Would you invite a non-Catholic Youth Group to a Catholic one?

[Melchior_1]

We have the possibility of inviting two Baptist youth groups to ours. Obviously we have no intentions of watering things down, and we’re certainly going to mention that they cannot receive Sacraments.

One one hand, I’m uneasy with it. I’ve met several Baptists who were anti-Catholic, and I suppose I’m being fairly un-Christian and cynical in thinking that they’ll try spreading falsehoods.

Then again, how better to show them the Truth of Catholicism than inviting them to see what it’s all about? We do a Rosary they might start asking some questions, which would lead to some good discussions.

I’m a bit torn on it.

Thoughts?

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Is this a one time thing or is the plan to “merge” the groups? I would not recommend at all that the groups be merged, but a once in awhile invitation could be a good experience.

I agree not to water things down, but perhaps consider planning a special day for your guests. For example, instead of just praying the rosary and leaving them confused, share how the rosary came into being (a way for illiterate people to pray), where the Hail Mary came from (scripture), and then pray just one decade with a meditation (there are many excellent scripture-based meditations).

Possibly focus the main part of the session on pro-life work, since that is something Baptists and Catholics have in common. And include time for fun and socializing. Besides the discussion/study, our youth group has dinner together and plays games or sports each night.

I guess my point is to show how Christians have things in common. Not to say that the baptist faith is equal or the same as Catholic, but to help the baptists get a positive view of Catholics. As Christians, we are all fighting the devil and secularism, so we shouldn’t also be fighting each other just 'cause!

 

[1ke]

We have the possibility of inviting two Baptist youth groups to ours. Obviously we have no intentions of watering things down, and we’re certainly going to mention that they cannot receive Sacraments.

It is not appropriate to have an ecumenical event in the context of Mass. You can have a prayer service or some other type of activity.

I suggest that any joint activity you do have a specific focus and follow the guidelines of the Church on ecumenism.

Perhaps you do a charity event together. Or a pro-life event. Or a softball game. Or a community prayer service and food drive. Or a movie night.

Then again, how better to show them the Truth of Catholicism than inviting them to see what it’s all about? We do a Rosary they might start asking some questions, which would lead to some good discussions.

This isn’t prudent. It is not in a spirit of charity. It is not appropriate to invite a Baptist youth group to a Rosary.

 

[Sarika]

I suggest that any joint activity you do have a specific focus and follow the guidelines of the Church on ecumenism.
Perhaps you do a charity event together. Or a pro-life event. Or a softball game. Or a community prayer service and food drive. Or a movie night​

These sound like good suggestions. They can celebrate their common Christian beliefs by having fun together. I too have had the experience where Catholics have been the target of certain Baptist groups, and it might not be wise to get too much involved, as they are very practiced in using wrongly interpreted scripture to woo Catholics (especially young ones) out of the Church.

 

[Melchior_1]

I want to preface that this wasn’t my idea, it’s someone else’s. I’m trying to figure out how we can make the most of it and whether I can tilt things in a certain direction. Because, sadly, I think the decision was already made without consulting anyone first.

Absolutely zero chance of a merger, unless they all decide to convert to Catholicism. They’re also not going to Mass, they’d be coming after.

The nights will consist of;

• Game.
• Talk.
• Theology of the Body for youth on DVD.
• Men’s/Women’s groups.
• Praise & Worship.

Regarding the Rosary, you’re right about charity, which is why I’m uneasy with them being possibly invited.

Unless they know in advance to expect Catholic stuff at a Catholic youth group, which would mean the groundwork for charity would already be there. I suppose as the local catechist it would also be incumbent on me to make sure people actually know what we’re doing.

 

[purplesunshine]

• Game.
• Talk.
• Theology of the Body for youth on DVD.
• Men’s/Women’s groups.
• Praise & Worship.

It sounds great!!! more Youth groups should be doing this.

I would inform the Core/leaders that THIS is not the time/place to debate kids who are fiesty. That they are to discourage that behavior and encourage the things that we have in common. For instance, Cathoics DO have communion and it IS special, but insted focus on the concept that the name of Jesus is sacred. “Every knee will bow” works just as well for Cathoics as Baptists.
I would also have cards with contact info of priests or those strong in apologetics to give out to the teens who are argumentitive.

Their are also several Lifeteen books that are good …like “Why do Catholics do THAT?” And basic Catholic Q and A. It would be good to have those around.

 

[ajpirc]

We have the possibility of inviting two Baptist youth groups to ours. Obviously we have no intentions of watering things down, and we’re certainly going to mention that they cannot receive Sacraments.

One one hand, I’m uneasy with it. I’ve met several Baptists who were anti-Catholic, and I suppose I’m being fairly un-Christian and cynical in thinking that they’ll try spreading falsehoods.

Then again, how better to show them the Truth of Catholicism than inviting them to see what it’s all about? We do a Rosary they might start asking some questions, which would lead to some good discussions.

I’m a bit torn on it.

Thoughts?

I would discourage it.

Somewhere along the line of discussion on the Catholic Faith, they are going to talk about the Baptist faith AND probably give Scriptural evidence supporting it. Any Catholics there that are uneducated in the Faith (probably most, no offense) are going to lean toward the Baptists because it makes more sense according to what they said.

Prior to Vatican II, the Church prohibitted any Catholics from participating in any religious events with Protestants because of the fear of Protestant teachings and practices infiltrating the Church and/or taking Catholics away from the Church.

Then again, if they just sit and watch without sharing their faith and observe the True Faith, that would probably be the safest thing to do.

 

[1ke]

The nights will consist of;

• Game.
• Talk.
• Theology of the Body for youth on DVD.
• Men’s/Women’s groups.
• Praise & Worship.

Hugely bad idea.

• First, parental permission needs to be obtained for something like Theology of the Body. And, their pastor/parents need the opportunity to preview it first. Human Sexuality topics need to follow Diocesan guidelines.
• Second, TOB is a 16 part study. It seems odd and inappropriate to invite nonCatholics to one session without any context
• Third, TOB is definitely Catholic and isn’t appropriate for an ecumenical event.

Eliminate TOB. And, I’m not sure what you mean by “Mens/Womens” group.

 

[The_Old_Medic]

Why would you NOT invite people other than Catholics to your youth group activities, including Mass?

I do not understand why you would have any reservations at all.

 

[TheMc]

This isn’t prudent. It is not in a spirit of charity. It is not appropriate to invite a Baptist youth group to a Rosary.

Why not? It’s very scriptural.

 

[Melchior_1]

Hugely bad idea.

• First, parental permission needs to be obtained for something like Theology of the Body. And, their pastor/parents need the opportunity to preview it first. Human Sexuality topics need to follow Diocesan guidelines.
• Second, TOB is a 16 part study. It seems odd and inappropriate to invite nonCatholics to one session without any context
• Third, TOB is definitely Catholic and isn’t appropriate for an ecumenical event.

Eliminate TOB. And, I’m not sure what you mean by “Mens/Womens” group.

First, it’s TOB for Teens (literally) so parental permission isn’t required.

Second, we’re running the DVD’s throughout the summer, and the group apparently might be invited for the duration of the summer.

Third, apparently if they get invited they’re going to be told “this is a Catholic youth group - Catholicism is gonna happen”. Would that negate a lack of charity then if they know in advance to expect stuff?

 

[Melchior_1]

Why not? It’s very scriptural.

It’d also enable us to explain how/why it’s Biblical.

I dunno. I see a lot of good, but I’m still uneasy

 

[ajpirc]

First, it’s TOB for Teens (literally) so parental permission isn’t required.

I’ve taken sexual education and it was for teens, but I still had to get parental permission to take it.

 

[TheMc]

It’d also enable us to explain how/why it’s Biblical.

I dunno. I see a lot of good, but I’m still uneasy

Really? You don’t see it?

The Our Father - Straight from Scripture (no need to quote chapter and verse)
1st Half of Hail Mary - Luke 1:28
2nd Half of Hail Mary - Praising Mary, and asking her to pray for us.
All but 2 of the mysteries are from scripture, and the ones that aren’t directly from scripture are strongly implied, and not hard to find.

 

[Cristiano]

I’ve taken sexual education and it was for teens, but I still had to get parental permission to take it.

They wanted to makes sure that you were not going to scandalize the other students!

 

[Melchior_1]

Really? You don’t see it?

The Our Father - Straight from Scripture (no need to quote chapter and verse)
1st Half of Hail Mary - Luke 1:28
2nd Half of Hail Mary - Praising Mary, and asking her to pray for us.
All but 2 of the mysteries are from scripture, and the ones that aren’t directly from scripture are strongly implied, and not hard to find.

Of course I see the scriptural components of the Rosary, I’ve explained the concept to people several times throughout my life. I’ve written about Marian theology on CAF on several occasions as well.

I’m just uneasy with inviting a Baptist youth group to our Catholic one.

By the way, the final two Glorious Mysteries are not mentioned in Scripture, but are a direct consequence of the Immaculate Conception, which IS detailed nicely in Revelation 12 (I wrote a bit about it at forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=463745 )…

 

[thequeen]

I see no problem with it however I would be careful not to stray away from the true faith.

 

[1ke]

Why not? It’s very scriptural.

Inviting Baptist teens to an event and then putting them on the spot to participate in a Rosary? You cannot see how this is uncharitable?

Perhaps you will invite your Jewish friends over and serve them pork chops. Me, I’m a little more charitable than that.

 

[1ke]

First, it’s TOB for Teens (literally) so parental permission isn’t required.

I am well aware of TOB for Teens program, we use it in our parish. And, yes, topics dealing it human sexuality most **definitely **require parental permission.

Who is running this program?

Third, apparently if they get invited they’re going to be told “this is a Catholic youth group - Catholicism is gonna happen”. Would that negate a lack of charity then if they know in advance to expect stuff?

No, I don’t believe so.

If it were an individual teen inviting one of their non-Catholic friends, then certainly they could take time ahead of the event to explain the topic, the prayers, etc. This is not the same as extending an invitation to a church group as a whole.

Frankly the adults in your parish don’t have any sense at all.

 

[PJM]

=Melchior_;8055527]We have the possibility of inviting two Baptist youth groups to ours. Obviously we have no intentions of watering things down, and we’re certainly going to mention that they cannot receive Sacraments.

One one hand, I’m uneasy with it. I’ve met several Baptists who were anti-Catholic, and I suppose I’m being fairly un-Christian and cynical in thinking that they’ll try spreading falsehoods.

Then again, how better to show them the Truth of Catholicism than inviting them to see what it’s all about? We do a Rosary they might start asking some questions, which would lead to some good discussions.

I’m a bit torn on it.

Thoughts?

Go for it. When I was teaching e did similar things.

BE sure to set PROPER expetiations and have someone present TRULY qualified to answer WHY we do this or that.

God Bless,
Pat