Welcome to Vocation Forum

Any advice from anywhere would be appreciated.

Last year, one of my friends, J, invited me to the Church of God Youth Group. At the time, our church didn't have a youth group, and I felt like I needed one badly. I knew that "More unites us than divides us," so I accepted.

Around that time, they went on a trip called WinterFest. I didn't go because I was too new to be comfortable with that. They came back talking about what a great time they had praising God, praying, singing, speaking in tongues, falling....

Wait? What were those last two?

I was terrified. I had nightmares that night, even. However, I got over it soon enough and those topics haven't arisen since.

In the meantime I have a Catholic youth group, but I'm now an established member of the Pentecostal youth group, too, and they enjoy having me, and they're nice people. So I keep up with both youth groups.

But the topic of WinterFest has arisen again.

Once again, they haven't said anything of what scared me so bad the last time, and probably won't until it's over this time.

So here's my question: Do I go? Do I stay? Do I quit the Church of God Youth Group altogether? Is that stuff anything to be afraid of?


I don't want to hurt their feelings, or give them the impression that Catholics are bigots, but I don’t want to go and get scared.

I think I'm in WAY over my head! Any help you could give me would be appreciated.


God bless you,
Eleanor

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"How great is the humility of God to use people like you and me to bring His love and compassion to those who are suffering. Let us thank God for allowing us to be channels of His love," Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Wow, that does sound like a bit of a conundrum!

I wouldn't want them to get some horrible picture of catholics either and interfaith conversation and recognition is always good so if I were in your situation I would probably make sure that something else was "planned" for that weekend/week of winterfest and stick with your "prior commitment". But I would continue to go to their youth group meetings and enjoying their company as people.

Or maybe if you are feeling really daring (and strong in your faith and beliefs) than go on the trip with the attitude of enjoying the fellowship and community that this youth group has to offer. Obviously this would be difficult because you would have to keep reminding yourself of your purpose and of your catholic beliefs.

I do really appreciate the contributions of other faiths, in fact the best bible study I have ever been to was led by a United Church of Christ minister but he was aware of his diverse group of participants and thus kept theology out of the discussion as much as possible.

Maybe if others could offer their suggestions, mine are definitely not the only ways to go.

Thanks, Pondering!

What does anyone else think?

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"How great is the humility of God to use people like you and me to bring His love and compassion to those who are suffering. Let us thank God for allowing us to be channels of His love," Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

I remember the time (way back like ten years ago) when I attended a group (supposedly, a Catholic one, but I think they had a little bit of misconception about it...) called something like "Youth in the Holy Spirit", and I can tell you Eleanor, I was really terrified!!! because I had to experience those situations you've already mentioned...

Yikes. Not for me, I can tell ya.

I can still recall the whole chapter: the spiritual guide that was leading the prayer, started to make everyone fall to the ground, "to rest in God's Grace", just by touching them. Well, my turn came up to be touched, to fall, and everything. So the woman started to touch me so I would actually fell and rest, but actually, I didn't feel anything special, so I stood still in the same position. She started to mutter some words, I guess she was doing the "speaking in tongues" thing but I wouldn't fall either. So she got a little bit angry I guess, and she started to poke me really hard, so in order for her to stop hurting my arm and shoulder, I pretended to fall too!, and waited for everyone to recover, stand up and then, continued with the readings and discussions.

Sheeesh, I think I never had felt so ackwardly bad. I felt like I had betrayed my true beliefs, and that I had to put up this fake act, because I had felt not only the pressure of the spiritual guide, but also of the whole group, who believed fervently in this type of practices. I attended the group two or three times, but arrived like 15 minutes later, so I wouldn't have to be present at the beginning of it, where all this thing was supposed to happen. After that I left the group.

So I would consider not going, really. I guess there's a time and place for everything, and it's okay to have friends whose religious beliefs are not the same as yours, in fact, my best friend (I already consider her like a sister) is presbyterian, but the secret of our friendship is that we never let the topic of religion get between us, we just share the way God has blessed us and has intervened in our lives. I guess this is the way you share your time with the Pentecostal group, but it is important for you to keep your limits and your catholic beliefs really strong, so you won't get confused and end up doing things you're not comfortable with.

I think they wouldn't be mad at you if you don't assist. They already know your situation and understand it, and they appreciate you because you're a great person, so I would keep it simple; if you're not really convinced of going, don't. I guess you're kind of like me, who doesn't like to let down anyone, but sometimes you have put yourself first, and ask yourself also, if later, you'll be feeling good, by doing something you're not completely okay with it. And if you think you'll hurt their feelings by exposing all the religion-beliefs-practices thing (so they might think we catholics are bigots), I agree with Pondering, tell them you have already something else to do for that day/s. The key of every good relationship is politeness, so keep that in mind if you decide to turn down their invitation.

God Bless you, and I'll be praying for you to make the right decision, the one that will bring peace to your heart!! See ya Eleanor.

Gabi.

Wow! Thank you so much for your story, Gabi! I'll keep that in mind.

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"How great is the humility of God to use people like you and me to bring His love and compassion to those who are suffering. Let us thank God for allowing us to be channels of His love," Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Hey,

I just recently approached my campus minister about speaking in tongues, being slain in the spirit(falling), and the other gifts of the Holy Spirit.

I had been researching this subject and found that although many people recognize these as gifts and that they can truly happen, in most cases they don't. They said that in many cases these "gifts" are psychological or forced and that they are not Godly experiences.

I personally have had a difference experience with this. I am Catholic and have attended multiple retreats. Steubenville Youth Conference is the one where I first encountered these experiences. During adoration, there were many people who prayed in tongues and were slain in the spirit or had the gift of laughter or tears. I was actually prayed over in tongues and found it a very calming and spiritual experience. I accepted that these were common experiences and that a retreat like this could not be doing something wrong. As I researched I found many people, who like I said, thought these events were fake or only for more of the "charismatic" religions. I discussed this with my campus ministers, one who is a Marianist sister, and the other is a Master's student in theology, both extremely knowledgeable. The advice they shared was that these events while they should be viewed with caution, can also be real spiritual experiences. Because we are not the person experiencing the events we cannot judge whether or not they are true experiences or if they are the result of something psychological. While these gifts should not be encouraged (because this can bring about more psychological experiences or make people believe the NEED to have those experiences and force themselves into it.) they are not necessarily a bad thing and should be approached with caution. My youth group handled this by informing students, while although it can happen, it is not a common or neccessary thing and the person experiencing this is not "holier" than those who don't. God gives us each our OWN gifts and each of those are presented especially for us. During adoration, I feel God puts the gift of music into my heart, he uses it to connect to me in a special intimate way. This connection is different for every person because God knows each of us even better than we do.

I just want to reiterate that this is just the conclusion my campus ministers and I came to. I am not saying this is right, just sharing one viewpoint!

Hope this helps
Cassie

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Somewhere along the way, I sorta kinda fell in love <3 {For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16}

Haha
I'm in a catholic charismatic community, so speaking in tongues and falling in the Holy Spirit are normal for me. Normal, as different charisms, prophecy, etc. These are signs of God's activity!
Everything is OK as long as the group is within the Church.

Quote from Pope John Paul II (Vatican City; December 11, 1979)



But we have to remember that the first sign of Holy Spirit's presence is unity. So till the group is in the Church, till it has a priest coordinating, or just taking spiritual care of it - everything should be ok
And to recognise spirits well... remember about fruit of the Holy Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience... Read about all nine of them in Gal 5:22-23

Sth more here: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_ ... al_en.html
And... I don't know if it is a gossip or fact, but... John Paul II is told to say frequently phrase: "Long life to the charismatics!" Check it in wikipedia ;)

P.s. For those asking themselves - "charisms? in catholic Church? what is she talking about?!"
Mark 16:17-18; 1 Cor 12; Romans 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:11

But OF COURSE! It's GOD, Who decides about who is going to fall, and who will not! E.g. I have never fallen! You don't 'have to', if anybody pushes you to fall, etc.- you'd better escape earlier than later!

It's Holy Spirit, Who decides about the way of His coming to all community and each person, and about the gifts and charisms that He gives to everyone.
One has the charism of prophecy, another one can recognise spirits... God gives His gifts to the Church in the way He wants and knows better what is good for the Church and each catholic!
Also the Catechism of the Catholic Church says about it

And... in prayer, in blessing God's Name there is no "aim" to fall on the floor! The aim is to get in touch with Jesus in the Holy Spirit. The aim is to be with the Lord. Everything else is just a method of His action, or rather 'may be' such method.
God bless you!