Protestantized Parishes

[ironmonk]

[quote name='dUSt' date='Apr 26 2005, 02:32 PM'] Okay, so I live in TX. Needless to say, there are a lot of Protestant churches around here. Sadly, [b]most[/b] of the Catholic churches in the area have molded their parishes based on the local Protestant model. I think the thought is, "Wow, look at how those Protestant churches are attracting people--we should do the same thing!".

And so starts the downfall...

[b]What this means:[/b]
- emphasis is moved from the Eucharist (Christ) to the community
- baptismal fonts are often the most visible aspect in new construction, while the tabernacle (Christ) is less visible
- less importance is placed on the sacraments (Christ) and more emphasis placed on fellowship events

[b]Why it does not work:[/b]
I am reminded of the words spoken by Francis Cardinal Arinze when he was talking about the "need for entertainment" in mass. He said (I'm paraphrasing) that if people want to be entertained they know where to go. It is not mass. If people want to dance, they go to the club. Not mass. People go to mass for Christ.

So. As Catholics, why do we feel that we need to compete with the Protestant church down the street? [b]Let's accept our defeat![/b] They CAN entertain better than us. They CAN organize bigger and flashier fellowship events. They CAN produce a better show!

But so can MTV.

Let's stick to what our purpose is. Let's continue to bring [b]Christ[/b] to the people. That's all we need... and it's the only thing people truly desire.

God bless. [/quote]
I totally agree.


God Bless,
ironmonk

[ICXCNIKA]

[quote name='argent_paladin' date='May 19 2005, 10:46 PM'] The Roman Catholic Church, in absolute terms, is the fastest growing religious community in the world. In percentages, it is growing equal with world population. There are more seminarians today than there were in 1965.
So, the Catholic Church is growing, not shrinking. The number of priests is growing, not shrinking and the number of seminarians is growing quickly. The gates of hell will not withstand it. There have been heretics from the beginning of the Church. Arians, Monophysites, Protestants, Jansenists, Le Fevrists, etc. The first generation of protestants are wasting away: Lutherans, Calvinists, etc. So are the second, Anglicans, Methodists, Presbyterians. There really aren't any Christian institutions over 500 years old that are growing. Evangelical churches grow quickly depending on the charisma of the pastor, but then the next trendy thing happens, or the pastor moves on, and so do the people.
They will all fade away.
Take the long view. The Church will survive this. It has survived worse. [/quote]
Well, I would place the growing on the phobia on birth control, but that's neither here nor there. Are you invoking ad populum? Because something is growing, does that make it correct? I'm certain Christians in the first and second centuries would have a different view, buddy.

Also, those that are Lefebrists would claim that it is YOU who is the schismatic, not them. So two can play at that game. And the number of priests are shrinking, atleast here in the western world, which is why there is a pressing need for vocations. Check your statistics again.

At one time Arianists outnumbered the Church. Were they right by virtue of their numbers? No. Traditional Catholics view the Novus Ordo with just as much distain as Arianism. Reforming the reform ain't going to help the ailing Church, nor will re-arranging the chairs on the mushy mud pie deck help the Novus Ordo Missae.

I pray for a Pope who will be hated by the world, and true to what his predecessors have said in Canon Law.

Edited May 20, 2005 by ICXCNIKA

[Sister Mary]

[quote name='dUSt' date='Apr 26 2005, 02:32 PM'] Okay, so I live in TX. Needless to say, there are a lot of Protestant churches around here. Sadly, [b]most[/b] of the Catholic churches in the area have molded their parishes based on the local Protestant model. I think the thought is, "Wow, look at how those Protestant churches are attracting people--we should do the same thing!".

And so starts the downfall...

[b]What this means:[/b]
- emphasis is moved from the Eucharist (Christ) to the community
- baptismal fonts are often the most visible aspect in new construction, while the tabernacle (Christ) is less visible
- less importance is placed on the sacraments (Christ) and more emphasis placed on fellowship events

[b]Why it does not work:[/b]
I am reminded of the words spoken by Francis Cardinal Arinze when he was talking about the "need for entertainment" in mass. He said (I'm paraphrasing) that if people want to be entertained they know where to go. It is not mass. If people want to dance, they go to the club. Not mass. People go to mass for Christ.

So. As Catholics, why do we feel that we need to compete with the Protestant church down the street? [b]Let's accept our defeat![/b] They CAN entertain better than us. They CAN organize bigger and flashier fellowship events. They CAN produce a better show!

But so can MTV.

Let's stick to what our purpose is. Let's continue to bring [b]Christ[/b] to the people. That's all we need... and it's the only thing people truly desire.

God bless. [/quote]
The Catholic religion is beautiful, but its not sad that Catholic churches want to be like Protestants. We worship the same God. Yes, us Catholics should do the same. God bless you.






Sister Mary

[MissScripture]

[quote name='Sister Mary' date='May 19 2005, 11:47 PM'] The Catholic religion is beautiful, but its not sad that Catholic churches want to be like Protestants. We worship the same God. Yes, us Catholics should do the same. God bless you.






[/quote]
1) We, as Catholics, have the fullness of truth. Why should we step down to a lower level?

2) Yes, we worship the same God, but that Catholic Church is the one that can be traced back to the time of Jesus Christ, the saviour.

3) What do you mean that "us Catholics should do the same?" It kind of sounds like you're saying Catholics don't worship God. I'm confused as to what you mean.

[ICXCNIKA]

It just goes to show you with all this Protestantization of the Roman Catholic Church is simply the chickens coming home to roost. And being a country boy from Texas, chickens coming home to roost never made me sad, it only makes me glad. Maybe now the Vatican will get the wakeup call by sniffing the stench of foul, smoldering liturgy.