Catholics and spiritual well-being

[mulls]

One thing I love about ministry is looking out for the well-being of others, both spiritually and otherwise. I've been told I have a 'shepherd's heart,' glory be to God. I think that is so because I know what it is like to not have anyone ever look out for you, and I know how hard that can be, both as a believer and a non-believer.

Growing up Catholic, nobody ever seemed to care about spiritual matters. 8 years at a Catholic grammar school, and there was more emphasis on memorizing the parts of the mass than on a living relationship with God.

After coming to the Lord and interacting with Catholics on this board, it seems as the most important thing they think about others is whether they are in line with church teaching. If they're not following the church, they have to shape up. If they are following the church, they're all set. And that's the end-all, be-all of things.

It doesn't seem as if alot of discipleship goes on....shepherding, mentoring, bringing people personally closer to Christ. In fact, I just recently spoke with a phatmasser online, and he never even heard the word 'discipleship' before. I don't know whether that is the norm or not. (No offense to you buddy, it just stuck out in my mind).

We're supposed to make disciples. Does that happen in the Catholic church? Who looks out? How so? Comments appreciated.

[MC Just]

Discipleship is what every catholic is suppose to hold. We try to lure people to the Catholic church because, we know as scripture tells us that it is led into all truth.

If we can bring people into the church, we would be bringing them closer to Christ. Closer to Christ anyone can ever be on earth.

The church teaches us everything we need to know, but just because there are some ignorant catholics, its not the churches fault, its their fault for not paying attention.

We have been making disciples for 2000 years. We are "everywhere" and "universal". And going to mass builds up our relationship with God, you know what we beleive about the Mass. Christ is there, we recieve him and believe he is within us, wanna talk about relationship? "but lord to whom shall we go?" outside of mass we are called to live the christian life, this means evangelization as well.

Edited July 23, 2005 by MC Just

[mulls]

interesting, i got a similar reply from another place i asked this question.

i'm NOT talking about evangelization and conversion. not at all.

i'm talking about building up others in the faith. nuturing and sharpening and looking out for other individual believers. personally drawing them closer to Christ.

think of a Paul-Timothy type relationship. that's a discipling relationship.

anything like that go on?

[mulls]

[quote] The church teaches us everything we need to know, but just because there are some ignorant catholics, its not the churches fault, its their fault for not paying attention. [/quote]


how does the church teach? how does it take responsibility for people? that's what i'm trying to get at.

obviously the clergy cannot have a personal relationship with every parishoner. so who looks out?

for one who is not so in tune with the church, who would hold them accountable for 'not paying attention.'? how are they supposed to know in the first place?

[mulls]

i will re-emphasize this point:


[quote]seems as the most important thing they think about others is whether they are in line with church teaching. If they're not following the church, they have to shape up. If they are following the church, they're all set. And that's the end-all, be-all of things.[/quote]


sure, get them into the church, and they follow the teachings, great. but what about their heart? how's their relationship with the Lord? just following teachings isn't what its about in the end. we could do that with a hardened heart.

who looks out for people?

Edited July 23, 2005 by mulls

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

We are at a debate table. Another forum I participate at is totally focused on the ministry you are talking about.

[MC Just]

[quote name='mulls' date='Jul 23 2005, 03:31 PM']how does the church teach? how does it take responsibility for people? that's what i'm trying to get at.

obviously the clergy cannot have a personal relationship with every parishoner. so who looks out?

for one who is not so in tune with the church, who would hold them accountable for 'not paying attention.'? how are they supposed to know in the first place?
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ok i see what your getting at...I try to "strengthen" my brethren all the time, though my music and in my personal life, with family members and friends.

Like one of my best friends is catholic, but he is struggling with morality and is deeply disturbed because of bad influences, he calls me all the time asking for advise on how to be strive for holiness and escape his vices.

I try my best to enlighten him and get him to pray more and come closer to Christ. .

We are all called as Catholics to strengthen one another. We dont go to mass just because we were told to, although some do. It is our job to learn and study the Faith. To study the scriptures read to us at mass.

It is a must that we build eachother up. Each of us must "look out" for one another.

[mulls]

Ok....

so is there a Church decree out there that says people must take responsibility for one another?

I'm just wondering what the Church's stance on this is.

Outside of the mass and the more formal processes, so to speak, who is responsible to teach, admonish, strengthen, encourage, sharpen, etc? Especially the less mature believers?



For example, let's say that I recently joined the Catholic church. do RCIA, get baptized, the whole bit. official acceptance.

what happens after that? would i be left on my own to figure it out? given some books and documents to read and try to decipher them all? would anybody come by my side and shepherd me? teach me personally about things? a priest? deacon? laymen? who is responsible?

is this responsibility even defined by the Church? i would hope so.

where would Timothy be without Paul?

[Quietfire]

Mulls,
I promise to answer this question tomorrow brother.

Tis past me bed time.



Pax

[Fides_et_Ratio]

[quote name='mulls' date='Jul 23 2005, 05:11 PM']For example, let's say that I recently joined the Catholic church. do RCIA, get baptized, the whole bit. official acceptance.

what happens after that? would i be left on my own to figure it out? given some books and documents to read and try to decipher them all? would anybody come by my side and shepherd me? teach me personally about things? a priest? deacon? laymen? who is responsible?
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You ask, you receive. You could find a spiritual director (I had one)... when I reconciled to the Church a few years ago, the pastor had me attend the youth group (even though I was the oldest.. a senior in high school) "just once" to try and get involved--there I met the deacon (who's now a priest) and he and I still get together every so often to discuss my walk with God, etc. I also ended up getting really involved in the youth group and now I'm a CORE member. Thus, I am partially responsible for the spiritual well being of the youth in the group. Since I'm only a few years old than some of them, it's easier for them to confide their struggles to me and I try and encourage them in their struggles.

As for RCIA, some parishes have groups that meet every so often. I know my parish tries to get converts involved in some of the "small church communities" (aka prayer groups) that we've set up. I'm in a somewhat bigger parish, and so the small groups help newcomers (especially converts) make friends and find support and people to hold each other accountable.

Lastly, I wanted to mention that you claim a priest can't have a personal relationship with every person.. while that's true in a sense, the Sacrament of Confession is deeply personal, and through such a Sacrament a Catholic finds encouragement, support, and guidance. I think most practicing Catholics (especially many on this forum) look to the Sacrament of Confession to take care of their spiritual well being. But other than the Sacrament, most parishes have many ministry opportunities in which one could get involved, and through those opportunities make friends and mentors that would hold one accountable and look out for one another.