Switching parishes. Anyone ever done this?

[808Catholic]

Faith making a difference is not rude at all. I believe I said something along the lines of pushing faith on others is.To be honest right now I’m not sure what I believe in anymore these days. If this is more about me talking about joining a nondenominational church then that has not even happened yet. It may but it is not set in stone. I kind of in some way like that there is variety in religion. A world with one religion would be very boring and bland for me.

You are comparatively young compared to others who post on this forum. Our experience leads us to the one true Church that is the Catholic Church. When I was younger, I used to think what harm is there in believing in all religions? Are they all honoring the same God? As I matured both chronologically and spiritually, I realize there are vast differences between the Christian religions. That’s why Catholics are working so hard to bridge the knowledge gap; we call this ecumenism. Despite what other Christian religions claim, there IS only one Church and that is the Catholic Church.

To claim that the church that Jesus established is “boring and bland” is an affront to Christ Himself. This is why you’re seeing the volume of response counter to your opinion.

Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance on this. God Bless you.

 

[MARrshh3]

I know that one’s parish is determined geographically, but I seem to remember reading somewhere that there was a single exception: that anyone in the Diocese can choose the Cathedral parish as his ‘official’ home parish. Maybe that was just a local edict but I got the idea that it was a universal. Anybody know?

 

[EasterJoy]

I know that one’s parish is determined geographically, but I seem to remember reading somewhere that there was a single exception: that anyone in the Diocese can choose the Cathedral parish as his ‘official’ home parish. Maybe that was just a local edict but I got the idea that it was a universal. Anybody know?

When I wanted to know what my parish was, I called the chancery office. Someone answered the phone and answered all my questions. If I had been joining a parish other than my geographical parish, I would have dropped by the office of that parish and made inquiries about how they understood the diocesan rules and what, if anything, I ought to do to notify the parish I was leaving. Those administrative people are usually very helpful.

 

[EasterJoy]

Faith making a difference is not rude at all. I believe I said something along the lines of pushing faith on others is.To be honest right now I’m not sure what I believe in anymore these days. If this is more about me talking about joining a nondenominational church then that has not even happened yet. It may but it is not set in stone. I kind of in some way like that there is variety in religion. A world with one religion would be very boring and bland for me.

If you look around the Universal Church, you can certainly see that there is lots of variety! I wouldn’t be bored with a world in which no one rejected the truth. If everyone went to Mass and everyone understood what happens at Mass, that wouldn’t make it boring! Not all Masses would seem alike, and not all parishes would be alike, not any more than having a world where people got married and stayed married would make all the families the same or a town in which no one had any addictions or diseases or social conflicts would be boring. Peace is not boring and the truth is not boring. It’s like sports–they are much better when you are relaxed, you’ve practiced, and you’re doing them with others who are on the same page and deeply understand the ins and outs of the game.

Most people I know who are bored at Mass have found they need a renewal in their understanding of what happens at Mass. If the meaning isn’t at the forefront, it is hard to focus, if you can’t focus your mind wanders, and if your mind wanders and is not focused, Mass can get boring. You forget where you are, what is going on, and what it means to you. It’s like you’re having an out-of-body experience, but your mind is just floating nowhere in particular.

Worship at a non-denominational church is very different than Mass. They aren’t trying to do the same thing; it isn’t a substitute and it does not try to be.