Why Do You Come To Phatmass?

[Deus te Amat]

Phatmass, in my opinion, is a Catholic phorum intended to 1) Bring Catholics around the world in community together, 2) be a safe place for non-Catholics to come and learn more about the faith 3) foster an interest in Catholic media and 4) widen the perspective of Catholic universality that many of us do not necessarily see in our home parishes.

So, 1. We are a community. A Catholic community. What does it mean to be a Catholic? And a community? I've seen so many people say over the years that we are a phamily and all the bickering is to be taken in stride. I'm not sure what to think of that mentality. To me, as a person seriously discerning to spend her entire life in community living, a community is far more than a family con baggage. It's a family, with lots of baggage, that STILL seeks the sanctification of each and every one of its family members. I don't expect to constantly be best friends with ever single woman in my community, but I do expect that I, and they, will strive to love each and every one, seeking constantly to on their own/my faults that keep us from loving fully. For example, people that have a certain type of humor drive me nuts, to the point that I almost can't listen to them seriously. Left to itself, it could cause me to develop an intense dislike for said person. But in a community, you can't have people like this creating factions and splitting the community to the core. Not very Christlike... I bet the 12 apostles didn't always get along. But it's not their disagreements or personality spats that you hear about. It's there love. Their sacrifice. Their wisdom and their witness. Phatmass is Catholic. Catholic to the Core. dUSt has created a blessing, a haven on the internet. But having this haven brings along its own set of requirements. Catholicism is defined by the people that are Catholic, the Catholic Character developed by the Christian witness passed on from Christ. And, in a phorum, this Christian witness is extremely public, and the whole world can see. As a community, this aspect brings along its own set of responsibilities. The whole world sees our community, and so the whole world can see our spats, our petty fights, and our lack of Christian charity. They also see everything good, but as can by seen by turning on any news channel, the bad is remembered far longer than the good. So, what does it mean to be a Catholic on an internet phorum? We are in a position of responsibility, and all that see us learn about what it means to be Catholic. This summer, I spent eight weeks teaching Catholic VBS to 1-12th graders. I didn't get along with several of my teammates, but it wasn't a big deal because we never let the children see our disagreements. We knew that they looked up to us, that they emulated us, and if they saw us fighting about whether or not we should go outside for recess, they would pick up on it and respect us less. We were showing them Catholicism. We always had to be consciousness as to what we were teaching them, intentional or not.

2) Obvious. If you were a non-Catholic coming to PM learn more about Catholicism, what would you think of our "Community"? What do we really want them to see about our Faith? Yes, we are human and we sin too, but are we all seeking sanctification through improving our faults? or do we get caught up trying to remove the splinter in our neighbors eyes, ignoring the log in our own.

3) I may not like Catholic hip hop, but oh my goodness, yay Catholic hip hop.

4) When I was in Europe, I went to 6 countries in 10 days, ending spring break with the Easter triduum. I went to Mass in 7 different languages in these 10 days. Seven. I understood and was able to follow each and every one. Because Catholicism is Universal. (and Awesome, but that's beside the point ). During the Easter services at the Vatican, I met people all over the world, all there to celebrate the Paschal mysteries with our Pontiff, our BRIDGEBUILDER, Pope Benedict. Wow.

The week after Easter, on Divine Mercy Sunday, I celebrated the Angelus with Papa Benny at Castel Gondolfo. It was the day after the Polish plane crash, and, with us waiting in line, were 100 Poles with black ribbons on their arms. They prayed the rosary in Polish, sang, and received comfort from the Holy Father in their own language, on the day celebrating something given to the world by a Polish saint. Never before have I felt the Catholic universality as I did in these two weeks.

Phatmass gives us a taste of this by having members from all over the world and all walks of life. But I think, sometimes, that the majority isn't always quite open to those of different backgrounds or cultures. idk...



Anywho, I guess I sort of went off on a tangent, but I just wanted to ask you and have you consider again what brings you to PM? Why are you a member of the Phamily? Is it an apostolate? A community? A haven? A place to troll? Please, I want to know.

Pax Christi,
DtA

[dUSt]

Thank you for your post. It's awesome.

To answer your question, I come here to rule. I am a ruler. It's what I do. Rule.

K bye!

[Sarah147]

My main reason, and initially my only reason, was to talk about religious life and religious discernment on the vocation forum.

Now I've come to really appreciate the Catholic community, a place to meet many faithful Catholics, though there is a mixture of people. The vocation forum will always be my favorite. I love the mixture here of the vocation area, the Q&A is excellent, great variety of Catholic topics including some deep discussions, and I enjoy being able to kick back and have some humor and fun here. It's unusual to find such a place, especially with such a great layout and features.

Thank you Dust.

Edited September 14, 2010 by JoyfulLife

[SaintOfVirtue]

Originally I came here to be able to read the debates and add my two cents when necessary, but then I found the Lame Board and ended up spending most my time in there. Not to mention the fact that at the time most of the debates going on were far out of my league.

[homeschoolmom]

Force of habit.

[MissScripture]

Excellent post, DtA! One of the best I have probably ever read on here!

I came to phatmass when I was a senior in high school trying to find a place that I wasn't shunned for being Catholic. Through the years here, I've met some incredibly wonderful people. I honestly don't know what would have become of me without this place. I am greatful for the community here, and am saddened when people (myself included) can't seem to get along. I really hope we can all take this post from DtA to heart.

[CatherineM]

It can get lonely in a world surrounded by people who hate me for my beliefs. I come here to remember that I'm not alone.

[Brother Adam]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' timestamp='1284485487' post='2173104']
Force of habit.
[/quote]

+1

[dominicansoul]

I come to phatmass because recently I lost my mother. I lost my community. I've been home, and frankly, find myself struggling to live in the world after living in the convent. I feel alone in my world. My generation is lost. I can't find anyone my age in Church. The best friends I have at my parish are senior citizens. The Holy Spirit led me to Phatmass. I have no idea how phatmass popped up on the screen one day while I was perusing the internet...My first post was a heartfelt cry for help in the prayer thread. I received more than just a few responses from some of you. With that, I felt a connection, a reason to stick around...I felt a spark light up the darkness...

As it has been 2 1/2 years, I have met some of the best people I've ever known on phatmass. Without a doubt, MissScripture is my best friend here...I did what I thought I never would do in my life, and that was travel across (literally right across) the country to meet her and Roamin Catholic on, of all days, their wedding day! That could have never been if it were not for phatmass...

I have learned a lot about my Faith, and I have learned how to love even when it was difficult to love. I've had my share of fights, but have reconciled with those who were merciful enuff to accept my apologies and move on... thankfully, none of that was ever on display here (we took our fight to facebook...LOL...) because I, too, feel like we should behave and treat each other with respect no matter what. I know I have failed in that sense many times, and I regret those times. If there's one thing phatmass has taught me is a great deal of humiliation, and thank God, most of that humiliation came at the hands of my own stupidity, my own carelessness with others sensitivities and my own disrespect of others. Hopefully, I will learn from those experiences and use more tact in the future.

Phatmass is a great place for a Dominican. WE are taught to preach teh Gospel at all times. This phorum gives plenty of opportunities to do just that. I feel called to teach lukewarm Catholics to grow zealous for their Faith. I feel called to help out young women discern religious life and help them on their journeys. Phatmass offers plenty of opportunities for that. This is a Dominican's dream come true!

I come to phatmass because as there are many catholic forums out there, there are none that come even close to this place. The people on here come from all walks of life, from different places in the spiritual journey towards God. There are those I connect with, those I want to learn more about, and those that rub me the wrong way. Yet, it wouldn't be phatmass if we were all the same, and saw things the same exact way. There's one thing that unites us, though, and that is the Catholicism of the forum. No matter what, phatmass sits in the shadow of Holy Mother Church, and she acts as a connection for all of us...Pope Benedict has asked that we use these tools for the greater Glory of God, to glorify the Lord and bring others to HIM....to place our self-love aside, and "put on the armor of Christ" to no longer live but Christ live in us...and I feel phatmass is the place to do just this very thing...

There will be plenty of imitations, in my opinion, there's only one phatmass. It's the real deal. Thank you dUSt, I hope there will be a special place in heaven for those who have used this technology to bring others to Christ, because that's where you belong, my friend!

[Lil Red]

what everyone else said.

[StMichael]

To connect, speak, etc. with the Catholic faithful.

[MIKolbe]

In a word.. love.

God has graced me enough to smack me upside my head and wake me up to how He loves someone like me. In Phatmass, He has blessed me with friends to lean on, and opportunities for spiritual and emotional growth...not that I have always taken advantage of His providence on either of those issues.

I find the membership learned and the topics engaging. I love the diverse board now; I feel the coolness of Phatmass never ceases!!

I too, have met friends here. Many of whom I email and call frequently...

Interesting thought... when I was laid of in 2008, I was crushed in every possible way a man, husband, and father can be crushed. The next day, Shea's aunt drove 1.5 hours in CA traffic to be at our house earlier the next morning, to deliver some diapers for Addie, and a meal for us. It brought tears to my eyes. The tears streamed down my humbled cheeks and would not stop. I looked at Peyton and Shea, and told them THIS is how Jesus shows us he loves us. The simple things; the love of others.

This is why I love phatmass and I continue to 'come by'. In Phatmass, I experience (through fellowship, friendships, and learning from others) some of God's love.

This is one of the coolest threads ever. thanks DtA!

[MissScripture]

[quote name='dominicansoul' timestamp='1284486140' post='2173111']
I come to phatmass because recently I lost my mother. I lost my community. I've been home, and frankly, find myself struggling to live in the world after living in the convent. I feel alone in my world. My generation is lost. I can't find anyone my age in Church. The best friends I have at my parish are senior citizens. The Holy Spirit led me to Phatmass. I have no idea how phatmass popped up on the screen one day while I was perusing the internet...My first post was a heartfelt cry for help in the prayer thread. I received more than just a few responses from some of you. With that, I felt a connection, a reason to stick around...I felt a spark light up the darkness...

As it has been 2 1/2 years, I have met some of the best people I've ever known on phatmass. Without a doubt, MissScripture is my best friend here...I did what I thought I never would do in my life, and that was travel across (literally right across) the country to meet her and Roamin Catholic on, of all days, their wedding day! That could have never been if it were not for phatmass...

I have learned a lot about my Faith, and I have learned how to love even when it was difficult to love. I've had my share of fights, but have reconciled with those who were merciful enuff to accept my apologies and move on... thankfully, none of that was ever on display here (we took our fight to facebook...LOL...) because I, too, feel like we should behave and treat each other with respect no matter what. I know I have failed in that sense many times, and I regret those times. If there's one thing phatmass has taught me is a great deal of humiliation, and thank God, most of that humiliation came at the hands of my own stupidity, my own carelessness with others sensitivities and my own disrespect of others. Hopefully, I will learn from those experiences and use more tact in the future.

Phatmass is a great place for a Dominican. WE are taught to preach teh Gospel at all times. This phorum gives plenty of opportunities to do just that. I feel called to teach lukewarm Catholics to grow zealous for their Faith. I feel called to help out young women discern religious life and help them on their journeys. Phatmass offers plenty of opportunities for that. This is a Dominican's dream come true!

I come to phatmass because as there are many catholic forums out there, there are none that come even close to this place. The people on here come from all walks of life, from different places in the spiritual journey towards God. There are those I connect with, those I want to learn more about, and those that rub me the wrong way. Yet, it wouldn't be phatmass if we were all the same, and saw things the same exact way. There's one thing that unites us, though, and that is the Catholicism of the forum. No matter what, phatmass sits in the shadow of Holy Mother Church, and she acts as a connection for all of us...Pope Benedict has asked that we use these tools for the greater Glory of God, to glorify the Lord and bring others to HIM....to place our self-love aside, and "put on the armor of Christ" to no longer live but Christ live in us...and I feel phatmass is the place to do just this very thing...

There will be plenty of imitations, in my opinion, there's only one phatmass. It's the real deal. Thank you dUSt, I hope there will be a special place in heaven for those who have used this technology to bring others to Christ, because that's where you belong, my friend!
[/quote]
I am SO glad you made that trip! That was awesome!

This post also reminded me of one of the things that I love most about Phatmass --understanding. This summer, with my sister leaving, Phatmass was a place where people understood, maybe not what it was like, but at least enough to be happy for all of us, and not ask, "Wow...what was she thinking? That's crazy!"

And another thing --when I had my heart surgery, I could say that there were literally people all over the world praying for me. Now THAT is a cool thought! And that wouldn't have been possible for me to say, without Phatmass!

[Lil Red]

[quote name='MissScripture' timestamp='1284489242' post='2173123']
And another thing --when I had my heart surgery, I could say that there were literally people all over the world praying for me. Now THAT is a cool thought! And that wouldn't have been possible for me to say, without Phatmass!
[/quote]
amen.

[misereremi]

[quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1284485775' post='2173107']
It can get lonely in a world surrounded by people who hate me for my beliefs. I come here to remember that I'm not alone.
[/quote]
This sums up why I came back here today.