Just reflecting on the perspective of Catholicism from an outsider’s perspective: it seems that most Catholics just go to Mass and that’s it as far as their religious life is concerned. That’s not much of a religion, and if I were an atheist thinking about becoming religious, I would want a religion that would affect how I actually live my life. That’s what religion is supposed to do. (God says He doesn’t want sacrifice, he wants our hearts.)
Why, then, don’t more churches encourage their members to do anything outside of come to Mass? Or if they do, they just mention it with a one-liner during the announcements. Living the religious life is seen by many Catholics as optional, if they have the time or if they want to. This is messed up!! I think the reason that Newman was so different for us than the other churches we have been to is because Newman encouraged us (practially yelled at us during announcements) to get involved, to live the Christian life rather than just think of it. We did canned food drives, went to Tijuana, hosted speakers and discussion topics, and encouraged people to learn more about their religion by going to Anaheim. This was in addition to maintaining the multitude of devotions for which Catholics are esteemed: Rosary, daily Masses, Marian celebrations, Stations of the Cross, etc.
Our people at Newman encouraged us to get involved, both in our mind and in our actions, in addition to in our hearts. It seems to me so sad that other Catholic churches don’t put very much emphasis at all on what religion is supposed to do (and what Christ Jesus helped us do): develop a Christian perspective and practice that will change our life and those of others.
