I need a Catholic church
afa said:
TarheelsInNj said:
Is it common in the Catholic church that emphasis is placed on being part of the Parish? As opposed to the salvation side of it? I always assumed the latter is why Catholics feel strongly about it; that if you're a believer, you want the baby to participate in that sacrament whether the family ultimately attends church or not.
You'd think that would be the most important thing, right? That the baby is saved from eternal damnation regardless of whether the parents go to church (and, ahem,make donations) regularly...
You're not Catholic, are you?
I think the reason they want you to be part of the parish is because baptism is a commitment on the parent's behalf to raise the children in the faith. We want you to be a part of our parish family, in your heart, not just ceremonial, not just having a signed piece of paper. We want the child to partake in all that the holy spirit can bring into his/her life.
I was a member of St. Joe's for 7 years, St. Lima's for a year, St. Philomena's for 2 years and now OLS for the past 7 years. They are all Catholic and all follow the same rules and the Bible. The vibe may be a bit different but, it's all the same. I currently help out at OLS in programing for faith based programs for families. I have 3 small children myself. I grew up in NYC, have a degree in design but love my faith because it brings me closer to God-- because that's the ultimate goal. If you have any questions about the faith, or about any of these churches, I'd be happy to help you out privately.
May your child be blessed in whatever path you chose.
Adele said:
Well, don't tell your mother, but pretty much anyone anywhere can perform a Catholic baptism. There's a handy little loophole. My mother, aware of this and distraught over my apostasy, baptized my newborn in my tanning booth-sized Upper West Side kitchen while I napped obliviously, dreaming my heathen dreams. I'm still mad about it. I win ultimately, though, because doesn't really count if it's against the parents' wishes! Take THAT, Mom! Also, take THAT, Sister Theophila! (She's another story, though.)
http://www.catholic.com/quickquestions/why-can-anyone-administer-baptism
My mother actually did this with my older son (possibly my younger one too, I'm not really sure), in our bathtub. She's not a super religious person now but she was raised Catholic and still feels an affinity for the religion even as she disagrees with a lot of its policies. I'm mostly an agnostic atheist with zero interest in a Catholic baptism and completely unwilling to jump through the Church's hoops and/or be dishonest about my beliefs or intentions, but if my mom wanted to do it herself in a non-church setting I was ok with it; no harm no foul.
So, a year and a half later, my kid is FINALLY baptized!! Hah! I thought I'd just update this because we had such a lovely experience at St. Francis in Glen Ridge. I've been to a couple of masses there now, as well as the baptism class and the actual baptism. It's an American National Catholic Church, so they don't follow the Vatican--a lot of the issues that people have with the church, especially the social issues, seem to be much more of a non-issue there (there is a gay priest there, for instance). It's in a tiny little chapel and it's just such a sweet, down-to-earth vibe there. It would be worth visiting if you are one of the "I was raised Catholic but have too many issues with the church" people.
Hope this can help someone, especially this time of year.
@afa I think you mean an out gay priest. Cuz there are gay priests everywhere (especially the Vatican).
I'm glad you had a good experience there and I may just check it out. Let me know if you're going anytime soon and I may join you. L likes church too so she might come along.
Yes, out. And married!
I'll definitely let you know, M refuses to go and I feel sad going by myself. J has never been to church but was pretty intrigued and tried to do an Our Father, with gusto.
@afa and @annmarie: I'm glad you discovered the ANCC. St. Francis in Glen Ridge is the bishop's parish, but there is a tiny (only 5 or 6 active families!) parish a little closer in Kearny. For the last year I have been the musician at the weekly 12:30 Sunday Mass at Sacred Heart ANCC. We offer weekly absolution, the Mass uses the pre-2011 translation and all (divorced & remarried, LBGTQ) are welcome at the table. Out gay, married and women priests!
Here's a blurb from our Facebook page:
The classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge is a cherished symbol of Christmas.
It is also a wonderful story of redemption and hope.
Which makes it a perfect study for Advent.
All are welcome to participate in a special Advent Program
based on the beloved tale A Christmas Carol, with the study of related Bible readings and thought-provoking discussion.
Join us for one, two, three, or all four Sunday sessions.
WHEN: The four Sundays of Advent: Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, & 20
TIME: 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
WHERE: Grace United Methodist Church, 380 Kearny Avenue, Kearny, NJ 07032
Pre-2011 translation? SOLD! Every time I go to Mass, which is rarely, it's so annoying. It's like knowing the language but the dialect is different. For all the change I would like the church to do, screwing ever so slightly with the language was not one of them.
I don't know what this says about how infrequently I've gone to church since 2001, but has it changed that much since 2011?!
I have a friend that we just went to church together down by a pavilion near the water here in Florida. She lives in Ohio now and just announced to me last night that she has turned catholic! It's a Lithuanian church. She says they cross themselves right to left which is different from the Roman Catholic Church. In talking with my sister, it may be Russian Orthodox. I've been friends with her for 20 years. It is just so much fun to hear her discover confession and communion as I had always explained my upbringing. And the love of Mary and the rosary! And she is 86 years old! She loves her new church. This is the first one she loved since we would go to the water, play guitars and violin, read the bible and share communion with anyone in the park who wanted to participate with us. I am so happy for her.
It was! And I am more than certain that my lovely girlfriend is bringing her sweet self to this darling church she has discovered. They are very lucky to have found each other. Such joy!
Yes @annmarie - Effective the first Sunday of Advent in November 2011, the Vatican 'forced' the US Bishops adopt a newer translation of the original Latin. Now, technically, it is a more accurate word-for-word translation, but it has soooo messed with what we've been saying since 1970 or so. So now [at the Roman Catholic churches] we say "And with your spirit" from 'et cum spirito tuo' instead of "And also with you." And "consubstantial" instead of "one in being." Little stuff...just enough to mess with your autopilot.
Did anyone ever do the home Masses that were popular in the early 1970s? That's what Sacred Heart ANCC is like: we all move close around the altar and hold hands at the Our Father. Very personal.
I wish they'd left it in Latin, personally. I always liked trying to figure out what the Latin translated to from the Italian I knew. Probably why I always enjoyed learning languages - I know there are Latin Rite churches around, but haven't gotten to one yet. Maybe in the new year.
May I weigh in with a suggestion for you??? I was baptized and a very active Roman Catholic all my life, although I didn't always agree 100% with some of the Vatican and sometimes local church's decrees. About 3 years ago I stumbled upon St. Francis of Assisi American National Catholic Church in Glen Ridge...the American National Catholic church is Catholic in all the ways we remember (liturgy, sacraments, theology etc) but very different in that they are open and accepting of all, the priests can marry, they will ordain women, same sex marriage is accepted and performed....you can PM me for more info or check it out on Facebook or google it. There is also another ANCC in Kearney (Sacred Heart). I have made the switch and am very happy with my new church...you might like it too. And they won't make you jump through hoops to have your kid baptized either!
St. Francis ANCC has been a blessing for me. I'm glad others are finding their way there.
annemarie said:
I'm glad you had a good experience there and I may just check it out. Let me know if you're going anytime soon and I may join you. L likes church too so she might come along.
I go too. It's been a great find and I am glad to see so many others popping in here as attendees as well.
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