Please pray for more evangelizing Catholics

[tifischer]

I am Catholic and LOVE being Catholic. My conversion story is kind of long but it is so uplifting of the Catholic faith that a non-denomination pastor once asked me my story and when I was done, he said I should stay Catholic! Bless his heart.

However, I have a strong sense of unity and love of all God children so I am not fearful of being in ecumenical activities at other churches when the Catholic church does not provide. For instance, I have my children (devout to God in the Catholic faith, rosary praying, adoration and communion loving kids) in a sports ministry at the baptist church in our area. Christian sports ministies are awesome and the Baptist have done a great job in our area with this ministry.

We do not have a young adult bible study or any bible study in my area that is Catholic and on a day that I am available (working mom with three children and Lord knows I do not want to neglect my parenting role by attending an adult bible study). So, I have been part of a young professional adult Bible study that is ecumenical. Never had any problems although I laughed when the counted me as a young adult being 35. When I attend, I usually have interdenomination faith discussions after the study and it is cool to learn how similar we are in our faiths. We focus on lifting each other up instead of bashing each other’s faith. And here’s the point, I see the amount of effort that these people put forth in their young adults and it is really great…they are actively engaging the young adults in worship and services and community. They are a great close nit bunch…big bunch. They also have these life groups that are great to get people involved and in bible studies regularly. Instead of attending the ecumenical Bible study I have tried to host Bible studies combining two CHRP Catholic groups and I put a lot of effort in and only 2 to 4 people participate. I am very spiritual but obviously not as charismatic as I need to encourage more people to participate.

Any suggestions? Please pray for me in this desire for an evangelization, Charismatic, or Bible group!

 

[fred_conty]

I would suggest one idea.

The Catholic faith, the doctrine and reasons, are not all that strong in many catholics. And if they are subjected to another christian faith without the minimum of apologetic knowledge, they may at some point later decide to join them. Because from my understanding of what has been said in CAF, there are quite a few catholics very lacking in the knowledge of their faith. And that is the danger.

Maybe before they go to these kinds of functions, they might go to a 101 apologetics class, and be given sources of apologetics to refer to as questions arise. They should be aware of some of the major differences and the “whys”.

If these functions are just a general prayer group, or a general faith group, with a number of people from both sides, or even a neighbor association group, or a group to do something good for the poor, then that would be a different story. But an individual or two or three in a group with other denominational christians might be a bit too much if they are discussing beliefs. A person should be equipped for that at least minimally.

For bible study, an all catholic group would benefit them. Maybe you could look into this and possible set this up.

I do admire your zeal tho. And we could all use some of what you have.

May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and give you peace.

 

[tifischer]

I would suggest one idea.

The Catholic faith, the doctrine and reasons, are not all that strong in many catholics. And if they are subjected to another christian faith without the minimum of apologetic knowledge, they may at some point later decide to join them. Because from my understanding of what has been said in CAF, there are quite a few catholics very lacking in the knowledge of their faith. And that is the danger.

Maybe before they go to these kinds of functions, they might go to a 101 apologetics class, and be given sources of apologetics to refer to as questions arise. They should be aware of some of the major differences and the “whys”.

If these functions are just a general prayer group, or a general faith group, with a number of people from both sides, or even a neighbor association group, or a group to do something good for the poor, then that would be a different story. But an individual or two or three in a group with other denominational christians might be a bit too much if they are discussing beliefs. A person should be equipped for that at least minimally.

For bible study, an all catholic group would benefit them. Maybe you could look into this and possible set this up.

I do admire your zeal tho. And we could all use some of what you have.

May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and give you peace.

I really want a Catholic group because I love to learn and share in the deep richness/fullness of the Catholic faith and I love having someone to pray the rosary with. My first attempt at a Catholic bible study the attendance was really low. Maybe I will try again in the summer. Thank you for your suggestion.

 

[pianistclare]

I am Catholic and LOVE being Catholic. My conversion story is kind of long but it is so uplifting of the Catholic faith that a non-denomination pastor once asked me my story and when I was done, he said I should stay Catholic! Bless his heart.

However, I have a strong sense of unity and love of all God children so I am not fearful of being in ecumenical activities at other churches when the Catholic church does not provide. For instance, I have my children (devout to God in the Catholic faith, rosary praying, adoration and communion loving kids) in a sports ministry at the baptist church in our area. Christian sports ministies are awesome and the Baptist have done a great job in our area with this ministry.

We do not have a young adult bible study or any bible study in my area that is Catholic and on a day that I am available (working mom with three children and Lord knows I do not want to neglect my parenting role by attending an adult bible study). So, I have been part of a young professional adult Bible study that is ecumenical. Never had any problems although I laughed when the counted me as a young adult being 35. When I attend, I usually have interdenomination faith discussions after the study and it is cool to learn how similar we are in our faiths. We focus on lifting each other up instead of bashing each other’s faith. And here’s the point, I see the amount of effort that these people put forth in their young adults and it is really great…they are actively engaging the young adults in worship and services and community. They are a great close nit bunch…big bunch. They also have these life groups that are great to get people involved and in bible studies regularly. Instead of attending the ecumenical Bible study I have tried to host Bible studies combining two CHRP Catholic groups and I put a lot of effort in and only 2 to 4 people participate. I am very spiritual but obviously not as charismatic as I need to encourage more people to participate.

Any suggestions? Please pray for me in this desire for an evangelization, Charismatic, or Bible group!

Are you working under the auspices of the parish? Is the pastor behind you?
Get his approval, get the word out via the parish bulletin and neighboring parish bulletins, and you’ll have a better result. If in summer, have the classes in the cool of the evening and serve iced drinks and lemonade. Make it relaxing and enjoyable, not too heavy.
Can you get a Deacon or the DRE to facilitate the discussion? When you have the go ahead from the Parish you’ll find you have much more interest. Good luck!

 

[tifischer]

Are you working under the auspices of the parish? Is the pastor behind you?
Get his approval, get the word out via the parish bulletin and neighboring parish bulletins, and you’ll have a better result. If in summer, have the classes in the cool of the evening and serve iced drinks and lemonade. Make it relaxing and enjoyable, not too heavy.
Can you get a Deacon or the DRE to facilitate the discussion? When you have the go ahead from the Parish you’ll find you have much more interest. Good luck!

These ideas are really great.

I did speak to the adult ministry coordinator and she said that it was fine. It was a Catholic approved guided study that I know one morning study had completed the study before and I fronted the bill for the DVDs. I was not that proactive though in getting a priest or deacon to attend or putting something in the bulletin…i was a little concerned about opening it to so many because my house is not so big.

Bless you!

 

[pianistclare]

These ideas are really great.

I did speak to the adult ministry coordinator and she said that it was fine. It was a Catholic approved guided study that I know one morning study had completed the study before and I fronted the bill for the DVDs. I was not that proactive though in getting a priest or deacon to attend or putting something in the bulletin…i was a little concerned about opening it to so many because my house is not so big.

Bless you!

Oh no dear…you do this all at the CHURCH. In one of their meeting rooms, depending on the size of the group. You determine approx. how many are coming (have a sign up list after all the Masses (with a pulpit announcement) and get with the parish secretary to reserve a room for it.
People will come to the parish for things. They really won’t go to a home unless they are established long-time friends.

 

[7_Sorrows]

I really want a Catholic group because I love to learn and share in the deep richness/fullness of the Catholic faith and I love having someone to pray the rosary with. My first attempt at a Catholic bible study the attendance was really low. Maybe I will try again in the summer. Thank you for your suggestion.

Good luck! Hope you can get a good Catholic Bible study organized!

 

[goneiri]

These ideas are really great.

I did speak to the adult ministry coordinator and she said that it was fine. It was a Catholic approved guided study that I know one morning study had completed the study before and I fronted the bill for the DVDs. I was not that proactive though in getting a priest or deacon to attend or putting something in the bulletin…i was a little concerned about opening it to so many because my house is not so big.

Bless you!

Don’t do this in your home Do it at church. People are far less likely to come to your home. They will feel more comfortable and freer to come and go in a church setting - vast experience tells me this.