Catholics Come Home

[Fat Bottom Gurl]

I was watching tv last night and saw this ad trying to lure lapsed catholics back into the fold. Here is the website: http://www.catholicscomehome.org/

This is on the opening page:

"At Catholics Come Home, we are dedicated to presenting the honest truth about even very difficult subjects. We want to share with you the beautiful, historical and miraculous aspects of the Catholic Church."


I wondered if this is a new ad due to all the negativity surrounding the RC these days?

[Denver]

That is probably part of it.
Though domain was created 25-May-2005

And also, from the holiday masses I've attended in the past, each time there has been an invitation for any lapsed Catholics or Catholics looking for a home church to give this one a try.

[shadron]

That is probably part of it.
Though domain was created 25-May-2005

Catholics have long had this problem, but have long ignored it. Here in Denver, when I was in HS (the 60s), there were ten catholic coed high schools plus two all-boys and three all-girls schools. I think that is down to seven now, with two new names in new suburbs since the 60s. The decline in vocations, male and female, also indicates core failures.

And also, from the holiday masses I've attended in the past, each time there has been an invitation for any lapsed Catholics or Catholics looking for a home church to give this one a try.

It's about time. That ploy has worked well for the protestants for years, and the Catholic church long has turned up its nose at appealing to the serfs.

[Chris Hegarty]

As a Catholic-turned-agnostic-turned-atheist, it's a little too late for the church to get me back into their flock o' sheep. I think the same is true for many Catholics who are simply "lapsed". The funny thing is that many of these lapsed Catholics are for all intents and purposes no longer Catholic; many cling to the name because they're afraid of the "A" words. Also, this little veiled threat:

In the end, death will come for each of us. This sad reality is the direct result of the original sin of Adam and Eve (c.f., Genesis 3). But as Christians, we know that death is not the end of the story. Jesus Christ, our Messiah and Savior, came to save us from the eternal death that awaits those who willfully rebel against God.

Will this type of campaign succeed? I doubt it.

[RobRoy]

Will this type of campaign succeed? I doubt it.

Guess it all depends on what you consider success, or rather what they consider success. If they manage to bring one Catholic back, they would probably believe it a worthwhile venture.

[Scott Haley]

The "Catholics Come Home" ad campaign started before the current scandal heated up. I think it would be wise for them to stop running the commercials until the news media moves on to something else.

[Bill Thompson]

It is my belief that if Catholics wanted to truly come home, they would stop calling themselves "Catholic" and join an Orthodox church.

Peter and Paul spent most of their energies setting up the church in Athens.

The Roman Catholic church is really just a relic of the Roman Empire. Proof of this is in their behavior.

[Unlike a Bull]

As a Catholic-turned-agnostic-turned-atheist, it's a little too late for the church to get me back into their flock o' sheep. I think the same is true for many Catholics who are simply "lapsed". The funny thing is that many of these lapsed Catholics are for all intents and purposes no longer Catholic; many cling to the name because they're afraid of the "A" words.

I'm an athe... an athei.... an ahhhtheeeissss.... I'm a non-practicing, non-believing catholic.












Whew, almost lost salvation.

[hgc]

The RCC has been running that campaign off-and-on for years. I remember the TV commercials used to focus on convincing the lapsed that no matter how long they've been out or what they've been up to, they're welcome back.

The person in the ad is a man who says, with a broad smile, something along the lines of, "if the roof didn't fall in when I came back, you've got nothing to worry about."

I happen to think that the best recruitment possibility for the lapsed would be the removal of Ratzinger. Without such a move, the church is steadfastly refusing to admit what they did.

[RobRoy]

It is my belief that if Catholics wanted to truly come home, they would stop calling themselves "Catholic" and join an Orthodox church.

Peter and Paul spent most of their energies setting up the church in Athens.

The Roman Catholic church is really just a relic of the Roman Empire. Proof of this is in their behavior.

Riiiggghhhtt. That's the problem! They need to trade one set of religious notions for a slightly different set of religious notions . . . otherwise they are WRONG!

Shew, glad you were here Bill!

[hgc]

Riiiggghhhtt. That's the problem! They need to trade one set of religious notions for a slightly different set of religious notions . . . otherwise they are WRONG!

Shew, glad you were here Bill!


The difference is more than slight. Eastern Orthodox priests have funny hats AND funny beards.

Oh, but they are similar in being born in the Roman Empire -- eastern branch.

[Fat Bottom Gurl]

For some reason, when I saw this ad I could not help but think of the Seinfeld episode where George decides to convert to Orthodox Latvian (I think that was it) for some woman he was interested in and Kramer had such "mojo" that one of the Sisters(?) was about to leave the church for him. I remember her saying - "It's a beautiful religion". And then Kramer wears garlic and it repells the woman and she goes back to the church.

[RobRoy]

The difference is more than slight. Eastern Orthodox priests have funny hats AND funny beards.

Gads, you're right! How could I have been so misled all this time!

By the way, Merry Smithmas everyone. According to NPR, today is the day that Joseph Smith officially established the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. By his claims, all other churches, while having “some” truthtm did not have the “whole” truth©. If Catholics really wanted to come home, they could become LDS . . . according Smith et.al.

Oh, but they are similar in being born in the Roman Empire -- eastern branch.

Branches? There can be branches? Next you’ll say that anyone can establish a religion and be equally right!

[Mark6]

For some reason, when I saw this ad I could not help but think of the Seinfeld episode where George decides to convert to Orthodox Latvian (I think that was it) for some woman he was interested in and Kramer had such "mojo" that one of the Sisters(?) was about to leave the church for him. I remember her saying - "It's a beautiful religion". And then Kramer wears garlic and it repells the woman and she goes back to the church.
Kramer wears garlic? What the hell for?

[Kilgore Trout]

Long story short, I've been told twice by priests in hospitals that it was very important that I go to the church and "get on the books." The impression I got was that it wasn't as important that I actually go to mass but that they can count me as a parishioner.

[Fat Bottom Gurl]

Kramer wears garlic? What the hell for?

To make himself stink and repell the woman so that she will not leave the church. He doesn't have it on when he meets her, but, he wears it around his neck for awhile.

The Conversion Episode (from IMDB):
"George decides to convert to Latvian Orthodox to impress a girl, against his angry parent's objections. Meanwhile, Kramer converts a nun at the church, and Jerry takes a peek in his girlfriend's medicine cabinet and is stunned by what he finds."

[Fat Bottom Gurl]

Long story short, I've been told twice by priests in hospitals that it was very important that I go to the church and "get on the books." The impression I got was that it wasn't as important that I actually go to mass but that they can count me as a parishioner.

I believe this was discussed on PZ Myers blog -something to do with the numbers being used to justify what the church can or cannot demand.

[RobRoy]

Long story short, I've been told twice by priests in hospitals that it was very important that I go to the church and "get on the books." The impression I got was that it wasn't as important that I actually go to mass but that they can count me as a parishioner.

Interesting. My experience has been different, that it was more important that I attend church than anything else having to do with the church. Even if I wasn't taking, or couldn't take, communion, just being there was the start. But it's been years since I was a parishioner, so perhaps things have changed.

[a3sigma]

My wife was raised Russian Orthodox, and I signed up so we could be married in the church ( a two hour fertility rite, which, happily, didn't take). Officially, I guess, I'm still on their books.

It has come in handy. Back in the 70s we lived in a suburban townhouse and were regularly plagued by swarms of Adventists, Witnesses, Mormons, and other such pests. I just stared at them blankly, and said in a heavy (fake) accent: "Spasibo, nyet, comrade, am rooshian orthodoxer" ostentatiously crossed myself 3 times in the Orthodox manner, while bowing deeply and chanting some half remembered fragments of the litany.

Very effective, they rarely stuck around for the final bow.

[Dr. Keith]

Is it wrong that the most disturbing thing in this thread is the horrid citation.

It should be (see Genesis 3) not (c.f., Genesis 3). Until this sort of sloppiness is addressed the RCC will always be a second class religion.

[RobRoy]

Is it wrong that the most disturbing thing in this thread is the horrid citation.

It should be (see Genesis 3) not (c.f., Genesis 3). Until this sort of sloppiness is addressed the RCC will always be a second class religion.

Guess it all depends on if you're using AP, APA, MLA or Chicago Manual, eh? Around here, we're less sticklers for the "proper" citation, and more interested in the information found within the citation. :D

[hgc]

Branches? There can be branches? Next you’ll say that anyone can establish a religion and be equally right!


Well, equally something.

[RobRoy]

Well, equally something.

It's relative, especially if you've got a brother in the business! :D

[blobru]

I was watching tv last night and saw this ad trying to lure lapsed catholics back into the fold. Here is the website: http://www.catholicscomehome.org/

This is on the opening page:

"At Catholics Come Home, we are dedicated to presenting the honest truth about even very difficult subjects. We want to share with you the beautiful, historical and miraculous aspects of the Catholic Church." --

:covereyes For their next tv spot: little light-to-dark tune from a popular Irish ballad to help Catholics present the honest truth about their scumbag, crackpot... I mean, ah... blessed and holy church:

Oh altar boy, the pope and priests are calling
For you again, to stand here by their side
Communion's come, and all the crumbs are falling
Wait in the pew with your mouth open wide.
Yes come ye back where father's in the saddle
Astride your valley hushed and white as snow
For we'll be here in son's heinie all paddled
Oh altar boy, oh altar boy, we love you so.

But when you're scared, and all the folks are prying
Say I am good, or hellbound you will be
Your soul is mine and that is why you're lying
"Hail Mary" now, then grace my male hairy.
I shall not hear, as soft you sob before me
And all my face aglow with sweat in streams
For ye shall bend over to show you love me
And I shall grope your peace and murder all your dreams.

:eusa_whistle:

[MattusMaximus]

"At Catholics Come Home, we are dedicated to presenting the honest truth about even very difficult subjects. We want to share with you the beautiful, historical and miraculous aspects of the Catholic Church."

Complete and total ************. If they gave a damn about what they just said, they wouldn't be blaming gays & pro-choicers for an "anti-Catholic hate campaign" (http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2010-04-07-vatican06_ST_N.htm) when people (including pro-life & anti-gay-marriage Catholics) criticize the Vatican over its systemic cover-up of child rape.

This is nothing more than blatant, cover-your-ass propaganda. And the only people it will work on are those so far down the rabbit hole they'll buy any damn thing the Vatican says.

Personally, I hope they go down in flames :flamed:

[RobRoy]

Complete and total ************. If they gave a damn about what they just said, they wouldn't be blaming gays & pro-choicers for an "anti-Catholic hate campaign" (http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2010-04-07-vatican06_ST_N.htm) when people (including pro-life & anti-gay-marriage Catholics) criticize the Vatican over its systemic cover-up of child rape.

This is nothing more than blatant, cover-your-ass propaganda. And the only people it will work on are those so far down the rabbit hole they'll buy any damn thing the Vatican says.

Personally, I hope they go down in flames :flamed:

Anyone else feel that MM is holding back here? I really think he needs to let it out, get it into the open, Metamucil his feelings. Otherwise he's going to get backed up and eventually asplode! Nothing good ever comes out of that in the end.

[MattusMaximus]

Anyone else feel that MM is holding back here? I really think he needs to let it out, get it into the open, Metamucil his feelings. Otherwise he's going to get backed up and eventually asplode! Nothing good ever comes out of that in the end.

Actually, this is me holding back :)

[RobRoy]

Actually, this is me holding back :)

I sensed that through my aluminum foil hat pyramid crystal. I'm just concerned about your health man! :D

[Roadtoad]

So, I checked out the website, and while it's nicely done, it still doesn't answer critical questions, such as "WHEN IN THE HELL ARE YOU PEOPLE GOING TO ACCEPT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT HAPPENED TO THE KIDS!?"

Jerks.

[Darth Rotor]

So, I checked out the website, and while it's nicely done, it still doesn't answer critical questions, such as "WHEN IN THE HELL ARE YOU PEOPLE GOING TO ACCEPT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT HAPPENED TO THE KIDS!?"

Jerks.
Who are the jerks you refer to? The laity? The Clergy? Both?

DR

[Roadtoad]

Who are the jerks you refer to? The laity? The Clergy? Both?

DR

The upper echelons. Sorry. Most of the laity have been demanding the same thing, thankfully. (And they haven't let up, either! Perhaps there IS evidence for God.)

[MattusMaximus]

The upper echelons. Sorry. Most of the laity have been demanding the same thing, thankfully. (And they haven't let up, either! Perhaps there IS evidence for God.)

Nor should they. More than anyone, it's their asses (actually, their kids' asses - yeah, bad joke but I couldn't resist) on the line.

Bully for them.