So, How Many C&e Catholics At Your Parish Tonight?

[ThePenciledOne]

[quote name='Micah' timestamp='1293418433' post='2194561']
Nope. If that were the case, everyone would be saved. Saying something is wrong is a far cry from judging someone.

[/quote]

You misunderstood what I said, but then I didn't fully explain either. In context that statement you bolded makes more sense, but I'm not saying that you are judging them though how you are asking (as in topic and original post) makes it somewhat that connotation. The Saints reprimand the faithful and hold those not fully in the faith accountable for what they do, in that those not fully in the faith (C&E Catholics). I call them not fully in the faith, because they obviously do not hold the same Faith, the faithful do.

Yet, despite this the Saints still maintained charity when dealing with those not fully faithful and the sinners. They still acted with mercy if those that wronged stumbled into a church or repented. I do not see why we cannot view these (C&E Catholics) with a little more understanding, that was all Micah. I think society gives us enough to look generally especially at this time of year with the whole Santa business.

[Sternhauser]

[quote name='Micah' timestamp='1293418433' post='2194561']
[color="#595959"][font="arial, verdana, sans-serif"][size="4"]When we see a hole in a ship, we patch it. We don't bail out.[/size][/font][/color]
[/quote]

Squeak for yourself! (Sorry, bad pun.)

~Sternhauser

[Micah]

^ it's okay, it's gone over my head lol.

Anyways, if I came off elitist and judgmental I apologize guys. I'd give up my parking spot, my time, food, prayers and anything else for my brothers and sisters whether or not they come on Christmas or every Sunday. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/smile2.gif[/img]

(maybe not my parking spot..)

Edited December 27, 2010 by Micah

[Lil Red]

[quote name='Micah' timestamp='1293424075' post='2194581']
(maybe not my parking spot..)
[/quote]
for your car or your butt (in the pew)? lol.

[Micah]

[quote name='Lil Red' timestamp='1293427768' post='2194593']
for your car or your butt (in the pew)? lol.
[/quote]

Car, pews always have the magical ability to squish more people into them.

[thessalonian]

The main church was full and they had mass in the cafeteria on Christmass eve. The better question is did your priest make a plug for weekly attendance? Something that would tweak their conscience?

[BG45]

I'd say maybe 20% of the people in ours were only Christmas and Easter goers.

[fides quarens intellectum]

[quote name='Lil Red' timestamp='1293289681' post='2194403']
at least they cared enough to go. thank goodness for moments of conversion that are given us at Christmas and Easter. thank goodness we all have that opportunity to turn to Christ anew.

God bless them. I'm glad they went. I won't be making fun of them for going.
[/quote]

Amen to that. I was thinking, I don't know how many may not have been regular Sunday goers - I noticed new faces, but that just might be because they go to a different Mass time than we usually attend. Even if they aren't regular Sunday goers, I am very glad they went.

[quote name='Lil Red' timestamp='1293329186' post='2194442']
how do you know they are not there for the right reasons? because something struck them funny. my parents snicker during Mass if my kids (or anyone else's) are being silly. they go to daily Mass. and if someone is fidgeting, perhaps they are not used to sitting still for that long? always think the best of others intentions instead of the worst.
[/quote]

I sometimes snicker at something during Mass (I know I should not); I often fidget if my back is bothering me.

[quote name='vee8' timestamp='1293407766' post='2194530']
As a former C&E Catholic, some years I skipped one or both entirely, I now look back with embarrassment on how stupid I was and how much I offended God with the sacrilegious Communions I received. Now I pray for the grace of conversion of heart for anyone who was like me and offer reparation for any offenses they may be causing God but I also know what they are going through and I thank God everyday for the graces and mercy I have, and continue to, receive. Its a daily yes and I never take for granted that I will even be at Mass next week so strong are the temptations to leave it all sometimes.
[/quote]

What a beautiful witness - thanks so much for sharing this!

[quote name='thessalonian' timestamp='1293458705' post='2194625']
The main church was full and they had mass in the cafeteria on Christmass eve. The better question is did your priest make a plug for weekly attendance? Something that would tweak their conscience?
[/quote]

The priest didn't make a plug, but I did notice these little cards in the pew welcoming Catholics and other Christians. On the inside of the card, there was info about the Mass and the Church, then there was a response card they could fill out for the office or the priest to contact them about any questions/concerns they might have. I thought that was kind of cool.

[mamalove]

Our Christmas Eve children's Mass was packed as usual. I got there about an hour early with half of the kiddos (the better behaved ones!) to get our normal pew in the front row and DH came shortly before Mass started with the other ones. Being that we do sit up front, I'm not about to turn around and start looking around at everyone, but there was a very long communion line and I know extra chairs were brought in and lined up and down the sides. The only thing that bothered me is the chill that started going up my back when communion started. You know. . . from all the people starting to flood out the doors when mass was "over enough." But what a perfect time to pray for all of them!!

[Socrates]

[quote name='Semper Catholic' timestamp='1293410425' post='2194543']
Once you are baptized you can't become "un-Catholic" no matter how many services you fail to attend. Furthermore I know plenty of people who refrain from attending mass due to the direction the church is headed, and how it has handled itself in recent years. That certainly does not make them any less worthy of Jesus' praise and forgiveness.
[/quote]
None of us is worthy of Jesus' forgiveness and praise.

However, if we love Christ, we obey His commandments, and those of His Church.

Being baptized Catholic doesn't make anyone unable to reject Christ's mercy through unrepentant sin and disobedience.

A baptized Catholic may become an atheist, a Satanist, or a mass-murderer. Would you consider them to not be "un-Catholic"?

And being unhappy with "the direction the church is headed" doesn't excuse anyone from fulfilling their Sunday obligations - a precept of the Church. As Catholics, we're to do our darndest to conform our lives to the teachings of Christ's Church - not the other way around.

[rachael]

[quote name='Micah' timestamp='1293401905' post='2194506']
w.e red. When people call themselves Catholic and can't say the Lord's prayer, or decide to take the Eucharist when they know perfectly well they never attend mass I'm not going to wave it off and say it's all gravy. Because it's not. If you think the best of everyone, you'd think that I was concerned about the frequency of this at Christmas and Easter, not chide me on it.
[/quote]
The best way to bring someone in to the Church is not to always criticize them for their wrongdoings, i.e. going to church only on Christmas or Easter, but to welcome them with open arms for when they are there. It's not perfect...but at least they are there!

[Semper Catholic]

[quote name='Socrates' timestamp='1293659967' post='2194989']
None of us is worthy of Jesus' forgiveness and praise.

However, if we love Christ, we obey His commandments, and those of His Church.

Being baptized Catholic doesn't make anyone unable to reject Christ's mercy through unrepentant sin and disobedience.

A baptized Catholic may become an atheist, a Satanist, or a mass-murderer. Would you consider them to not be "un-Catholic"?

And being unhappy with "the direction the church is headed" doesn't excuse anyone from fulfilling their Sunday obligations - a precept of the Church. As Catholics, we're to do our darndest to conform our lives to the teachings of Christ's Church - not the other way around.
[/quote]

There are Catholics in hell and there are Catholics in heaven.

[MissyP89]

I'm still trying to get over my parish pulling out Michael W. Smith songs for midnight Mass. Totally bizarre. We were only about half full, but I imagine it's because several other parishes in town had midnight Masses, including our sister parish.

[Micah]

[quote name='Semper Catholic' timestamp='1293664462' post='2195003']
There are Catholics in hell and there are Catholics in heaven.
[/quote]

Debatable, a Catholic follows the precepts of the Church. We need to always remain fast in our hope of salvation. Though our salvation isn't guaranteed, I'm confident that everyone who tries their best to be a good and faithful servant will end up in heaven.

[AudreyGrace]

Girls wore flowers in their hair? I'm jealous.. if I wore flowers in my hair everyone would laugh lol. Merry Christmas!