Why don't Catholics partipate in the Church outside of Mass?

[Reuben_J]

Have you heard the saying, Protestants tithe, Catholics tip? In all seriousness, I remember when I was a Protestant there was a goal and some expectation of 10% tithing. As a Catholic when I sat through the first “Time, Talent, and Treasure” spiel I was surprised by the lower expectations–10% was not expected. One of the old timers said that it used to be due to Catholics having larger families and less cash to spare. Not sure if this is true anymore.

Lisa

hey, are you talking about me? nah, just kidding. But it’s true the many times when I would look for that loose change during the offertory … .

As far as I know, Catholics do not often use the term tithing. There are many ways we can give to the church and to God. Financial generosity is one of them.

 

[LegoGE1947]

hey, are you talking about me? nah, just kidding. But it’s true the many times when I would look for that loose change during the offertory … .

As far as I know, Catholics do not often use the term tithing. There are many ways we can give to the church and to God. Financial generosity is one of them.

Another way is through working parties where people help clean and beautify the church building and grounds. Where we attend church that happens usually on a Saturday in the spring and again in the fall. Also there is a group of women called “Holy Dusters” that clean and dust the church sanctuary every couple weeks. Or you could help a young mother have a little break by watching her children while she goes shopping or takes in a church activity or other thing.

 

[LisaA]

Another way is through working parties where people help clean and beautify the church building and grounds. Where we attend church that happens usually on a Saturday in the spring and again in the fall. Also there is a group of women called “Holy Dusters” that clean and dust the church sanctuary every couple weeks. Or you could help a young mother have a little break by watching her children while she goes shopping or takes in a church activity or other thing.

Our Parish calls it “Time, Talent, and Treasure” so yes that’s a good concept no matter what denomination. We have many who volunteer around the parish, doing building maintenance, clean up etc. There are lots of ways to give, even if you aren’t able to make a financial contribution.

Lisa

 

[jlhargus]

Have you heard the saying, Protestants tithe, Catholics tip? In all seriousness, I remember when I was a Protestant there was a goal and some expectation of 10% tithing. As a Catholic when I sat through the first “Time, Talent, and Treasure” spiel I was surprised by the lower expectations–10% was not expected. Lisa

Protestants generally say tithe 10% to the church. The Catholic Church suggest 5% to the Church and 5% to other charitable causes. Also many Catholics make sacrifices to send their children to Catholic schools. Other charitable causes and schools etc. are not counted by pollsters as tithing as far as I can tell.

 

[LegoGE1947]

Our Parish calls it “Time, Talent, and Treasure” so yes that’s a good concept no matter what denomination. We have many who volunteer around the parish, doing building maintenance, clean up etc. There are lots of ways to give, even if you aren’t able to make a financial contribution.

Lisa

Our parish had to lay off some employees in the past year due to the economic downturn so they appreciate any volunteer help they can get. Like you, when I converted to Catholic I was surprised that they didn’t shove the tithing spiel down one’s throat but instead they spoke about giving 5% to the church and dividing the other 5% among charities or volunteering in some capacity. I’m a veteran so two of my favorite charities are the USO and the Archdiocese for the Military Services which helps provide Catholic Chaplains for the soldiers.

 

[Pilgrim101]

This poll suggests that Mainline Protestants give nearly 2.5 times as much as Catholics and Evangelicals give nearly 6 times as much. Assuming that Catholics give 50% to the Church and 50% to other charities and assuming that Mainline Protestants don’t donate outside their church, then they are still giving away more money.

 

[jonathanw]

People are strange. I’ve often wondered why only a handful of the Catholics I know participate in church activities outside of mass. I think it would be really cool to have a chance to fellowship with other Catholics, and that’s pretty much why I joined CA.

 

[Kouyate42]

This poll suggests that Mainline Protestants give nearly 2.5 times as much as Catholics and Evangelicals give nearly 6 times as much. Assuming that Catholics give 50% to the Church and 50% to other charities and assuming that Mainline Protestants don’t donate outside their church, then they are still giving away more money.

Problem with this is the amounts spent on Protestant churches, and particularly the biggest ones, simply on their overheads, before even a penny is spent on any sort of charitable work. In a YouTube video I was watching recently, Lakewood Church spends something like $250,000 per WEEK simply putting on its Sunday services before a penny is spent anywhere else. So yes, on paper, it seems that these Protestant churches get more money donated, but most of it ends up being swallowed up by the churches themselves, whether small or large, because their costs will be much higher. Things like paid worship musicians, pastors on large salaries, paid staff etc.

Catholic churches I’d be willing to bet use smaller amounts of money to keep running and so it is far more likely that a LOT of the money given in the collection plate is used for the charitable purposes it is intended for, whether it be within the church or outside it.

 

[LisaA]

Problem with this is the amounts spent on Protestant churches, and particularly the biggest ones, simply on their overheads, before even a penny is spent on any sort of charitable work. In a YouTube video I was watching recently, Lakewood Church spends something like $250,000 per WEEK simply putting on its Sunday services before a penny is spent anywhere else. So yes, on paper, it seems that these Protestant churches get more money donated, but most of it ends up being swallowed up by the churches themselves, whether small or large, because their costs will be much higher. Things like paid worship musicians, pastors on large salaries, paid staff etc.

Catholic churches I’d be willing to bet use smaller amounts of money to keep running and so it is far more likely that a LOT of the money given in the collection plate is used for the charitable purposes it is intended for, whether it be within the church or outside it.

You know that is a good point. I have several good friends who are Evangelicals and belong to mega churches in this area. They all overbuilt during the economic boom and now are struggling to keep up with payments on community centers, gyms, etc. Plus they have all had to lay off personnel because they had large staffs with multiple departments (children’s mnistry, women’s ministry, etc). Our Parish has one office manager/bookkeeper, one RE coordinator and one part time music director and a part time clerical person. We do a lot with volunteers (janitorial, landscaping, maintenance as well as helping with Masses, children’s ministry, food pantry) so our dollars do go directly to cover the basic costs as well as our outreach like the food pantry, migrant ministry etc

Lisa

 

[Elisabeth51]

Sometimes, that 1-5% can be hard to break into, or to wrest any position from…Yes, there are politics in any organization including the Church. In fact, when it comes to doing things inside the Church, because we believe that good works DO help us get to Heaven, some people grab a whole lot of territory, perhaps in hopes of paving their way to Heaven.

Just another POV from where I’ve been.

This, I have seen as well, it can be hard to get some people to let go and let someone in. Also, there are somethings it is impossible for someone who works to be involved in. I was not nearly as involved as I wanted to be when I worked a 9-5 Mon-Fri job, everything happened during the day and during the week. As soon as I became unemployed I became far more involved in my parish, when I get a full time job again–soon I hope–I will not be able to do much of what I now do in my parish.

 

[Kouyate42]

You know that is a good point. I have several good friends who are Evangelicals and belong to mega churches in this area. They all overbuilt during the economic boom and now are struggling to keep up with payments on community centers, gyms, etc. Plus they have all had to lay off personnel because they had large staffs with multiple departments (children’s mnistry, women’s ministry, etc). Our Parish has one office manager/bookkeeper, one RE coordinator and one part time music director and a part time clerical person. We do a lot with volunteers (janitorial, landscaping, maintenance as well as helping with Masses, children’s ministry, food pantry) so our dollars do go directly to cover the basic costs as well as our outreach like the food pantry, migrant ministry etc
Lisa

I must admit that I used to be in a paid worship team and there were times when I deeply questioned whether to accept the salary for doing so. Partially as it seemed that there was often little money for other charitable work.

 

[jonesy]

I have been participating in the funeral luncheon program at church for several years now - was unable to do more because of work. I recently retired and was nominated, at my request, for parish council. I have been so excited about joining and was going to accept the nomination next week, until I found out I have some medical issues that will preclude me from such a commitment. I am so disappointed and must tell the head of the council tomorrow. I’m sure he will not be pleased that I must stop before I even start! I have prayed about this trying to find a way that I might have the energy to participate. I do not. So, there can be other reasons, as well, that people cannot or do not participate in church activities outside of Mass. That does not mean they do not have a strong faith nor commitment to their Catholic faith. If someone were to look at me, they would not know the medical issues I have. But I now know I have limitations and would hope that people would not judge me based on their perception of my “lack” of participation in outside church activities.

 

[MissRose73]

With my current work schedule, it is hard to participate in most church activities especially if they are on Sunday mornings or weekday mornings. I do participate in a Bible Study/Sharing class my aunt leads at the parish my mother and her attend but the time works out for me as its a weekday evening. I did do ushering/greeting and was an EMHC at the same parish when I was younger (college age mainly, some later on as needed) because my schedule was steady for work & university things. I do contribute in other ways besides the weekly collection. I do give to various charitable groups that do work locally and give mainly goods (food or clothes). When my schedule changes to allow for a weekend day free, then I’d try to get more involved but that won’t be for a long time. I also was a sponsor/godparent for my sister’s (non church going sister) kids when they were in RCIA a few years ago.

My mother who is no longer in the work force can be more involved in her parish because she does not have a job to dictate her schedule. She is an usher/greeter, an EMHC, and also is called on to help with funeral luncheons. She also attends the weekly Bible Study/Sharing Class too.

My aunt does some part business side things for her husband’s small business. She is in the lay ministry program, leads a Communion/Word service from time to time at a local nursing home, is a lector, leads the Bible Study/Sharing class and has also sponsored a young woman who went through RCIA a few years ago. She was recently chosen to finish the term of someone who had to step away from the parish council for personal reasons. Her husband is in the choir and cantors too.

Like St Paul said, each of us have our own gifts, and not all people can do certain things either. If you read what I did, compared to my mother and my aunt, each of us have done mostly different things for the most part.

 

[Porknpie]

The issue isn’t a lack of participation outside of the Mass, it’s the lack of participation in the Mass. In otherwords, I’d just like to see the attendance every week look like Easter and Christmas. :christmastree1:

 

[YendisAgev]

“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.” -1 Peter 3:18

and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” -1 Corinthians 11:24-25



Also, I know a lot of Roman Catholics who take part in the community, but more that go home a do other things.

 

[PRmerger]

“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.” -1 Peter 3:18

Amen! This is very Catholic of you to say, Yendis!

 

[YendisAgev]

Amen! This is very Catholic of you to say, Yendis!

If you mean universally Christian, yes. Roman Catholic… Well…

I’m talking about the sacrifice of the Mass.


The following is a serious question. Please, don’t be offended (Once could see why one might be). I see you are forum master so I take it you know your stuff.

As a former Roman Catholic, This question puzzled me. When at the Mass, which part of Jesus do Roman Catholics eat? I mean he must be very muscular for all the Masses around the world to be bringing him down…

With love.

 

[PRmerger]

II’m talking about the sacrifice of the Mass.

Yes, I can see you were poorly catechized as a Catholic, Yendis. :sad_yes:

Your former Church proclaims that Jesus died, once for all. He does not die over and over and over again at each Mass.

The following is a serious question. Please, don’t be offended (Once could see why one might be). I see you are forum master so I take it you know your stuff.

As a former Roman Catholic, This question puzzled me. When at the Mass, which part of Jesus do Roman Catholics eat? I mean he must be very muscular for all the Masses around the world to be bringing him down…

With love.

I don’t understand the question. Could you please re-phrase?

Are you saying that Jesus, who created the Universe, couldn’t be in all the Masses around the world?

 

[YendisAgev]

Yes, I can see you were poorly catechized as a Catholic, Yendis. :sad_yes:

Your former Church proclaims that Jesus died, once for all. He does not die over and over and over again at each Mass.

I don’t understand the question. Could you please re-phrase?

Are you saying that Jesus, who created the Universe, couldn’t be in all the Masses around the world?

But why is the Mass a sacrifice (if Jesus is not dying over and over)? That is what I have been taught in school for 12 years+

No, no, I’m asking what body part of Jesus is being consumed? Yes, I believe he can be all places.

 

[PRmerger]

But why is the Mass a sacrifice (if Jesus is not dying over and over)? That is what I have been taught in school for 12 years+

You were poorly catechized, Yendis.

I doubt that you could even answer a simple question, without looking it up: where in the Mass is Scripture said?

No, no, I’m asking what body part of Jesus is being consumed?

We consume his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.* All *of Him.