Non-Catholics want to join us for Mass

  • Thread starter Thread starter FghtinIrshNvrDi
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
F

FghtinIrshNvrDi

Guest
Hi folks,

I’m new to the forums and would like to hear what you think.

A very nice couple around our age (early-mid 30’s) who have 2 children moved in 2 houses down. We’ve had a few months and have become what I’d call acquaintance, but wouldn’t be surprised if they become closer friends given time.

Having said that, I think they are “Church Shopping.” I know absolutely zero about their faith background, and whether or not they’re baptized. I think culturally they’d identify as Christians otherwise they probably wouldn’t be “Church Shopping.”

I’m a cradle Catholic, my wife is a convert of 8 years from a mish-mash of denominations over the years. I’m an avid Catholic Answers Live listener, and in the last couple years been on fire with my faith. I’m a hard head with a straight-spoken tongue so I usually lack the tact to be an effective evangelist.

With all of this back story, here’s the situation. They have asked to “go to church” with us on Sunday. What should we do to evangelize? I’ve been reading & studying and love to talk theology, but this is “street evangelization.” Is Mass even going to be an effective evangelization tool? Will they think the liturgy is uncomfortable due to being unfamiliar with this environment? Will Mass overwhelm them and make them permanently decide “this isn’t for us.”?

What would you all do?

Ryan
 
This is an opportunity. Let them come with you, and be sure to explain what it is and why you love the Mass so much. Nothing evangelizes more than the joy of the evangelizer.

Just kindly advise them that until they become Catholic, they are unable to receive Communion.
 
As a Non-Catholic, I agree with the above; definitely go with them. I’d ask if they have ever been to a Catholic Mass before, just for a basis of understanding. I would indeed gently let them know that when you go up to receive, that they can stay in the pew and pray, or observe what’s going on around them.
 
porthos11 said:
This is an opportunity. Let them come with you, and be sure to explain what it is and why you love the Mass so much. Nothing evangelizes more than the joy of the evangelizer.

Just kindly advise them that until they become Catholic, they are unable to receive Communion.
Click to expand...
^^^^^This^^^^^^^^^^
 
I wouldn’t worry about having all the answers and converting them on the spot. It’s just a first visit.
 
Perhaps you could offer to host them for lunch after and then ask them what they thought? I am sure conversation will develop from there.
 
How nice! Make sure they feel welcome and let the Holy Spirit do the heavy lifting. ;):cool:

I’m glad you made some nice friends in the neighborhood. This is the beginning of a wonderful dialog.
 
When I made my Cursillo weekend, the often quoted key to evangelizing was “make a friend, be a friend, bring a friend to Christ.”
In other words, don’t worry too much about being anything answering questions questions about the Catholic Faith to the best of your ability. The fact that the couple has taken the first step by asking you to accompany them as they attend their first Mass is a sign of trust. You are not expected to know all the answers. Your wife’s being a convert gives an insight into the conversion process if should ever reach that point. She can tell them about with RCIA, for example.
This is only a request to accompany them to Mass, and should be seen simply as that. As others have stated, do explain that Communion is limited to those who are already Catholic and be prepared to explain why.
While it is true that many non-Catholics “church shop,” trying to find a spiritual home with which they are comfortable, it is not our judgment to make. As a Catholic, I have visited many non-Catholic churches as part of an ecumenical outreach. It has proved a way of disabusing our separated brothers and sisters of misconceptions they may have about the Catholic Church.
Simply view this couple coming to you as an opportunity for them to learn about the Catholic Faith with you as their Catholic friend.
 
Make sure they have what they need during Mass – hand them a missalette open to the right page, show them where the responses can be found, make sure they have a hymnal – basically, make sure they’re not lost during the Mass. On the other hand, if they’re more comfortable observing rather than participating, make that an option as well.

Why not plan on brunch after Mass so you can answer any questions and talk about their experience.

Don’t feel like you have to make this a comprehensive introduction to Catholicism. The Holy Spirit does the big lifting – you just need to be there to assist as needed.
 
porthos11 said:
This is an opportunity. Let them come with you, and be sure to explain what it is and why you love the Mass so much. Nothing evangelizes more than the joy of the evangelizer.

Just kindly advise them that until they become Catholic, they are unable to receive Communion.
Click to expand...
Agree.
 
You guys are great, thanks for the suggestions.

It’s not that I am worried about having all the right answers, I’m fairly well catechized, but was mostly worried about messing up an opportunity!

Lord, I pray that you keep me out of the way unless needed!!! lol

The lunch idea is a good one, and I’ll let my wife be the softer sounding board for questions.

Thanks everyone.

Ryan
 
FghtinIrshNvrDi said:
You guys are great, thanks for the suggestions.

It’s not that I am worried about having all the right answers, I’m fairly well catechized, but was mostly worried about messing up an opportunity!

Lord, I pray that you keep me out of the way unless needed!!! lol

The lunch idea is a good one, and I’ll let my wife be the softer sounding board for questions.

Thanks everyone.

Ryan
Click to expand...
Best wishes. Welcome to CAF, BTW. 🙂
 
FghtinIrshNvrDi said:
Lord, I pray that you keep me out of the way unless needed!!! lol

Ryan
Click to expand...
^ And this.

Precede your visit with prayer. You will never make a convert, but you can plant the seed. Let God take care of the rest. Just ensure your love and joy over your faith and worship are felt by your friends.
 
As a convert I did have that “first” Mass experience. Unfortunately for me person I went with was not well catechized and wasn’t much help for “why do they do that” questions. Fortunately for me, the Holy Spirit was in fine form that day and set my heart on fire, letting me know I was finally in the right place.

The others above have given great advice. The only thing I would add is to give them a quick briefing that there will be standing, kneeling, sitting and to just follow along with what they are comfortable with.
 
Horton said:
As a convert I did have that “first” Mass experience. Unfortunately for me person I went with was not well catechized and wasn’t much help for “why do they do that” questions. Fortunately for me, the Holy Spirit was in fine form that day and set my heart on fire, letting me know I was finally in the right place.

The others above have given great advice. The only thing I would add is to give them a quick briefing that there will be standing, kneeling, sitting and to just follow along with what they are comfortable with.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your perspective, it’s valuable. Having grown up Catholic, I totally lack the perspective of the Liturgy of the Mass being “new.”

Ryan
 
As far as evangelizing them, less is more. Read up on the Mass and also be prepared to answer questions about the Catholic Eucharist, but keep it short and simple. If you can arrive a few minutes early, they might like a little tour of the inside of the church; it will help make them feel more of a part of what is going on. Don’t be discouraged if they thank you very much and go on to another church next week. You are just planting the seeds; the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest!
 
Ask their background. I was raised Lutheran and when I went to Mass with my ex-girlfriend I felt right at home. It was virtually identical to a Lutheran service. Minus the confessional lines, decore, and the group of people praying a pre-Mass rosary.
 
First, explain that communion is the real presence and is restricted to those in full communion with the Church - meaning that they agree with all that the Church teaches. I know, that’s tough. Buy a booklet that explains the mass and give it to them. Then, pray and wait for questions.

Patrick Madrid in his book Search and Rescue teaches that we should pray for others at least as much as we will speak with them. We fail, but the Holy Spirit through prayer, well, that’s quite another thing.
 
The door to the Church is always open. Invite them in. My first Mass was Easter 1988 at the invitation of my then-girlfriend. I had been leaning Catholic even before meeting her and after that Mass I was hooked.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top