Non-Catholics, would you feel comfortable at a CC Mass?

[kalt]

Publisher:
You see, we agree much more than you believe we do. Yes, everything we do and understand is “through a glass darkly”. Truth is Experiential…beyond finite words…“groanings which cannot be uttered”…Even Friend Francis of Assisi understood…“Preach the gospel at all times…and when necessary use words.”

But I believe it was said earlier that dogma is not truth. That is the point I was addressing. I’m not sure why you believe that dogma doesn’t express truth but believe that words of compassion do. That makes no sense to me.

 

[Teneas]

Interesting.

To some degree this is semantics. I consider myself a catholic, that is, I attempt to line up what I believe with what the universal church has historically taught. We should conserve what is right and good and proper in history, most especially the Scriptures, and those traditions and beliefs of men that flow from it. At the same time I cannot get away from the firm belief that forensic justification, for example, is plainly taught in Paul, and that the Reformers were, for the most part, right in their critique of the Catholic Church. Something has gone very badly wrong in church history and we need to figure out how to fix it if we can. Church history is a big hairy mess and doctrinal disputes go into weird territory that I get quickly lost in. So that is the best I can do to describe myself.

I note you call yourself a Roman Catholic. Many on this forum do. There was a thread recently in Apologetics roasting Protestants for using the term as a slam against Catholics.

I do wish we were all in one united visible church - EO, OO, Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists, etc. I think that is the Lord’s desire, but a lot of people who were in positions of power made bad decisions. I also enjoy the dignity and the depth of the Catholic Church. Thus my “catholic sympathies”.

-Tina

Just come on and sign up. Take a few classes, get polished up on what we believe, and then you can come into the Church. Partake in the greatest treasure there is: The Eucharist.

 

[ConcernedApathy]

I’ve been to mass a handful of times now and I do feel comfortable with a few exceptions. Because I’m new and don’t know anybody I sit in the back. Funny story, the first time I went I took my seat, I had made sure I was early and was flipping through the song book and just looking around at my new surroundings when a lady came up to me. She said “Excuse me-” and I immediately blurted out “I’m sorry am I not supposed to be sitting here?!” She just laughed and said “Honey you can sit where you want. But since you’re sitting in the back I wanted to ask you a question, we got a new speaker system and I thought you could tell me how the songs sounded after the mass was over.” I laughed and relaxed and said “Sure of course.” Other than that I like the peace of the mass, I grew up going to A.M.E churches and seeing the the whooping and hollering churches, the kind my mom still goes to and listens to on tv, I don’t get it and it never spoke to me. But I like this. It’s still a little weird sitting/kneeling during the communion, I feel conspicuous, I feel a little left out and while i understand the reasoning I still recall being a little girl and once a month going up to receive the bread and wine at my first church. I miss that. I still don’t know all the responses, boy do you guys tend to mumble!, lol but I’ll catch on.

I don’t know that I’ll become Catholic I still have a lot of questions and a lot of things I cannot reconcile, but I do like Mass, I feel peaceful there and I feel better when I leave. I’ve taken to saying the rosary when I get the opportunity and I even bought a Catholic study bible. I’ve thought about RCIA but never been able to fit it into my schedule, I don’t even know if I was baptized, I know I was “christened” but I have no idea if that’s the same thing or not. Anyways I’m rambling so I’ll stop here, long story short, I feel comfortable…

 

[4Squarebaby]

I like the peace of the mass, I grew up going to A.M.E churches and seeing the the whooping and hollering churches, …

I don’t even know if I was baptized, I know I was “christened” but I have no idea if that’s the same thing or not. Anyways I’m rambling so I’ll stop here, long story short, I feel comfortable…

The African Methodist Episcopal Church does baptize young children. If your parents were the member of one while you were a young child you probably have been baptized.

 

[Publisher]

But I believe it was said earlier that dogma is not truth. That is the point I was addressing. I’m not sure why you believe that dogma doesn’t express truth but believe that words of compassion do. That makes no sense to me.

“words of compassion” coupled with compassionate acts consists of a higher Truth than expounding dogma. Dogma can be the “vehicle of Truth”…but not Truth itself…Truth is experiential…one can expound on dogma…and if that dogma is alone by itself simply being expounded to make a point it contains no Truth…but a life lived in compassion and words spoken in love and grace are much greater “vehicles” of Truth than mere dogmatic pronouncements.

If dogma and doctrine reveal Truth to you…that is wonderful…experientially for me however…they leave me cold for I have experienced that tighly held dogma would rob me of experiencing the Truth which is readily accessible as I move about in the world I live in…Truth is revealed in people…dogma is a “vehicle” to explain beliefs and ideas that may convey Truth.

You and I do not have to agree on finite words…Truth is demonstrated and lived out in our world in our lives…not always by the dogmas we would vocalize.

 

[nickiswank]

I’ve been to a Catholic Mass, and I have to say I was uncomfortable. To be honest, it wasn’t the Mass itself, but something that happened before the Mass. I was told by a member that if I wasn’t serious about becoming a Catholic then I didn’t belong there and I should go back to my “watered-down protestant nonsense” and leave the true believers alone.

I have to say that the experience colored the rest of the Mass in a bad light for me. All I could think was they didn’t really want me here, even though I wanted to learn. That just because I wasn’t 100% behind converting yet I was considered unworthy of the Mass.

I’m still not sure which church is right for me, and if turns out the Catholic Church is, I will not be going to that specific one. I don’t think I’d ever feel like I belonged, like I was welcomed and wanted. The one issue I have with the Catholic Church is feeling looked down on and almost like they think I’m stupid or misinformed or both. I am trying to separate the Church’s teachings from that one personal experience, which is why I’m here on the forums. To learn about the Church and it’s viewpoints without having to stand face to face with someone who thinks I’m an idiot for not being Catholic already.

That said, having read a lot on these forums makes me want to try again, maybe at a different congregation (is it parish?) and see how it goes.

 

[Teneas]

I’ve been to a Catholic Mass, and I have to say I was uncomfortable. To be honest, it wasn’t the Mass itself, but something that happened before the Mass. I was told by a member that if I wasn’t serious about becoming a Catholic then I didn’t belong there and I should go back to my “watered-down protestant nonsense” and leave the true believers alone.

I have to say that the experience colored the rest of the Mass in a bad light for me. All I could think was they didn’t really want me here, even though I wanted to learn. That just because I wasn’t 100% behind converting yet I was considered unworthy of the Mass.

I’m still not sure which church is right for me, and if turns out the Catholic Church is, I will not be going to that specific one. I don’t think I’d ever feel like I belonged, like I was welcomed and wanted. The one issue I have with the Catholic Church is feeling looked down on and almost like they think I’m stupid or misinformed or both. I am trying to separate the Church’s teachings from that one personal experience, which is why I’m here on the forums. To learn about the Church and it’s viewpoints without having to stand face to face with someone who thinks I’m an idiot for not being Catholic already.

That said, having read a lot on these forums makes me want to try again, maybe at a different congregation (is it parish?) and see how it goes.

You should my friend. Some of us tend to be a bit more assertive in what we think, and should bite our tongues at times for sure. Don’t allow one negative person to influence you man. Try it again, perhaps at another Parish. Always feel free to pm me any questions you got, if you don’t want to post them publicly.

 

[twopekinguys]

I’ve been to mass a handful of times now and I do feel comfortable with a few exceptions. Because I’m new and don’t know anybody I sit in the back. Funny story, the first time I went I took my seat, I had made sure I was early and was flipping through the song book and just looking around at my new surroundings when a lady came up to me. She said “Excuse me-” and I immediately blurted out “I’m sorry am I not supposed to be sitting here?!” She just laughed and said “Honey you can sit where you want. But since you’re sitting in the back I wanted to ask you a question, we got a new speaker system and I thought you could tell me how the songs sounded after the mass was over.” I laughed and relaxed and said “Sure of course.” Other than that I like the peace of the mass, I grew up going to A.M.E churches and seeing the the whooping and hollering churches, the kind my mom still goes to and listens to on tv, I don’t get it and it never spoke to me. But I like this. It’s still a little weird sitting/kneeling during the communion, I feel conspicuous, I feel a little left out and while i understand the reasoning I still recall being a little girl and once a month going up to receive the bread and wine at my first church. I miss that. I still don’t know all the responses, boy do you guys tend to mumble!, lol but I’ll catch on.

I don’t know that I’ll become Catholic I still have a lot of questions and a lot of things I cannot reconcile, but I do like Mass, I feel peaceful there and I feel better when I leave. I’ve taken to saying the rosary when I get the opportunity and I even bought a Catholic study bible. I’ve thought about RCIA but never been able to fit it into my schedule, I don’t even know if I was baptized, I know I was “christened” but I have no idea if that’s the same thing or not. Anyways I’m rambling so I’ll stop here, long story short, I feel comfortable…

It sounds like you are approaching this in a sensible manner.

Don’t worry about not knowing all of the responses, or sitting and standing on cue.

I always tell our new Catholics that they will probably be a half a beat behind everyone for about 6 months. Even i space out on occasion.

Even though RCIA doesn’t work with your schedule, maybe you could speak with a priest, or even the director of the program (if there is one) to address some of your questions. This may help you discern whether you do want to go to RCIA or not. Trust me, they don’t bite, and they should be more than willing to answer any questions you may have.

Many parishes will work with people who have scheduling problems with the classes, and will offer private instruction.

Remember also that just because you go through RCIA, it doesn’t mean you “have” to join the Church. I always tell our candidates, “You have up until 5 minutes before the Easter Vigil starts to back out. After that, you’re going in one way or the other.” (joking of course)

By the way, Otisburg must be pretty small, it isn’t even on mapuest…LOL We are near Peoria.

 

[Le_Cracquere]

Actually, in the past I’ve been made to feel too comfortable for anybody’s good!

Before Mass at the Catholic church I’ve been tentatively attending, I spoke to the … I believe the term is “sacristan” or something like that. Very nice, garrulous old fellow, who saw me pondering the door to the choir loft and asked me if I was the church’s new choir director. I said I wasn’t, but we talked a bit and then Mass began. After Mass, he spotted me and treated me to a 15-minute talk in which two things became gradually clear:
a) The dear man’s mental faculties were starting to desert him a bit.
b) The idea that I was the new choir director had taken hold in his mind, and it proved difficult to get him to remember that I wasn’t.

Still later, I ducked into the church’s coffee/cookies gathering next door and met several parishioners. I learned at this point that I wasn’t the only person my new friend was garrulous with–twice I was welcomed as the new choir director!

A discreditable part of me sometimes still wonders how far I could have carried all this. I had a fleeting vision of entering the loft next Sunday, getting accosted by the actual choir director, and shaking my head sadly as the poor, obviously delusional fellow got ejected. Wonder how well it paid…

 

[kalt]

I’ve been to a Catholic Mass, and I have to say I was uncomfortable. To be honest, it wasn’t the Mass itself, but something that happened before the Mass. I was told by a member that if I wasn’t serious about becoming a Catholic then I didn’t belong there and I should go back to my “watered-down protestant nonsense” and leave the true believers alone.

I have to say that the experience colored the rest of the Mass in a bad light for me. All I could think was they didn’t really want me here, even though I wanted to learn. That just because I wasn’t 100% behind converting yet I was considered unworthy of the Mass.

I’m still not sure which church is right for me, and if turns out the Catholic Church is, I will not be going to that specific one. I don’t think I’d ever feel like I belonged, like I was welcomed and wanted. The one issue I have with the Catholic Church is feeling looked down on and almost like they think I’m stupid or misinformed or both. I am trying to separate the Church’s teachings from that one personal experience, which is why I’m here on the forums. To learn about the Church and it’s viewpoints without having to stand face to face with someone who thinks I’m an idiot for not being Catholic already.

That said, having read a lot on these forums makes me want to try again, maybe at a different congregation (is it parish?) and see how it goes.

The attitude at the parish I grew up in was miserable. Thinking that it must’ve been me, I tried going there again as an adult. It was me.
Find another parish and try again. It’s possible that the parish you visited is very nice and it’s just the one crank who spoiled it for you.

 

[bridgeforsale]

Do you think you would feel comfortable coming to a Catholic Church for Mass?

If you have come, what is your experience?

my favorite part is eating the eucharist even though I’m not supposed to

 

[Teneas]

my favorite part is eating the eucharist even though I’m not supposed to

I would assume you are really here to just push buttons. I think it’s a safe assumption. Knock yourself out, you will get bored fast.

 

[nickiswank]

Thanks for the advice. I will definitely try again, and maybe even at the same church. Who knows, maybe Kalt is right and it was just the one person.

Once again, thanks!

 

[Teneas]

Thanks for the advice. I will definitely try again, and maybe even at the same church. Who knows, maybe Kalt is right and it was just the one person.

Once again, thanks!

Best of luck, and always ask any questions you have about the faith here. Either on the public forums, or in a pm.

 

[bridgeforsale]

I would assume you are really here to just push buttons. I think it’s a safe assumption. Knock yourself out, you will get bored fast.

I wasn’t lying … in the rare event I go to a Catholic mass (or any sort of Christian service) I eat the eucharist. I do admit, I don’t believe I’m eating Jesus (I’m hoping Jesus appreciates that). Nor do I care about the rules involved (since I know there’s no celestial justice waiting for me on the other side). I’ve never had a priest or pastor deny me the thing

I will say I usually won’t do the wine thing (it’s the first thing in the morning for goodness sake). I appreciate the protestant grape juice alternative.

 

[kalt]

The attitude at the parish I grew up in was miserable. Thinking that it must’ve been me, I tried going there again as an adult. It was me.
Find another parish and try again. It’s possible that the parish you visited is very nice and it’s just the one crank who spoiled it for you.

That should have read “It wasn’t me.” It was still a miserable parish all those years later.

 

[reteeks21]

I always felt like very comfortable in the ones that I visited LONG before I became a Catholic.

 

[Lutheranteach]

I’ve been to a Catholic Mass, and I have to say I was uncomfortable. To be honest, it wasn’t the Mass itself, but something that happened before the Mass. I was told by a member that if I wasn’t serious about becoming a Catholic then I didn’t belong there and I should go back to my “watered-down protestant nonsense” and leave the true believers alone.

I have to say that the experience colored the rest of the Mass in a bad light for me. All I could think was they didn’t really want me here, even though I wanted to learn. That just because I wasn’t 100% behind converting yet I was considered unworthy of the Mass.

I’m still not sure which church is right for me, and if turns out the Catholic Church is, I will not be going to that specific one. I don’t think I’d ever feel like I belonged, like I was welcomed and wanted. The one issue I have with the Catholic Church is feeling looked down on and almost like they think I’m stupid or misinformed or both. I am trying to separate the Church’s teachings from that one personal experience, which is why I’m here on the forums. To learn about the Church and it’s viewpoints without having to stand face to face with someone who thinks I’m an idiot for not being Catholic already.

That said, having read a lot on these forums makes me want to try again, maybe at a different congregation (is it parish?) and see how it goes.

Wow…that is horrendous. I am sure I would have not handled that well at all. I probably would have teed off and told her where to go and how to get there.

 

[Teneas]

I wasn’t lying … in the rare event I go to a Catholic mass (or any sort of Christian service) I eat the eucharist. I do admit, I don’t believe I’m eating Jesus (I’m hoping Jesus appreciates that). Nor do I care about the rules involved (since I know there’s no celestial justice waiting for me on the other side). I’ve never had a priest or pastor deny me the thing

I will say I usually won’t do the wine thing (it’s the first thing in the morning for goodness sake). I appreciate the protestant grape juice alternative.

I am sure you are not lying, but you have to recognize that we as Catholics would find that as a HUGE slap in the face. You know this, or you wouldn’t post about it bragging. I was an a** to others in life once to my friend.

 

[Anna_Scott]

But the Reformers were not right, and to claim that the first 1500 years of the church were wrong is proposterous. The only thing that has gone wrong here are the “Glorious Reformers” who were heretics to try and change the Word of God. What audacity of these men to try and do just that. But they didn’t succeed because the church that Christ established still stands stronger than ever before. Other religions will never get it, therefore we will never have peace.

RomanCath,

Some of us are trying to “get it.” Whacking us over the head on a regular basis doesn’t really help. uch: It only results in major headaches. uch:

Anna