Would You Catholics Go With Hubby And Kids To A Mid-week Non-denom Church?

[surfinpure]

Scotty PGH:

Now this only shows that Catholics at one time considered it a sin. Who knows where this stands nowadays. I’m certain you can easily find two bishops with opposing views on the matter.

Exactly.

I, so far, haven’t found anything in the Catechism forbidding Catholics to attend non-denom services. If anyone knows of CCC reference, I’ll be glad to look it up.

On a sidebar, I’ll pose this query:

My grandmother is at this moment on her deathbed. She is a Baptist, as are most on that side of the family. When she dies, she will have a Baptist funeral. Would I be, according to Church teaching, forbidden to attend my grandmother’s Baptist funeral?

 

[Gracie2004]

I would and have attended funerals and weddings at other churches. I would not and will not attend a church service. Why would I do that when they teach differently?

 

[surfinpure]

Gracie2004:

I would and have attended funerals and weddings at other churches. I would not and will not attend a church service. Why would I do that when they teach differently?

Don’t get me wrong: I’m not at all advocating attending Protestant services on a regular basis. I just don’t think, if I went out of respect for my relatives on an isolated occasion, that I would be sinning. As I said before, if anyone can show Church teaching to the contrary, I will gladly believe it.

 

[sparkle]

Thanks so much guys!!! I am Catholic, Hubby and kids are Prot. fence sitters. They go with me to Sunday Mass about half the month, the other half to the Prot. Church we attended for about 8 years as a family before I converted.

Yes, I am very strong in MY faith, and know the Truth of the CC, and nothing could ever steer me away from that. That was not my question. My question was: is it better for hubby and kids --(all over 11) to go to mid-week Prot. bible study, increase in their faith, and walk with Jesus, even though it is in a Prot. church, or to just sit home, getting nothing spiritual at all???

Yes, I know I could get involved in a CC mid-week women’s daytime bible study function for me. They have those. BUT, here I’m talking about my family’s involvement. There seems to be NO mid-week stuff goin on evenings at any Catholic Church, for the whole family. Wish there was, or we’d go to that. See, it’s nice to have that I think, i.e., praise music, a “cool” praise band, then a Bible study going thru some portion of Scripture mid-week. So-------now any more thoughts???

Last nite we all went. Cool praise band, and New Testament Study. Teens in their youth group talked about the 10 commandments, which was neat. Nothing anti-Catholic discussed. Why do some of you think you would not set foot in a Prot. Church??? ever??? Still, I don’t want to confuse them. But if it’s the ONLY mid-week worship going on…then what???

 

[carol_marie]

Gracie2004:

I would and have attended funerals and weddings at other churches. I would not and will not attend a church service. Why would I do that when they teach differently?

I agree.

And regarding the children, you never know what seeds are going to be planted: OSAS etc. seeds that go against our Catholic Faith.
I think it’s risky Sparkle but only you know your situation with your husband.

God Bless,
CM

 

[surfinpure]

sparkle:

There seems to be NO mid-week stuff goin on at any CC mid-week. Wish there was, or we’d go to that. See, it’s nice to have praise music, a praise band, then a Bible study of some portion of Scripture mid-week. So-------now any more thoughts???

That’s a shame. I agree that all of that is great to have midweek. And the kids need it. Have you checked on activities in neighboring towns? Or what about asking your parish to help you start one yourself? Sometimes the best thing to do when we see a great need is to fill it! Doesn’t have to be elaborate, just as long as it’s fun and relaxed and focused on all the right things.

 

[scylla]

Why don’t you talk to your parish director and start a Bible study or find out if you guys can get involved in some ministry in your parish? I recently joined a Bible study in my Church that has just started up on Tuesdays which I hope to learn enough and maybe someday get involved starting an afternoon study.

Or see if one day a week you can get together and make it to the daily Mass in the morning, when they are usually held. Hopefully your Church has daily Mass.

If anything else, why not purchase a Bible study course, like one from here www.saintjoe.com and once a week get together with your family for some family time study\prayer. A family that prays together stays together.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[vern_humphrey]

sparkle:

Thanks so much guys!!! I am Catholic, Hubby and kids are Prot. fence sitters. They go with me to Sunday Mass about half the month, the other half to the Prot. Church we attended for about 8 years as a family before I converted.

Yes, I am very strong in MY faith, and know the Truth of the CC, and nothing could ever steer me away from that. That was not my question. My question was: is it better for hubby and kids --(all over 11) to go to mid-week Prot. bible study, increase in their faith, and walk with Jesus, even though it is in a Prot. church, or to just sit home, getting nothing spiritual at all???

Yes, I know I could get involved in a CC mid-week women’s daytime bible study function for me. They have those. BUT, here I’m talking about my family’s involvement. There seems to be NO mid-week stuff goin on evenings at any Catholic Church, for the whole family. Wish there was, or we’d go to that. See, it’s nice to have that I think, i.e., praise music, a “cool” praise band, then a Bible study going thru some portion of Scripture mid-week. So-------now any more thoughts???

Last nite we all went. Cool praise band, and New Testament Study. Teens in their youth group talked about the 10 commandments, which was neat. Nothing anti-Catholic discussed. Why do some of you think you would not set foot in a Prot. Church??? ever??? Still, I don’t want to confuse them. But if it’s the ONLY mid-week worship going on…then what???

You’re doing the right thing.

Go with your family – don’t let them think the Church has “stolen” you away from them. Your faith should make your family bonds stronger, not weaker.

Show your Catholicism by example, and lead them to the Church with love and kindness, not by driving a wedge between the Catholic and Protestant sides of the family.

 

[javelin]

I agree that it is OK to go.

Many people here have given very good suggestions – be sure you are strong in your faith, make sure to address at least privately anything you hear that is not in accord with Church teaching (the Truth!), and constantly encourage your family to not accept everything they hear at face value. This is a great way to lead them to a crucial discussion – “how do we know what the Bible really says?” / “Who has the authority to rightly interpret the Bible?”

Another poster, and only one, I think, made the super-excellent point that even in Catholic parishes and their events we need to discern True Church teaching from ideas and even doctrines that are sometimes erroneously espoused. Don’t be afraid to let your family know this – they’ll just assume Catholics are hypocrites if they think we believe we are always perfect, or that every parish pastor speaks nothing in error.

Rather, by joining together in a quest for the Truth relying on discernment and prayer, your family will stay close, gather God’s abundant Grace, and that search will eventually find you all joyously Catholic (provided you use the greater Church’s teachings as your compass).

Peace,
javelin

 

[sparkle]

scylla:

Why don’t you talk to your parish director and start a Bible study or find out if you guys can get involved in some ministry in your parish? I recently joined a Bible study in my Church that has just started up on Tuesdays which I hope to learn enough and maybe someday get involved starting an afternoon study.

Or see if one day a week you can get together and make it to the daily Mass in the morning, when they are usually held. Hopefully your Church has daily Mass.

If anything else, why not purchase a Bible study course, like one from here www.saintjoe.com and once a week get together with your family for some family time study\prayer. A family that prays together stays together.

God Bless
Scylla

Great Advice!!!

Trouble is now, as I’m desiring to get more involved, the church where I took RCIA and in which I LOVE, is 20-25 minutes away, traffic, etc., and HUGE, (5000 members) and everyone lives in that town instead of mine. It’s such a long haul to go there mid-week for anything. Sundays, I love it!!! Great Priests, music, super bookstore, etc., etc.,
I have been to 8:00 a.m. Mass at a local church occasionally, and they say the Rosary afterwards which is so nice. Also this local church has Sat. Vigil, and a women’s bible study. But nothing for kids and families Boy is it hard to organize your life these days!!!

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut~~

 

[sparkle]

sparkle:

Great Advice!!!

Trouble is now, as I’m desiring to get more involved, the church where I took RCIA and in which I LOVE, is 20-25 minutes away, traffic, etc., and HUGE, (5000 members) and everyone lives in that town instead of mine. It’s such a long haul to go there mid-week for anything. Sundays, I love it!!! Great Priests, music, super bookstore, etc., etc.,
I have been to 8:00 a.m. Mass at a local church occasionally, and they say the Rosary afterwards which is so nice. Also this local church has Sat. Vigil, and a women’s bible study. But nothing for kids and families Boy is it hard to organize your life these days!!!

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut~~

Well–I have decided that even though the drive is farther, that this is the Church for me–the one where I took RCIA, etc… Afterall, we would drive that far to go to a “mall” or something, why not church??? I’ve gone elsewhere on Sundays, and it’s just not the same—SO alive, vibrant, etc. I do however, on occasion attend 8:00 a.m. Mass at a little Parish near my house (10 minutes) where they say the Rosary afterwards which I am really beginning to Love!

Since I’ve become Catholic, I just don’t think I can bear to go anywhere else on Sundays!!! Mid-week praise/Bible Study, OK but not Sunday!!! Hubby wanted me to go with him today to Prot. Church. *I just couldn’t~~~~ *Is this terrible???It’s missing soo much and so empty…Boy it’s hard when 1 spouse is a Catholic and 1 not. I sure wouldn’t advise it if you’re not married yet. Next weekend, going to visit relatives (one of my Prot. Cousin’s who’s a Pastor. I know he’ll want us all to come to his Baptist Church, but I don’t want to…but don’t want to hurt his feelings either. What should I do? This is where it gets hard sometimes…would it be right for hubby and kids to go with him and me go to Mass? Hummmm or what???

 

[surfinpure]

sparkle:

Well–I have decided that even though the drive is farther, that this is the Church for me–the one where I took RCIA, etc… Afterall, we would drive that far to go to a “mall” or something, why not church???

This is so true. As a matter of fact, when I was a Protestant, I traveled at one point an hour each way to go to church. Now we drive over 20 minutes to get to Mass (on the other side of town), but I’d gladly travel farther if I needed to.

Next weekend, going to visit relatives (one of my Prot. Cousin’s who’s a Pastor. I know he’ll want us all to come to his Baptist Church, but I don’t want to…but don’t want to hurt his feelings either. What should I do? This is where it gets hard sometimes…would it be right for hubby and kids to go with him and me go to Mass? Hummmm or what???

He may be a little hurt, but the best thing I can think of to do is explain to him that it’s nothing personal at all, just the teaching of your Church that you are required to go to Mass on Sunday, and it would violate your conscience to go to a non-Catholic service instead of Mass. Most pastors, I would hope, would not try to persuade someone to violate his conscience.