I've seen many references in these forums to religious denominations who actively seek out new members. Usually it is frowned upon as meddling and condemned as being judgemental. Apparently, many have had bad experiences with overzealous evangelistic sects. Many others believe that "living my life as a good person and an example" is sufficient. I've noticed in the old western movies almost every Southwestern town has a Catholic mission in it. Do you no longer actively seek converts?

 

Do Catholics actively seek converts? Only if they are really good at football. But seriously, of course they do. Every parrish that I have ever attended has an active RCIA program, by which interested parties can prepare themselves to join the church. Catholic missionaries still exist, although, I believe that they are more active in areas like Africa and India. You may not see Cathoic missions per say, but pretty much everywhere in the U.S. there are Catholic parrishes established.

 

 

From Catholic.com

 

YOUR TASKS AS A CATHOLIC

 

 

 

Your tasks as a Catholic, no matter what your age, are three:

 

Know your Catholic faith.

You cannot live your faith if you do not know it, and you cannot share with others what you do not first make your own (CCC 429). Learning your Catholic faith takes some effort, but it is effort well spent because the study is, quite literally, infinitely rewarding.

 

Live your Catholic faith.

Your Catholic faith is a public thing. It is not meant to be left behind when you leave home (CCC 2472). But be forewarned: Being a public Catholic involves risk and loss. You will find some doors closed to you. You will lose some friends. You will be considered an outsider. But, as a consolation, remember our Lord’s words to the persecuted: "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven" (Matt. 5:12).

 

Spread your Catholic faith.

Jesus Christ wants us to bring the whole world into captivity to the truth, and the truth is Jesus himself, who is "the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Spreading the faith is a task not only for bishops, priests, and religious—it is a task for all Catholics (CCC 905).

 

Just before his Ascension, our Lord told his apostles, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:19–20).

 

If we want to observe all that Jesus commanded, if we want to believe all he taught, we must follow him through his Church. This is our great challenge—and our great privilege.

 

I've seen many references in these forums to religious denominations who actively seek out new members. Usually it is frowned upon as meddling and condemned as being judgemental. Apparently, many have had bad experiences with overzealous evangelistic sects. Many others believe that "living my life as a good person and an example" is sufficient. I've noticed in the old western movies almost every Southwestern town has a Catholic mission in it. Do you no longer actively seek converts?

 

 

Well, we don't go out and convert Indians, or forming Crusades any more (although PepRock is up for the next Inquisition) :lol:

 

I think in this day and age, we are definitely still converting people. In fact, I know we are. We have a poster here at BGP who's a relatively recent convert.

 

We seek them, but not in the knocking on doors kind of way. We've been very successful with the strategy to hold information meetings in parishes. They're announced (or at least those at my parish are), on the marquee out front, for instance.

Score So Far (Yes I am keeping points)

 

Catholics-5

Heretics(just kidding)-3

Score So Far (Yes I am keeping points)

 

Catholics-5

Heretics(just kidding)-3

Better be careful, we may just bring out...THE COMFY CHAIR! :scared:

Well, we don't go out and convert Indians, or forming Crusades any more (although PepRock is up for the next Inquisition) :lol:

 

I think in this day and age, we are definitely still converting people. In fact, I know we are. We have a poster here at BGP who's a relatively recent convert.

 

We seek them, but not in the knocking on doors kind of way. We've been very successful with the strategy to hold information meetings in parishes. They're announced (or at least those at my parish are), on the marquee out front, for instance.

 

So one would have to seek you (the collective you) out? What about co-workers? Not ones that ask, just aquaintances.

Better be careful, we may just bring out...THE COMFY CHAIR! :scared:

 

Don't let them know about the comfy chair! If you ruin the suprise I shall have to... fetch the cushions! :eek:

So one would have to seek you (the collective you) out? What about co-workers? Not ones that ask, just aquaintances.

 

You could invite your co-worker to attend church or a church sponsored event with you. Or their are more subtle ways of spreading the teachings of Catholicism. I think Catholics just prefer to not be quite so in your face about it as the JW or LDS go about it.

 

Frankly some of these door to door converters are quite annoying. About 7 years ago I lived with two of my buddies in a house and these two particular JW would not leave us alone. They were coming by at least once a week wanting to talk to us. Finally we decided to convenince them that we were gay so they would leave us alone.

Well, we don't go out and convert Indians, or forming Crusades any more (although PepRock is up for the next Inquisition) :lol:

 

I think in this day and age, we are definitely still converting people. In fact, I know we are. We have a poster here at BGP who's a relatively recent convert.

 

We seek them, but not in the knocking on doors kind of way. We've been very successful with the strategy to hold information meetings in parishes. They're announced (or at least those at my parish are), on the marquee out front, for instance.

I to am a relatively recent convert - 3 years. The Catholic Church did not seek me out - I went to it looking for something more in my life and in this church I found it. The Catholic Church does have a wonderful RCIA program and I wished every church had such a program. It teaches you so much more than just want the Catholic Church says. It teaches you about faith and your faith. I can honestly say that I have never prayed as much in my life until I became a Catholic. I think the reason for that is that I feel so comfortable in my faith and I, for the first time in my life, truly feel that I am where I am suppose to be.

 

I will never debate the differences in faiths. I will only say that it doesn't matter what faith you are..................as long as you are.

I've never understood why some denominations or more particularly individuals that belong to them show a, for lack of a better word, disdain for the Pope. If you are not Catholic, I understand that you do not put the same emphasis or importance on him that a Catholic does. However, why the dislike for him? He doesn't effect YOUR religion, if you don't consider him holy.

I've never understood why some denominations or more particularly individuals that belong to them show a, for lack of a better word, disdain for the Pope. If you are not Catholic, I understand that you do not put the same emphasis or importance on him that a Catholic does. However, why the dislike for him? He doesn't effect YOUR religion, if you don't consider him holy.

:thumb:

So one would have to seek you (the collective you) out? What about co-workers? Not ones that ask, just aquaintances.

 

 

You know, we baptize our babies in the faith, most at or as soon after birth as possible. We have a captive audience right there. :lol:

 

Seriously though, we have great success in our new-convert ratio. Where we fail is in the fallen-away Catholics. Of course, the Church is there when they're ready to return...but many don't.

 

Of my family, I'm the only one who considers themselves "Catholic" to this day, except my mother. But, I spoke at length with my sister with whom I'm closest at length one weekend. I mean for hours. When she met my brother-in-law, she was baptized in another faith. I couldn't tell you what it was. But she was baptized in a creek. :eek: Anyway, I asked her, "How can you just not be Catholic anymore?" I honestly can't understand it, because it's as much me as my hair color or eye color. She told me she did still feel Catholic. That much of the Catholic faith was still a part of her. I honestly wonder, if it weren't for my brother-in-law, would she return to the Church?

 

There are so many ways to "evangelize". You don't have to knock on doors or initiate conversations with your friends and co-workers. You lead by example. You exhibit your firm beliefs in your everyday life. You don't just go to Church on Sundays. You make your decisions and live your life based upon your faith.

 

You make yourself available to answer questions. You try to dispel myths and clear up misconceptions. There are some Catholics who think I'm some sort of freak for knowing all that I do about my faith, and for talking about it. I don't do it to convince anyone that they should become Catholic. But, I'd be happy if, by my communication and explanations someone did decide to. It's not my goal, but it would be a nice thing.

 

All my life, my experience with non-Catholics has been that there are far more people of other faiths who make it their mission to try to poke holes and rend the beliefs of the Church than Catholics who do the same to other faiths. Yes, we believe that our Church is the one, true church. We support that with scriptural reference. We don't hide that from anyone, it's in our Nicene Creed we pray every Sunday. The Pope has re-affirmed it. It's been major media fodder in the last year. But, we're not going to shove it down anyone's throat.

 

One who is ready to join the Catholic Church is one who has come to that decision themselves. That's why we have Confirmation when children are teenagers. They've been baptized in the Faith, but their choice to be Confirmed is their choice to continue in the Faith.

Edited July 24, 200818 yr by rockmom

I've never understood why some denominations or more particularly individuals that belong to them show a, for lack of a better word, disdain for the Pope. If you are not Catholic, I understand that you do not put the same emphasis or importance on him that a Catholic does. However, why the dislike for him? He doesn't effect YOUR religion, if you don't consider him holy.

 

 

Do you ever want to just say "It's a Catholic thing. You wouldn't understand."?

You know, we baptize our babies in the faith, most at or as soon after birth as possible. We have a captive audience right there. :lol:

 

Seriously though, we have great success in our new-convert ratio. Where we fail is in the fallen-away Catholics. Of course, the Church is there when they're ready to return...but many don't.

 

Of my family, I'm the only one who considers themselves "Catholic" to this day, except my mother. But, I spoke at length with my sister with whom I'm closest at length one weekend. I mean for hours. When she met my brother-in-law, she was baptized in another faith. I couldn't tell you what it was. But she was baptized in a creek. :eek: Anyway, I asked her, "How can you just not be Catholic anymore?" I honestly can't understand it, because it's as much me as my hair color or eye color. She told me she did still feel Catholic. That much of the Catholic faith was still a part of her. I honestly wonder, if it weren't for my brother-in-law, would she return to the Church?

 

There are so many ways to "evangelize". You don't have to knock on doors or initiate conversations with your friends and co-workers. You lead by example. You exhibit your firm beliefs in your everyday life. You don't just go to Church on Sundays. You make your decisions and live your life based upon your faith.

 

You make yourself available to answer questions. You try to dispel myths and clear up misconceptions. There are some Catholics who think I'm some sort of freak for knowing all that I do about my faith, and for talking about it. I don't do it to convince anyone that they should become Catholic. But, I'd be happy if, by my communication and explanations someone did decide to. It's not my goal, but it would be a nice thing.

 

All my life, my experience with non-Catholics has been that there are far more people of other faiths who make it their mission to try to poke holes and rend the beliefs of the Church than Catholics who do the same to other faiths. Yes, we believe that our Church is the one, true church. We support that with scriptural reference. We don't hide that from anyone, it's in our Nicene Creed we pray every Sunday. The Pope has re-affirmed it. It's been major media fodder in the last year. But, we're not going to shove it down anyone's throat.

 

One who is ready to join the Catholic Church is one who has come to that decision themselves. That's why we have Confirmation when children are teenagers. They've been baptized in the Faith, but their choice to be Confirmed is their choice to continue in the Faith.

Seriously, RM, I'm getting goosebumps. If it weren't for your blind faith in Al Gore, I'd cite you as a role model. :jump::jump::jump: Just kidding. An excellent post RM, thanks for putting my thoughts to words.

Edited July 24, 200818 yr by rockmom

God answers our prayers. Mary and Peter, and even St. Angela, intercede on our behalf.

 

 

Kind of like, your kid wants to go to a rock concert. They go to your wife, pleading their case, because they know they're going to need her in their corner. They all come to you, you ask your wife what she thinks, she says OK, and then you give in!

 

Simplified, very shallow example.

 

Jesus Christ intercedes on my behalf.

Jesus Christ intercedes on my behalf.

 

 

Yes, he does.

 

So do the people you ask to pray for you.