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Post by kj on Sept 17, 2019 11:06:17 GMT
This is probably going to sound very uncharitable, but I need to offload a bit.
A friend of mine who has been interested for many years in becoming Catholic but was always too shy to attend alone asked me if I would go along with her to the first class of a new cycle last night. I was happy to help out.
Well, generally I must say I found it largely a cringe-inducing experience. I say that as an inveterate loner and a person who avoids groups and 'teams' at all costs, but still, the name tags, the cheesy music, the 'sacred corner', the slightly mammy/teacher style of those presiding. It felt to me more like what I imagine an AA meeting to be like.
Worst of all my friend is very shy and was troubled by the fact that although those running the thing repeatedly stated that no one had to say anything and could just sit there in silence if they liked and observe, one of them would always come down to the table and fire questions at us about what we thought and so on. It was completely contradictory.
Afterwards my friend was quite devastated. She felt that it wasn't for her. She has said she will go back if that's what it takes to be baptised, but she was really put off by it all. I myself felt that a few weeks of it would turn me atheist!
As I said to begin with, this sounds uncharitable. I am sure those running it have excellent intentions and it works for some, but it didn't for me or my friend.
Does anyone know if someone seeking to become Catholic can still seek private, individual instruction from a priest these days or is at all now group-centred?
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Post by Maolsheachlann on Sept 17, 2019 11:29:04 GMT
Worst of all my friend is very shy and was troubled by the fact that although those running the thing repeatedly stated that no one had to say anything and could just sit there in silence if they liked and observe, one of them would always come down to the table and fire questions at us about what we thought and so on. It was completely contradictory. It would be fun to say: "I don't know what to think. I want the Church to tell me what to think." |
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Post by cato on Sept 17, 2019 11:54:00 GMT
Worst of all my friend is very shy and was troubled by the fact that although those running the thing repeatedly stated that no one had to say anything and could just sit there in silence if they liked and observe, one of them would always come down to the table and fire questions at us about what we thought and so on. It was completely contradictory. It would be fun to say: "I don't know what to think. I want the Church to tell me what to think." The church does tell us what to think! Unfortunately it is not what the church has traditionally taught as catholic faith. Environmentalism would appear to be the primary goal of the church at least according to the coverage on church websites.I say this in sorrow as I would regard myself as a catholic and as some one who loves the environment and our God given gift of creation. How anyone becomes a catholic today is beyond me. The numbers of people joining the faith seem to be mainly people marrying a practicising catholic. Most appear not to continue practicing . The vast numbers of Catholics abandoning the faith dwarf those entering unfortunately. It almost seems as if some in the catechetical establishment seek to make conversion as horrible and tacky as possible. I would hazard a guess Opus Dei or the Dominicans may offer a more traditional form of Catholic catechesis for an interested newcomer. I hope your friend is not put off. |
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Post by Séamus on Sept 18, 2019 11:18:22 GMT
It would be fun to say: "I don't know what to think. I want the Church to tell me what to think." The church does tell us what to think! Unfortunately it is not what the church has traditionally taught as catholic faith. Environmentalism would appear to be the primary goal of the church at least according to the coverage on church websites.I say this in sorrow as I would regard myself as a catholic and as some one who loves the environment and our God given gift of creation. How anyone becomes a catholic today is beyond me. The numbers of people joining the faith seem to be mainly people marrying a practicising catholic. Most appear not to continue practicing . The vast numbers of Catholics abandoning the faith dwarf those entering unfortunately. It almost seems as if some in the catechetical establishment seek to make conversion as horrible and tacky as possible. I would hazard a guess Opus Dei or the Dominicans may offer a more traditional form of Catholic catechesis for an interested newcomer. I hope your friend is not put off. Concerning the Rite of Election system, reinstated after VaticanII(probably more common in places like Australia) one usually hears of a very watered-down preparation, except in cases where an outstanding parish priest oversees it all. I mention this because a state mp became a Catholic in Perth last Easter, which had opponents of the current euthanasia bill hoping for an extra no-vote... He's since given his support for 'voluntary assisted suicide'! |
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