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trevor
Guest
If your eyes are shut, how do you see other people?
It’s hard to not think of others during Mass but FOCUS on Jesus. That’s why your there. Worrying about others will take you away from Him.
ybiC,
Trevor
- Status
It’s hard to not think of others during Mass but FOCUS on Jesus. That’s why your there. Worrying about others will take you away from Him.
ybiC,
Trevor
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serendipity
Guest
These are not just Catholci problems. There are some parishes that are more friendly that others and have a better sense of community. It’s pray of the reason why I don’t attend the local hcurh, but hike out more than an hour’s commute, to find a place where community seems to exist (we’re suppose to be one family) and people are there to celebrate and happy, and don’t seem liek they are there only because they fear burning in hell if they miss a mass. If you do not feel comfortabel at your chruch, try other places that feel more familail for you. Yeah, they might be further out, but there is a great sense of community in many Catholic churches too. and it is worth the commute, if you find a place where people appreciate being there for the gift that the mass is.
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kage_ar
Guest
For the most part, devout Catholics know that socializing has it’s place - in the Parish Hall over coffee and donuts after Mass!
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gladtobe
Guest
This is the truth before God. When I come to church, which has been for 2 years now, there are no greeters at the door. No one smiles at me when I come inside the church. Sometimes when I am outside the parking lot, coming to enter the church I say 'Good morning" and smile. People just kind of nod their head as an acknowledgment. No handshake and say, “Hi, were so and so.” Then when mass is over, everyone piles out quickly to get to their car.
Code:
Sure they have dinners and bingo drawings every quarter of the year. But families bring family members. They don't intermingle with church members.
There are no weekly bible studies or "home studies" with coffee. In the two years that I have attended no one knows my name or wants to know. I honestly could go to church for the next 10 years and no one would even have known I attended. I do miss the warmth of evangelical churches and bible studies. I'm sorry, but that's the way I feel. Catholic churches are cold, cold, cold.
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Genesis315
Guest
Check your parish bulletin. Often times there are men’s groups that do all sorts of activities. Or if you get really ambitious, you could talk to your priest about starting up a Bible study group. Sometimes if you want something done, you gotta do it yourself!
It is true that no one really knows your name if you just go to Mass. On the other hand, I started going to the Tridentine indult Mass a few months ago, and the people there made it a point to introduce themselves and get to know me–probably because it’s a smaller group.
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MariaG
Guest
gladtobe.
Catholics for the most part come to Church for a very personal encounter from God. They don’t want to be distracted from the main event either before or after. Cold? Try focusing on Christ. Mass is not what you get out of it, but the purpose is to worship God. Many are very private about it. Stop placing your perceptions on the hearts of others.
You have a very incomplete understanding of Catholic teachings including genuflecting next to a pew? We genuflect to Christ not next to a pew. Mary sinned? No, how could you become Catholic if you believed that? And that somehow open eyes somehow reflect what is going on in the heart of someone.
I’ll ask you again here as elsewhere, Are you a Catholic Christian as in denomination. You are being deceptive and lying if the answer is no. If the answer is yes, you need remedial courses in Catholic teachings.
God Bless,
Maria
Catholics for the most part come to Church for a very personal encounter from God. They don’t want to be distracted from the main event either before or after. Cold? Try focusing on Christ. Mass is not what you get out of it, but the purpose is to worship God. Many are very private about it. Stop placing your perceptions on the hearts of others.
You have a very incomplete understanding of Catholic teachings including genuflecting next to a pew? We genuflect to Christ not next to a pew. Mary sinned? No, how could you become Catholic if you believed that? And that somehow open eyes somehow reflect what is going on in the heart of someone.
I’ll ask you again here as elsewhere, Are you a Catholic Christian as in denomination. You are being deceptive and lying if the answer is no. If the answer is yes, you need remedial courses in Catholic teachings.
God Bless,
Maria
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gladtobe
Guest
I believe a church should show Christian love to one another. What good is a church full of people that comes and does “their thing” so to speak and shows no love for those about them? Please answer the question Maria.
M
MariaG
Guest
The people are not coming to do their thing. They are coming to worship God. Worship comes in many varieties. As I stated, many Catholic Christians see Mass as very personal relationship and meeting with Christ. So much so, that they do not wish to detract from that by speaking with other people.
But a church is made up of people. If you see a problem, volunteer to be a greeter. Why do you expect someone else to do what God has laid on your heart?
Now answer my question. Are you a Catholic Christian as in denomination?
God Bless,
Maria
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scylla
Guest
In my Catholic Church it is very warm and it is a very comfortable community. I do notice that some Catholic Churches are not as friendly as others, but you will notice the same mass being said in each. I am sure not every priest is the best out there just as there are some that follow God beyond every expectation. Not every priest can deliver a good homily or administer a parish in a friendly way, but that doesn’t mean the Church is wrong.
I wouldn’t leave the Church no matter how bad to singing is, or how cold the people. Why would I leave the Church of Jesus? I should try to do my best to participate and make it better. Like Tim Staples said, would you leave Peter because of Judas?
Sure I could go to an evangelical church like I did before I came back to the Catholic Church, but that would be going where I felt comfortable, for my own comfort not because it is right.
Be an example, if there are no greeters at the door, become one! Or on the way out pass out the bulletins and say goodbye to everyone.
I believe the Church is not there to entertain you, but you make up the congregation, maybe it needs to start with you.
I wouldn’t leave the Church no matter how bad to singing is, or how cold the people. Why would I leave the Church of Jesus? I should try to do my best to participate and make it better. Like Tim Staples said, would you leave Peter because of Judas?
Sure I could go to an evangelical church like I did before I came back to the Catholic Church, but that would be going where I felt comfortable, for my own comfort not because it is right.
Be an example, if there are no greeters at the door, become one! Or on the way out pass out the bulletins and say goodbye to everyone.
I believe the Church is not there to entertain you, but you make up the congregation, maybe it needs to start with you.
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Tantum_ergo
Guest
Gladtobe, please answer Maria’s question.
BTW, what devotions do you practice outside of church?
What have you given up for lent?
Do you receive the Real Presence of Jesus–His body, blood, soul and divinity–when you receive communion?
What do you yourself give to your parish? Do you give of your time, talent and treasure?
Or do you expect everybody in your parish to be giving to you?
You remind me of the people who move to Vermont because they are charmed by the scenery, captivated by the sense of beauty, full of the desire to “get back to the land”, or the “simple” life. . .and, once they’ve bought their new condo, start agitating for the town to get in Wal-Mart, Target, Cost-Co, Best Buy. . .start complaining about “the smell” from farms. . .in essence, start “recreating” all the comforts of “big city life” and in the process are destroying the very things you professed were your reason to come and live here. JMO.
BTW, what devotions do you practice outside of church?
What have you given up for lent?
Do you receive the Real Presence of Jesus–His body, blood, soul and divinity–when you receive communion?
What do you yourself give to your parish? Do you give of your time, talent and treasure?
Or do you expect everybody in your parish to be giving to you?
You remind me of the people who move to Vermont because they are charmed by the scenery, captivated by the sense of beauty, full of the desire to “get back to the land”, or the “simple” life. . .and, once they’ve bought their new condo, start agitating for the town to get in Wal-Mart, Target, Cost-Co, Best Buy. . .start complaining about “the smell” from farms. . .in essence, start “recreating” all the comforts of “big city life” and in the process are destroying the very things you professed were your reason to come and live here. JMO.
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serendipity
Guest
Don’t give up hope. Not all Catholic churches are cold. Keep looking. Also, you coudl try to start Bible studies or groups that would encourage religious dialogue in a family atmosphere. Note I said could try. People have tried that at the local church here, but the priest has no time to micromanage such enterprises so he doens’t want them there. Understandably, he has a lot on his plate, being the only Catholic priest in the county. But at the same time, it seems wrong not to let people help him, when he can’t do everything, being only one person. paul says we all have gifts to give to the church. Part of being a good leader is helping to cultivate those gifts.
I sympathize with your plight. I understand that you aren’t expecting nor do you want gossip in the church but expect (and rightly so) a sense of family, when you are part of an organization that claims to be one body.
It’s funny because the local church here is tiny and shrinking all the time due to the priest. My parents left it, as did almost everyone they know. The preist never acknolwedges that he knows any one and tries to avoid people after mass. Yet his homiles are always based on the pespective that “you all are horrible people becuase you all do this or you all think that”…not only are such generalizaitons ofensive because they are usually unture, but they are ridiculous, since he doesn’t know most people well enough to make such assumptions. Also, the principles of being effective usually advise approach people from the perpsective of “we,” when offerening guidance. The homilies are also quite useless as learning because he never ties what he is saying to the readings or Cathoic teaching.
The church I moved to and was able to convince my parents to attend, even my father at time (than God for that) is absolutely huge, but it feels so much more like a intimate family. People are so warm and welcoming there. Not just the greeters at the door, but the attitude that people always try to squish together to welome more people on their pew. And everyone tries to offer the sign of peace. Little things like that make a big difference in attitude. It makes you feel that you are joined by the same Spirit. There are all kinds of church activities. Discussions on pertinent issues before mass, and Saturday discussions with bagels. Field trips to local exhibitions and even to European shrines.
The priest there, even spoke to my father one time when we were leaving, saying that he noticed he was new (a special gift to notice that with such a huge parish) and welcomed him. It made such a huge difference.
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PeterC
Guest
Gladtobe ……
Please let me give you the answer I suspect you were seeking in your original question.
Wow, Gladtobe, you are so right! What has happened to the people in our church? We need more pious folks like you to call our attention to our distractions. All those in the pews around you can see with their wide open eyes how much more pious you have become. Dare we close our eyes lest we injure your pride?
Please let me give you the answer I suspect you were seeking in your original question.
Wow, Gladtobe, you are so right! What has happened to the people in our church? We need more pious folks like you to call our attention to our distractions. All those in the pews around you can see with their wide open eyes how much more pious you have become. Dare we close our eyes lest we injure your pride?
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gladtobe
Guest
Maria
Code:
To answer your question I am a Catholic by confirmation, but at the same time I am a student of both church history and the bible. When I came into the faith I did not check my mind at the door. I accepted what Father and I felt was acceptable. Father, never told me I had to believe everything about Marian apparitions, novenas or worship Mary in anyway. Even Hail Marys were an optional devotion. I told Father that I worship the Lord Jesus Christ and he only. He accepted that.
I have only been a Catholic for two years and I must say I wished I would not have jumped in so quickly. People in the church are not warm. People like you and Peter only seek to verbally attack me and my character at every post, because I do not believe just like you.
Unlike you, I also believe Christ's spirit lives within the Christian and is not just received Saturday night at 5:30 mass. Also I believe the Eucharist is salvational, which not all Catholics believe.
No, I do not approve at everything the Pope does or says. I don't approve of his ecumenical association with the Muslims, Hindus and Wiccans. And I heard he even kissed the book of the Koran. I do not agree with his liberal thought about evolution either. He is not a full blown evolutionist, but more theistic. In other words God started the evolutionary chain and then let nature take it's course. I do not like how he has allowed accused priests who were guilty of pedophilia** for years** remain free of civil prosecution. There are literally thousands of cases that the church has merely made monetary restitution to the relatives of the abused. To me that is just hush money.
I believe in the Nicene creed as we recite it every week verbatim. So once again I am just an average Joe Catholic with a free mind. So does that make you happy now or do you have more to personal attacks in store for me?
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Anna_Elizabeth
Guest
Are you implying that the rest of us have? That’s not exactly a good way to make friends.
You mean Father actually told you that you didn’t have to “worship Mary in any way?” WOW! What a surprise! By the way, can you name a Catholic who does worship Mary?
And can you believe, that no one has to believe in Marian apparitions?": Tsk! :tsktsk:
I believe you mean “Him” only, and I do not wonder that Father accepted that, as worship of the Lord Jesus Christ and Him only is the foundation of our faith!!!
The suggestions posters have made encouraging you to take the initiative about some of the things you would like to see changed are all good. I think the best suggestion, however, is that you continue to add to your seemingly meagre knowledge of the Catholic faith.
Oh dear, :whacky:
Anna
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MonicaC
Guest
I just wanted to remind you that you are the one who started with the vebal attacks
M
MariaG
Guest
** Posted by gladtobe**
Since it appears you were very poorly taught what Catholics believe, there are some core doctrines that you clearly do not believe, that you should have been taught before your conversion.
Catholic means universal. That means there are things that every Catholic is supposed to believe. Protestants can have varying beliefs even in the same denomination, in other words people do not all believe just like you do, and that is okay.
In the Catholic Church, while there is room for some dissent, one may not dissent on “core” beliefs. That means that on these core beliefs, we all are supposed to think the same way. Immaculate conception is one of the core beliefs. Clearly, you do not have this core belief.
Because of this, the beliefs you were presenting conflict with the information you had presented. Several others had questioned where you go to church since you clearly did not have the “universal” or Catholic beliefs that you should have. You avoided answering them also.
However, I never personally attacked your character. I simply said that you either are not Catholic since the beliefs you are presenting are clearly not in line with Catholic Teaching and therefore you are lying, or you need remedial courses in Catholic teaching (which most receive before they become Catholic.) I asked you to clarify who you were since what you were saying conflicted with what you should believe as a convert to the Catholic faith.
Quote for me where I personally attacked your character.
(continued)
It has been obvious from your posts that you were not a cradle Catholic. That would then mean you would be a convert. Most converts are very well catechized. I said either you were deceiving people because you were not Catholic or needed remedial courses in Catholicism.
Since it appears you were very poorly taught what Catholics believe, there are some core doctrines that you clearly do not believe, that you should have been taught before your conversion.
Catholic means universal. That means there are things that every Catholic is supposed to believe. Protestants can have varying beliefs even in the same denomination, in other words people do not all believe just like you do, and that is okay.
In the Catholic Church, while there is room for some dissent, one may not dissent on “core” beliefs. That means that on these core beliefs, we all are supposed to think the same way. Immaculate conception is one of the core beliefs. Clearly, you do not have this core belief.
Because of this, the beliefs you were presenting conflict with the information you had presented. Several others had questioned where you go to church since you clearly did not have the “universal” or Catholic beliefs that you should have. You avoided answering them also.
However, I never personally attacked your character. I simply said that you either are not Catholic since the beliefs you are presenting are clearly not in line with Catholic Teaching and therefore you are lying, or you need remedial courses in Catholic teaching (which most receive before they become Catholic.) I asked you to clarify who you were since what you were saying conflicted with what you should believe as a convert to the Catholic faith.
Quote for me where I personally attacked your character.
(continued)
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MariaG
Guest
part 2
** Posted by gladtobe**
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=40979 post #30 you claim that there is no writings that you have found from Early Church Fathers on the Immaculate conception. (Could Mary have lived a sinless life).
In less than 5 minutes I and others found several articles on Catholic Answers website with quotes from the Fathers.
There are a few issues in Catholic teachings that I do not agree with that I should. I earnestly pray that God would show me why the Church is right and never deny the church is right. I try to conform my mind.
Christ told us He is the Church. To go against the Church is to go against Christ.
Read what I said carefully. There is not a personal attack on your character anywhere.
Study more and try to understand the teachings of what a Catholic is *supposed *to believe. Nothing will contradict the Bible or the ECF.
God Bless,
Maria
** Posted by gladtobe**
.
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=40979 post #30 you claim that there is no writings that you have found from Early Church Fathers on the Immaculate conception. (Could Mary have lived a sinless life).
In less than 5 minutes I and others found several articles on Catholic Answers website with quotes from the Fathers.
Neither did I nor others here.
Because you don’t need to believe in Marian apparitions although you may. You do not need to pray novenas. And absolutely no Catholic may worship Mary in any way at all. Hail Mary’s which is made up almost entirely of quotes from the Bible, is optional. The priest who talked to you was correct.
He accepted that because that is what Catholics believe and do. It would be one of those “core beliefs”.
Unlike Me??? When did I ever say any of this slander? Please show me my quote.
Unlike the Immaculate conception, you are free to have whatever view you like on these issues and still be a Catholic.
As do I.
As a convert to the Catholic faith, you are certainly allowed a free mind. But on some issues, you need to conform your mind to the teachings of the Catholic Church. The Immaculate conception is one such issue.
There are a few issues in Catholic teachings that I do not agree with that I should. I earnestly pray that God would show me why the Church is right and never deny the church is right. I try to conform my mind.
Christ told us He is the Church. To go against the Church is to go against Christ.
Read what I said carefully. There is not a personal attack on your character anywhere.
Study more and try to understand the teachings of what a Catholic is *supposed *to believe. Nothing will contradict the Bible or the ECF.
God Bless,
Maria
M
MariaG
Guest
part 2
** Posted by gladtobe**
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=40979 post #30 you claim that there is no writings that you have found from Early Church Fathers on the Immaculate conception. (Could Mary have lived a sinless life).
In less than 5 minutes I and others found several articles on Catholic Answers website with quotes from the Fathers.
There are a few issues in Catholic teachings that I do not agree with that I should. I earnestly pray that God would show me why the Church is right and never deny the church is right. I try to conform my mind.
Christ told us He is the Church. To go against the Church is to go against Christ.
Read what I said carefully. There is not a personal attack on your character anywhere.
Study more and try to understand the teachings of what a Catholic is *supposed *to believe. Nothing will contradict the Bible or the ECF, including the Immaculate Conception.
God Bless,
Maria
** Posted by gladtobe**
.
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=40979 post #30 you claim that there is no writings that you have found from Early Church Fathers on the Immaculate conception. (Could Mary have lived a sinless life).
In less than 5 minutes I and others found several articles on Catholic Answers website with quotes from the Fathers.
Neither did I nor others here.
Because you don’t need to believe in Marian apparitions although you may. You do not need to pray novenas. And absolutely no Catholic may worship Mary in any way at all. Hail Mary’s which is made up almost entirely of quotes from the Bible, is optional. The priest who talked to you was correct.
He accepted that because that is what Catholics believe and do. It would be one of those “core beliefs”.
Unlike Me??? When did I ever say any of this slander? Please show me my quote.
Unlike the Immaculate conception, you are free to have whatever view you like on these issues and still be a Catholic.
As do I.
As a convert to the Catholic faith, you are certainly allowed a free mind. But on some issues, you need to conform your mind to the teachings of the Catholic Church. The Immaculate conception is one such issue.
There are a few issues in Catholic teachings that I do not agree with that I should. I earnestly pray that God would show me why the Church is right and never deny the church is right. I try to conform my mind.
Christ told us He is the Church. To go against the Church is to go against Christ.
Read what I said carefully. There is not a personal attack on your character anywhere.
Study more and try to understand the teachings of what a Catholic is *supposed *to believe. Nothing will contradict the Bible or the ECF, including the Immaculate Conception.
God Bless,
Maria
G
gladtobe
Guest
Maria
I will choose to believe something when I accept it and not because you tell me I have to. Personally, I think itsjust dave made some good posts and I am reconsidering my position on this all. But I sure as hell am not going to swallow everything **YOU SAY** I should, because you feel it's right. If you think so, then your elevator doesn't stop at the top floor.
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ThornGenX
Guest
I am praying, usually a quick thank you to Jesus for inviting me to Mass. Sometimes I have my eyes open, sometimes closed.
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