Hi! I don’t post much but I did note something that might be of some interest from a different viewpoint…
I’ve noted that in non-Catholicism, the the churches seemed to be filled with people that are very active and brimming with enthusiasm but once I read a post somewhere noting that there are nominal, lukewarm Chirstians out there but are not likely to turn up at church. In my own experiance, I was a nominal Catholic who fell away, I’ve gone to non-Catholic services and would likely be very turned away from the very acive fellowship type because it would just be uncomfortable for me to be there. Even if I wanted to be more active in my Christian life I would instinctively resent any passive-aggressive persuasion for me to do what I wasn’t ready to do even if it wasn’t meant that way by the congregation. I would smile at them and be polite but probably never come back.
On the other hand, in a Catholic Mass where the actual Mass is meant for worshipful prayer and being present at Calvary, I didn’t and wouldn’t feel pressured to do anything I wasn’t ready to, even recieving Holy Communion. There are many activities outside of Mass that would minister to the needy, families, community, etc… and I knew they were there if I was ready to go.
All in all, the nominal, lukewarm 1 hr on Sunday only Christians are the ones that NEED to be at Church the most. They may be going through slooooow conversion experiances (like me
) to where others can not see what is going on but we never know what is going on inside of them.
It speaks to the Holy Spirit in the Church of the strong pull for those types of Christians to still go to Mass on Sundays, where they otherwise wouldn’t go.
It’s easy or shall I say easier to attract more vibrant, active Christians with a church brimming with vibrant, active Christians. But as I’ve mentioned it passive-aggressively or rather unintentionally pushes away the people that need to be there the most, no matter how welcoming and smiling the people are (believe me).
This pull of the Catholic Church brings in all levels of Christians in their spiritual strength, and yes, the majority are not even taking their baby steps yet (although it is amazing to note that their children are more eager in this regard).
So, not at all to disregard the wonderful fruits of your church (please believe I mean no disrespect at all), but things look different from a focused look at both Churches and their congregation niche to an broader perspective of what is of more benefit to God’s children of all different personalities, intelligences, backgrounds, etc…
I really do hope I helped. I do want you to know that I am very empathic to your need of an active congregation, I’m not trying to negate that, but instead I’m trying to help you have less resentment (for lack of a better word
) down the road with a nominal parish. You might in time see these nominal Christians as a blessing to your parish and a call from God for you to help them.
P.S. I strongly recommend you look up both your Diocese and local Parish website and find what they have to offer in their different ministries. Guadalupanas Rock!!
… my teen son does not really like them…
Luther’s innovation was sola fide not OSAS. Duh! 
