WHY does the Catholic Church make things so damn difficult?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, where are you? The Washington Archdiocese isn't geographical. Besides, there is no such thing as Opeu Dei church. Are you talking about St. Catherine's? Many churches have Opis Dei, some more active than others, but the an entire parish isn't Opis Dei. Even St. Catherine's, probably the most well known Opus Dei around has 3500 parishioners- lot, in fact the majority aren't OD. Regardless, just go to the parish you would like to attend and speak to them.

Parishes are geographical. I am the PP, both DH and I grew up RC, and have been there done that ....Parish's are supposed to be community churches. I tried Mass at St C's. Was warned about the place by a member of the RC clergy ... and yes I am sorry to not have the traditional RC parish which was part of our culture. If I was a conservative Jewish family would I go Hasidic? NO.

[Anonymous]

me again- the archdiocese has let people down and the Opus dei should be a regional church not the local parish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People, it's not called tithing in the Catholic church.

Even though that's what the Bible calls it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People, it's not called tithing in the Catholic church.

Even though that's what the Bible calls it?

Catholics don't have much tradition of reading the Bible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People, it's not called tithing in the Catholic church.

Even though that's what the Bible calls it?

Correct. The Catholic Church is not evangelical in that every word in the bible is considered unassailable God's truth, the way that some more evangelical christian churches view it.

I was also under the understanding that tithing is traditionally a given percentage of your income. Friends that are Mormon and friends that are evangelical have both told me that they tithe 10% of their income. Nowhere in all the places I've lived or parishes I've belonged to, has a % of your income been expected or demanded. The weekly collection, which is how it's termed, is simply gathered during Mass. The Bishop's Lenten Appeal normally provides some suggestions regarding donation amounts, suggestions that DH and I laugh at and simply give what we are comfortable wtih giving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People, it's not called tithing in the Catholic church.

Even though that's what the Bible calls it?

Yep, even though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People, it's not called tithing in the Catholic church.

Even though that's what the Bible calls it?

No, the Bible calls tithing the grain, new wine, seeds and olive oil that is given to the poor. Not the money that is given to operate the church. You tithe when you give to care for the poor, or to quote Deuteronomy " the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns". So money given at church to support the operations of the church is not a tithe. Money given to Catholic Charities would be considered a tithe, although not usually the term that most modern Catholics would use.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP, where are you? The Washington Archdiocese isn't geographical. Besides, there is no such thing as Opeu Dei church. Are you talking about St. Catherine's? Many churches have Opis Dei, some more active than others, but the an entire parish isn't Opis Dei. Even St. Catherine's, probably the most well known Opus Dei around has 3500 parishioners- lot, in fact the majority aren't OD. Regardless, just go to the parish you would like to attend and speak to them.

Parishes are geographical. I am the PP, both DH and I grew up RC, and have been there done that ....Parish's are supposed to be community churches. I tried Mass at St C's. Was warned about the place by a member of the RC clergy ... and yes I am sorry to not have the traditional RC parish which was part of our culture. If I was a conservative Jewish family would I go Hasidic? NO.

Not in the Archdiocese of Washington -- you may attend any church you wish. One may fit better. We live on Capitol Hill but prefer the traditional mass of St. Matthews downtown. If St. C's doesn't work for someone they are free to go to another church. I promise the Swiss Guards won't arrest them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People, it's not called tithing in the Catholic church.

Even though that's what the Bible calls it?

No, the Bible calls tithing the grain, new wine, seeds and olive oil that is given to the poor. Not the money that is given to operate the church. You tithe when you give to care for the poor, or to quote Deuteronomy " the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns". So money given at church to support the operations of the church is not a tithe. Money given to Catholic Charities would be considered a tithe, although not usually the term that most modern Catholics would use.

Except that the Levites were the tribe of priests, who were supported through tithes because they were priests and not farmers.

[Anonymous]

I do think it's odd that a church that states that baptism is the only way into heaven would make people jump through unnecessary hoops to get there.

[Anonymous]

You should come to our church, St. Dunstan's. We felt that the Catholic Church was just not welcoming our children or even listening to us as parents. we love our church now. The pastor sits with the children and talks to them, acknowledges their presence. Also there are a lot of activities for adults like meditations, interest talks, spiritual development, women's club, music etc. It was difficult to be happy with our decision to leave the Church, but we feel as though now we are part of a community---a real one.

[Anonymous]

We are also among the scores who have happily become Episcopalians. The service and ceremony still feels like home (and the theology is basically identical) but the institution isn't so backward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are also among the scores who have happily become Episcopalians. The service and ceremony still feels like home (and the theology is basically identical) but the institution isn't so backward.

Yikes, it makes me sad to see an Epicopalian who doesn't know the theological difference between Epicopal and Catholic. It is a big one. Do you need a hint?

Really, if a church makes you feel like home that IS the chuch for you. For me, it is the Cathlic church. It doesn't mean it is for you. See how easy it was to say that without putting a dig in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are also among the scores who have happily become Episcopalians. The service and ceremony still feels like home (and the theology is basically identical) but the institution isn't so backward.

Yikes, it makes me sad to see an Epicopalian who doesn't know the theological difference between Epicopal and Catholic. It is a big one. Do you need a hint?

Really, if a church makes you feel like home that IS the chuch for you. For me, it is the Cathlic church. It doesn't mean it is for you. See how easy it was to say that without putting a dig in?

Just because the Roman church claims to have the only Real Presence, doesn't make it so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are also among the scores who have happily become Episcopalians. The service and ceremony still feels like home (and the theology is basically identical) but the institution isn't so backward.

Yikes, it makes me sad to see an Epicopalian who doesn't know the theological difference between Epicopal and Catholic. It is a big one. Do you need a hint?

Really, if a church makes you feel like home that IS the chuch for you. For me, it is the Cathlic church. It doesn't mean it is for you. See how easy it was to say that without putting a dig in?

Oh, oh, oh *raising hand* pick me, me, me! Is it divorce?