No Catholic Church nearby

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lisauze

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Is there a Protestant Church that is comparable to Catholism? We recently moved and there are no Catholic Churches nearby.
 
I don’t think you are under the obligation for weekly mass if there isn’t a Catholic church. I can understand needing to attend some sort of regular worship though.
 
lisauze said:
Is there a Protestant Church that is comparable to Catholism? We recently moved and there are no Catholic Churches nearby.
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If you are too far away, you don’t have to attend.

There is no obligation to attend a protestant church, and in any event as a Catholic, you are not supposed to receive protestant communion.

Episcopalians, Methodists and Lutherans have services most similar in form to the Catholic mass, from our protestant friends.
 
To be honest, if you are Catholic I would consider moving closer to a Catholic Church so you can attend. Salvation and the frequenting of the sacraments is the most important thing in life.
 
I just want some kind of church service for my son who is 8 so he doesn’t lose all that he gained from religious education it’s not like they have have religious education online( at least not that I can tell) I don’t want to go because of an obligation I go to mass because I enjoy learning about Christ. I also don’t want to miss Easter services etc. but from what you all are saying it’s better for us to sit at home and have no church type services at all then go to a Protestant Church is that correct?
 
I can’t just sell my house and move. I am not rich and can’t afford to move any closer as houses cost more the closer you move to the city. That’s why we bought the house we did and living in the South there aren’t many Catholic Churches.
 
I personally disagree with it being better to stay home but may be in the minority.
 
lisauze said:
but from what you all are saying it’s better for us to sit at home and have no church type services at all then go to a Protestant Church is that correct?
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I didn’t say that, but that has been the general consensus of belief over the centuries for folks in situation like yourself.

When Catholic immigrants came to America to work in industry or elsewhere in the 19th Century, there weren’t always Catholic churches available- and they didn’t attend the local protestant church.

In England, for several centuries, Catholic masses were outlawed and generally not available to most English Catholics. They made a point not to attend protestant services, even though they were often fined for failure to attend.
 
Our problem right now is my car broke down and we only have the one car and if that one goes we are in really really big trouble and my husband wants to drive the car as little as possible until we can replace mine. I guess what I’m asking is would it be ok to go to a local Protestant Church that I can get a ride to until I can get my car replaced or should I just teach my child st home which I already do and I have never relied totally on the church to do there are just some questions I can’t fully answer. I have tought second grade religion education for three years helping children prepare for their first Eucharist and Reconciliation.
 
lisauze said:
I just want some kind of church service for my son who is 8 so he doesn’t lose all that he gained from religious education
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This is a very bad idea. It will give your son the idea that protestant churches are no different than Catholic churches. It will give him the idea he can go to any church. He will absorb what he sees and hears there, which may not be in line with Catholic teaching. If he is 8 years old, he should be receiving first reconciliation and first holy communion this year. Those are important sacraments, and it is important that he understand the Eucharist versus protestant communion. These thing will confuse him and infuse indifferentism into his mind at a young age. Bad idea all the way around.
lisauze said:
it’s not like they have have religious education online( at least not that I can tell)
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Parishes have home study. You should talk toy our parish religious education director about getting the materials to teach your son at home.
lisauze said:
I also don’t want to miss Easter services etc. but from what you all are saying it’s better for us to sit at home and have no church type services at all then go to a Protestant Church is that correct?
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I would say so, yes. Your son is at an impressionable age.

Make the trip to the Catholic Church as often as you can. Watch the mass on TV when you cannot. Most diocese have a mass for shut ins and others who must watch it on TV.

I am sure it is difficult to be that far from a Catholic Church. talk to the pastor there about how often you think you can get to Mass. Talk to him about options when you cannot. Talk to him about religious education for your son and the sacraments for your son. He is still your pastor, even if covering a very large territory. He may also know of other options for you-- such as a monastery or other sort of place closer to you that has Mass.

You are Catholic, not protestant. And their services cannot be substituted or interchanged for Catholic mass.

If it’s not possible to move closer to a place with a Catholic Church, then pray at home, watch the mass on TV or online, and go to mass as often as you can with your son. Find a teach-at-home religious education program and don’t neglect to have him go through sacramental preparation.

I am sure it’s difficult, and you want to do something good for your son. But at that age, taking him to non=catholic services is not a good idea.
 
Where do you live and are sure the Catholic Church is so far away?

What are you allowed to use your car for? Mass should be one of those top of the list things in terms of necessities.

Do you have Sunday off? It’s relative whether you can make it or not on different things.

If it turns out you really cannot make it and it is too far away, EWTN has Mass on television you can watch.
 
It would be better to stay home and watch Mass on TV or the internet. Also EWTN usually has children’s programs on in the afternoon and I think there might also be opportunity for Catholic religous education through the internet though you might have to pay a fee.

Maybe you could also plan a trip to the Catholic parish that is closest once a month to receive the Sacraments.
 
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lisauze said:
Is there a Protestant Church that is comparable to Catholism? We recently moved and there are no Catholic Churches nearby.
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You may attend Protestant churches for baptisms, weddings and funerals.
You may not receive Communion.
You may not attend a Protestant church for the purpose of worship.
 
If there are other Catholics in your area, your parish priest might get permission to establish a mission community, maybe in someone’s home, and visiting to celebrate the Mass whenever possible. At that time, he could educate members of the local community on setting up communion services for Sundays.
 
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LumineDiei said:
Then make the sacrifice to attend Mass on Sunday. I don’t mean to sound harsh,
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It doesn’t sound harsh, it is harsh. One hour and 15 minutes is a long way, and will extract a very high cost in fuel, wear and tear, depreciation, etc. especially, if as it sounds, they have only one fairly old car. Nobody is bound to the impossible, not even to the unreasonable. Given her transportation issues, attendance every Sunday simply does seem unreasonable in these circumstances.

To the OP: like others, I would not recommend going to a Protestant church in lieu of attending Mass. But fear not, you may still participate in the Church’s liturgy every single Sunday, because the Liturgy is not limited to the Mass, it also includes the Liturgy of the Hours. Sundays would be a great time to acquire experience with this Office, especially Lauds and Vespers (Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer). You can grow into it and my even discover you would like to pray it during the week. If your husband is also Catholic you can make it a family prayer, also your child if (s)he is old enough. You can start with on-line versions, then buy the books if it catches on. You will be praying the public liturgy of the Church, even when prayed in private. Try to set up a “holy corner” in a quiet corner in your home, or small home shrine or oratory with Catholic objects, crucifix, books, and make it your personal “chapel”. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate, just a place conducive to silence, meditation and prayer.

There are also resources for teaching your child the faith at home. Do register with the nearest parish so you at least get on their radar screens, and I’m sure they’d be willing to help you with teaching materials, etc.

If it’s possible, do try to attend Mass on the big occasions, Easter, Pentecost, Christmas, and a few other times during the year, especially if you happen to be traveling and are nearer to a church. You’re bound to receive the sacraments at least once a year, which does not seem unreasonable.

God bless you for your faith!
 
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