If Catholics make up the largest number of American Christians, lapsed Catholics follow. And following them, people who used to be Catholic. And those are the parishioners of Christ the King. A bunch of former Catholics, who, I guess are now just Catholics.
Christ the King is a small church with two columns of pews. There was no anonymity here, as soon as I walked in, a pamphlet on the Church was in my hand. This was also mentioned during the announcements. They seem to be having trouble with the New Roman Missal, and were reminded to follow along, and to follow along together.
I guess part of the deal is that the church gets to keep some of it's Anglican traditions. Catholican? Episcoatholic? The sign of peace was before mass (and the hecklers behind me made note of this too.)
I don't know the hecklers feelings on dipping the body and blood of Christ, but I don't think I'll ever get used to that.
There was a lot of singing. The gathering hymn was followed by three more songs. And while the choir was great, I think we all know my feelings on sing songiness.
I signed the guest registry and directed them to this website, so I should be careful. But I also think I can offer a few lessons on being Catholic. For starters, I don't understand why so many people were sitting in the front of the church. There were perfectly good open seats in the back. Mass can't run 90 minutes. You'll never get masses in at 9, 10, 11, and 12 that way. E-mail if you want some more.
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteYour journey and effort are certainly worthy, and I must confess I haven't gone back and read your "reviews" of other churches, but what you seemed to take away from CTK does not at all reflect the wonderful spirituality that is present there each and every Sunday. Hecklers? The Gospel and the Holy Eucharist are held more reverent in that little church than in any other church you will encounter, and if you missed that it is indeed your loss. If being "Catholic" to you involves abbreviated masses, no music, and distributed seating, then I pray that you will spend as many weeks as it takes to discover what is truly important in a religious service. God bless you.
Amanda, I just came across your blog after this posting. Full disclosure, I am a very involved member at Christ the King! Your blog is certainly a creative and demanding undertaking. After having read most of your posts over the past year +, I am a little surprised you didn't relate more to the wonderful story and congregation at CTK. You note that you are a drifter looking for your place in the Catholic Church, so surely you must relate to those who are lapsed or used to be Catholic. What you saw at CTK is ill described as a "loophole." It is, in fact, a beautiful homecoming for those former Catholics, drifters, devout Catholics and everyone in between. That "loophole" is an embrace by a living, loving, universal Catholic Church. It is a very distinct and tangible reminder that the grace of God works through the Catholic Church to bring everyone to the Truth, to Him, regardless of the start or path of their journey.
ReplyDeleteChrist the King is a beacon of hope, a home, to that large number of Americans who are lapsed and drifting Catholics, or those American Christians who are searching for the fullness of truth. If that large number listens the call within their hearts, then the ministry at Christ the King may have to add more masses to accommodate! Perhaps your own journey was meant to include Christ the King Church -- you noted in your 2/22/12 posting that it is included on the list of churches to attend -- before it even was officially Catholic.
P.S. the choir is GREAT and Fr. Ed's preaching is as doctrinally sound and personally compelling as you will find. Being Catholic isn't only about blocking off 45 minutes on Saturday night or Sunday, so if you want to be inspired/nourished for the rest of the week, the combination of singing and preaching is hard to beat!
Thank you to all all you for reading and commenting. You obviously care deeply about your faith and church and I'm glad I was able to spend time there. Please note there is a hearty dose of sarcasm throughout this undertaking.
ReplyDeleteMost everywhere, your church included, I have found friendly people and fulfilling masses. Christ the King was absolutely worth the stop, worth another look, and will be passed on to others I know in search of a new home. I know that one mass is not a fair representation of what a community has to offer.
Perhaps "chatting couple behind me" would have been a better choice than "hecklers," but they sighed audibly and often. The list from February was updated this past weekend.
The number of outgoing friendly people at Christ the King is greater than Mt. Calvary, but the ritual and liturgy at Mt. Calvary are more beautiful than Christ the King.
ReplyDeleteIdeally the best qualities of both these two anglican use churches near baltimore ought to somehow intersect and fuse together. The high ought to meet the low. I think they both have strengthes that the other one needs. It seems to me what the Roman Catholic Church needs - is more unity and less factionalism, more consistency from parish to parish, diocese to diocese.
In the SSPX and FSSP parishes one finds more consistency and balance, both doctrinally in homilies and in liturgy and music, but on the other hand, many find the discipline of latin mass a bit more effort.
What challenging times!