I'm in the Richmond area. My parish is a mission parish as well although there are four parishes now in my county. There are several in Richmond/Henrico. Yes, no such thing as neighborhood Catholic Churches and fewer schools. In NY where I grew up, my parish and school are still in existence; however, the next parish has been incorporated. Although the church is growing, it is necessary to make the parishes larger but fewer because of the shortage of priests.

I'd ask her to explain more about how she feels unwelcome... what specifically makes her feel that way. Have people openly rejected her, shunned her? or is she projecting her own misgivings and qundaries about the Church teacnings onto others. We don't go to Church to be agreed with on every point of faith or to be affirmed in our own personal opinions... we go to Church to worship God. The most important thing is that she believes (or at the very least WANTS to believe) that Jesus is truly present body, blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist and receives him worthily.
It sounds like she's confused about what it means to be a practicing Catholic... it's really not about politics or personal opinion. Maybe you can help her with that because it sounds very much like you know the difference.
Anne

Dear LadyLvsNyt,
As long as your friends' "views" are not against Catholic teaching, I cannot see why she would have a problem with going to Mass. If you are going to send her to a "progressive" church, you better make sure that they are not teaching heresy (which is the case for MOST "progressive" catholic churches) because you will be held responsible for sending her there. Be very carefull.

Furthermore, I don't understand what the poster meant by "openminded" parishes - either they are in conformity with the dogmas and teachings of the church, or NOT.

A quick note to the "ChelleLaunch&Spirituality" poster: I understand that you are not Catholic, but I would like to help you understand the Catholic Faith a little: when you say "A person doesn't have to be Catholic in order to have a personal relationship with God." to a bunch of Catholics, be prepared for a disagreement. It is Catholic Dogma that there is no salvation outside of the Catholic Church. To say as you did is a Protestant notion, not Catholic. I tell you this so you are aware and don't end up stepping in something you didn't mean to. Only a person looking for a debate would go to a Catholic forum and say as you did in your post. Please take the advice.
Also, the "people" are not in charge: The Catholic church is hierarchical. On Earth the Pope is in charge, then the Bishops, then the local Priests.. etc. The laity are pretty much the bottom of the ladder. I hope this helps you understand our faith a little better.

Sincerely,
Alexandria

Im honestly confused by this.

I thought that as long as someone was a Christian, they had Salvation. That is did not matter what denomination someone was of.

But now you are saying only the Catholics are the only true Christians? Baptist, Methodists, Presbyterians, none of those count? I had never heard this before.

Especially since we all believe the same thing that Jesus is the Son of God, dies on the cross for our sins, and rose again on the same day.

Whyw does it matter what we call oursleves?

It matters if you want to know what God expects from us. The reason why there are other denominations is because the Protestants did not like what God expected from them (The Pope, The Saints, The Sacraments, The Law of Marriage, not Divorce, etc.).
The True Religion came from the Jews as observed in the Old Testament. The New Testament is most obviously Catholic. The only form of Christianity for 1600 years was only Catholicism - Christianity under the Pope. St. Peter was the first Pope, and you can see the names of all the other Popes who followed him in any encylopedia.
Proof of the true religion in the Old Testament was the case of miracles. In the New Testament, miracles are found only in Catholicism. Miracles direct us to the true Religion - the One Church God stands behind.
It does matter what we call ourselves - just ask any Lutheran if he would like being called a Roman Catholic - then ask him why.

it is not a matter of true vs false Christian. What we all hold as truths in common are the things that save us. The differences are what separates us. We are separated brethren --but still family! You can feel self-righteous about those differences or you can be as Jesus was and accept the differences while living your own conviction to 'prove' yourself to God and yourself.

Catholics feel we have the fullness of Christian truth--otherwise why "be" anything if you do not think it is the right way to be? But we do not have a monopoly on truth.

No salvation outside the Church is not as easy as you would like to think. It applies to those who recognize the Catholic Church as the place to be and who willingly choose to disobey Holy Spirit's guidance in directing them to it. There are many Christians (and non) who because of circumstances cannot ever get to the place in their spiritual lives of believing the Catholic Church is the place for them to be, and if Holy Spirit leaves them where they are and accepts their worship anyway who are we to question it? How presumptuous to question Holy Spirit and think that we can read the hearts of our brothers!?

Of course Catholics believe the Church is the place to be, but we are not selling the idea to our fellow Christians of other sects and denominations if we present it to them with bitterness and contention. We are then misrepresenting the Church instead of showing them its beauty. Shame on us! Jesus does not do that. He meets us on the road we are traveling. ALL of us.

Ravyn

Of course it is a matter of true vs. false Christian. Let me give you an illustration: our newly elected president says he is a Christian, yet all Christians know that murder is forbidden by God. Yet Obama believes it's ok to murder babies in the womb, out of the womb, in an abortuary trash pail, etc.

So then, which is the true Christian: the one who says murdering babies is just fine, or the one who says it is accursed of God?

Jesus taught us that divorce is forbidden yet almost all non-Catholic Christians believe that divorce can be acceptable. Who is the true Christian? The one who follows Christ, or the one who follows his own inclinations?

We are saved by belief in Christ and EVERYTHING taught in Scripture - not just what we like. "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word uttered from the mouth of God."

Please explain what you mean to be "self-righteous." I have not mentioned even one of my own opinions, only those of Christ and His Church. So explain how I am self-righteous. Would you say Christ and St. Paul were self-righteous when they spoke truths?

The reason why not all are members of the Catholic Church is because they do not want to believe what She teaches them. As one man once told me: "If I had to believe all that in order to be saved, I would rather go to hell." Do you believe that too?

When you say that "WE do not have a monopoly on truth" you need to not speak for the Church. Scripture says clearly that the Church is the pillar of truth. If the Catholic Church teaches a particular truth and another church teaches the contrary, do you think the other church is also speaking truth? Please don't scandalize readers by letting them see your obvious contradiction. The Catholic Church indeed has a monopoly on truth. If it didn't, then it would not be from God. This is how the world knows Catholicism is from God, and other churches are from men. If you don't believe that, then kindly take a bow and leave the Church.

Your assessment of Catholicism is not Catholic. I'm sorry. If you think I am wrong, then please show me proof from Scripture of your positions.

I don't agree with you Czarina and I never will, and I am also a "good Catholic" who reads her Catechism. You are rigid and legalistic. If it works for you--fine, but it comes across as cruel and unkind. You will not find many friends here with that attitude. I hope you can relax and be a little more flexible so you can enjoy this group of fine people. I have no anger or animosity toward you, but I have read some of your posts on other threads and girl you just need to CHILL!
God Bless,
Ravyn

Dear Ravyn,

You may excuse yourself from this discussion. I am not holding you prisoner to it: You interjected yourself.

My friends are those who are Friends of God, so like Him, I don't have many.
If making friends here means I have to allow them to be in error and watch as they glide into damnation; I'll have no part in that aspect of these forums. I earnestly doubt, that everyone here are only looking for someone to chat mundane topics with and give the "thumbs up" to everything that is said and done.
As a Catholic I am required to correct my brother and educate in the faith; I will do so.

So far, all you have shown is that you are a sentimental woman with a lack of desire to learn, and eventually teach, the True Faith � so much for your Confirmation Oath (but I'm sure you didn't realize you even took one). So it would be for your benefit to listen without the opinions.

For further reference: If you post a denial to my post and not answer the counter I give, but instead give a �you�re so mean!� excuse (which cannot be backed up with proof, either)- you only end up looking nervous about the whole thing.
I wanted to give you an opportunity to prove your rejections, and give you a chance to show good will and humility. A simple post like: �I cannot find proof of my sentiments. Please show me what the Church has always taught about what I said in my post� would have been Upright.

Regretfully, and for the benefit of readers, I will take apart your "denial-post" above, and give the rational explanations, (supplied by the Church, since I know my own opinions can be flawed) -without your modesty.

-CzarinaOz-

I'd just like to point out that there's a difference between standing for absolute truth and fisticuffs. I mean that both ways. I sense a defensive aggressive spirit in Czarina's posts. On the other hand I totally empathize with frustration from being accused of being mean for stating your beliefs. The best way to avoid contention (more than is engendered by scripture itself) is just quote the scripture and catechism (in this case) without passion.

Peace and Blessings
Cyt