Catholic ako pero nag-aattend ako ng worship sa CCF. Is this okay?

[stormy_princess]

Thanks for this thread at nalinawan din ako. Just like thread starter, i am born catholic but attended few sunday service at CCF. I don't mean to compare but i find the solemnity in CCF and you know yung na-u-uplift ang spirit ko. I found it there. And this coming Sunday, i'm planning to go again.

[agape]

say the Nicene Creed (I believe in one holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church, etc etc), what does that mean to you?

Catholic simply means "universal". Does God only have one church? What about the church in Laos, the church in Corinth, the church in Antioch. They were Jews (Hebrews) and Greeks (Romans), they were not Catholics, they simply called Christians.

As for me, I believe in one, holy, perfect God and that I believe all churches have flaws because they are composed of people (sinners being saved and changed by God). So it doesn't really matter which/where church as long as God's presence (omnipresent) is there.

[shadow_man]

There is nothing wrong but i think you should not stop attending mass, it is still different. Mass is the highest of all worships being patterned to the order of Christ "do this in memory of Me", Mass is Christ Centric that's why the longest part is the Eucharistic Celebration which is the summit of the Mass. It is not only men talking to God, but God through Jesus talking to men.

Try to restudy the significance of the holy Mass and you might appreciate it more.

Watch the "Catholic Mass from a Protestant Perspective" by Mike Cumbie on you tube. You will learn that mass is a complete worship, it is Christ in communion with the Christendom.

[sugardrop]

I attended a CCF retreat this year and here is also where I accepted Him back in my heart. I am a Roman Catholic, by the way, but a non-practicing one. I came with a lot of questions, doubts, and apprehensions but it was on the last day that every question I had was answered and all my doubts and apprehensions went kaput. I was not able to join the watching the sunrise activity due to migraine, I was awake for 36 hours straight the day before. I was left in the room to rest when I fell asleep and had a dream.

On my dream, I was in the venue of the retreat, and I went out to buy something. When I was about to go back to the place, everything went dark and suddenly, the venue was gated. (It was on a bundok and there were no huge gates on the place.) I tried my best to get back in but there was this huge, black dog, not to mention very mean looking too, who was keeping me from entering. I go left, so does he. I go right, he goes right too. I couldn't sneak past that dog. Of course, I was getting scared. I kept trying to get around him but I couldn't. I didn't want to walk away and really wanted to get back inside the venue. I also knew I was dreaming but couldn't wake up. I finally screamed "God help me!". I woke up because I heard the door in the room open. It was one of the team leaders (I forgot the actual term). She said she was going straight to the room where the retreat was being held but for some reason decided to check on me. I told her about it and said that dog is perhaps the "enemy".

I don't know why but upon waking up from that bad dream, I no longer had questions, doubts, nor apprehensions. I never experienced such a thing before, probably because the retreat helped me open my heart and mind again.

[agape]

^Sometimes it is GOD Himself who will answer all your doubts. And that is where the miracle is.
We can all preach and evangelize the world, and they may not believe and reject those teachings,
in the end it is still the HOLY Spirit who will cause a person to be humbled, to be saved.
Without Humility, it is impossible to be saved.
Because only through Humility, could we surrender ourselves and ask God for help.
Lucifer had too much pride that he fell out of heaven.

I, too, had many questions, and it wasn't because one preacher, pastor, priest, or any Christian
was able to answer it all. And some of my questions were not answered instantly, some took years.
But whatever was taught to me by whoever, directly or not, the Holy Spirit reminded me,
if such teaching was really true or dogmatic and I should believe it 100%
or just plain good teaching/tradition to be accepted and applied in life,
or are good Christian values that are beneficial to me and others which I need to practice.

[shadow_man]

Trivia, do you why is it that Catholic altars are always elevated? and why is it that in the Catholic Church the rostrum is always found on the side never at the center?

First, Catholic altar is elevated being considered as the holiest of all the places, it is the holiest of holies, thus it is always elevated at least the levels or steps up. In old Churches there would be inscription in every step the word "Sanctus".

The rostrum is always located beside not at the center because in Catholic worship Christ is the center. It is all about God through Jesus, not about the preacher/priest/pastor. The center stage belongs to Jesus and not to any body else.

Try to find out and study more. The set up of the Church and the Mass has in everything and every part of it a meaning and symbolism. They put them that way not because they wanted it or for aesthetic reason but the set up in itself is a proclamation and glorification of God. 

[starfishqueen]

i personally think therer's nothing wrong with attending other services if this works for you and makes you a better person

[orangerain]

I'm a Catholic, too, but I attend Sunday worship at CCF. My hubby is a Born Again Christian kasi. I don't think it matters where you attend church. They worship the same God, anyway. What's important is your personal relationship with Him.

[shadow_man]

Catholic simply means "universal". Does God only have one church? What about the church in Laos, the church in Corinth, the church in Antioch. They were Jews (Hebrews) and Greeks (Romans), they were not Catholics, they simply called Christians.

As for me, I believe in one, holy, perfect God and that I believe all churches have flaws because they are composed of people (sinners being saved and changed by God). So it doesn't really matter which/where church as long as God's presence (omnipresent) is there.

At first the term Christian refers to all followers of Christ, which are present in the church in Corinth, Rome, Antioch etc... Here the term church refers to the "body", the church in Antioch is not different from the church in Rome, it is only the geographical location that differs but they subscribe to one teaching. as more Churches were established, the apostles and later the Church Fathers started to use the Term Universal/Catholic meaning, the global church, meaning it will be known in every corner of the world.

Now, in the present day the Term "Roman Catholic" is employed to further to draw distinction between the East and Western Church or the Orthodox which parted from the supremacy of the Pope. The term was even further given emphasis after the separation of the Anglican church. All claiming part to the right of Apostolic succession. Now there are still many other churches calling themselves Catholic but are not in communion with Rome.

Same as the term protestant which refers to those who protested particularly Luther who founded the Lutheran Church, but today there are many other churches who are not Lutherans, and in fairness to them may not be willing to be called protestants.

What is not clear to me though is how other sects came to appropriate the term Christian for themselves alone while trying to totally neglect Catholics as Christians, without whom they may have never known what Christianity is... starting for the most fundamental fact that without the Catholic church who compiled the Bible, the Protestants, might still be to this day trying to compile their Bible which may not be the same as what we (they) have now(peace to my protestant friends).

[whitebishop]

there is nothing wrong so long as you still prioritize going to mass, confessions and communion.  i think other worship activities will enrich you and may the experience bring you closer to God.

[quennna]

yes, ts, theres nothing wrong with that..
madami lang kasi di aware na aside from attending sunday mass..
madaming catholic communities like youth/singles/couples for christ, Feast/Kerygma by Bo Sanchez, Liagaya ng Panginoon etc..
baka lang magkaroon ka ng confusion..

[anikaye ;;)]

Yep, okay naman umattend I am a Roman Catholic and nag aattend din ako ng Christian worship. I also joined sa cell groups (ewan ko kung ito nga tawag kasi di ko masyado naintindihan) and I a m enjoying it naman  

[bluish_mommy]

for me, ok lang mag-attend sa mga ganitong service/charismatic activities, for as long as it is not substituted to Holy Mass, for us Catholics, mass is the highest form of prayer and worship.

[Mr.Punch]

You can do whatever you want, wala  namang bawal sa Catholic Church.

Really now....

[Mr.Punch]

yes, ts, theres nothing wrong with that..
madami lang kasi di aware na aside from attending sunday mass..
madaming catholic communities like youth/singles/couples for christ, Feast/Kerygma by Bo Sanchez, Liagaya ng Panginoon etc..
baka lang magkaroon ka ng confusion..

Well, there's a big difference kasi.  Worship services of CCF and other born-again groups are considered the highest forms of communitarian worship in their respective sects.

The worhsip services of Catholic Charismatic groups, on the other hand, might look and feel the same as born-again worship, but they are merely supplemental to the mass.  As someone has already pointed out, mass is the highest form of Christian worship for the past 2000 years.  There's nothing wrong for a Catholic to attend catholic charismatic services, because it does not supplant the mass.

But if a catholic attends a born-again worship service, then it's an entirely different thing because a born-again worship service is specifically an attempt to create a supposedly more "correct" way of worshipping.  They are not supplemental at all.  They attack Catholicism at a fundamental level.

Of course, official CCF propaganda is that "religion does not matter, only faith in Jesus Christ does".  Well, if that's the case, then why the need to create another religion to make that exact point, eh?

(And please, let's not kid ourselves.  CCF is a religion, and a mere 20th century creation at that.)

[patrizziamarie]

I'm a born Catholic too., but as I grew up apparently I did not really understand the Catholic faith,  nor did I appreciate it for the reason of the lack of understanding.I also got bored in Sunday masses because I did not understand the true importance.  When I was younger,  the reason why I just wanted tp go to church was because I eat pop corn and cotton candy ---foods that are sold outside the church.   Now that I am a part and servant of The Light of Jesus family, I became to appreciate the Catholic faith even more. One pitfall of the Catholic faith is our lack of Bible Study and literature,  I am blessed that I was able to attend The Feast Bible study.  It made me understand small stuffs that are always being made of a headlines/argument. Such as:

1. Why do we make the sign of the cross
2. Why do we have to go to confession
3. Why do we believe in Mama Mary, angels and Saints. (Yes, we believe in them BUT we do not worship them)
4. Why do we have a pope (Peter -the rock - was assigned the keys to heaven by Jesus Himself. Yes, he is the first pope)
5. Why do we have to pray for the dead

I appreciated the mass even more after learning the bible even more..

The mass is actually like teleporting to the time when Jesus was on earth, especially the last supper. When the priest would bless the Eucharist.,

[newsoul]

im also catholic pero i attend mga Christian services. Ive been attending for almost half a year now and Im still thinking when I should be baptized into a born again Christian. My cousins who invited me to join them told me to not rush into anything and really try to observe and understand everything about the teachings of born-again Christians. Mahirap din for me because I have to think really carefully before converting. Mejo strict kasi sila maraming bawal and I should really abide by their rules. Pero in exchange naman, I feel na my faith has been growing deeper tsaka Im leading a more spiritually fulfilled life, before marami ako doubts about life and unsure ako about why certain events are happening to me pero I realized a lot more after attending Christian services and you feel talaga na you become closer to God.

[Girltalker2]

Unfortunately, many young Catholics find this too cumbersome and are attracted to sects that have a more fundamental approach to Christianity (which, in itself, is also a double-edged sword.)

I guess it's not enough to say "to each his own".  There also has to be something to be said against fence-sitting.

When I was in Manila, I took things for granted. I didn't like going to Sunday mass kasi nakakatamad, at if ever makapunta I always viewed it as a chore.

In the Philippines, I think di ako naiiba sa nakararami and it is sad. Parang ang hirap magpunta sa church, minsan makapunta ka man, tapos na ang mass at lahat, ni di mo maalala what the gospel was all about. Ang tanging maalala mo ay yung magandang dress nakita mo sa harap mo, yung batang naglalaro sa aisle, yung family na nasa tabi mo or yung weird couple na nakita mo, etc.

When I went abroad, I found God somehow. BF ko kasi devout Catholic. And mga Catholics outside ng pinas feeling ko mas namnam nila ang faith nila. They come on time sa mass service, konti lang distractions - like yung mga pasok/labas ng mga tao sa middle ng mass rarely do you see that - mga Pinoy lang ang gawa nyan (papasok during Homily na) tapos tatayo nalang sa gilid. Catholics here come early. So gawa ko, one way para makapag concentrate sa mass is to stay near the front and this means going early too, at least 15min before. You also don't see masses held in malls or chapels situated near establishments na maraming distractions.

In terms of pagbihis or attire in church. Makikita mo na mas nagp-prepare sila dito. Hindi magarbo ang suot but more of alam mong nagbihis kahit simple lang. When I was new here, minsan naka flip flops lang ako at shorts pa. Here, it is a no no. Kaso syempre, kadalasan once in a while I see pa may nga naka shorts, kita cleavage, tsinelas, cargo pants for guys - at kadalasan mga Pinoy iyan.

My BF once told me when I missed my Sunday service - isang oras lang sa isang linggo, and you have 6 days and 23 hours to yourself, di mo pa maibigay?  Then when I just attended the mass regularly, lagi ko iniisip gaano ako kamahal ng Diyos and therefore it is just right for me to go at i-prove sa kanya na I love Him din by celebrating mass on a weekly basis and during holidays of obligation. (Of course di lang naman natatapos dyan ang pananampalataya natin at meron pang iba tayong obligasyon sa kapwa - but in this aspect, I think Importante for Catholics na pumunta sa Sunday mass) Isip ko pa - He has done so much for me, like being blessed with so many things pero ano ba naman yung bisitahin ko sya weekly?

So ang tanong satin mga hindi devout Catholics e - Catholic ka ba talaga? And do you love Him for you not to go to mass?

By the way, ano pala ang CCF?

[newsoul]

^ sis CCF stands for Christ''s Commission Fellowship

[swim_fatale]

Well, there's a big difference kasi.  Worship services of CCF and other born-again groups are considered the highest forms of communitarian worship in their respective sects.

The worhsip services of Catholic Charismatic groups, on the other hand, might look and feel the same as born-again worship, but they are merely supplemental to the mass.  As someone has already pointed out, mass is the highest form of Christian worship for the past 2000 years.  There's nothing wrong for a Catholic to attend catholic charismatic services, because it does not supplant the mass.

But if a catholic attends a born-again worship service, then it's an entirely different thing because a born-again worship service is specifically an attempt to create a supposedly more "correct" way of worshipping.  They are not supplemental at all.  They attack Catholicism at a fundamental level.

Of course, official CCF propaganda is that "religion does not matter, only faith in Jesus Christ does".  Well, if that's the case, then why the need to create another religion to make that exact point, eh?

(And please, let's not kid ourselves.  CCF is a religion, and a mere 20th century creation at that.)

Of all the replies to in this post, this is the ONLY one that makes sense. I was born Catholic and despite many, MANY invitations to attend all sorts of "churches," I never stopped attending mass and enjoying my Catholic faith. It's true that it's your "relationship with God" that matters, but how about trying to strengthen that relationship in your own religion/church before "shopping" for a church that's not "boring?" I know I sound old-fashioned and preachy here, but going to another church because there's singing and clapping and feel-good vibes doesn't make your relationship with God any better. NO CHURCH OR GROUP can do that for you. ONLY YOU CAN DO THAT FOR YOURSELF. If you enjoy singing, dancing and clapping, go to a club or go to parties. Worship is supposed to have an element of solemnity. And solemnity is NOT the same as BORING. Read about your Catholic faith and learn to appreciate it before looking for an easy, "fun" way out.

PS: Attending mass and attending "worship" or "service" is NOT the same. And yes, according to many different spiritual people and church leaders, one DOES need to be religious and spiritual at the same time. You can't say "I'm spiritual, but I'm not religious. What matters is my relationship with God." YOU NEED RELIGION to be SPIRITUAL.