woman from the Pentecostal Church in Innsbruck [my home county’s capital] involved in a bible study group of (charismatic) Catholics!] - or even in my own Free Evangelical Church (EFKI) there are often Catholics in our bible study groups!
But I think it was also Thomas’ and my fault: We have put too less effort in advertisment and the time was also rather stupid chosen (SA from 20:00-23:00).
But I will stick with him - he has my full support - and next time we’ll have more success.

So I guess there is not such a war/quarreling between the evangelical fundamentalists and the CC (and the Lutherans, Reformed and the Orthdox Churches) than in the US.

Esdra