What is a "plain" Catholic?

[maryjk]

Originally Posted by catholic_rn

I realize that someone can be a good and faithful Catholic while attending Mass only on Sunday. But someone who ONLY attends on Sunday and follows NONE of the Church's teachings is, in my opinion, a "Sunday Catholic" or a "cafeteria Catholic." I'm sorry if you think it's unkind that I speak the truth regarding what I see in MY parish. I never said this about you or anyone else in this forum. I was speaking about MY parish.

I am not in competition with anyone, nor do I think I am in the Catholic Olympics. I do NOT put my children on religious display. Why would you think I do that?? Because I mentioned what my kids know and love and appreciate about our Faith? Would you prefer that I tell my children to sit quietly and not participate in any of the Mass because they would be showing off? Or being put on public display? I'm sorry if this offends you, but as parents it is our duty to teach our children the Faith, and I sometimes find it very irritating that other parents neglect this duty but are so surprised that we have not.

I'm sorry if this offended you. That was not my intent.

Much like Luna, I took your post to mean that you do see Catholics that attend Mass only on Sundays to be cafeteria Catholics. Or at least you see them as the same.

Originally Posted by catholic_rn

Our Faith is essential to our everyday lives, but sadly, most Catholics we know are 'cafeteria' or Sunday-only Catholics.

What were we suppose to take from the above statement???

I find it a little disturbing that our fellow parishioners are shocked that our teenager enjoys attending things like Stations of the Cross and has built his own altar in his room, our two year old knows most of the basic Catholic prayers by heart, and our five year old says the Rosary on her own daily. I always want to say, "Your children don't?!"

I am sure the comment " your children don't?!" is what caused Luna to talk about Catholic Olympics.

[catholic_rn]

Originally Posted by maryjk

Much like Luna, I took your post to mean that you do see Catholics that attend Mass only on Sundays to be cafeteria Catholics. Or at least you see them as the same.

What were we suppose to take from the above statement???
I am sure the comment " your children don't?!" is what caused Luna to talk about Catholic Olympics.

What I said was clear - most Catholics WE know. . . .

I was making a statement regarding individuals in OUR parish, not a sweeping generalization of all Catholics.

I have never said "your children don't?!" to anyone. I sometimes want to say it, though, when fellow parishoners who are not teaching their children the Faith react so profoundly to my children and how they express their devotion. The comment I made was an expression of how I would like to react to the way others first behave towards us. Again, I was speaking specifically about the people who attend our Church. The entire reason for the original post was to find others like us, who practice, dress, live the Faith the way we do, because we have no else in our community like us. I did not mean to offend anyone, and I'm sorry if I did.

[Plain Catholic]

Originally Posted by catholic_rn

What I said was clear - most Catholics WE know. . . .
I was making a statement regarding individuals in OUR parish, not a sweeping generalization of all Catholics.

I have never said "your children don't?!" to anyone. I sometimes want to say it, though, when fellow parishoners who are not teaching their children the Faith react so profoundly to my children and how they express their devotion. The comment I made was an expression of how I would like to react to the way others first behave towards us. Again, I was speaking specifically about the people who attend our Church. The entire reason for the original post was to find others like us, who practice, dress, live the Faith the way we do, because we have no else in our community like us. I did not mean to offend anyone, and I'm sorry if I did.

Catholic_rn that was a lovely explanation and apologies, both posts. Hopefully no one else will feel the need to badger and belittle you for what was obviously a momentary expression of frustration on your situation.

Only he or she who has never expressed themselves in frustration can pitch stones at you without guilt.