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This is a thread for people to share what they appreciate about the Catholic Church. There are many things I disagree with in the Catholic Church, but there are also things I think they do particularly well.

I appreciate many prayer traditions in the Catholic Church, especially contemplative traditions. I appreciate the sense of history. I appreciate some very good Christians who I have known in the Catholic Church. I have learned a lot about prayer from Catholics.

Others?

I appreciate the scholarship with a long view on humanity. Each time I read First Things I am challenged.

This isn't completely thought out but I appreciate the way Catholic thinkers read the scriptures. The areas where I disagree tend to be outside the scriptures, the actual textual interpretation is closer to my views than Protestants in general. (I think).

I appreciate their focus on what many of us call 'Communion' or the 'Lord's Supper' and they call the 'Eucharist'. Although they don't agree with some that this is just a memorial service, I think what they do believe and it's frequency of practise is worth noting. I remember in the Baptist church how we would end the service by joining hands and sing a closing hymn together as a reminder of the unity of believers as we go forth to spread the Gospel.

Catholics believe that when one consumes the Eucharist, one is incorporated into Christ and becomes bonded to others who are also part of the body of Christ on Earth. It is not simply a matter of individual belief, but of Church unity and the mission of being Christ in the world.

I appreciate their global focus, and not a hyper involvement and focus on American politics.
And their humanitarian work.
And their teachings on birth control, and the promoting of large families.

I appreciate the artistic mastery that one finds in Catholic traditions. Bach's Mass in B minor, for example, is just on a whole different level than what one encounters in most Protestant and Anabaptist music traditions.

To reciprocate, I was sitting at Mass this morning and thinking about the sincere questions that come my way on MN. I appreciate those types of questions for the simple reason it keeps me from becoming blasé and insensible to the beauty of the Mass for me. I said prayers for you all too.

Ken, I do not know if you have heard Gregorian chant or plain chant but as you enjoyed Bach, I thought I would share the piece sung by our choir today as we began Passiontide.
[media] [/media]

Ken wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:04 pm I appreciate the artistic mastery that one finds in Catholic traditions. Bach's Mass in B minor, for example, is just on a whole different level than what one encounters in most Protestant and Anabaptist music traditions.

I love that mass. Bach was Lutheran, but this is a Catholic mass that he wrote. Interesting story...

https://theimaginativeconservative.org/ ... legan.html

MaxPC wrote: ↑Sun Mar 17, 2024 11:21 pm Ken, I do not know if you have heard Gregorian chant or plain chant but as you enjoyed Bach, I thought I would share the piece sung by our choir today as we began Passiontide.
[media] [/media]

I love Gregorian chant, I find it very prayerful. Nice piece.

Bootstrap wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2024 7:16 am

Ken wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:04 pm I appreciate the artistic mastery that one finds in Catholic traditions. Bach's Mass in B minor, for example, is just on a whole different level than what one encounters in most Protestant and Anabaptist music traditions.

I love that mass. Bach was Lutheran, but this is a Catholic mass that he wrote. Interesting story...

https://theimaginativeconservative.org/ ... legan.html

I sang once with a local ensemble that did some really nice pieces from that mass. Incredible music.