Is it weird to go to a Catholic AND Protestant church?
So here's my dilemma...
I was raised Presbyterian but was received into the Catholic Church recently. I'm very happily Catholic and believe in the Real Presence, apostolic teaching authority of the Church, the Pope, etc. But I still go to a Presbyterian church because I love the preaching, worship, and fellowship that you just don't get in a Catholic church. I still attend Mass every Sunday and do confession and I don't take communion at a Presbyterian church. But I find it hard to tell people at either church that I'm Catholic--though I go to another church, too. It's almost like I'm cheating on the other church.
What would you do/say? I know that the Mass SHOULD have everything I'm looking for--but it doesn't. The Church is still on a pilgrim journey and has not reached perfection in America yet--and until it does I like my arrangment. But how do I continue without being all self-conscious of myself theologically?
I know several people who do this, and for the exact same reasons. Most Catholic priests aren't the most dynamic speakers, though Catholics see the Mass as a fulfilling worship. At the same time, if you want a deep Bible Study, the Mass isn't necessarily going to do it for you, so Protestant services can fill in.
In my walk with Christ, I've gone to churches of several denominations, and in every one of them I've heard much of Scripture, sung lots of praise, but it never really felt like worship in the same way that Mass does. Maybe you'll agree with this, maybe not. But I think we can both agree that you get something different out of each type of service.
It's not cheating - it's ecumenism. You're moving for the unity of all believers in Christ by practicing it. If every person who hates what they think the Catholic Church is actually went to a Mass in addition to their normal services, these boards would have a lot more talk, and a lot less discord.
Don't be self-conscious; when your Protestant co-worshippers ask why you're Catholic, explain or faith. Or don't - it is, after all, between you and the Lord. Same for your Catholic co-worshippers.
Teaching Authority of the Pope
