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Steven Barrett
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| Joined: | Tue Nov 14th, 2006 |
| Location: | Hadley, Massachusetts USA |
| Posts: | 980 |
| First Name: | Steven | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Episcopal communicant, Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sat May 5th, 2007 10:57 am |
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Carolyn, I hope I didn't cause any interstate diplomatic faux paus with my chauvinism. But watch out this late-fall when the UM Men's basketball rises to the TOP of the heap and stays there, at least in NE. I'm just prayin' that the Lord is a Minuteman fan so we can give the UConn men some payback.
But, even though I do admire Stewart's dedication to reminding people that they can lead a life that's filled with good memories and things, I'll let CT have her. I don't think we have enough land up here to accomodate her. The Lord only made so much of it.
But, in keeping with the (wandering) theme of this thread, I have to wonder if some people in influential diocesan offices will do something to close the spigot of Catholics leaving WMass for other places and worse, other homes of worship. All dioceses have to work on that, and most importantly, all Catholics must take this as a necessary duty to meet as often as possible.
It only takes a smile, handshake, a nice conversation and voila, you've made a friend and a friend is so much easier to welcome in a non-pushy way into our doors.
Even all of us New Englanders can do that much! 
____________________
For anybody interested in reading commentary from a Catholic's socially conservative/fiscally liberal viewpoint, go to my new blog at http://www.politicsramble.com/ .
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Carolyn
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| Joined: | Mon Apr 30th, 2007 |
| Location: | Torrington, Connecticut USA |
| Posts: | 117 |
| First Name: | Carolyn | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Im a married catholic, with four children Devoted to Mary ... |
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Posted: Sun May 6th, 2007 11:14 am |
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| Never happen , Steven ,Uconn Rocks!!!!!!!I think I did stay true to our topic,Trying to let you know if you scratch the surface,you will find that catholics want to be there , for their BROTHERS and SISTERS of the faith,were just not as vocal about it,,you guys , coming home to the catholic church ,owe it to us to teach us to fill the need for fellowship in our church,,that will be your penance (smile) for being anti catholic at one time,,,,as far as Martha Stuart,,,She still lives on Turkey Hill in Connecticut,,,hunting Turkeys.......... God Bless,,,Brother Steve
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Steven Barrett
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| Joined: | Tue Nov 14th, 2006 |
| Location: | Hadley, Massachusetts USA |
| Posts: | 980 |
| First Name: | Steven | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Episcopal communicant, Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon May 7th, 2007 03:07 pm |
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Scratching more than the surface, for instance, my head, I'll have to give Connecticut Catholics for being more Catholic than their na-buhs to the noth and east.
As for Huskies vs. Minutemen, I'd like to see the poohbahs that be in scheduling change the annual I-91 rivalry game to late Feb when it'll count for something more than braggin' rights.
I don't think my idea would have a prayer of a chance. But just as long as the Minutemen don't shoot like Dick Cheney, I'm sure we'll give your Huskies a ten point lead at the opening tip -- to make it fair.
I'd better get off!
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For anybody interested in reading commentary from a Catholic's socially conservative/fiscally liberal viewpoint, go to my new blog at http://www.politicsramble.com/ .
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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5353 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Mon May 7th, 2007 03:11 pm |
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Steven Barrett wrote: their na-buhs to the noth and east.
I thought it was "nay-buhs to thuh noth and eest."
Or perhaps "neigh-buhs"?
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Prodigal Daughter
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| Joined: | Wed Nov 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 200 |
| First Name: | Deborah/PD | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptized Catholic, received First Communion, left during Confirmation year. ... |
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Posted: Mon May 7th, 2007 03:44 pm |
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As I have read through some of the posts on this thread, I have been thinking about the difference between how I "shared my faith" as a Protestant and how I share my faith as a Catholic. As a Protestant (evangelical variety) I had one goal in mind and there was only one route to that goal. The goal was to "Get my neighbor into heaven by making a profession of faith." Everything I did, even if it was service oriented was focused on this once and done "salvation experience."
As a Catholic, I find that evangelism although ultimately having the same goal, has many possible routes to that goal. St. Francis' statement "Preach the Gospel always and if you must, use words," takes on a very deep meaning in this regard. Instead of seeing each person as a "sinner needing to be saved," I see each individual as a beloved child of God. I take the time to get to know each one whom I have the privilege of meeting. I try to understand where they are in terms of their faith journey. At times, I feel I have so little to give and yet I receive so much on my journey to heaven.
I tend to gravitate toward those who are already on or looking for the path, those who are interested in faith in some way.
Take my secretary at work, what a wonderful woman. She grew up in a Reformed Calvinist home. At one point after her second marriage, she and her husband wanted to join the CC. Unfortunately, she had a bad experience in RCIA and since then hasn't made another attempt. We have lots of discussions about faith and have come to respect each other greatly. It has taken some time for her to even listen to what the Church says about anything because of that previous hurt. Recently however, I brought her in a copy of the CCC at her request and also purchased Catholic and Christian by Allen Schreck. What a blessing it was to see the big smile on her face as I handed those books to her. I never would have thought from our first few discussions that she would be happy to read anything Catholic.
Then there is my Jewish friend from work. I went to her synagogue with her on Saturday. Wow, that was interesting. She asked me during lunch what I thought of Pope Pius the XII. I remembered that there was a great myth surrounding his lack of response to the holocaust. At the time I didn't have the information, but when I came home ordered her a used copy of "The Myth of Hitler's Pope," on Amazon. It is written by a rabbi and supposedly an excellent and truthful account of what really happened. I'll read it first and then give it to her.
Finally, there is little Mary(not her real name). She is my 2 year old patient on Fridays. She gives me so much more than I could ever give her. But when I pick her up she occasionally stares at and holds my Crucifix. She looks intently at it and says "GEEE." I say "That's right, that is Jesus on the Cross." The employees at the day care hear me and so they know that Jesus is important to me. So if they ever want to talk, I hope my ears are wide open.
I find it evangelism a rich and fulfilling experience as a Catholic. It just comes naturally. I never was comfortable with it as an evangelical. It always felt so forced.
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"Man should tremble, the world should vibrate, all Heaven should be deeply moved when the Son of God appears on the altar in the hands of the priest."
St. Francis of Assisi
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TotusTuus
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| Joined: | Tue Oct 31st, 2006 |
| Location: | Alabama USA |
| Posts: | 125 |
| First Name: | Mark | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic (thanks Mom and Dad!) |
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Posted: Mon May 7th, 2007 05:23 pm |
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Thanks Deborah for your beautiful and thoughful post. I think you have it about right with your analysis of the difference between the Catholic and the "evangelical" approaches to evangelization.
When my neighbors ask me about Catholicism I invariably come up short in providing good answers but subsequently I work hard to discover how I "could have" responded. Sometimes, I get an opportunity for follow-up. So, at least I am growing in my understanding of difficult issues in Catholicism and I get to see how God can speak to my neighbor even through the "jawbone of an ass" (in this case, me).
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TTM!
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JillD
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Visalia, California USA |
| Posts: | 786 |
| First Name: | Jill | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | heathen, EvFree, Messianic, LC-MS, Catholic 2007 |
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Posted: Mon May 7th, 2007 06:20 pm |
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I would agree with Deborah, that the goal of Catholic evangelization is different from the Protestant version. We have a family friend, a Protestant, who has an evangelist's heart. Now, I'm not saying that what he's doing is wrong, but I do think it's only a start. He takes Bibles and other Christian literature and finds the down-and-out. He often buys them a meal and gives them a Bible and if they pray the Sinner's Prayer, he thinks he's gotten them to Heaven. Of course, he rarely sees these folks ever again.
I'm sure that some of them find our friend's prayers and testimony the beginning of a journey that does indeed lead to Heaven. But for others, his testimony is seed spread on thin soil. It doesn't accomplish what he thinks it's accomplished.
I guess it takes all kinds, but to me a preferable evangelization is one that finds a soul who will listen and then follows through, at least to a certain extent. Maybe I'm wrong here; maybe sowing the seed is enough and God finds others who will till the soil and water the plants. And I guess some need to hear the message many times before it takes root. I've just always felt that our friend was deceiving himself to believe that he'd secured these poor people's place in Heaven.
But he's doing a lot more than I am!
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"I praise you, for I am wondrously made. Wonderful are our works! My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret." Ps 139
"Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men." Ps 140
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TotusTuus
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| Joined: | Tue Oct 31st, 2006 |
| Location: | Alabama USA |
| Posts: | 125 |
| First Name: | Mark | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic (thanks Mom and Dad!) |
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Posted: Mon May 7th, 2007 08:05 pm |
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JillD,
I see from your profile that you were once "Messianic". I have a friend, a non-Jew, who worships with Messianic Jews. I've tried to present the Catholic Church to her as the fulfillment of the Old Testament Kingdom promises, also the Mass as the fulfillment of the Passover. Any insights or resources you can pass along?
Thanks,
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TTM!
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JillD
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Visalia, California USA |
| Posts: | 786 |
| First Name: | Jill | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | heathen, EvFree, Messianic, LC-MS, Catholic 2007 |
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Posted: Mon May 7th, 2007 11:38 pm |
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Hi Mark,
Well, not really. We weren't in it for too long, and could only dabble as there was no Messianic synagogue in our town. My husband was raised sort of Jewish, bar mitzvah'ed, Passover - a little like Christmas and Easter Christians. That's what piqued our interest. But personally I found there to be too much emphasis on Torah and on Israel. Yeshua was not as front and center as I thought He ought to be!
It was a matter of realizing that the Old Covenant was fulfilled by Christ. When that really hit home, it was easy to let the old rules go and see that they were shadows of better things. I don't see anything wrong with celebrating the OT holidays - Passover, Hanukkah, Tabernacles, etc. - especially when one appreciates how they are fulfilled in Christ. It adds a lot of richness to them. But the Eucharist is so much better than the Passover matzoh, and Christmas is better than Hanukkah, etc.
I hope your friend sees that someday. I know my old Messianic buddies would flip if they knew I'd become Catholic!
Jill
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"I praise you, for I am wondrously made. Wonderful are our works! My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret." Ps 139
"Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men." Ps 140
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5353 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Mon May 7th, 2007 11:53 pm |
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TotusTuus wrote: I've tried to present the Catholic Church to her as the fulfillment of the Old Testament Kingdom promises, also the Mass as the fulfillment of the Passover.
You might want to take a look at Second Exodus which seems to contain a lot of information on the Church as the "Eternal Israel".
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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lia
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| Joined: | Mon Dec 11th, 2006 |
| Location: | Quezon City, Philippines |
| Posts: | 98 |
| First Name: | lia | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic |
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Posted: Tue May 8th, 2007 11:10 pm |
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Darlene wrote: cajunrick wrote: Carolyn wrote: I assume she was catholic,but its like a secret, she wouldnt speak about faith,
At least a half dozen times, I have had RCIA candidates tell me that in the Protestant churches they heard God's word preached constantly, but in the Catholic church they see it lived. Given the option to do one or the other, I would much rather have people noticing that we live our faith than that we talk about it. Sorry, but I disagree. This is where, as I said to David, it must be an And/both approach. Do we really have any option to hide our light under a bushel?? Hmmm.
I think it's a matter of people's individual's personalities. An extroverted person wouldn't have any problem proclaiming the word and living it. The introverted may only live it. I don't think one can be faulted for not always talking about one's Catholic faith. It is only when confronted, then an introverted person has to "say" what he believes.
Maybe Catholics are more of Jesus' parable wherein a father has two sons. The father asked the elder son to work the field, but said he couldn't do it. And so the father asked the second son to do the work and the second son said he'd do it. But the second son didn't do it, and the eldest feeling guilty not obeying his father did the work. In this scenario, who would the father think did the job? The eldest or the second son? It didn't matter to the eldest to say, "Father, I did the work." He just did it. Also, it could be that a lot of Catholics know they are not properly catechize, so it would be wrong to say something about one's faith which may not be what is really taught by the Church.
Action speaks louder than words they say. Just as love is a verb instead of a noun. Out of respect of other people's religious beliefs, Catholics don't "outright" start sharing his beliefs. He lives it. And when you do good, people will notice. And when they notice, they start to ask questions. It is when they start asking, then that's the time to start talking.
Preachers have the license to preach. Some people need the license of "friendship" first to preach.
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Man can't b forced 2 accept the truth.He can b drawn toward the truth only by his own nature, that is, by his own freedom w/c commits him 2 search sincerely 4 truth & when he finds it, 2 adhere 2 it both in his conviction & his behavior.-- JP2
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Steven Barrett
Member
| Joined: | Tue Nov 14th, 2006 |
| Location: | Hadley, Massachusetts USA |
| Posts: | 980 |
| First Name: | Steven | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Episcopal communicant, Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed May 9th, 2007 06:30 pm |
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I wrote it like they pronounce neighbors. Anything east of the Quabbin Reservoir which divides the two halves of MA, is where English is definitely NOT spoken in a way most of us in the country would recognize.
Well, so we out in Happy Valley would like to think.
____________________
For anybody interested in reading commentary from a Catholic's socially conservative/fiscally liberal viewpoint, go to my new blog at http://www.politicsramble.com/ .
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