I understand that the Mass puts one in a very reverent state
as it should. I love the mass.
My post was written sometime back. I was surprised (an understatement) the first time I walked into the 1st Catholic church after I decided to convert based on my readings of certain teachings that I felt were true. I felt I should join a church that taught what I believed rather than continuing in a church that I enjoyed but taught what I did not believe. My decision to convert was all based on the teachings and had nothing to do with any experience in a Catholic church. But during that 1st visit, no one greeted us or welcomed us or shook our hand. It was as though we were invisible. I eventually got used to it at that church. We did know a couple of people and it was nice to have them to talk to after mass.
We then had a reason to go to a 2nd Catholic church. If anything it was worse than the first. The ushers who open the doors, opened the door for us without making eye contact or saying hello. During one visit, on the way out I asked one of the ushers a question because I had not heard the priest well about the day & time of a special service they were having. He sort of grunted some reply in a rather rude manner and went about his business of holding out bulletins to whoever wanted one.
3rd Catholic church - I didn’t expect much by this time
. My husband had to go to restroom at one point upon our arrival and approached a small group of men who were talking as we were nearly an hour early so as to make confession. He asked where the rest room was. He said the man that told him looked annoyed that he interrupted their conversation. After the mass, when I passed a man that sat near us in the church and who we made the peace gesture with during the service, was standing outside. As we passed I smiled at him and he got a rather nasty look on his face and looked away rudely. This after making a showing of peace in the service! I kept wondering, what did I do to him?
I could go on with other examples but there is no point to it. We have gotten used to it. But it is sad I think. And it would appear that some people in this thread misunderstood me thinking that I was speaking of right after taking communion but I wasn’t. Of course I would not expect anything less than a withdrawn reverent attitude and demeanor at that point. That is a personal time to be with God. I was speaking of the lack of welcoming, the lack of friendliness and acts of rudeness to others.
The openness and friendly welcome reception you receive at the Protestant churches is nice. Someone talked about one he called “creepy” etc. I have not encountered any church where people stood up to give their testimony. That sounds like a AA meeting. There are so many different types of Protestant churches, that you could run into a lot of strange practices if you do not know where you’re going.
I do admit that I would prefer not to have to stand up to be greeted with applause on my first visit. And most every protestant church I’ve attended does that; If you are a newcomer, they will ask you at door if it’s your first visit and then ask your name. Then when they start the service. The pastor will always start by saying “We have some new visitors today. Please welcome Joe and Sue Smith”. And everyone turns to look at you and smiles and applauds to greet you. Sometime they ask you to stand so everyone can be sure to see you so they can continue to welcome you later. Then after the service many will come up and “thank you for coming”, “hope to see you again soon”, “God bless you”, etc., etc. I don’t really like all the spotlight on first part where you stand and get applauded but do enjoy the greetings and you really do feel welcomed. You can feel the love. The difference is like night and day.
I am used to the reserved manner of the Catholics now. I myself, still try to greet new people if I know they are new because they have a question or something. I know how good that feels when you’re new and don’t know anyone. And I have found some very nice people.
But if the Catholic church wants to grow its numbers as I’ve heard it does, they should start at the local level and try to create a more welcoming attitude to newcomers rather than make one feel like they are invading a closed door group without an invitation.
I do love the Catholic church (despite the criticisms I’ve made). But I also love some of the Protestant churches. It doesn’t need to be them versus us. As Jesus said,** “For he who is not against us is for us”. ~ Mark 9:40**
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(Even if you have to encounter a sour disposition)
When you point your finger, remember you have three pointing back at you.
