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| Do We Do Enough | |
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| Topic Started: Wednesday, 5. September 2007, 14:39 (500 Views) | |
| denis | Wednesday, 5. September 2007, 14:39 Post #1 |
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How do we Catholics set an example to others. Is it by what we say, or by what we do.? (myself at the top of the list)
:unsure: Being a Catholic does not mean wearing our knees out at church and reading every Catholic Newspaper or book that's ever been printed, or using the Internet to profess where we think the Church has gone wrong (is it the Church or us), being a catholic means as the cathechism tells us offering all our thoughts, words and actions of the day. What are actions? well to me it's supporting (if able) everything the church (your parish) is trying to do, re-services, fundraising etc to support Catholic Action within the parish. Two little things have sprung to mind of late with regards to this. 1 At one of the parishes which I attend some Sundays,a group got together and organised a car-boot sale, so far they have had about 5 on Bankholidays and have averaged about £600 profit at each one, not bad for a small parish with an average of 180 who attend Sunday Mass 2. In another parish which I attend we have a Priest Visitor who has come to visit us for a couple of months having been here as a Deacon seven years ago prior to his ordination in his own country of Zimbabwe. His parish there is 109 miles and his only transport is a motorbike on which at times he has to take people to hospital. Again parishoners have rallied round with fund raising event, a golf competition £700, Coffee Morning £550, a concert last night in one of the WM's Clubs which it is hoped raised about £800, and other eventsto be held in the next few weeks to help him with better transport when he returns to his homeland. Speaking to him last he said the poverty is enormous but they are slowlygetting there. What a lovely man he is, and his English is perfect as is his gratitude to those who are helping him. |
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| Clare | Wednesday, 5. September 2007, 14:55 Post #2 |
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Putting the "Fun Dame" into Fundamentalist
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Well, I've recently read "From Union Square to Rome" by Dorothy Day, and very good it was too. She was a very active lady. From being a pinko Commie/Socialist to starting the Catholic Worker Movement with Peter Maurin. But she read LOADS! Even when she was a Commie activist she would devour books. Me? I neither read much nor do much!
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S.A.G. Motes 'n' Beams blog Join in the Fun Trivia Quiz! | |
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| saundthorp | Wednesday, 5. September 2007, 17:47 Post #3 |
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Hi Denis, The question of how we set an example has exercised my brain a lot since I retired. I think there is more to it than "being a catholic means as the cathechism tells us offering all our thoughts, words and actions of the day." I feel we need to put our Catholicism into action in the world, to be the salt of the earth. Being a witness to our faith is important. I think we are all called, lay people as well as priests, to evangelise. There are many ways to do this. Becoming involved in voluntary work is one example. I regard participating in religious discussion boards as another way to evangelise. The potential for evangelisation through discussion boards hasn't really caught on in the Church at large. I regularly try to raise the subject with my own PP, but he never seems to engage with me. I am on seven different boards, four of them non-Catholic. It all started four years ago when I came across the BBC religious discussion board. I was appalled at the anti-Catholic rants I encountered on what was loosely called the Christian board and felt impelled to do my best to counter it. The first few months on the BBC board was a bit of a baptism of fire. There are some very clever devils on there. To combat the bigotory I had to become much more knowledgeably about Catholicism and I now know much more about my faith than I ever did. |
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Truth is still the truth even if no one believes it. Error is still error even if everyone believes it. (Archbishop Fulton Sheen) | |
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| Rose of York | Wednesday, 5. September 2007, 19:00 Post #4 |
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Consider it this way, Denis. Some Catholics do a lot for their parishes and socialise in the parish hall or club. Some Catholics do a lot and socialise with fellow Catholics on the internet. I am only in contact with fellow parishioners once a week, on Saturday evenings. On other days I get my Catholic serious discussions and friendly chat on forums. Today I was in a car with two other people when the news came over the car radio, about approval for the production of hybrid human/bovine embryos. My companions and I had a conversation about the moral aspects of creating human embryos with the intention of killing them. Was that evangelisation? |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| PJD | Wednesday, 5. September 2007, 19:41 Post #5 |
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I think Denis that if we try to set good example - even if we don't always succeed, or have the courage to succeed in certain circumstances - then we probably do do enough. If you don't do enough, your guardian angel will tell you (smile) PJD |
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| saundthorp | Wednesday, 5. September 2007, 20:09 Post #6 |
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I don't think we could go far wrong if we followed this old saying,
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Truth is still the truth even if no one believes it. Error is still error even if everyone believes it. (Archbishop Fulton Sheen) | |
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| nelly k | Wednesday, 5. September 2007, 22:58 Post #7 |
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well I`m going to be a bit smug and I may need taken down a peg, but I blame the very good friends on the forum for this
:) , since my friendship and chats with people on this forum I think I have become a more open Catholic. Ive taken advice and guidance which for many may seem unrelated to the convesations on the forum. But I do now try to live out my Catholic ways in how I respond to those from pure Secular Society, most of my contacts are with none faith, the very strong faith friends I have I often think do this :rolleyes: I `m sure they think I have it all wrong but well intentioned. Any way to the point , I have been supporting a neighbour over the past 2 years with an employment issue, not work, just neighbours, employment Law is not my field, today the Employment Tribunal found in their favour, but the other day they mentioned they said a prayer to their Nana to help with this whole thing, I dont think they have ever been in a church... my house has the Crusifix for all to see Catholic books and the like, this person took and intrest in my youngests Holy Communion, just may be there has been a small impact of my Faith and what it brings, so a joint celebration thanks to all on the forum, Idid a fair bit of praying this am and look at the result. nelly |
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| Rose of York | Wednesday, 5. September 2007, 23:07 Post #8 |
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Nelly, you're a star. Whether or not your friends convert you have helped to bridge the gap. You have chipped away a little at the Scottish sectarianism that worries you. One Catholic makes friends with one person who is not Catholic, the other person tells their friends how you helped them. That is a means of cutting down on the religious tension. |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| nelly k | Wednesday, 5. September 2007, 23:24 Post #9 |
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Rose you hit the nail on the head ... it is I believe about Sectarianism... people need to see we are normal and I need to stop worrying that my Catholisism will put them off, Iam afraid I have warts and all but not such a bad thing just because you believe in God and try to Live a Catholic Life does`nt mean you dont get it terribly wrong, I used to worry about bring the Catholic Church into disreput, and yes I do have to still be aware of this, but as often said by a fair few on this forum, the Church knows Iam a sinner that the whole point of being there for me and picking me up. nelly |
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| Rose of York | Thursday, 6. September 2007, 15:07 Post #10 |
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What about the people who do little in the parish, but carry out their Christian witness in other fields? For example I knew a couple who ran a group, working hard for people with MS, helping them get out socially, offering an advisory service. The couple were well known to be committed to their Catholic faith. Who knows how many people made the connection between their faith and their carrying our the command "Love one another". I suspect they did as much for the Church in that way as they would have done if they were doing the same thing in a Church based organisation. Much Catholic witness is carried out, unnoticed by other parishioners. |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| Rose of York | Monday, 17. September 2007, 00:35 Post #11 |
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I admit I find the general attitude of "good parish workers" quite hurtful. Fellow parishioners might look upon me as a person who does little or nothing for the parish. I would do more if the newsletter was used, to ask for volunteers. Some know what is planned, and what help is required. Others are expected to attend. How does one parishioner know what another parishioner does for The Church? Service to The Church can include work for a diocesan paper, support to a religious order, or chatting to an old friend who has worries about their faith. One can visit a sick or bereaved person (Catholic or otherwise) whether or not one is a member of a charitable society. One can serve God by assisting a secular charity. Each of us must act within our circumstances. Catholic action can take place anywhere, at any time. |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| Rose of York | Monday, 17. September 2007, 01:12 Post #12 |
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Denis I know for a fact that our members do not use the internet just to profess where they think the Church has gone wrong. The policy of this forum is loyalty to the Catholic Church. We do make criticisms, we also give praise. The administration and leadership of the Church is not perfect, it is led by human beings with failings. Here you will find no condemnations of any Rite of Holy Mass. On this forum members facing family sickness or bereavement, and recently a case of sudden homelessness, have turned to their internet friends for prayer and support. During an impending bereavement I gained much support through private messages and emails. We have an Anglo Catholic member who discusses with us the doctrinal differences between our Church and his. Catholics who are unsure of Church teaching and procedures re annulment have sought advice from us. We have pointed them in the right direction, giving them the names and addresses of appropriate official Catholic agencies. A convert who had difficulty accepting the doctrine of the Trinity was unable to get any help in his parish, so we talked it over with him. Thanks to internet forums, my knowledge of the Catholic Church has increased more in the past four years than it had in the previous forty. One of the longest discussions has been a Bible Study on Acts of the Apostles. That is a boon to people who have no Bible Study in their parishes. Our members work hard on here. On here we have a few people who are tied down at home for various reasons. This forum is a lifeline for me personally. It is my main contact with Catholics. There is a social element. I gain from the wide Catholic readership of others. Used wisely the internet is a tool for pastoral care and evangelisation. We indulge in jokes and idle chatter on here. So do parish workers when they drink in the parish club. What's the harm? |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| James | Monday, 17. September 2007, 12:02 Post #13 |
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James
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You know with a lot of people it can be very much home based. Looking after a sick relative for instance. Being there for someone or members in the family. Keep neighbour's needs in mind when you go shopping - some might not be well and can't get out and about as much. Little jobs that might seem nothing for you to do - can mean a lot for them. Lots can be done without imposing or fuss and if someone offers you something in return - say a glass of wine or cup of coffee - take it, as it helps them in not feeling under an obligation |
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| Rose of York | Monday, 17. September 2007, 12:51 Post #14 |
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Good point, James. Few want to be takers and not givers. My neighbour gave up his driving license voluntarily. A friend from church took him shopping regularly. My neighbour told me "She won't take any money for petrol. When we have finished our shopping we meet up in the cafe. I pay for the coffee and cakes. That gives me my dignity, we are on equal terms - companions to each other. My born again friends were there for me when we had a crisis. They shopped. They come round if I need help to lift something heavy. For the past few weeks they have been enjoying gifts of raspberries, strawberries, figs and grapes from my garden. If they go out all day I walk their dog. We share support and friendship. This is my idea of Christian sharing. I would not want charitable assistance from a person who denied me the opportunity to give something in return. That's my stinking pride! |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| Karin | Monday, 17. September 2007, 14:45 Post #15 |
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Karin
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We found our own parish did nothing to help us during our homelessness. But I think it was down to our pastor (who we think didn't know how to help us), not the parish members themselves. We know many do things in the parish, but so much more outside of the parish in the community. Good works are not lost on these kind folks. But unless they know of a need, how can they help? Mick and I also try to talk with people, such as those at the Sally Ann, who just couldn't find their way out of homelessness (we even talk with people at the library and try to find help for them). We do it with the Light of Christ, but not in a religious way. We just hope the Holy Spirit will give us the tools to help. This past weekend, one of our friends from there found himself homeless, unable to go back to the Salvation Army (no room), after his roommate had stolen his money and credit card. Although we didn't have a place for him (this flat is really tiny), he was grateful we did take him in out of the cold and gave him a place to sleep (even if it was on the floor), gave him food and let him use the phone to make calls. At age 47, he decided to go back to college to become a doctor and has had everything, including the kitchen sink, thrown at him to keep him from achieving this goal. However, we could see his need and opened our home to him. And will do so again if needed. But no one did that for us. It didn't make us angry, just wondering why no one even offered to help in the short term...even supposed 'friends.' Sometimes people can talk a good game when it comes to Christian charity, but have no idea how to follow it through. When the severe flooding happened here in the Midwest last month, the cry came from the communities themselves, asking for volunteer help. Thousands of people showed up to help shovel mud and debris from homes and businesses, help restore services and offer meals, clothing and funding for the thousands of people left homeless. They helped relocate the elderly and infirmed - college students, kids from high schools - all came to help. Churches, which were destroyed, were helped by other congregations of different denominations, even to offering their facilities for the destroyed congregations. Even homeless people from shelters came to help out. There is more we can do with whatever resources we have available, whether in the community, through our parish (and we will be the ones to ask who needs assistance) or in our businesses. As we have said, sometimes when bad things happen to good people, just going through the trials can end with positive ways to help others in similar situations. |
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Karin Hvaljen Isus i Marija. Kraljica Mira, moli za nas. "Praised be Jesus and Mary. Queen of Peace, Pray for Us." | |
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3:42 PM Jul 11