A holy struggle in Chicago

For those interested...read on. More and more are converting from Catholic to the evangelical religions. Is it because the the truth is openening their senses?

http://g.msn.com/0MNBUS00/2?http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7168826/site/newsweek&&CM=EmailThis&CE=1

T

-- T (uknowitstrue@donotdenyit.com), March 14, 2005

Answers

If the truth was "opening their senses", they would not leave the truth behind for an emotional experience. She says she "felt the presence of the Lord" through an encounter with a few other people; yet she apparently didn't "feel" the presence of the lord where He is physically present. Sad. If you know the truth the feelings follow. If you don't know the truth you may end up exchanging the truth for mere emotionalism. Don't get me wrong, I'm not equating charismatic spirituality as such with emotionalism. I have many years of experience with charismatic spirituality, in the setting where God intends it to be used, in His Church, within the context of truth, not as a substitute for truth.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), March 14, 2005.

It boils down to reverence of rite - and sound homilies. When our parishes feature Masses in any language and rite done with routine and lackluster, the faithful will suffer.

And if the priest compounds this lack of reverence and awe with silly antics or watered down homilies devoid of substance, then people will starve intellectually too and look elsewhere for guidance with their daily struggles.

But in parishes where the priest actively seeks to be holy, and says the Mass with obvious reverence, deep heart felt gestures, serious tones of voice...and then follows through with a rip-roaring, challenging and unapologizing teaching of and defense for the faith....you have a booming parish and people being fed both in heart and in mind (as well as obviously, in spirit).

Christ the King parish in Ann Arbor, MI is one such parish that is booming. St.Mary's parish in downtown New Haven, CT (at least while Fr Jones, OP was pastor) was another example. St John the Apostle in Stamford, CT with Fr. Check is a current example of a great pastor, packed churches, reverence in ritual and outstanding homilies...and conversions abound.

-- Joe (joestong@yahoo.com), March 14, 2005.

Sorry T,

Your "truth" is just adultery by another name. Good riddence to these foolish people, let them pollute these "separated adulterous brethren".

This from the non practicing Catholic who knows that while the Catholic Church is in a sorry and unrepentant state she is still, and this makes me choke somewhat because it is true in spite of all that is wrong with her, the BRIDE OF CHRIST!

Karl

-- Karl (Parkerkajwen@hotmail.com), March 14, 2005.

Karl,

LOL -I know... The Church is the Church -regardless of some prelates that may occupy positions of authority.

-- Daniel Hawkenberry (dlm@catholic.org), March 14, 2005.

Is it because the the truth is openening their senses?

T,

It is because they are either decieved or choose to reject some aspect of Truth.

-- Daniel Hawkenberry (dlm@catholic.org), March 14, 2005.