4Real Forums: Changing churches advice

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Topic: Changing churches advice

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Schoolrmacres
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Posted: Aug 22 2008 at 10:36am \| IP Logged

My dh and I have been "church shopping" for several months now and have not found one that we like. The parish we are currently members of are making some changes that we are not excited about. There are also many things about or parish we love,like the religious ed program. How do you weigh out the pros and cons of a church?How do you decide what you can "live with" or not?
TIA,
Darlene

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JodieLyn
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Posted: Aug 22 2008 at 10:47am \| IP Logged

I think I'd want to start with finding out for sure if the things were "differences" or "abuses".. that would make a lot of difference in how much weight to give each thing.

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dollylima
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Posted: Aug 22 2008 at 10:53am \| IP Logged

It's important, I think, to remember that churches are made up of people and that people are not always going to make the decisions that you think they should or necessarily the right decisions.
I agree that it would be important to consider what changes exactly are being made. Im assuming that they are significant or else you would not be taking the time and trouble to find fellowship in another parish. If there is something going on that is clearly not aligned with what you believe to be the teachings of the church, Id say that's a real problem.
Can you share what the changes are so we can have a better idea of the situation? Would you feel comfortable doing that?

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LisaR
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Posted: Aug 22 2008 at 11:09am \| IP Logged

is it a licit and valid Mass? is there kneeling during the consecration? If the Rel Ed program is good, I'd actually take it as a good sign. If it is more "devotionals" that you are looking for (perpetual adoration, more traditional interior of Church etc) you could always stay at your current church, yet travel for the "extras" which really help us grow in our faith as well.
We always have done ok going to the "neighborhood" parish, I like being able to walk to Mass!
Praying for your discernment..

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Schoolrmacres
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Posted: Aug 22 2008 at 2:41pm \| IP Logged

One of the biggest changes is the adding of a Life Teen(or Teen Life) mass. We have been trying to research the Church stand on this but are unable to find anything definative about this from the Pope or Vatican.Also a lot of homily time being spent at presurring parishoners for money. We are a small fish in a big pond when it comes to money but we give of a lot of our time. I help teach a special needs CCD class and when they have been short on teachers my dh and I have also been teaching a CCD clas on another night. I have also helped with VBS for the last 5 yrs. I know that money is important but certainly so are the bodies that are teaching our dc. It is kind of like that passage in the Bible...silver and gold have I none but that which I do have is yours...That is what we give to our parish and it is just not counted like money is. It just feels like our parish is headed in a different direction than we are.
Maybe I am being too nit picky. Perhaps if we just go to mass and that is it...
That is our struggle.
Thanks for "listening".

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