Opinions on Catholics who don't actively attend mass?

Question

I was raised Catholic. Went to Catholic school for 8 years. Church every Sunday. Sacraments up thru Confirmation so far. However I never go to church. Not even on the holidays because then it's only being done because it's a holiday. The mass is always the same, it's really not uplifting. Outside of that I believe in God and practice the 10 commandments(as best I can) but I cannot sit thru those services and haven't been able to for several years now. I don't consider myself a sinner for this. Maybe for other things but not for this. What are you're opinions. No response necessary if it's to bash Catholics because honestly I could care less what religion you are or what you think of ours.

p.s. I'm a single male so I don't have to consider a family when making my decision.

I understand all the aspects of the Catholic church and mass. Thank you tho for the suggestion. I actively participated for years. Including serving as altar boy for years. An a Catholic priest relative. I'm overexposed if anything else. And yes I excelled in religion classes as well.

Answer 1

I'm the same as you. I was raised a Catholic. Catholic school for 12 years. Received the sacraments. I stopped going to mass and don't go on holidays for the same reason you gave. I don't think I am a sinner but there is a part of me that misses mass, especially the Eucharist.

Answer 2

You said: " The mass is always the same"

THAT is the beauty of it! No matter where you go in the entire world, the Mass is the same; the same readings in every Church on any given day. A billion Catholics world wide can experience the same Mass with their fellow Catholics anywhere in the world.

People often say that the Mass isn't "exciting" or "interesting". It's because they don't truly understand what is taking place at each and every Mass.

Think of it this way: If you walked into a Church and Jesus was there, fully present, what would you do? Would you play loud and fast music, hoop and holler, socialize with others, etc?

Or would you fall on your knees in front of Him and pray reverently, in awe and wonder?

In the Catholic Church, Jesus if fully present; Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. And THAT is why what some consider to be boring, is truly reverence for the Lord.

Edited to Add: There is a Charismatic Movement within the Catholic Church. It might be something for you to look into. It has made a beautiful difference in my life as a Catholic.

Answer 3

Ditto. Have you tried other religions? I have been to an ashram and studied the Vedas (briefly) and Brahman. Went on a Zen Buddhism retreat, and went to a Lutheran church for a year. I have been on a personal quest to find a spriritually fufilling church. Although the Hindi ashram was where I became a true believer in God, I still new I was not in the right place. Almost four years ago I moved to Mesa, AZ. At first it seemed to me if you imagine Hell as a place, Mesa was it. Luckily, I found a beautiful neighborhood and bought a home. As soon as the moving van rolled into my driveway Mormon Missionaries stopped by to see if they could help. Immediatly I said, "No". I thought Mormons were the west's version of the "good old folks in the bible belt". That day I met 4 great families out playing basketball, riding bikes etc., etc.,ect., I thought to myself this is the way life should be. It was almost like a modern Norman Rockwell. Turns out they were all Mormon and they are sincerely, terrific people. They all have their roles in life and excell at them. My neighborhood is probobly75% Mormon and I have seen nothing bizarre or ignorant about them. (By the way I am not a Mormon) I have gone to the neighborhood church several times and each time I get something out of it. It really is a fuffiling church. This church is a living church, where the members choose to participate whole heartedly. They have a singles ward (Service) and regular family services. This is the first church/religion where I have enjoyed going to church. The three hours go by fast (seriously) and it's very uplifting. Sound crazy doesn't it?

Answer 4

My thoughts are that your question is an indication of a calling you might feel, something in the back of your mind that has you wondering, searching. Pray to God on this. Ask Him to help you with your question. I can understand what it must be like for someone who's been around it all their life and are probably burnt out. It's different for me - I wasn't Catholic all my life, and when I converted 2 years ago it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Changed my life. I can't get enough of the Church!

I do hope that if you are yearning for that vigor that God blesses you with it. This is because our Catholic Faith is the best thing in our lives. We can get all the university degrees we want from here till Doom's day, but none of that will give us the strength, courage and wisdom we need for the really important things in life - like family, children, or whatever the vocation may be.

Our degrees help us get a job. Our faith, and knowledge of, gets us through life.

God bless.

Answer 5

you should probably visit different catholic churches (if your in an area with multiple churches). The quality of the priest makes all the difference in the world. Some are just better speakers than others...able to deliver God's message in a way that you can relate to it.

Answer 6

When you assert "amen" to the priest or Eucharistic minister who publicizes "The Body of Christ" You are pronouncing that you simply take delivery of that that is particularly real and appreciably Christ's frame. You additionally verify that you simply take delivery of and maintain as real the entire teachings of the church and that you're "in a state of grace" having confessed any mortal sins within the sacrament of reconciliation. Of path it looks that what you probably did used to be now not performed in malice and out of lack of knowledge of the instructing so you're excused of "any obstacle" Now that you're mindful nevertheless, except you select to join an RCIA software and are available into complete communion (Your Trinitarian components baptism is legitimate) you'll be knowingly committing sacrilege by way of carrying on with to obtain the Eucharist. You are welcome to wait Mass and influenced to arise for a blessing till you grow to be a Catholic @ Easter vigil.

Answer 7

When I was a child I too went to church every
Sunday with my parents and went to catholic
school for 6yrs. Now I hardly go to Church and me
and my wife are both Catholics. I have a bible that
I read constantly, but as you said the Mass is the
same routine over and over again, and the people
are different now also that attend Church,they
mainly go to see who wore the same clothes as
last sunday and to be noisy to see who is with who
while in Church, That has discouraged me from
going to Church also.

Answer 8

you said it's not uplifting, why don't you try finding a church that uplifts you.
my church (which is full Gospel) has many catholics who attend our services they enjoy the worship and fellowship and bible study, they have become a very big part of our church, some still also occasionally attend the catholic church also,
we love our Catholic brother and sisters because we are all one in Christ our Lord.
God Bless

Answer 9

Maybe you should study the Mass. Learn what the different parts of the Mass are and what they mean. Maybe if you understood the Mass better you would be able to attend. A true miracle accures at each and every Mass. It is truely amazing.

God bless,
Stanbo

Answer 10

The church has let you down. I am here to say that there is so much more to Christianity and being Catholic. Please seek out a Charismatic prayer group or Community or an International House of Prayer near you.

There is sooooo much more. Your life could be transformed utterly and completely when you find the "More" through the Holy Spirit.

Since I did I have found healing both for my body and spirit and mind. i am so much more self-actualized and in love with life. I am so ALIVE! and love to be alive and get to know Jesus more.

There is so much more out there. Please seek it out! I pray that you will find it and be set on fire by it. AMEN