Why are you not Catholic?

[PRmerger]

try sitting a bit nearer to the front.they seem to have a smile from ear to ear.
other than that im afraid ive said my part.

Right.

And then, as I said, when you (TC3033) become a parishioner, you and your family can be in charge of the Hospitality Ministry.

Also, I bet if you go up to someone after Mass, offer your hand and say, “I’m looking at becoming Catholic” you might receive a smile and welcome.

Maybe you just need to have a more open look to your face, TC. Maybe you look mad. Or scary. Or unapproachable.

 

[TC3033]

You should recognize it as people not living out their faith.

And then move on and investigate which Church is the one Christ established, join it, and conform your views to Christ’s, and then make sure that you welcome everyone in the proper way, given the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in close proximity.

So, the answer is just convert, even though my experience it not one I like to have as part of my faith…got it.

Right.

And then, as I said, when you (TC3033) become a parishioner, you and your family can be in charge of the Hospitality Ministry.

Also, I bet if you go up to someone after Mass, offer your hand and say, “I’m looking at becoming Catholic” you might receive a smile and welcome.

Maybe you just need to have a more open look to your face, TC. Maybe you look mad. Or scary. Or unapproachable.

Why does the first line need to be “I’m looking at becoming Catholic” PR? What should that have to do with it?

I’m sure I look mad, scary and unapproachable although I’ve tried to fit in…not with the I’m looking to be Catholic line though, maybe that’s the issue… Crazy how I’d like to fit in and not to feel unwelcomed at the church…whether service or outside.

 

[Doormouse]

Right.

And then, as I said, when you (TC3033) become a parishioner, you and your family can be in charge of the Hospitality Ministry.

Also, I bet if you go up to someone after Mass, offer your hand and say, “I’m looking at becoming Catholic” you might receive a smile and welcome.

Maybe you just need to have a more open look to your face, TC. Maybe you look mad. Or scary. Or unapproachable.

 

[TC3033]

im on my knees laughing here PR,ha ha

Proving my point.

What a welcoming community this board has proven to be…

 

[Doormouse]

Proving my point.

not at all. it was aimed at you.PR put the post to me instead of you by mistake. that’s why im laughing.because you should give the job description a go.
the last paragraph mede me laugh, the wife says that about me. lol

 

[TC3033]

not at all. it was aimed at you.PR put the post to me instead of you by mistake. that’s why im laughing.because you should give the job description a go.

Not how I read it…Agreeing with you and then on to address myself…and for some reason indicate I’d be part of the Church one day.

Meh, the circle’s broken now. I’ll probably be back tomorrow.

 

[PRmerger]

So, the answer is just convert, even though my experience it not one I like to have as part of my faith…got it.

Well, don’t come to a Catholic forum and expect someone to say, “Don’t be a Catholic”.

And, as I’ve already mentioned: your experience should be but a minor blip in your decision to convert. You could have a wonderful experience at the Church of the Christian Polygamists, but that would be a wrong reason to convert.

Rather, investigate the Catholic Church to see if it’s the Church Christ established.

Join it. Then conform your views to Christ’s, then become one of the most Welcoming, Hospitable, Smiley Catholic folks around.

I’m sure I look mad, scary and unapproachable

Well, then, it’s no wonder…

although I’ve tried to fit in…

Not sure what that means…

 

[Doormouse]

not at all. it was aimed at you.PR put the post to me instead of you by mistake. that’s why im laughing.because you should give the job description a go.
the last line made me laugh, the wife says that about me. lol

 

[lonegreywolf20]

I definitely understand the unwelcoming part. When I walked into the local Catholic church, not even the ushers greeted me. All I got was you are sitting in my seat from one (I do understand the seat thing as my grandfather was captain of the ushers for many years and an usher a total of 25 years). However, no one said hey, how are you, my name is so and so. Nothing. I generally am seen as a very approachable person.

However, in the many non-Catholic churches (not all) that I have been to, there is someone meeting you at the door to greet you and if not, they come to you at your seat or pew to say hello, introduce themselves and welcome you to the church. When I was younger, it wouldn’t have bothered me near as much, but now that I am older and with a family, friendliness on the part of other people is appreciated. Especially, when you may be new to the church and nervous someone coming to say hi to you is welcomed. When you are new you are generally not the one that should be breaking the ice and to expect a new person to do that just seems wrong to me and extremely off-putting.

 

[TC3033]

Well, don’t come to a Catholic forum and expect someone to say, “Don’t be a Catholic”.

And, as I’ve already mentioned: your experience should be but a minor blip in your decision to convert. You could have a wonderful experience at the Church of the Christian Polygamists, but that would be a wrong reason to convert.

Rather, investigate the Catholic Church to see if it’s the Church Christ established.

Join it. Then conform your views to Christ’s, then become one of the most Welcoming, Hospitable, Smiley Catholic folks around.



Well, then, it’s no wonder…

Not sure what that means…

Well, don’t come to a Catholic forum and expect someone to say, “Don’t be a Catholic”.

I thought this was the non-Catholic religions page.

You could have a wonderful experience at the Church of the Christian Polygamists, but that would be a wrong reason to convert.

We agreed here, but it is still a strawman argument.

Well, then, it’s no wonder…

Gahh, my sarcasm font must be broken.

In honest truth it was quite interesting for everyone at the church(s) to be inviting to our family when we joined, but once they found out I wasn’t Catholic they wanted nothing to do with me anymore. It personally turned me away from converting.

Maybe it’s just the Parish that oversees the handful of Catholic churches we’ve attended…

 

[Reuben_J]

I definitely understand the unwelcoming part. When I walked into the local Catholic church, not even the ushers greeted me. All I got was you are sitting in my seat from one (I do understand the seat thing as my grandfather was captain of the ushers for many years and an usher a total of 25 years). However, no one said hey, how are you, my name is so and so. Nothing. I generally am seen as a very approachable person.

No time for that.

One has to prepare oneself for the mass - which requires proper disposition and some silent moment in prayers.

There are few people who would do all that greeting because it means they would not be able to participate in the mass meaningfully and thus may need to attend another mass.

The mass is not equivalent to Protestant services.

If you want that fellowship atmosphere where there are greeters to chat you and make you feel welcome, please come to the prayer meeting. You have that there.

 

[lonegreywolf20]

No time for that.

One has to prepare oneself for the mass - which requires proper disposition and some silent moment in prayers.

There are few people who would do all that greeting because it means they would not be able to participate in the mass meaningfully and thus may need to attend another mass.

The mass is not equivalent to Protestant services.

If you want that fellowship atmosphere where there are greeters to chat you and make you feel welcome, please come to the prayer meeting. You have that there.

Wow, just wow.

No time to greet people. Really? I am so glad I am out of the Catholic church.

 

[Reuben_J]

Wow, just wow.

No time to greet people. Really? I am so glad I am out of the Catholic church.

Yes. So who do you think will do the job?

I was an usher (during mass) when I was young. Ours was a big cathedral. I greeted people, showed them to their pews, oversaw the queuing during the Holy Communion. We even directed traffic at our car park, before and after mass, and even when the mass was ongoing for late comers or when someone inadvertently blocked other people’s cars.

Sometimes I received communion anyhow, but most times, I felt I hardly followed the mass that I felt I needed to attend another mass that day.

In the Catholic mass context, someone who does that job is rare and when they do, it will be a big sacrifice. We have hired people to do that later, especially the directing of the traffic part.

You just can’t participate in the mass meaningfully if you have to do those things. Some people may able to just smile and talk to you, but they have more important things in their mind, in that they have to prepare for the mass.

Go to the prayer meeting. It is the same as most Protestant services, with praise and worship, teaching/preaching when need be, fellowship, Bible study maybe. but of course no Eucharist. You will feel loved there.

 

[PRmerger]

I definitely understand the unwelcoming part. When I walked into the local Catholic church, not even the ushers greeted me. All I got was you are sitting in my seat from one (I do understand the seat thing as my grandfather was captain of the ushers for many years and an usher a total of 25 years). However, no one said hey, how are you, my name is so and so. Nothing. I generally am seen as a very approachable person.

However, in the many non-Catholic churches (not all) that I have been to, there is someone meeting you at the door to greet you and if not, they come to you at your seat or pew to say hello, introduce themselves and welcome you to the church. When I was younger, it wouldn’t have bothered me near as much, but now that I am older and with a family, friendliness on the part of other people is appreciated. Especially, when you may be new to the church and nervous someone coming to say hi to you is welcomed. When you are new you are generally not the one that should be breaking the ice and to expect a new person to do that just seems wrong to me and extremely off-putting.

Again, if this is your criterion for Jesus’ Church, be very, very careful.

You may be welcomed with open arms at the Church of the Holy Adulterers, but I wouldn’t suggest joining it.

 

[Tomdstone]

You may be welcomed with open arms at the Church of the Holy Adulterers, but I wouldn’t suggest joining it.

I haven’t ever heard of such a Church by that name. Did you just make that name up to make Protestant Christians look bad or is there a church with that name?

 

[PRmerger]

I haven’t ever heard of such a Church by that name. Did you just make that name up to make Protestant Christians look bad or is there a church with that name?

It’s humor, Tom. Tongue-in-cheek.

But here’s something I found:

groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.arts.tv.soaps.cbs/iKyr93vEjg0

 

[Reuben_J]

I would never expect ones to be “chatty” during mass. Do Catholics believe non-Catholics sit and shoot the breeze during service?

My experience was not that of not being “shot a smile”, but from other observances and how I believe I’m being looked at.

You are quite conscious of yourself. But anyway, welcome to the Catholics world.

In the mass, one can see as if the multitudes are converging to the altar, each bringing a sacrifice to be offered to God. The mood is solemn and reverent and unfortunately can be very uncaring and unfriendly. But don’t feel bad, they are not like that. Ordinarily they are just common people like you and I but meet them at the mass, they are people who have only one thing in mind - they are going to Calvary all over again. Just imagine the occasion. It is not any ordinary occasion that one often has in one’s life.

 

[PRmerger]

I thought this was the non-Catholic religions page.

True, true. You are of course welcome to post here, and, in fact, anywhere, as a non-Catholic.

But surely you can see that Catholics here, on a CATHOLIC forum, would be defending their faith and hoping that hearts and minds are converted to Catholicism.

We agreed here, but it is still a strawman argument.

Well, then, we are agreed that a Welcome Wagon is a bonus, but it’s absolutely NOT A CRITERION for discerning where Christ’s Church is.

Unless you really would consider joining the Polytheistic Christian Full Gospel Church of Jesus Christ and Krishna because they gave you a hearty welcome…

Gahh, my sarcasm font must be broken.

Sarcasm is the protest of the weak, TC. I rarely use it.

In honest truth it was quite interesting for everyone at the church(s) to be inviting to our family when we joined,

Wait…what???

So now I’m confused…everyone did welcome you? Or everyone ignored you? Which is it?

The part of “in honest truth” that you mention makes me think that you’re admitting that the “everyone ignores me” part was just made up?

but once they found out I wasn’t Catholic they wanted nothing to do with me anymore. It personally turned me away from converting.

Well, if this part is true, it ought not have happened. They should have taken more of an interest in you.

Incidentally, the JWs are very interested in you. But I don’t think that’s a reason to join them, either.

 

[Tomdstone]

It’s humor, Tom. Tongue-in-cheek.

But here’s something I found:

groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.arts.tv.soaps.cbs/iKyr93vEjg0

IOW, what you have said cannot be taken seriously?

 

[PRmerger]

IOW, what you have said cannot be taken seriously?

This is how it should be taken: “Oh, that PR! She’s so clever. I love her comments because they are trenchant, insightful, and oh-so-true, yet they are often mixed with whimsy and humor which makes her posts even more readable and enjoyable.”