It has been a long time coming, but I was re-inspired after a conversation with an elderly Cradle Catholic in the Kroger parking lot the other day. So here is part II of “Do Converts make better Catholics?”.
In my musing in the first post, https://blessedadorer.wordpress.com/2018/10/25/cradle-convert-lapsed-catholics-do-converts-make-better-catholics/, I expressed what I have witnessed as the difference between Cradle Catholics and those who have converted to Catholicism from an enthusiasm or participation stand point. I had planned on discussing why I thought we are where we are and if anything could or should be changed (after all the newest members in any situation are usually the most gung-ho), but after my conversation in the parking lot, I thought I might waylay that topic for now. For this post, I wanted to discuss the word “better”as it applies to this topic.
The 2 statements about a particular Priest that threw me for a loop in my conversation with the elderly Cradle Catholic and reignited my thoughts on this was: “He seems to think we are not holy enough” and “He only listens to Converts”. I had heard the 2ndstatement quite a few times from others, but had never really considered it in relation to her first statement. Although I do believe he and others seem to think Converted Catholics are more capable, I never considered that they thought, that Converted Catholics were more “holy” than Cradle Catholics. I was able to give a couple examples to refute that he thinks the Parish, as a whole is not holy, but I really could not discuss one way or the other as to if he or others thought, again as a whole, that Converted Catholics are holier than Cradle Catholics.
When I got home, my mind starting going especially about the “holy” statement, My first thought was -I hope not. Then I started thinking about what I have witnessed over the last several months in the several Parishes that I have attended for one reason or another. This time I focused on what I consider to be “holy” actions. Had I witnessed a distinction between Cradle and Converted Catholics as to their REVERENCE in general, their MASS participation and focus, their consideration of others in prayer, their treatment of the Blessed Sacrament, their frequency (or so they say) of availing themselves of Confession, their HONESTY in words and actions, their personal time and money spent volunteering or donating inside, but also, outside of the Church (especially in circumstances where they will not receive recognition or attention)? To be honest, the scale tipped a bit toward the Cradle Catholics, BUT again, does that make them “better” Catholics.
On the one hand, the “Sacred”, helping the poor with our time and money, serving others, and sincere participation of the Sacraments are parts of our Faith that are critical. On the other hand, participation of CHURCH activities (outside of Mass), knowledge of, and willingness to share our Faith are just as critical. We are a Missionary Church and we are called to be disciples of Christ, but that does not ONLY entail spreading the Good News. Neither Jesus nor the Apostles abandoned their Jewish Faith with its prayers, traditions, and sacredness. They expounded upon them with discipleship and the Good News.
So, in general, which “group” is better? I have come to the conclusion – there is no distinction. We all need to improve in the areas of knowledge and discipleship. We all need to improve in emulating Jesus and the Apostles in our time, actions, and prayers. So we need to learn from each other, help each other, support each other, and grow to be the holiest missionary disciples together. After all, we are called to be “perfect” as our Father in Heaven is “Perfect”.
I have some thoughts on the how to do that which hopefully I will get the chance to share in a later post.
blessedadorer 
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