Proselytizing In Mexico

[retrovert]

Just got a call from my sister who was all excited that she and her husband are going to Mexico on a “mission” (they’re Assemblies of God) to set up a new church there.
I could’nt help but think of all the poor, simple people there who are being taken in and lured away from our Catholic faith.
I see it happening here too. Where are we missing the boat? Any ideas what the church can do about this??? It seems overwhelming when one thinks of all we have to do…

 

[Kielbasi]

I don’t think its anything to be that terribly excited about, as assembly of God missionaries aren’t likely at all to be able to “lure” committed , practicing Catholics in Mexico or anywhere else.

They certainly might be able to interest non-catholics or nominal Catholics however.

The only thing that can be done is to take the lead in reaching out to the unchurched including nominal Catholics in name only, to bring them into , or back into the Catholic Church.

 

[Brennan_Doherty]

Just got a call from my sister who was all excited that she and her husband are going to Mexico on a “mission” (they’re Assemblies of God) to set up a new church there.
I could’nt help but think of all the poor, simple people there who are being taken in and lured away from our Catholic faith.
I see it happening here too. Where are we missing the boat? Any ideas what the church can do about this??? It seems overwhelming when one thinks of all we have to do…

Unfortunately with the state of catechism and formation of Catholics over the past 40 years there are probably quite a number who would be vulnerable to their proselytization as they’ve never been taught why they are Catholic.

With proper formation, it’s the Catholics who should be evangelizing the Assembly of God people. It should be the Assemblies of God who are wary of going into a place like Mexico for fear of the Catholics who will try to win them over to the Faith.

 

[Cathryn]

I encourage everyone to support our Catholic missions in Mexico and the rest of the developing world. This is a very Catholic organization that I have been involved with supporting for 5 years.

cfcausa.org/wherewework/index.html#americas

It is called Christian Foundation for Children and Aged. The children are given a Catholic education and assisted with getting their families to become self sufficient. Homes are built for them, dairy animals are provided when needed, seeds, medicine, etc. The children you help write you and let you know how your money is being used for them. They tell you what is going on in their life and family. They even share their Catholic faith with you. It is even possible to visit your child if you would like to. It is wonderful.

I think along with prayer this is a way to combat losing our Catholics and also a way to evangalize and help people.

 

[Acolyte]

What I think needs to be addressed is the evangelization of American protestants. For you, I would begin with your sister and her husband…

My two cents, duly deposited.

 

[awalt]

Catholics do mission work in Mexico too. As one small example my daughter and twelve of her college mates (a Catholic University) spent a week there two weeks ago (in Nogales) during their fall break, working primarily with children from the area…

My experience is that the high school and college kids are doing a ton of mission work these days. Her college sent 190 to New Orleans last spring for example!

 

[Nandarani]

Unfortunately with the state of catechism and formation of Catholics over the past 40 years there are probably quite a number who would be vulnerable to their proselytization as they’ve never been taught why they are Catholic.

With proper formation, it’s the Catholics who should be evangelizing the Assembly of God people. It should be the Assemblies of God who are wary of going into a place like Mexico for fear of the Catholics who will try to win them over to the Faith.

i am in rcia, which is very very basic… and i have some things to say about what attracts and appeals to noncatholics.

Even in the situation i’m in - with no traditional church nearby (on outer island of Hawaii) - and no Tridentine Mass, and often music that is an austerity to listen to (i tend to go to the Church now at off hours for mini Eucharistic Adorations) - what is appealing about Catholicism comes through, even if opaquely, because what i am talking about supercedes any particular level of traditionalism a church is manifesting.

It seems, in a way, that Catholics almost have a huge treasury that it only requires creative marketing to exploit!

**For one thing, the Catholic Church has a huge history of ongoing miracles; if more people knew about that, they *would *be affected. They need to be informed somehow - not just the visions - but the history - and especially the rigorous standards of proof that the Church must undertake, involving nonchristians - for each proposesd Canonization. ** Perhaps lukewarm Catholics could be reminded: it is a gift to be born Catholic - even though of course people would disagree. To imbibe this from infancy is a blessing…the Communion with Saints.

i have begun my own tiny ministry among peolpe who I believe receptive among business contacts sending them small laminated reproductions of Guadalupe with brief explanation on back, and a picture of the Divine Mercy Image with a brief explanation, copy of excerpt from the Diary, and website where Diary can be found online: www.our.homewithgod.com/divinemercy and I am thinking of sending a sacred heart picture from googleimages (there is a very unusual old fashioned french one there, now) - since I have been reading True Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Jean Croiset, SJ (1694, Lyons, France) - which is a pretty intense book.

So, my recommendation to us is to to develop and exhibit our deep satisfaction, which is not to be found imho in Protestantism (i, though born Episcopalian, am coming from years in the “East” - Hare Krishna orientation!)…anyway - satisfaction, perseverance, dedication and faith shows - and i believe we need to familiarize people with the incredible background, tradition, and, …Miracles - ongoing ones - of the Church.

 

[Brennan_Doherty]

i am in rcia, which is very very basic… and i have some things to say about what attracts and appeals to noncatholics.

Even in the situation i’m in - with no traditional church nearby (on outer island of Hawaii) - and no Tridentine Mass, and often music that is an austerity to listen to (i tend to go to the Church now at off hours for mini Eucharistic Adorations) - what is appealing about Catholicism comes through, even if opaquely, because what i am talking about supercedes any particular level of traditionalism a church is manifesting.

It seems, in a way, that Catholics almost have a huge treasury that it only requires creative marketing to exploit!

**For one thing, the Catholic Church has a huge history of ongoing miracles; if more people knew about that, they *would ***be affected. They need to be informed somehow - not just the visions - but the history - and especially the rigorous standards of proof that the Church must undertake, involving nonchristians - for each proposesd Canonization. Perhaps lukewarm Catholics could be reminded: it is a gift to be born Catholic - even though of course people would disagree. To imbibe this from infancy is a blessing…the Communion with Saints.

i have begun my own tiny ministry among peolpe who I believe receptive among business contacts sending them small laminated reproductions of Guadalupe with brief explanation on back, and a picture of the Divine Mercy Image with a brief explanation, copy of excerpt from the Diary, and website where Diary can be found online: www.our.homewithgod.com/divinemercy and I am thinking of sending a sacred heart picture from googleimages (there is a very unusual old fashioned french one there, now) - since I have been reading True Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Jean Croiset, SJ (1694, Lyons, France) - which is a pretty intense book.

So, my recommendation to us is to to develop and exhibit our deep satisfaction, which is not to be found imho in Protestantism (i, though born Episcopalian, am coming from years in the “East” - Hare Krishna orientation!)…anyway - satisfaction, perseverance, dedication and faith shows - and i believe we need to familiarize people with the incredible background, tradition, and, …Miracles - ongoing ones - of the Church.

Hi Nandarani,

I agree with much of what you say. I also am a convert (technically a revert) from Protestantism. I agree completely with the fact that there is a treasury in Catholicism in music, art, liturgy, the lives of the Saints, verified miracles, etc. I’ve also, with Protestant friends, pointed out the miracles at Lourdes, or the miracle of the sun, or some of the Eucharistic miracles. I guess sometimes it depends on how open the other person is. I also think the liturgy and music is quite important as beauty can help open an otherwise closed heart.

Best wishes in your endeavours. God bless.

 

[thiscatholickid]

Just got a call from my sister who was all excited that she and her husband are going to Mexico on a “mission” (they’re Assemblies of God) to set up a new church there.
I could’nt help but think of all the poor, simple people there who are being taken in and lured away from our Catholic faith.
I see it happening here too. Where are we missing the boat? Any ideas what the church can do about this??? It seems overwhelming when one thinks of all we have to do…

This is a serious problem, and it really pisses me off.

Mexico is one of the highest Catholic populations in the world, and we shouldn’t let the protestants move in on our brethren.

Especially since a lot of poor people in Mexico, Brazil, the Philipines (other catholic nations) are sometimes lured from the faith by things like money, food, or friendship which missionaries often provide.

The problem is that many dioceses in the world have taken on a very ecumenical approach. Priests rarely caution their flock to be wary of heresy. Its sad.

 

[angelusm]

Just got a call from my sister who was all excited that she and her husband are going to Mexico on a “mission” (they’re Assemblies of God) to set up a new church there.
I could’nt help but think of all the poor, simple people there who are being taken in and lured away from our Catholic faith.
I see it happening here too. Where are we missing the boat? Any ideas what the church can do about this??? It seems overwhelming when one thinks of all we have to do…

If people leave CC it means they didn’t know why they were Catholic. They should know the differences between us and protestants and know why we are right.
We should be more active and keep on converting protestants.
I also advise being more open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit: gift of tongues, prophesying, healing. There has to be more of it, more baptism in the Holy Spirit.