Wishing to be Protestant again...

[rwillenborg]

I know what you mean!
My protestant friends (I don’t have many Catholic ones) are always doing things with their churches. Sometimes, it’s a curse, sometimes it’s a blessing - running around here and there can get exhausting!
I DO wish there were more activities at our parish, too!
It’s a big cultural difference, really, in Catholics and Protestants.
The fact is, I don’t know why this is and I don’t know how to fix it. But, for your OWN personal situation, I agree with others, find another parish. The fact is EVERY parish should have a vibrant fellowship, but they don’t. It’s sad, but true. You shouldn’t have to go LOOKING for one.
That being said, I get ‘fed’ as it were from four different parishes! I attend Mass and do some stuff at one, go to Bible study at another, go to Confession at another, and go to alot of the social activities at another.
And, I’m trying to bring SOME of the activities at ONE to another, but it’s hard and takes time, and you’re right, being the only one rolling a rock up a hill is hard work!
I even offered to make a Catholic community calendar, listing everything going on in ALL of the Catholic churches in the area. There should be WAY more inter-church dialogue as far as that is concerned.
If I can get it up and running, I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

[Cat]

That’s great Cat, but you’re missing something very important here… You’re making the fellowshiping the center of your faith, don’t you see the problem with that? The center of the faith is Christ, not community. Community is one (very important) avenue we can and should use to meet Christ. But you’re statement is a declaration that the community should play the central role of the Church. This in fact is a very protestant concept, and a very recent innovation in Christendom, historically Christ has been the center of the faith.

I apologize if my posts are leaving Christ out. That is not my intent, I assure you. I agree completely that CHRIST is the Alpha and the Omega, the entire reason for everything. As the Bible says, in Him we live and move and exist.

I agree, fellowship is certainly not the center of our faith.

But fellowship or Body life is important, as the Letter to the Ephesians emphasizes and as Jesus demonstrated through His own life and His association with 12 close friends and 120 friends who were not so close but were still friends. Remember, Jesus spent hours with Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, along with His disciples.

There have been saints through the centuries who were called to isolate themselves from their fellow human beings, but most saints live in community and enjoy fellowship with other believers. E.g., St. Anthony of Padua had a close friend who travelled with him and recorded much of his ministry.

And I’m not sure where you have gotten the idea that Protestants do not consider Jesus Christ the center and purpose of the Church. That is a very wrong impression of Protestants. I spent 47 years as a Protestant, and I still move in Protestant circles, and IMO, the fellowship that Protestants enjoy is extremely Christ-centered. His Name is mentioned constantly, and He is praised throughout fellowships and given the glory constantly for everything.

Perhaps you have the idea that because the music is sometimes lively in Protestant churches,and because there is a lack of a traditional liturgy, that the church service is all about the believers instead of Christ. This is absolutely NOT TRUE, and to be honest, I find that offensive, and I think that many Evangelical Protestants would be shocked and offended as well. Evangelical Protestants believe that everything we do must be done IN Christ, and those things that are not done in Christ are worthless dross.

I think that many of the non-Christian churches, e.g., the Unitarians, are all about “community” and “group energy.” Evangelical Protestants consider the Unitarians a Christless cult, and consider community-based fellowships “New Age.”

I would recommend that you drop this idea, because it’s not true and it’s offensive to Evangelical Protestants, who believe in Jesus Christ yesterday, today, and forever.

In the Christian and MIssionary Alliance, one of the most popular hymns is Jesus Only–here’s a link to the lyrics and a musical rendition: cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/e/jesoisom.htm

 

[Hiskid1973]

Thanks Cat for explaining that we “separated brothers” do have a Passion for Christ and a desire to mature in Christ…That even though we don’t try to define how Christ is present, We know by faith and sensing the movement of the Holy Spirit, we believe Christ is truly present among us as we worship and adore Him…Even though they don’t believe that we know He inhabits our praise…To be honest, I have many christian friends catholic and not catholic to be honest the most godly/mature person I know is just a plain ole christian who goes to a bible church…Peace to you dear one in Christ

 

[MrsHall]

I don’t have time to read all the responses, so maybe I’m repeating what was already said. I have to admit that I don’t have your problem… our parish is cram packed with 800 people in a town that is only one square mile. People drive a long way for the preaching and fellowship. I don’t generally use this phrase but “God told us” to go to that parish when we were still Protestant. He knew what we needed! I should add that with all the great homilies and fellowship opportunities, Mass itself is not social hour and our priests are very orthodox and right-on liturgically. With the exception of a few little ones (usually mine) there is silence during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. It is all throughout the week that there are other things going on. There are a lot of things you could do, even as simple as having people in for brunch after Mass. In our parish, one day a week daily Mass is in the evening and there is a little fellowship afterward. Father told us it took awhile to get people to stay. During Lent there was a Bible study one evening a week with a simple bread and soup meal and it was so well received that they just kept it going. I bet you are not the only one looking for friendships in your parish. Maybe make an announcement for a little gathering for converts—ask if you can use the parish hall if there are a lot of people. We started a once a month gathering for home schoolers and people came from several parishes. The kids had a blast. I made some friends by going to the classes for the St. Louis de Montfort Consecration to Mary. We had a common interest. I notice the daily Mass people tend to hang together. The hard answer to this is, you see the need, so you get to do something about it. That seems to be the way of things. Hang in there.

 

[crazzeto]

@Cat,

Thanks for your response, to be sure I was more posting response (as I read them) to the points you were making. I wasn’t trying to suggest that Protestant’s as a rule don’t necessarly see Christ as the center of the Church, but my point is this:

There’s a lot of people that seem on some level to be trying to raise fellowshiping to a level that would necessitate altering the very nature of Holy Mass. Rather than entering reverently and prayerfully, the lay would be free to enter as they please (perhaps holding water bottles as described?) and chatter up as much as they want until Mass starts.

Under no conditions can I support this, Mass is for one and only one purpose: the worship of God. No matter what your circomstances may be, ADHD kids, new born babes or whatever else, it is that prayerful and reverent atmosphere that we should be striving for in Holy Mass.

Outside of that, then I would say sure lets get as much fellowshiping going as we can. I’ve very blessed at my parish as I’ve said many times, for the past many months my life has revolved around my next church commitment, and honestly I’ve loved it. It’s a great growing experience, the Lord has even seen fit to expose me to some people desperatly needing to feel his love and mercy and I’ve been able to do whatever I can to help them realize the love and mercy of God is there for them. That’s terrific and I’m not saying the Church should turn a blind eye to it, or worse yet discourage it.

As I’ve said a few times in responses to you, yes I think this is very important for us Christians. You’re right, these are commands of Jesus you can see it permuating the Gosple (something we Catholics believe it or not, have been arguing for 500 years), thus we rightly say these things can affect salvation. But again, even as such, it remains horribly incorrect to confuse the time to be reverent and prayerful with the time to be social with and loving towards your neighbors. If you want to talk, then engage them later on after mass… Maybe if your Church happens to offer coffee and doughnuts after mass (ours does a few times a year).

 

[csx333]

I would do most anything to get away from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the “evangelize at all costs” church I attend? Why don’t I leave? My wife does not want to (Yet I hope) and I will not endanger our relationship. Every sermon could be straight from Charles Stanley’s books.

Our pastor is a great musical talent so we are music-oriented. Bought a $ 100,000 sound and light system, which one person alone can operate, and it’s not in our budget. Then there is the Catholic bashing, most essential at a Lutheran Church I suppose. We have all kinds of social stuff no one attends.

What don’t we have? The Holy Eucharist, the Holy Virgin, the original Church instituted by Jesus Himself? Jesus socialized with twelve men and a few women. Worked for him.

Even Luther’s version of Lutheranism is long gone, say by 400 years. It’s just another version of Calvi-Luthero-Baptists “what will attract the modern crowd” theology. Bring on the clowns, gimmicks, bad theology, etc.

There is so much to learn and do in the Catholic Church. I would not have time to worry about socializing. I pray the rosary. I’m studying Ignatian spirituality, John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila. I hunger for it, God please let me come over to the True Church.

Just the thoughts of a Protestant not-wanna be yearning for home.

 

[JakeTheDog]

There are things I still miss about a Protestant church and this is 35 years after my conversion. I miss the hymns, bad theology though they are. I miss the Bible classes, the get-togethers, the mothers’ group, the Boy Scout troop. Now having said that, I would not trade one aspect of the liturgy, the sacraments, or the traditions of Catholicism for them. I have been a member of four Catholic churches in these 35 years. The first was controlled by a nice but rigid priest, the second was a huge church in Georgia where literally hardly anyone knew my name. I taught Confirmation there, was involved in classes, a prayer group and volunteered for various other things but still no fellowship evolved. The third church was in Albuquerque, again a large church. I taught Confirmation there too and there was some friendship between the teachers. The congregation was more friendly but still not “Protestant” friendly. Then I moved back to my home town after 18 years to the church where I became a Catholic. There was a new priest, a very nice man but not interested in extracurricular activities.

It was then that I decided that while fellowship is nice the object of being a Catholic is the sacraments. As long as I focused on them I would be all right. If I want Protestant music I can get it on the radio or TV or now my computer. Bible classes are a little more difficult but I can find them at other parishes from time to time. I joined a couple of secular groups for entertainment and now am content.

 

[Bob_Crowley]

Hi, I chose that title to be somewhat provocative to hopefully garner people who could reply to this thread. I converted from Protestantism more than 10 years ago and I am happy to be Catholic. However, having said that I do miss much of the social aspects of a Protestant church. There were programs and bible studies for every age group; there were many ways of connecting to different people in your church–I had lots of friends in church and we would call each other up and do things together. There would be family picnics and other outings the church would sponsor.

In my 10 years of being Catholic my knowledge of truth has increased but at the cost of fellowship. I’ve been around 4 different Catholic churches in 10 years and all of them seem to be not much more than ‘Eucharist factories’ where you shuffle the people in, give them a boring homily, the Eucharist and shuffle them out until next week when you can do it again. The earliest youth group starts at high school.

I have brought some of my brothers and sisters in to the Church, but we all are beginning to pine for the days when going to church was enjoyable.

It does really appear to me that the Catholic Church, as an institution, does not foster fellowship anywhere near as much as the Protestant churches do. Am I wrong?

And before you say to me, “Well then, you get something started at your church!”, I’m trying to make the point that as an institution the Catholic church does not foster fellowship. I don’t want to be one person trying to roll a rock up hill, I want to be part of a Church that encourages fellowship.

As I mentioned before, I helped bring others to the Catholic Church, but now I’ve got a dilemma. My two kids, ages 12 and 13 are really complaining about going to our ‘boring church’ when their Protestant friends do all these really fun activities their churches sponsor. And I have an older son who may be considering becoming Catholic, but he has 4 children ages 1-6. I wince at the prospect of telling him he can’t put his children in Sunday School while he and his wife go to mass, but instead he has to keep four children under control for an hour while having to listen to a boring sermon. These are not show stoppers, but they really detract from giving incentives to joining the Church.

Any thought are welcome. But does anyone else see this lack of fellowship problem?

As a former Protestant … Agreed.

I think part of the problem for us converts is that we didn’t grow up with the system. I think a lot of life long Catholics have friends they made in Catholic School and often just get involved in public life for example based on their Catholic convictions and don’t feel the need for churchy, happy clappy Protestant groups.

On the other hand I also have fond memories of the gym under the church, youth group outings, meetings at other peoples places etc. To be honest, if I met a person with problems whom I was convinced would only be solved by that person becoming Christian, I’d hesitate to send them to a Catholic church because I don’t think they’d get the support they’d need.

I am involved in my own Catholic Church, mainly in Vinnies (which can be depressing sometimes). But there are very few social activities around, with a couple of exceptions.

 

[crazzeto]

@Jake,

I’m sorry to hear that your current pastor isn’t very big on the “extracirriculars”… True the Sacraments are rightly central to the faith, but that shouldnt’ mean that we don’t make room for the other stuff (particularly Bible study, has your priest read Lumen Gentium?).

Have you tried approching him about the possibility of starting a bible study group? Perhaps he’d be open to a program? I’m not sure what your parish resources are like, do you think you have enough to have a priest or deacon available to help facilitate? If not, at least on hand to serve as a resource for a lay facilitator to go and get answers to difficult group questions?

CSS has a program that makes it pretty easy for a lay facilitator to do 99% of the necessary work, thus freeing up the Ordained Clergy for other matters most of the time. Check it out, cssprogram.net/ bring it to him as a possibility and see if you can at least have a regularly scheduled bible study in your parish!

 

[lmc1]

I just converted this Easter Vigil. I was Pentecostal for the past 30 yrs of my 38 yrs. So going from such a charismatic outgoing community to the Catholic faith was and is definitely a “transition!”

most of these comments I agree with and there is some truth to each opinion & I enjoyed reading all of them.

For me, I feel so blessed! God has brought me to an amazing parish and wonderful leadership. I have only been attending for approximately 6 months and feel very connected.

My thoughts are this:

1st most important thing is always “prayer!!!” Can’t stress that enough and common as that is suggested, there is power in prayer!

I feel it’s what you make it. I have been to some dry parishes, and prayed. The HE would lead me to a healthy parish that I can grow and feel alive in, and etc.

It’s what you make of it. I am one to go around introducing myself and saying hello to everyone! I do get looks like I am not here to make friends, I am here to “worship!” And me too, is why I am there. HOWEVER…, Christ made time to touch lives and worship. We are first called to “love.” Christ came to what??..to “serve.” It was all about the people. Touching lives. There are some who are called to a vocation(to fulfill an ordained ministry to disciple) and if you read Acts there are examles of the people “fellowshiping” in Acts when Stephen came on board the disciples needed help so they can focus on prayer and preaching and they others to come under them to help be there for the people.

A small part of me misses many things about how Protestants fellowship and I have felt my kids are as connected in that area, and has became boring and lost a small amount of zeal for the Lord and church. It’s understandable to miss and desire that. We were created to worship and to be loved and to love…how do you love in a relationship if everyone has the mindset of ONLY wanting to “I am here to worship and be reverent don’t speak…” mentality. that’s not love…the bible says without love we are like a clanging symbol not matter what we’re doing in ministry or how we are worshiping… we need relationships! We were created for that too!

Now, it’s just all in balance. I agree with both. I do favor more how Catholics bring everything back to Christ and have more reverence within the church walls. But I also think it’s needed to be friendly a some amount of interactions with each other. Christ didn’t walk through the towns and act or say…“shhhh…, I am only here to worship! don’t speak, if you want relationship go before the Lord and only have one with Him…”

I think you can and should have both, in “balance” I don’t like all the events and all energy going into keeping our attention either. It’s not about having “fun.” It’s about relationship with the trinity first, then each other, but both.

Suggestion- prayer first, you stepping out allowing HIM to use you to set an atmosphere of welcoming others, and maybe helping out in RCIA. There are many new people who are probably eager to start something or to be connected. They are fresh and passionate to evangelize, to start new relationships, playdates, bible studies, etc.

I go to worship once in a while at a pentecostal church, I worship at home, I still have many great authentic protestant friends and have met new wonderful authentic catholic friends. I am blessed to have the best of both worlds! But, I prayed for God to show me how I can keep that. I pray for HIS leading on “everything…” There is a time to and seasons for everything, you can’t be one way. But too much of anything can lead you out of balance and keep you from growing and flourishing! You can become too connected and over stimulated or not connected enough and stopping Him from using you in other’s lives or wherever/whatever…

Just pray and He will show you the way, when and how!

 

[Hiskid1973]

1st most important thing is always “prayer!!!” Can’t stress that enough and common as that is suggested, there is power in prayer!

Amen …A house of prayer…One of my favorite times…The front gets full, people standing, kneeling and prostrate…Oil come out,hands layed, tears flow and burdens are lifted…Missionaries are lifted up world wide…

 

[Truthseeker77]

First of all I’d like to address something that Yellowbird said…

"It’s not about me. It’s about Him. And this is where He is… "

Did you mean that where Jesus is is in the church? Are you suggesting that you have to go to church to be with Jesus? Just didn’t know how you meant that exactly.
If so, I just wanted to gently remind everyone that if you are a true believer in Jesus then He is in you, not at a church. See the below verses:

**“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.” Acts 17:24

“the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:17

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20**

With that said, I would like to just say, regarding the original post, that fellowship in Jesus is way more important than fellowship with people. A personal relationship with Jesus is key. After that is in place, then He encourages fellowship with other true believers so that your relationship with Him will be nurtured. Fellowship not being encouraged means that a personal relationship with Jesus and His Truth is not encouraged. Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4 May God work upon your heart and the hearts of your fellow Catholics to see what freedom there is in Him.

In Christ

 

[distracted]

I would do most anything to get away from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the “evangelize at all costs” church I attend? Why don’t I leave? My wife does not want to (Yet I hope) and I will not endanger our relationship. Every sermon could be straight from Charles Stanley’s books.

Our pastor is a great musical talent so we are music-oriented. Bought a $ 100,000 sound and light system, which one person alone can operate, and it’s not in our budget. Then there is the Catholic bashing, most essential at a Lutheran Church I suppose. We have all kinds of social stuff no one attends.

What don’t we have? The Holy Eucharist, the Holy Virgin, the original Church instituted by Jesus Himself? Jesus socialized with twelve men and a few women. Worked for him.

Even Luther’s version of Lutheranism is long gone, say by 400 years. It’s just another version of Calvi-Luthero-Baptists “what will attract the modern crowd” theology. Bring on the clowns, gimmicks, bad theology, etc.

There is so much to learn and do in the Catholic Church. I would not have time to worry about socializing. I pray the rosary. I’m studying Ignatian spirituality, John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila. I hunger for it, God please let me come over to the True Church.

Just the thoughts of a Protestant not-wanna be yearning for home.

so why do you call yourself Lutheran?

(didn’t know the L’s did much Catholic bashing… hmmmm)

 

[Loboto-Me]

First of all I’d like to address something that Yellowbird said…

"It’s not about me. It’s about Him. And this is where He is… "

Did you mean that where Jesus is is in the church? Are you suggesting that you have to go to church to be with Jesus? Just didn’t know how you meant that exactly.
If so, I just wanted to gently remind everyone that if you are a true believer in Jesus then He is in you, not at a church. See the below verses:

"God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands." Acts 17:24

"the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." John 14:17

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

With that said, I would like to just say, regarding the original post, that fellowship in Jesus is way more important than fellowship with people. A personal relationship with Jesus is key. After that is in place, then He encourages fellowship with other true believers so that your relationship with Him will be nurtured. Fellowship not being encouraged means that a personal relationship with Jesus and His Truth is not encouraged. Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4 May God work upon your heart and the hearts of your fellow Catholics to see what freedom there is in Him.

In Christ

He might not be at your church but He’s there Body, Soul and Divinity in the Catholic Church, and THAT’s the truth

 

[logan333]

I do understand a little of what you are saying. Our church does have children’s church for kids 5-7. It is done in another room while the adults hear the readings and the homily. The kids get the same readings just at their level of understanding. When the homily is over they go back to their parents in church for the rest of the mass. We also have a Sunday school hour between our two church services for all grade levels. What we have trouble with is the parents not going to the adult Sunday school class and just dropping their kids off. For our kids to be educated in our faith, we have to lead by example. Have faith and know that it can be done. Talk with some other parents, your kids friends. Start small and let it grow. Good ministering.

 

[ZDHayden]

I know this is just one of many responses, but I hope this helps. I recently converted to the Catholic faith this Easter, after a bout of agnosticism after a falling out of the faith of my birth (Southern Baptist). I have been going to my parish for a year and a half. My parish is also the Newman Center for my area (I live in a college town), so it might be a bit different in comparison to other churches (I also occasionally attend a more traditional mass in another Catholic church down the road, as I love the traditional Church, but have found my parish more of a home than my house). My parish has what is called “Children’s Liturgy of the Word” for children ages 5-10. It also has Men’s Rosary on Thursdays. There is a strong tie to the Secular Franciscans in the church down the road. If you can find some similar things like a rosary prayer meeting, or the Secular Franciscans, or some such program in your church, you could explore those. I hope this helped.

 

[BernadetteM]

so why do you call yourself Lutheran?

(didn’t know the L’s did much Catholic bashing… hmmmm)

Some Lutheran churches do, it depends I believe, in which synod it is, do bash Catholics and call the Chair of Peter the anti Christ. They seem to like to use terms like Papist or Romish doctrines.

My friend is Lutheran and is anti Catholic, but really knows very little about Lutheran theology. She belongs to a dying congregation, maybe 20 people all in their 50’s or older.

I suggested she start attending a more vibrant Lutheran parish, but she stays on.

Her brother converted years ago to the Catholic Church and she says it is because he is an alcoholic. I don’t argue or try to influence her as she is very set in her ways and doesn’t have the interest to investigate church history. We have several Lutherans on CAF who are charitable and more open in discussing the differences between Catholics and Lutherans.

Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Bernadette

 

[Hiskid1973]

Some Lutheran churches do, it depends I believe, in which synod it is, do bash Catholics and call the Chair of Peter the anti Christ. They seem to like to use terms like Papist or Romish doctrines.

My friend is Lutheran and is anti Catholic, but really knows very little about Lutheran theology. She belongs to a dying congregation, maybe 20 people all in their 50’s or older.
Bernadette

We sorta have an opposite experience as the local priest is one of my pastors friends and we have some Catholics attending our services…We are a vibrant church who pretty much tripled our membership as we have been getting members from dying churches…Recently we added a baptismal tank and the priest gave our pastor some type of baptismal gown…He uses it…

 

[Reuben_J]

I just converted this Easter Vigil. I was Pentecostal for the past 30 yrs of my 38 yrs. So going from such a charismatic outgoing community to the Catholic faith was and is definitely a “transition!”

most of these comments I agree with and there is some truth to each opinion & I enjoyed reading all of them.

For me, I feel so blessed! God has brought me to an amazing parish and wonderful leadership. I have only been attending for approximately 6 months and feel very connected.

My thoughts are this:

1st most important thing is always “prayer!!!” Can’t stress that enough and common as that is suggested, there is power in prayer!

…

Welcome home and welcome to the Forum.

It must be truly a transistion for you. How do you manage the changes from the outward and direct kind of worship of the Pentecostals to the devotional and the reverence worship of the Catholics in the Sacraments?

God bless you and thanks for sharing your conversion with us.

 

[usemelord]

I’m chiming in here a little bit late, but feel compelled to add my two cents worth nonetheless. Being a relatively new convert five years ago at Easter Vigil, 2005 (at age 60) I must first say that it’s all about Mass and, most especially of course, about the Eucharist. That said, I’ve also found there are countless activities and ministries in which one can get involved. I attend and live one-half mile away from the church that founded the Life Teen program which is a wonderful outreach for high-school aged kids. There is also a program called Edge for younger boys and girls. For the 50+ group we have Young at Heart. Every Wednesday morning I attend Christians in Commerce which is an ecumenical organization for both men and women, not co-ed however. I also attend Bible study taught a gifted Catholic gentleman, and that is also ecumenical. On top of that I’m involved as a Minister of Communion taking communion a couple times a week to those who are physically unable to get to church. In sum, you can be a busy with your church as you so choose. Attend Mass just on Sunday, or go every day. That’s what I appreciate about being Catholic. Our church is full of vitality. Good music and fellowship. So, as for myself, no, I don’t miss being Protestant at all. I’m ten times busier now than prior to my conversion. I’m fortunate enough to attend a church where the Holy Spirit is “alive and well.” Forgive to expression, but it’s kind of like real estate—location, location, location.