Why are Protestant Churches more friendly, helpful, and community oriented?

[mrs_abbott]

Isn’t it a funeral of sorts???

To me, it should only be a funeral on Good Friday and during the consecration.

I know I probably sound harsh. Please forgive me. I’m not saying that everyone sould go to Mass with frowns on their faces and icy hearts for their fellow parishioners. The light and radiance of Christ should be flowing through us so that people can just look at us and see it without our even having to open our mouths.

I understand what you’re saying but the “frowns and icy hearts” seem to be what show Sunday after Sunday.

Anyway, I don’t even think this is what Disheartened is referring to. I think she is referring to what is happening outside of Mass, which at her parish must not be very much.

Sorry to have gotten off topic then.

 

[mrs_abbott]

where on earth would you ever get this idea??

From Catholics

They say that faith is not an emotion. They say you don’t have to be happy to attend Mass. You do it out of obligation and reverence.

 

[Tom317]

Well said! And I have to say in response to the thread topic, that not all Catholics are tight-lipped and cold, infact many Catholics in my parish are so much the opposite, that they make it hard to really see the truth in what you just said - before and after Mass is like social hour, and especially during evening masses - I think in general Catholics could afford to be a little more quiet if anything so we can keep our mind in the context of where we are.

Peace

I agree.

Here is something to place a punctuation mark on what I said:

heraldguide.com/details.php?id=915

 

[mrs_abbott]

Now, we are having a Christian comedian come on sat. and she is entertaining. I have 3 people coming with me and they are all catholics.

I wanna go!!! :bounce:

 

[Lillith]

To me, it should only be a funeral on Good Friday and during the consecration.

I understand what you’re saying but the “frowns and icy hearts” seem to be what show Sunday after Sunday.

I’ll be honest. I could very well be a person who appears to be all “frowns and icy hearted”…I can’t tell you who is in Mass…who I shake hands with during the declarations of “Peace be with yous” or who is in front of me during the procession line to receive Our Lord in the form of bread and wine. I barely even notice my own family since I learned of the miracle, and realized what I was witnessing. My eyes are straight ahead transfixed on the Altar.

Meet me after Church at the Mexican Restaurant!

 

[kage_ar]

From Catholics

They say that faith is not an emotion. They say you don’t have to be happy to attend Mass. You do it out of obligation and reverence.

When I attend Mass, most of the time I am FILLED with awe and thanksgiving and joy and humility and thanks.and reverence and sorrow and hope… but, there have been spiritually dry spells in my life when I have gone to Mass out of obligation.

To me, that is what gets twisted around. Many Protestants I know will leave thier congregation or even denomination if they do not “get something out of it”. If they hit a dry spot and are not moved with joy and awe and thanksgiving and thanks and reverence they will sometimes stay home for a week (just to spend time alone with God) and if it is a continual thing, they will begin shopping for a new congregation. They will be advised by other caring Christians in their circle of friends to look for a place where they can be “fed” and that will “meet your spiritual needs”.

As Catholics, while most do experience these feelings and more at Mass, we will still go to Mass even if we don’t feel like it. Mass is about more than our feelings.

Does that make sense?

 

[Writer]

You know I would just be tickled pink to participate in an event where catholics and protestants TOGETHER go out into the community and do something that shows a UNITY in Christ. Put aside apologetic differences and serve those who so desperately need Christ instead of sitting on our bums and complain that the other hurt our feelings so they MUST be evil or taking shots at eachother because we are too ignorant and self centered to do the research and just ask a question… *sigh… If only…

Amen!

 

[ALLFORHIM]

I wanna go!!! :bounce:

Hey,
Catch a flight to Philly or Newark and Ill pick you up:thumbsup:

I hold a sign with mrs. abbott on it

 

[mrs_abbott]

I’ll be honest. I could very well be a person who appears to be all “frowns and icy hearted”…I can’t tell you who is in Mass…who I shake hands with during the declarations of “Peace be with yous” or who is in front of me during the procession line to receive Our Lord in the form of bread and wine. I barely even notice my own family since I learned of the miracle, and realized what I was witnessing. My eyes are straight ahead transfixed on the Altar.

Meet me after Church at the Mexican Restaurant!

I understand what you’re feeling cuz I used to feel that way myself. But then I figured there had to be a compromise because I started thinking I was better than everyone else and getting angry at those I thought weren’t be “reverent” enough. Granted, I was just being a brat and highly annoyed but I knew that I wasn’t better than anyone there.
Where’s the happy median???

 

[mrs_abbott]

Hey,
Catch a flight to Philly or Newark and Ill pick you up:thumbsup:

I hold a sign with mrs. abbott on it

I can get the sign but I don’t think $50 will get me to Philly or Newark so I’m gonna have to rely on you to tell me about it later.

 

[Mickey]

I started thinking I was better than everyone else and getting angry at those I thought weren’t being “reverent” enough.

Don’t feel bad–you are not alone. It is the age old sin of “pride”.

**The chief cause of criticism and slander is pride and egotism, for man thinks himself better [than others]. For this reason it is very beneficial for a person to think of himself as smaller than all, so that he sees the brother as better, in order that he may, with the help of God, be delivered from this evil. **
**REF:Elder Ephraim of Philotheou Mount Athos, “Counsels from the Holy Mountain” **

 

[bankerdavid]

I wasn’t suggesting that Mass be a big social hour, only that the Church should bring people together outside of Mass for community events. There’s not much going on. Other churches have more going on all week like someone said.

I think lively worship is fine, just because people praise God at church and feel good, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. I also think that’s sort of an excuse, when Catholics say that we’re unfriendly because we’re so focused on God. I doubt if the average Catholic in the pew is in a mystical state of union with God the whole time they are there. From the sound of some of the things I’ve read on the internet, there is a big concern with how others behave in church, how their children behave, what they wear, and other subjects of concern. Everyone gets distracted in church, it’s only natural to notice other people.

I believe maybe you’re not a good match for your parish. Different parishes have different personalities, different funding levels, etc. There are Charismatic Catholic masses you could find and attend. There are parishes with schools where most of the parishoners are more your age, more your personality.

 

[RonRule]

It’s funny how different people want different things.

Since I grew up Evangelical, with all the fun and fellowship, I got tired of it at some point. Shaking 20 hands and sharing 40 How Ya Doin’s before and after Church just got old. The Catholic Church gave me the opportunity to duck in and out, to unite myself in reverence to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, etc.

Having said that, *you *want the fellowship, which is totally fine! But as many have pointed out, in most catholic minds, Mass aint the place for this type of fellowship. Instead of trying to change every catholic mind on this issue (after all, they may be right), here’s what I suggest.

Does your parish have anything you can get involved in? Anything? Join it and give your all (this is what evangelicals do…they get involved, wholeheartedly. you can too). CCD, RCIA, Bible Study, etc.

If not, try a nearby parish.

If not, try the diocese.

Try a local food pantry, homeless shelter, or crisis pregancy center. Find out if catholics get together and pray the rosary at abortion clinics.

See if there are any active movements in your area: Opus Dei, Regnum Christi, Chriseo (sp?).

And one final thing. If you asked just about any Evangelical pastor: “why don’t we have *this *kind of ministry or *this *kind of fellowship???”

He’ll say,** “Great idea, why don’t you start that!”**

 

[cheddarsox]

Catholic Churches are not unfriendly at all.

In Catholicism, the focus is on the tabernacle and altar. Everything else is important, but secondary. If Protestants knew that Jesus Christ was really and truly present among them, wouldn’t the focus be not on each other, but on HIM – not figuratively, not “spiritually,” but the “real thing”? Silent reverence and adoration are the only correct responses to HIM in the Tabernacle and the miracle that takes place on every Catholic altar at every Mass.

“When I caught sight of him, I fell down down at his feet as though dead” Rev 1:17.

Catholics “catch sight of him” the minute they walk through the sanctuary door. Pardon us while we focus on HIM, truly present under the sacramental veil.

“Fellowship” outside the sanctuary when the Holy Mass is over, and not in the Presence of Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Catholics and their Churches are not unfriendly. We have a different definition of what it means to “worship” that doesn’t meet Protestant expectations.

And the largest social services organization in the world is the Catholic Church.

Katholikos
former Southern Baptist, agnostic, atheist

Jesus did teach us to take care of one another, even when he was present. He did not tell the Apostles to spend all their time worshipping him, focusing on him, etc. Can you really mean to say that Jesus prefers or expects us not to welcome people because he wants us to only be paying attention to him? Is this the same Jesus Christ that we are talking about here?

cheddar

 

[cheddarsox]

I see the same truth as well…the more it is an atmosphere of a party, then the better…like every service should be a New Years Party:dancing: :bounce: :clapping:

There is a great deal of joy in coming together to worship. There truly is.

cheddar

 

[Sixtus]

I see my fellow Catholics getting involved in all sorts of other activities outside of church, but nothing’s happening in the church.

So why don’t you make it happen?

ALWAYS
something going on in the Parish. The Hall is so busy, it is in use from 9 am until often 10 pm or later.

There is tons going on. I suggest that if your Church is lacking, gee it up. Make the suggestions to the PPC and Priest.

You may be the very one they are looking for

 

[lak611]

My parish has all kinds of activities for people to do. We have Sunday school for children and adults. We have many lay ministries, we have a Bible study group that meets during the week (in addition to our adult Sunday school which is a Bible study), we have volunteer activities to serve the poor (St. Vincent DePaul and a monthly ecumenical mission meal for the poor), children’s and adult choir, RCIA, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, evangelization committee, etc. There are many ways to get to know fellow parishoners. I got to meet many great people because I decided to join some of those groups. We also have coffee and donuts after Mass every month. Nobody will force a person to join any of these activities and/or groups, but I have made a lot of friends in my church by volunteering for many of the activities that are offered. By the way, I am a single person, and my family members attend different parishes, so I did not know anyone prior to joining these groups. I am actually not exactly what you would consider to be an extremely outgoing person, but I had the courage to ourcome my shyness and actually start becoming involved. It has worked. I have made lots of great friends, and I love my parish!

 

[Supercatholic]

One of my complaints about the Catholic Church is that it’s unfriendly and not a very good community. I read posts here that say that Protestants are phoney and have just as many problems, and that you don’t go to church to feel good. But I think that Protestants have a lot on the ball. They offer more youth activities and church socials. We should be socializing within the Church. That feeling of community is an important thing, more important to some than others obviously. It’s also a big reason why people like myself are tempted to leave the church, because it’s not the greatest social support system.

I see my fellow Catholics getting involved in all sorts of other activities outside of church, but nothing’s happening in the church. Small Baptist churches will have a church van or bus and everyone takes field trips together. They have vibrant youth groups where kids can have wholesome fun and give the parents a break too. I wish the Catholic Church provided things like that more.

Dear Disheartened, What I’m about to say may come across as mean, opinionated, and self centered, but people never learn or grow if they’re left in their comfortable status. First of all there are over one million Catholic parishes throughout the entire world. So can you honestly say you know what activities are or are not taking place when mass is not being held? Don’t let that friendliness of the Protestant churches deceive you. In my experiences I have found the further a denomination breaks away from the previous one, the friendlier it appears to be. Why? Because the new self proclaimed leaders need people to support their elaborate lifestyle. The more people the more lifestyle. The friendliness of Protestant churches is one of Satan’s biggest deception, as it leads you away from the real real presence of Christ. Even many Catholics are fooled by this and leave the only church that Jesus started. The Catholic church is the only church with a valid clerical priesthood. Next time you see a catholic priest remember this, his ordination was bestowed upon him from an unbroken succession that started with the first apostles appointed by Jesus Himself. Not one single Protestant minister can claim this. If they do, they are lying. Just know this, the Protestant reformation began because a former Catholic priest was deceived by Satan. I will always rather be in a Catholic Church with the crucifix front and center and Jesus’ arms outstretched, as if he is saying to me “I love you this much, that I died for you, so you could live” than any social event that takes place not only after a Protestant service, but sometimes during it.

 

[Danimal]

Hello,
You know, I started participating in these forums simply to learn more about Catholics and Catholicism. From what I have seen so far is complete intolerance of anyone who isn’t Catholic.
Do you seriously think that our friendliness is a deception? Could it be that we just like people and each other?
My exploration of Catholicism is over. So you are all the first church? Big deal. All Protestants should return to the authority of the Pope? Don’t think so.
I think I will stay with my Methodist church family with all its deceptive, satanic friendliness. Sure beats what I have found here.
See ya. Don’t want to be ya!

 

[matahari]

Back to the topic,

Of course we start from within our own church family and then reach out to the community. I think our church is thriving is because when people come to visit they see how good we treat each other. I still remember whi I met my first day at my church 3 years ago. I remember because they came up to me to introduce themselves and welcome me to church.

I think what drew me into staying was the kindness of the people and the church doctrine was what I believed as well.
o

---

Me and my husband attended a evangelical church in the UK 20 years ago as well as being practising Catholics. What you say is true about joyful Praise, and Bible study and mid week’s home groups and outreach - is true. But also some of the tithes were used for Church leaders and their family groups to have nice breaks abroad tied up with Chuech business.
But what I didn’t like was the anti-Catholic prejudice throughout this Church . Catholicism was referred to disparagingly as ‘Religion’ ; There was always some reference to it just about every week. And then the inevitable personal testimonies that began with " I used to be a Catholic , but now I’m a Christian " Got tired of it and stopped attending .