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cdunh
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 20th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arkansas USA |
| Posts: | 30 |
| First Name: | Cal | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | methodist to Catholic |
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Posted: Sat May 5th, 2007 11:57 am |
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Another topic seemed to be skirting the issue of the need for more oportunities for fellowship within the Catholic community. I am wondering if this need is more of an issue for converts than for cradle Cathiolics. Many protestant groups, especially the newer "do your own church" experiments, appear to me to "woo by relationships" (as in: "I will be your friend if you will play church with me.") I received a flyer which was mailed to everyone in our zip code (I presume) which touted a "spring up" group. The flyer said: "Think church is boring? ... Thing again!" This was on an image of a concert stage (band ... lights... television screen). The back side of the flyer began:"Using multimedia, contemporary music and practical messages..." The flyer ends with: "...Discover with us how to be free from pain this month at...[name of the sect]." The new converts to our parish all seem to be seeking "relationships" which can be supportive and instructive. Also some seek "causes" with which they can identify. One person told me however, that once they became Catholic they were just taken for granted. Their parish had few opportunities for them to participate in groups or roles which their former sect encouraged (I think). Anyway. might "sociality and service" provide major opportunities for encouragment of Catholic Identity and witness?
cdunh
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CajunRick
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Posted: Sat May 5th, 2007 12:37 pm |
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cdunh wrote: might "sociality and service" provide major opportunities for encouragment of Catholic Identity and witness?
I think that since this seems to be much more of an issue with former Protestants, it would be an excellent ministry for those who have converted to the faith. As a "cradle Catholic" I can't say that I really understand why it's such a big deal. I guess it has more to do with what former members of certain denominations that consider fellowship such an important factor are accustomed to.
As a Cajun American, I don't really have a full understanding of the culture of other ethnic groups so there is no way I could successfully plan, for example, a Polish or Hispanic celebration. I don't have an understanding of "Protestant culture" either. How can I inculturate Protestant-style fellowship into Catholic worship patterns?
Former Protestants looking for ministry opportunities could look to hospitality ministry in their own parishes. They could serve as mass greeters, or plan periodic fellowship opportunities (say, coffee and biscuits after Sunday morning mass). Most pastors would be amenable to such ministries.
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David W. Emery
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2427 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Sat May 5th, 2007 06:36 pm |
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I occurs to me, Cal, that there is something no one has brought up about the different directions of Protestants and Catholics with regard to fellowship and service. It is that Protestants are almost wholly dependent on the congregation to which they belong simply because there is little cohesion between them and other groups. Catholics, on the other hand, have a much wider world. The parish can be a focal point for certain functions beyond worship, to be sure, but these days what I see is that many Catholics opt for fellowship and service of a religious kind outside of the parish.
I am one of those who simply has little time to participate in parish events because I spend probably 40 hours a week with CHN and those who look to this organization for guidance and fellowship. Others may find their calling in the Knights of Columbus, the St. Vincent De Paul Society, the Legion of Mary, a third order group and suchlike.
So when a Protestant becomes Catholic, and he sees that there is little going on at his parish, he thinks the Catholic Church is “dead.” No fellowship, no evangelization, etc. But this is not the case. It’s just taking place in different venues.
David
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mrsbmoo
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 344 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Methodist. RCA, Presbyterian, Holiness, Wesleyan... Catholic as of June ... |
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Posted: Sat May 5th, 2007 08:47 pm |
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| I am not sure this is a Catholic/Protestant thing as much as a cultural thing. My parish has drinks and snacks after the Sunday morning masses every week. There are also constant announcements about getting involved with activities both social and service oriented in the parish each week. There is going to be a formal tea to benefit the building fund this month, there is an Oktoberfest and St Patrick's potato smash every year. There is a big potluck and carnival every year at the parish feast day. Then there are seasonal fairs with shopping and food. As well, there is VBS, the Christmas play, a talent show and the All saints Day party for those who want to do something child oriented. I live in small southern town but many of us are from other places. I agree that there are also wider oppurtunities to get involved with too but my parish is certainly as social as any protestant one.
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Becky
Wife of Michael(called Moo) and stay at home mom to 5 daughters between 13 months and 17
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Candlemass
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| Joined: | Tue May 1st, 2007 |
| Location: | Hudson, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 489 |
| First Name: | Mark | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, AOG, Baptist, non - denominational, Anglican, RCC for life! |
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Posted: Sat May 5th, 2007 08:51 pm |
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| Isolation is a rapidly growing "disease" in our culture, I've been steeped in ot for most of my life.
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"For I the blind who once could see, the bell tolls for me!"
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cdunh
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 20th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arkansas USA |
| Posts: | 30 |
| First Name: | Cal | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | methodist to Catholic |
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Posted: Sun May 6th, 2007 05:09 pm |
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Candlemas, I do agree with you that "isolation " is an important problem which the "business" and the "noise" (and the technological hubris) of our culture generates. Does it seem to you, as it does to me, that the parish ought to foster "community" and that the "communion within the parish" should be evidenced by love? Shall we be known that we are Christians by our love? I suppose we demonstrate that love by our economy of time, charity, and relationships. I suspect that most who participate in the CHN forums are motivated by charity. I hope none are lonely, insulated, nor isolated in my pew... in my parish... in my neighborhood. Probably some need or enjoy fellowship more than others. It seems natural to me that all need acceptance, meaningful roles, appreciation, kindness, and love. Yet reticence, woundedness, anxieties, and fears could inhibit openness. Some probably don't need more "community" or "fellowship" than they have [already].
Cal
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Ali
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| Joined: | Sat Jan 6th, 2007 |
| Location: | Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 667 |
| First Name: | Ali | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | JW, finally fully Catholic |
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Posted: Mon May 7th, 2007 11:35 am |
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For me, it wasn't so much a social setting I craved, I am an introvert and alone/quiet time is more my thing. But a matter of being involved and knowing people. My parrish is really small, with a lot of older people (my parents age), so everyone already knows everybody else and their families and their kids and the dog  When we first started attending, I did not feel welcome or included in what was going on. Even after RCIA did I really feel like I connected with the leaders. Yes, I knew them and we were friendly, but it wasn't that *connection* that you get other places. The same year I went through RCIA, I also started teaching CCD at church. My second full year is coming to an end, and honestly, only now that a lady my age is the youth group leader, do I feel like I've finally made a connection with someone.
Maybe I'm rambling, lol, it's just like everyone is so ingrained in what they do and with whom they do it with, that newbies sometimes get left out. Unintentionally, I'm sure.
Dalton and I have also started volunteering at a nieghboring parrish on Tuesdays for their "meals for the needy". That's been a way to meet people nice as well.
So I don't need picnics, or pot luck dinners, *I* just need someone to take an initiative and include someone other than their immediate circle in their activities.
FTR, our church only has a community picnic in the summer. Twice in three years (or 4?) I remember coffee and donuts in the center after mass. Twice this year youth group, and any younger kids whose parents stayed, prepared soup. It was sold afterwards, with proceeds going to the parrish food bank, as a to go item. Our CCD teachers are really trying to think of how to get parents and families more involved with the Church community.
Ali
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