Why Are You In Your Present Parish?

[GodIsGracious]

Some Catholics consider the “new” Catholic churches “inferior” or “Protestant” and urge people like the OP not to attend these parishes.

[deletia]

THAT’S what my posts refer to–the attitude that the statues are important enough that people should flee churches that have few statues.

As long as the bishop allows a Catholic church to remain open, the people who are part of that parish should attend that church, even if it is plain-looking by their standards. **Catholics should not be so attached to decor, architecture, etc. that they are unable to worship at Mass in a plain, modern-looking church building. **

An FYI, in regards to this particular thread, I agreed with you and told the OP to go to their parish in the geographical area. Especially coming from being a protestant - since I KNOW protestants church shop. You made excellent points.

Secondly, I would never tell someone NOT to go to a church simply because of it’s architecture. I go to the church I go to partly because of the architecture. No, I’m not hung up on it. If I were, I’d drive even further to the Cathedral downtown.

I have explained in my last post that one of the beautiful things about attending Mass is that it is a full body experience - appealing to ALL the senses. Sight is one of them. I just wish that we would have more incense during Mass.

There is absolutely nothing wrong for a Catholic to want the big ornate building, beautiful architecture, art of the stations of the cross and statues that are a visual representation of Mary, Joseph, and saints. Smelling the slight burning of candles, seeing the flicker of the flame, the QUIETNESS that such a huge building can generate. Nothing wrong with that.

Some of us just prefer that.

Now, I for one do not consider newer, plain looking churches to be inferior to protestant churches. If you got that from one of my posts, I’m sorry, I did not mean to imply that. For one, Catholic churches generally have the crucifix. Right there in and of itself makes it better than a protestant church. Secondly, the tabernacle. Catholic Church > Protestant church. Regardless of the architecture of the church.

I went to a church in my area for confession last Saturday because it had confession being held at a convenient time. When I walked in I noticed it was so plain. There were three chairs, a table for the alter, two candles, and it was one of those “theatre in the rounds” type sitting situation. There was a huge painted crucifix was behind the alter.

I assure you, while the architecture, style, and decoration was not to my taste, I felt no less of His presence there than the church I attend. He was very much present. So that is why I, personally, would never say that any Catholic church was inferior to a protestant church. And any Catholic who does say that, well… I just hope they realize why even a multipurpose building with no art as a Catholic church would ALWAYS be better than any old protestant church.

 

[jimpres]

Domini,

Great you know Japanese well enough to go to a Japanese mass. I was in Taiwan and had to search out a mass in English. Just a plain building but the mass is universal. And if you close your eyes you can be in any church.
I lived in Poland and the churches there are well decorated, and all masses are in Polish.

 

[Dempsey1919]

Great you know Japanese well enough to go to a Japanese mass.

Things would be a lot easier if the Mass was said in Latin throughout the entire world. Catholics of every nationality and language would be able to pray together throughout the world in perfect unison and understanding. It would eliminate the need for all of the polish masses, spanish masses etc that many parishes now have to deal with.

Rather than having multiple masses for different languages, we could have one Mass in Latin for everyone.

 

[JesusMyAll]

I am a revert of going on five years. . .Thanks Be To GOD!. . .don’t feel bad about feeling that some of your anwers here are, “over your head.” Although, the advise here is excellent and sometimes, for me anyway, I need it plainly spelled out.

All I can tell you is that I am sooooo blessed to belong to my Parish. . . Our Pastor is a holy priest, thanks be to God. . .he came to our Parish just as I reverted and was the first to hear my confession after 15 years! He began, “Martha’s Partner’s Ministry” I signed up and got very involved. . .we offer our parishioners who have lost a family member a reception in our Church Hall after Funeral Mass and burial. I can’t tell you how wonderful this is. . .

I think Slyboots said it best, it’s all about the REAL PRESENCE. . . “HE IS THERE SO VERY THERE”. . . Right on Slyboots!

God Bless You & Yours,

JesusMyAll:grouphug:

 

[Saint_Sebastian]

I’m not. I’m registered in one parish, but I can’t stand the pew politics there. I hate to say it, but some Catholics are down right rotten. So I go to any Catholic Parish I please. I belong to the Universal Church so I can fulfill my obligations anywhere in the world.

Jay, I agree with you entirely. In my opinion there are valid reasons for moving to a parish where you can “take root”. One reason that comes to mind in my memory is a certain Priest who supports and encourages the demise of celibacy and signed a petition to the Bishop asking for permission to marry. This same Priest demonstrated contradictory opinion that couples attending Mass who were living together and not married should leave the church while this same Priest also encouraged a couple who were separated to date other people during the process of annulment which of course is forbidden according to the Catechism. This same Priest started a dating club for divorced Catholics who had not finalized their annulments which is also forbidden.

Finding a parish where not only the Priest but also the parishoners do not make you uncomfortable with their outlook on life according to Church teaching can be a major challange. If this were a sinless world [which it is not] it would be easy to settle in anywhere however it is because of the sins of the “faithful” that makes a person uncomfortable at a particular parish making “the move” or “hopping” to find the right parish not only a reasonable goal but also required for the sake of your own sanity and sanctity.

The fact that “protestants” church hop is evidence de facto that finding a place of worship that does induce feelings of justice and holiness is most desirable. Protestants church hop for the same reason Catholic’s do and that is to find a place to “take root”.

I firmly believe that “church hopping” is an essential part of one’s faith journey and necessary in the search for the truth and peace. Once the “right” parish is found, of course there would be no desire to leave because you will know in your heart that you have found your “home parish”. As you say, this is the universal church and freedom of movement should never be restricted by an attitude of “keep in your place” or be satisfied with mediocrity. Pope John Paul 11 made this same statement, “that we should never be satisfied with mediocrity”. Look at Pope John Paul 11 to see where his faith journey took him and to how many various church locations?

 

[domini_canus]

Great you know Japanese well enough to go to a Japanese mass.

Been here 12 years.
Also, the liturgy is the same, so it’s kinda easy. I just made sure I printed out the liturgy in Japanese and followed along. I got it in about two weeks. NP.

 

[domini_canus]

Things would be a lot easier if the Mass was said in Latin throughout the entire world. Catholics of every nationality and language would be able to pray together throughout the world in perfect unison and understanding. It would eliminate the need for all of the polish masses, spanish masses etc that many parishes now have to deal with.

Rather than having multiple masses for different languages, we could have one Mass in Latin for everyone.

Quoted for Truth

 

[Dempsey1919]

Quoted for Truth

A lot of people say that our priests don’t need the extra pressure to learn how to pronounce the Latin words of the Mass. However, many of these people see no problem with the priest having to celebrate separate Masses for English speakers, Japanese speakers, Spanish speakers etc. It seems to me that it would be far easier for a priest in a multi-cultural, multi-language parish to eliminate all vernacular Masses and celebrate one Latin Mass. It is easy enough to find vernacular translations of the Latin Missal that everyone can read and understand.

One of the great things before the Liturgical reform was that Roman Catholics were able to visit any country and be confident that they could pray alongside the native peoples. The Latin Mass was an instrument of unity among all Latin rite Catholics.

 

[Seamus_L]

Church architecture is of the utmost importance, and if anyone has doubts about that they should read Michael Rose’s “Ugly As Sin”. Unfortunately we do have cases where a very beautiful awe inspiring church is currently being staffed by priests who let’s say. are less than traditional.

 

[domini_canus]

A lot of people say that our priests don’t need the extra pressure to learn how to pronounce the Latin words of the Mass. However, many of these people see no problem with the priest having to celebrate separate Masses for English speakers, Japanese speakers, Spanish speakers etc. It seems to me that it would be far easier for a priest in a multi-cultural, multi-language parish to eliminate all vernacular Masses and celebrate one Latin Mass. It is easy enough to find vernacular translations of the Latin Missal that everyone can read and understand.

One of the great things before the Liturgical reform was that Roman Catholics were able to visit any country and be confident that they could pray alongside the native peoples. The Latin Mass was an instrument of unity among all Latin rite Catholics.

Good points! On top of that, missionary priests (like the Franciscans here in Japan) are impressive linguists. Latin wouldn’t be a problem, then. I always give a priest the benefit of the doubt when it comes to study: those guys sure know their stuff!

 

[7_Sorrows]

i recently moved from a big city with close to a hundred of Catholic churches to a small town where there is only one parish and two priests. so i have no choice. i used to like to visit different churches when i lived in the city and some priests do give better homilies than others. if there were more Catholic churches where i live, i probably would visit them all and decide where i felt more comfortable.

 

[Sr_Sally]

I am a likely future immigrant to Catholicism, so this question is born of ignorance rather than malice.

I thought being a Catholic was like being a voter: You could only go to the precinct to which you were assigned. “Not So,” I’ve been told. So, I’ve been praying constantly to be led to the Parish where I “belong” and have attended Mass at 5-different ones in hopes of recieving the knowing “You’re Home, Bubba.”

A Catholic acquaintance informs me that I’m being too Protestant about this. He says that, other than stylistic differences between Priests, every Parish is the same. I can hit a different one each week, and it won’t matter. Being a member of the Body is all that counts.

I concede the point that some Protestants - especially us Charismatic/Pentecostal types - have to guard against over-reliance on emotionalism. Even smart Pentecostals caution against this. Still, I recoil at the thought that God has not prepared a special place for me in a group where I need their specific charisms, and where they are incomplete without mine. Just show up for feeding somewhere/anywhere on Sundays, and I’m good to go.

Talk to me, y’all: Do I need my attitude adjusted? How did You arrive at “Home?”

I agree with your friend. It is not always a popular position these days. Lots of Catholic parish ‘shop’ looking for certains styles of music, lituical flourishes, or types of homilies. But the true reason we attend Mass is to worship God as He asked us to, and indeed to receive communion if we are prperly disposed.

If you are looking for a particular charism or community, you may be called to join a 3rd oder (for lay people) or another similar lay community–Legion of Mary, etc. Those things are outside of your parish membership. For your regular parish Mass attendance, I recommend the closest church as long as it doesn’t teach hetrodoxy or preform invalid Masses.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

Ok, this could be a major issue for me, as I grew up in a Baptist household: When your people do that, is it just sprinkling, or total immersion?

sorry. i was in class from 8 a-m till 9 this evening. i’ll be normal again soon.

It truly does vary.

When I watched EWTN broadcast the Easter Vigil from the Vatican, there were something like five converts. They leaned forward, and water scooped from a small shell was trickled over the backs of their heads.

At our own Easter Vigil this year, the same thing was done.

With ‘Fadda Lestat,’ as I came to call him, every time I asked about the details of Baptism, he bared his fangs in glee and said, “You’ll find out.”

When I saw the kiddie pool I knew we were in for it. It wasn’t full immersion but it sure felt like it with us standing in the pool and having a bucket of water dumped over our heads.

 

[Beachcomber]

Very interesting thread.

I was away from the Church for at least 30 years and during that time I TOTALLY church-shopped to find just the right non-Catholic church. None of them fit, of course. Now that I’m back home, I had to find a Catholic church that I felt comfortable with. Must have had some leftover ‘shopping’ in my system.

Honestly, I never did realize that parish membership was territorial, so the parish I settled on (and still faithfully attend) was clear across town. I like it just fine and don’t want to change. It does not offer Spanish-language Masses, however, so occasionally DH and I will attend Mass at a parish that does just for that reason. The parish has a strong Latino cultural feel and that’s nice.

 

[BernadetteM]

I’ll explain my posts so that, hopefully, you’ll see that I’m not “anti-Mary.”

Many of the older Catholic churches are quite elaborate and filled with beautiful statuary, images, stained glass, etc.

Many of the newer (1970s and 80s) Catholic churches are quite stark, and perhaps only have a few images in the nave.

Some Catholics consider the “new” Catholic churches “inferior” or “Protestant” and urge people like the OP not to attend these parishes.

THAT’S what my posts refer to–the attitude that the statues are important enough that people should flee churches that have few statues.

As long as the bishop allows a Catholic church to remain open, the people who are part of that parish should attend that church, even if it is plain-looking by their standards. **Catholics should not be so attached to decor, architecture, etc. that they are unable to worship at Mass in a plain, modern-looking church building. **

I attend two parishes on a regular basis because I play piano. I am a MEMBER of a parish with a very modern-looking Catholic Church. It’s mainly bricks, and only has two images–the Crucifix (life-sized and very realistic) and the Holy Family (again, life-sized and very realistic). We have a “stylized” version of the Stations–pretty, but not the beautiful classical scuptures that some churches have. (We actually have two Stations, because one is outside in the midst of a beautiful garden (that just got nominated for a Community Garden award).

The other parish I attend has 18 images of the Blessed Mother, along with 12 saint images, life-sized, and stained glassed windows, numerous images and depictions of the patron saint of the parish–it’s a feast for the eyes.

I like both church buildings. Because of my busy and often harried life, I really like the plain modern church–it’s very peaceful, and the thousands of bricks, all laid in perfect order, make me remember that our God is a God of order.

But I also like the ornate church because it is very beautiful. (I know other Catholics who say it’s too “busy.”)

As for not honoring Mary–I think you would find that my “plain” parish honors Mary. The Rosary is said before every daily Mass. We do a May crowning. The Legion of Mary has a strong presence in the parish. Her image is in the lobby. We have a 24/7 Adoration Chapel where many visitors and adorers pray the Rosary. The recent “40 days for Life” included a large number of participants from that parish, many of whom prayed the Rosary during our prayer vigils. We sing Marian hymns often. I could go on, but the point is, devotion to Mary is not a question of how many images of her are in the nave, but rather, how much we love and honor her in our hearts and pray for her intercession and help on a regular basis.

I understand that it doesn’t matter if there are statues etc. in a building, but whether there are or not my intention was that I have heard Catholics that seem to think we put to much emphasis on the BVM and I really haven’t seen that. My parish is not a territorial parish, people come from all around to go to it. It doesn’t matter which parish area you live in you’re allowed to belong to this parish and not the one closes to you. I am not sure why, but the church is not owned by the diocese. We only have a statue of the BVM and ST. Joseph and one sorta hidden of St. Theresa. What I like about it, is that people are so devoted to Jesus and show that devotion by being quiet before Him. The priests are humble and kind. You just feel the Holy Spirit’s presence there. It is small and over 100years old. The walls are some sort of block or stone. It is not ornate, but the spiritual feeling is so deep. Of course I came from an Anglo Catholic parish and I was use to people being so reverent that some churches I have attended take me away from concentrating on our Lord. People are always talking in loud voices showing no reverence for Jesus, that is why I love my parish. I wish that the priests would announce to the parishioners that when in church they should be polite to others. If your in a movie theater I am sure that people are quiet so that others can concentrate on the movie. This is my problem with some parishes.

I don’t judge anyone’s heart, but I think people in general today don’t have the manners they had while I was younger. Please don’t take what I posted before as personal as it was not meant in that context. The Blessed Mother is who has kept my youngest daughter a Catholic. I won’t go into it but she did have a wonderful experience at the age of 7 and I believe that the Lord knew she would need this in her life as she grew older.

May God Bless you.

Thank you for your response.

Yours in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Bernadette

 

[Bernadette_Roy]

I was raised Catholic but left for about 16 years then came back. I call myself a revert something liken to a convert. I wanted to help in relating why sometimes you don’t go to the nearest parish.
Sometimes you just don’t get the fullness of truth from the parish community and even the Mass. If you find that you are having trouble understanding the readings and when you ask the priest for a better explanation he just passes you by, then by all means find a priest that will take the time to explain and teach. Please don’t look at attending Mass as a social occasion that is when we fail to see why we go to Mass. It is nice to accepted and liked but that is the social part of the parish, we first look for the spiritual part. May I suggest that you ask your friends that might attended parishes in your area about why do they go to their parish. My prayers are with you and I hope that you find your way to the Catholic Church.

 

[jimpres]

It just shows not all parishes are created equal just like people. Most parishioners where I attend are from other states. Came here to retire. But they are reverent, no talking and we have a baby room. Most all are friendly, you just need to put a hand out.

 

[EasterJoy]

If your in a movie theater I am sure that people are quiet so that others can concentrate on the movie. This is my problem with some parishes.

I am afraid you may not have been to the movies in awhile. It can be appalling. I don’t know if it is the schools, or how cheap it is to pipe music or talk into every nook and cranny of our lives, or what, but I cannot think of a venue that is an exception. The only time when the talk dies down a little in a movie theatre is when the movie is going on to provide a distraction. Even then, people actually answer and talk on their cell phones to others who aren’t in attendance!

My own theory is that there are fewer and fewer places for people to learn as children, that a) they are capable of closing their mouths, not only when someone else needs them to listen, but when nothing is being said to them or played at them and b) that silence is something to be savored, not endured. Even out on the hiking trails, there are fewer people than you’d think who are experiencing any quiet.

OTOH, if you go through childhood without the experience of how comforting silence can be, silence can be very hard to handle. Many people these days are in that situation. Silence is extremely hard for them to manage. It isn’t that they’ve become Protestants. The Protestant churches used to have some quiet, too, after all! It is that they’ve become modern Americans, people who think that air without sound bouncing in it is “dead air.”

A need for quiet is still a need. If your parish can’t provide it, that doesn’t mean you don’t need it.

 

[GodIsGracious]

Uhm, EasterJoy? I have NO idea how you created your post. But I NEVER said such a thing. You attributed that quote to the wrong person.

It certainly wasn’t me. Even the post that is linked to my “supposed” quote doesn’t even have that sentence in there. Please be careful how you quote posts.

However, for the most part, I agree with what you said here. I’m an only child. I personally LOVE silence. I completely agree with you in that people don’t really learn how to just sit still and be quiet. Isn’t there something about, “Be still and hear me?” Or some such quote?

GodIsGracious;5254590:

If your in a movie theater I am sure that people are quiet so that others can concentrate on the movie. This is my problem with some parishes.

I am afraid you may not have been to the movies in awhile. It can be appalling. I don’t know if it is the schools, or how cheap it is to pipe music or talk into every nook and cranny of our lives, or what, but I cannot think of a venue that is an exception. The only time when the talk dies down a little in a movie theatre is when the movie is going on to provide a distraction. Even then, people actually answer and talk on their cell phones to others who aren’t in attendance!

My own theory is that there are fewer and fewer places for people to learn as children, that a) they are capable of closing their mouths, not only when someone else needs them to listen, but when nothing is being said to them or played at them and b) that silence is something to be savored, not endured. Even out on the hiking trails, there are fewer people than you’d think who are experiencing any quiet.

OTOH, if you go through childhood without the experience of how comforting silence can be, silence can be very hard to handle. Many people these days are in that situation. Silence is extremely hard for them to manage. It isn’t that they’ve become Protestants. The Protestant churches used to have some quiet, too, after all! It is that they’ve become modern Americans, people who think that air without sound bouncing in it is “dead air.”

A need for quiet is still a need. If your parish can’t provide it, that doesn’t mean you don’t need it.

 

[Incomplete]

Isn’t there something about, “Be still and hear me?” Or some such quote?

Be still, and know that I am God, from Psalm 46:10. The full verse is *Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. *