"She Was Unaware That the Catholic Church Taught This. No Idea."

Dr. Taylor Marshall has documented his interviews with two young ladies who left the Catholic Church for megachurches... what follows I find fascinating... and revealing:

Two young ladies. Both had left the Catholic Church. Both were now attending “megachurches.” We had a good chat together. I wanted to understand their reasons for why they left the Catholic Church for a megachurch.

I was at the bank and somehow I got into a spiritual conversation with two Hispanic executives that worked there.

Why the Megachurch?

When I asked why they exchanged the Catholic Church for the megachurch, they gave me a number of reasons:

1. “My new church has an iPhone app. I can go on my iPhone and get Bible studies, sermons (video and audio). When I travel I can still watch the sermon, either live or later. I feel apart of the community.”
2. “The preaching is dynamic and speaks to my life. I find practical encouragement.”
3. “I felt judged at the Catholic Church.”
4. “People were not friendly or welcoming at the Catholic Church. The first time I went to my new church, I was welcomed by so many people.”
5. “My new church has classes and courses that are interesting and helpful.”
6. “The music is better.”
7. “In the Catholic Church, they use a lot of words that I did not understand.”
8. “People pray for each other and know each other (in the megachurch).”

Although these two ladies didn’t articulate it explicitly to me, I could tell that they were very proud of their new churches. I could also discern in them a surprise that I am so “spiritual” and yet I am very excited about being Catholic. They assumed the “with it” people were leaving Catholicism for the bigger and better and deal.

I asked them what they miss about being Catholic. They replied with two answers:

1. “There are not any crosses in my new church. I know it makes some people feel uncomfortable, but I wish we had crosses.”
2. “What will I do when I die?” They were both unclear about whether they could get anything like Last Rites at the megachurch.

What About the Eucharist?

I asked both about the Eucharist: “Don’t you miss the Eucharist?”

This question didn’t phase them one bit. “Oh we still have communion. They pass out little crackers and cups of juice. I like this better because I thought drinking from one big cup is icky. Spreads germs.”

“But in the Catholic Church,” I replied, “we believe that the Eucharist is the real Body and Blood of Jesus?”

I may as well have said, “Don’t you know that there are Martians in my back pocket.” She was unaware that the Catholic Church taught this. No idea.

The Problem

This, my brothers and sisters, is the crux of the problem. 

Read the rest.  Please.

This is indeed the crux of the problem AND for me personally, is the reason I'm back in the Catholic Church to stay.

If you're one who by faith is seeking the presence of God, then seek out your nearest Catholic Church and there you will find Him.

If you're put off by the Catholic Church, ask yourself honestly, are you instead put off by what someone else has said about the Catholic Church?

I was struck, when going through RCIA and when attempting to get past my initial issues I personally had with the Catholic Church, how much I didn't know about her.  I was struck by how wrong I was about the things I thought I did know about her.

I implore those with problems to dig deeper.  I implore those who've left to do the same and to come back.

You need the Catholic Church.  The Catholic Church needs you.

Fulfill your needs and her needs.  Soonest.

Carry on.