By Mary Lackie

Fifty Methodists heard a priest, nun and layman discuss the topic, “What Catholics Believe” Sunday night at Park Street Methodist Church.

Panelists were Father Matthew Kemp, priest-secretary of the Archdiocesan Religious Unity Commission and Sister Barbara, O.F.S. The Rev. Ernest Kendall, pastor, introduced Joe Flanagan, executive director of the St. Vincent de Paul Society as discussion moderator.

People of different faiths talk to each other and observe each other, but often see what is only superficial. “We often miss the inner spirit, the religious liturgy, ritual and rite that makes everyday different from every other day,” said Father Kemp.

Vatican II defined the liturgy as the source and fount of Catholic life, the work of the people of God, the priest said. “The rosary and other forms of worship are peripheral aspects of Catholic piety.”

Tracing liturgical changes in the Mass since Vatican II, Father Kemp said, “I think that our Mass parallels your Lord’s Supper Worship -- the liturgy of the Word and the liturgy of the Eucharist.”

The priest said that scriptures are the foundation of liturgical worship in the Mass, the Sacraments and Divine Office. Since worship has returned to the vernacular, there is new dynamism in the Church.

Noting the new concepts of Catholic structure and authority in the Church, Sister Barbara said, “Vatican II defined the Christian Church as the people of God, a pilgrim people marching together. This was a new idea for Catholics. We were accustomed to think of Church authority as a pyramid structure with the pope at the top.”

The nun said, the change in attitude has brought about the collegiality of the bishops, and on a diocesan level, the senates of priests, religious and laymen. “This new charisma and new leadership will bring about growth in the Church,” she said.

Sister Barbara commented, “Most important, perhaps is that in this new spirit of change and growth, we have come to admit that we don’t have all the answers to all the questions. We are learning and evolving, and no longer can pull the answers out of little boxes.”

Because Catholics are willing to take risks, even make mistakes as part of growth, there is bound to be tension in the Church, Sister Barbara concluded.

Discussing service and the role of the layman, Flanagan said, “Christ gave us a simple teaching, ‘love one another as I have loved you.’ We all know what our ministers, priests and religious are doing, but what is the layman doing to implement the simple teaching of Christ?”

He said, “All Christians are members of the People of God, and in this time of change in the Church, people too often see the changes but are unwilling to take responsibility. As Christian laymen, have we done our part in bringing Christ’s words to others?”

Some questions and comments in the discussion that followed:

“Briefly explain the purpose of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.”

“Would you please explain what you mean by Vatican II?”

“What is the reaction of the average Catholic layman to the new changes? Are they as excited about it as you are?” Father Kemp answered, “I would say there is about as much reaction as there is in the world to change. There are those who are ahead pulling the Church along, and those who are extremely reactionary.”

Flanagan added, “There are many people who accept the changes, but have not reached the point where they take responsibility of the priesthood of the laity.”

“Was there a time when Catholics couldn’t go to a Protestant Church?”

Father Kemp answered, “There has been a change in stance. We are still separated brethren, but the emphasis now is on the word, ‘brethren’. For a long time, we thought that as Catholics, we were the only fish in the pond. Now we have come to realize that this isn’t so, but we still think that we are the biggest and the best equipped to swim.”