Christianity and Catholic Church Essay Example

Additionally, other studies will explore the intellectual freedom present within the faith and examine the ability of Catholic individuals to think freely within the church.

This review aims to provide a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith and religion as a whole through an analysis of these articles. It will also include observations and interviews to support this research. In Cooper's (2006) article "The Medium is The Mass: Marshall and McLeuhan’s Catholicism and catholicism," conflicting assumptions about Marshall McLuhan's Catholic beliefs are discussed, highlighting the differences between his beliefs on Sundays and his beliefs from Monday to Saturday.

This article explores McLuhan’s attitude towards the media and his relationship with the Catholic Church. It is related to other research presented in this review, as these other articles also discuss conflicting beliefs and assumptions about the Catholic Church. Additionally, this research provides a deeper understanding of the belief system within Catholicism, which is a central focus of this overall research. Another article further discusses the intellectual freedom that exists within the church.

Jelen (1996) suggests that the Catholic Church still possesses the authority to determine what is morally right or wrong. However, the main focus of Catholicism's stance on intellectual freedom lies in encouraging the cultivation of strong personal consciences. The research further reveals that the Catholic Church does not fully support intellectual freedom due to its belief that human reasoning is prone to corruption, thus casting doubt on its ability to reveal truth.

This article is related to other research that suggests that certain churches restrict intellectual freedom and limit independent thinking (Jelen, 1996). Another article explores how two sisters find

and give meaning within their Catholic and New Age subcultures. The purpose of this study is to examine religious and spiritual subcultures, just like the focus of this research (Morgan, 2002). The article is titled "Sched Upon the Rude?".

The article "Reflections on Scots and Religion" explores the history of the Catholic faith, particularly in Scotland. It delves into various topics such as the Catholic Church's interactions with Copernicus, Galileo, and Columbus, as well as issues related to contraception and stem cell research. Over the past five hundred years, Scotland has witnessed significant changes in both religion and language, marked by periods of reformation, modernization, and increased participation. Understanding this historical context is crucial since it relates to the ongoing study of the Catholic Church's history (Falconer, 2005).

This article aligns with the ongoing research that emphasizes the significance of history in Catholicism. It highlights how various rituals and traditions practiced within the Catholic Church originated from different historical periods. Furthermore, research has also explored the topic of birth control within the Catholic Church. Additionally, the article addresses the matter of having separate Catholic schools.

Both of these issues are secondary lags in the church and their learning has been hindered due to their isolation from society. This aligns with the topic of intellectual freedom, and there is additional information in this research concerning birth control (Spencer, 1967). Soukup (2007) has analyzed communication research trends in various religions. The article provides a book review of Materializing Religion: Expression, Performance, and Ritual.

The review discusses the communication aspect of religion through nonverbal means, such as clothing and rituals. It emphasizes that all

aspects of religion and its practices are forms of communication. The review specifically highlights the importance of studying Catholic religious practices, which is a significant aspect of this research. The article argues that the information presented is relevant since it explores rituals and traditions in all religions, not just Catholicism (Soukup, 2007). Goh (2006), on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of religious sites, such as churches and other places of worship, in the study of religion.

The first instance that is rigorously emphasized within a single religion is the religious site, including its location, placement, and investment. St. Mary's Catholic Church, where most of the research was conducted, played a vital role in gathering information and conducting observations. This article is thus relevant to the rest of the research. In general, these articles provide extensive information about the Catholic Church, but there seems to be a lack of information about the subculture that constitutes a part of Catholicism.

During the research, including the articles, it is expected that more details about the various subcultures and rituals within Catholicism will be provided. The research employed participant observations and an interview as its methods. The observations took place at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Evansville, Indiana, mainly during weekend afternoon/evening masses. This timing was chosen for its convenience in observing all activities.

On weekends, there was a greater variety of events and observations compared to the weekday masses. Eucharist Celebrations, which were held on the weekends, had larger attendance than those during the week. Each mass lasted approximately an hour, and by attending twice a week, it took around four weeks to complete

all the observations. Field notes were taken at every mass, documenting the rituals and traditions observed, as well as the interactions of people upon entering the church.

Taking notes and reviewing them later made it easier to recall observations and patterns. An interview was conducted with a fellow Catholic to learn more about Catholicism. The interview, which lasted approximately twenty minutes, covered topics such as birth control, the significance of Communion and Confirmation, and the importance of various rituals.

The interviewee was kept anonymous in order to obtain more information about Catholicism as a whole. The interview, recorded and transcribed word for word, proved to be beneficial in gaining firsthand information about Catholicism from an actual Catholic individual rather than relying solely on research. Various rituals and interactions took place during observations at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Typically, the church was very peaceful prior to the start of the mass.

Upon entering the church, people would kneel in the middle of the aisles before finding a seat in the pews. There were also individuals kneeling and praying in the pews before the start of the mass. Additionally, bowls of Holy water were present at the entrance. The first mass observed was initially confusing due to its differences from Protestant churches. The church had a high ceiling supported by numerous pillars.

The interior of the church was spacious and open, adorned with sculptures of Mary, Jesus, and various saints. Sculptures of Jesus in different stages of crucifixion were also displayed along the walls. The podiums at the front of the church had writing that appeared to be in Hebrew, but it

was later identified as likely Latin and possibly a biblical verse.

There was a piano and chairs placed in various locations at the front for the priest and singers. During every Mass observed, there was always a young child, usually around ten years old, sitting with the priest. Interviews revealed that these children were there to assist the priest with tasks like opening the Bible to specific pages. These children are known as altar servers.

During each mass, there were individuals dressed in suits greeting attendees at the doors, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Both men and women participated in this role, usually numbering around four or five. Additionally, various songs were sung throughout each mass. These songs were consistent across all masses and most people seemed familiar with the lyrics and their designated parts.

The same song was sung at the beginning of every Mass, with either the priest or someone else singing alone at the front of the church before the audience joined in. In each Mass, at a specific time, everyone would hold hands across the pews and say the Lord's Prayer together. They would then shake hands with those around them, saying "peace be with you." This fostered a sense of fellowship among all the church members.

Based on the observations and interview, it can be concluded that the Catholic faith holds significant importance to various ceremonial rituals. Unlike other Christian churches, the Communion portion of the Mass requires individuals to approach the front to receive it, as opposed to passing it around. The Catholic Mass operates on a strict schedule and follows a structured format. However, over

time, the repetitive nature of the masses can make them monotonous and unexciting. Attendees generally dress casually, but certain older individuals opt for more formal attire.

The priest would typically dress in a green robe, with a white shirt underneath, along with a green, orange, and brown checked scarf or stoll around his neck. One unique tradition observed during Mass was the baptism of a baby. During such occasions, the baby's parents would bring him to the front of the church, wrapped in a white blanket. The priest would then pour Holy water over the baby's head from a pitcher and apply oil on his forehead. Subsequently, a candle was lit and given to the father, while the priest held the baby for a few moments, accompanied by a prayer.

The family was sitting in a pew at the front with the baby, which also had white cloths tied around the ends. On the first day of observations, after everyone in the audience said the Lord's Prayer, they would walk towards the middle of each aisle and place their hands on the shoulder of the person in front of them. The priest would then walk through each aisle, applying holy water or oil to the foreheads of those in the aisle.

The individuals in the aisles were the sole ones who had oil or water applied to their foreheads. Some people even moved into the aisles to allow the priest to reach them. A prayer was recited, indicating that this was a type of healing ritual. Throughout the interview, significant information was provided on the distinctions between Catholicism and mainstream Christianity. One of the

key disparities lies in how Catholicism perceives Mary in the church. Mary holds great importance within the faith due to her role as Jesus' mother.

Despite a common belief, it was clarified in the interview that Mary is not worshipped within the Catholic Church. The Hail Mary, considered a prayer dedicated to her, may give the impression of worship, but it is not the case. While saints also hold significance in Catholicism, Mary is regarded as a more prominent figure in the faith. In the interview, it was further disclosed that during Mass, when communion is taken, people truly believe they are consuming Jesus' body and blood.

When the bread and wine are blessed by the priest, it is believed that they truly transform into the body and blood of Jesus. One difference between Catholicism and Christianity is the role of the Pope, who is seen as an intermediary between people and God, which some people may not agree with. The interview also highlighted the significance of Confession in Catholicism. This is a process where individuals confess their sins to a priest in order to receive forgiveness. While not mandatory, it is strongly recommended, although non-Catholics may argue that they shouldn't have to confess to a priest for forgiveness. The Catholic Church also prohibits the use of birth control, as it is believed that God has a purpose for everything and using birth control goes against that purpose. For example, if God intends for someone to have a child at the age of twenty-four and that person is on birth control, it is viewed as interfering with God's plan.

According to the

interviewee, it is believed that God has a way of doing things. However, she stated that she knows many modern day Catholics who do believe in the use of birth control, suggesting that this belief might be declining. The interview results also indicate that individuals must undergo an educational process before they can receive Communion at the front of the church during Mass. People genuinely believe that they are consuming the body of Jesus, and in order to partake in this act, they need to prepare for it. This preparation typically occurs over a period of several months.

The interviewee mentioned that she started in September and only made her Communion in March or April. She devoted a significant amount of time to learning about Jesus and his life during this period. Typically, individuals make their Communion when they are around eight or nine years old and in second grade. Confirmation occurs after Communion and is usually celebrated during the sophomore year of high school. This sacrament signifies that a person is transitioning from childhood to adulthood and is being welcomed into the Catholic Church as an adult.

When individuals choose to be confirmed, they are making the decision to practice Catholicism. The confirmation ceremony involves a mass with a bishop and focuses on accepting individuals into the Catholic Church as adults. Preparation for confirmation takes a year, and during this time, individuals can select a confirmation name. Typically, these names are chosen from the names of saints. In the interview, the person mentioned that she had to research the saint she selected and write a paper explaining why she wanted that name.

She ultimately chose Teresa as her confirmation name, after Mother Teresa.

The interview also revealed that individuals must be deceased to be considered for sainthood. Their good deeds lead to their canonization, the process of becoming a saint. St. Mary's Catholic Church website offers extensive information about the church. The homepage displays various photographs of the church's interior, including parts of Mass, statues of saints, and church members. Additionally, the homepage conveniently provides the mass schedule for those unfamiliar with St. Mary's.

Mary can visit the church's website to find out the usual times for Mass. The homepage also includes a welcoming statement and a link for a director of worship position. The website provides additional information such as an events calendar, a quarterly newsletter, contact information, and details about the church's charitable donations to organizations like Habitat for Humanity and soup kitchens. Information about baptisms, confirmations, and first communions can also be found on the website. Mary can also access links to the church's Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as an online directory.

The website offers a variety of blogs and a financial report for the church's income and expenses. Additionally, there is a dedicated section with requirements for weddings held at the church. The website provides information on various topics such as finances. The section on weddings includes rules that must be followed, similar to the observations made during Mass.

After conducting previous research and examining this website, it appears that the Catholic Church has numerous rules that must be adhered to. The inclusion of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, which allow users to follow

St. Mary’s Catholic Church, serves as an effective means of promoting the church and facilitating communication among its members. Additionally, this demonstrates the church's efforts to embrace contemporary methods, potentially attracting a wider audience of visitors to the website.

The reason for the effectiveness of social networking sites in providing information about the church is that they allow members and potential members to easily access relevant details without extensive research. The website offers comprehensive information on various aspects of the Catholic faith, including weddings, baptisms, and communions, shedding light on the rules and regulations that followers must adhere to. An example of these guidelines is the requirement for church members to donate 6% of their income to St.

Mary Parish donates 96% of their funds to other charities, with 4% going to charities chosen by individuals. Active involvement in ministry is expected from the members. This church is organized similar to other organizations, as seen on its website. It provides information on finances, newsletters, and a mission statement. Operating hours and contact information for priests and church leaders are also available.

The presence of blogs may increase the attractiveness of this church to younger individuals, potentially diversifying and rejuvenating its congregation. This would benefit the church in terms of advertising. Additionally, the church offers a range of ministries targeting youths, couples, young adults, and music enthusiasts. These options provide ample opportunities for individuals considering active membership to engage with the church.

This website provides a comprehensive understanding of the Catholic Church. Prior to exploring the website, I was unaware of the numerous regulations related to marriage and baptism. To illustrate,

couples planning to marry within the Catholic Church must attend pre-marital classes and consult with a priest regarding the church's policies and practices on marriage. Moreover, I previously did not recognize that churches operate similarly to other organizations until I examined the website.

The website of St. Mary’s Catholic Church contains various components found in typical businesses, including information about the church, contact lists, and a mission statement. I have gained a better understanding of the way churches are operated through this website, which has provided me with valuable information not previously observed. By conducting these observations and exploring the website, my awareness of the Catholic faith and religion in general has increased.