PHKaplok Kaplok
Forum Guru
So, about a month ago, my partner's grandmother visited the US. Aside from touring her around in well know tourist spots, we also took her to church every Sunday, because she is a devoted Catholic.
Here are a few things she noticed in churches here, in contrast to how she always known churches are based on her experience in the Philippines:
1. Majority of the church-goers go as a family, including the dads and grandfathers, versus the Philippines where it is mostly ladies with their kids, grand kids or by themself. There are men who goes to church by themself, which is a very uncommon sight in the Philippines.
2. Church-goers, despite being presentably dressed, they are not overly dressed as if going to a dinner date or business meeting. No one flaunting branded clothes or expensive jewelries.
3. There are vastly more deacons, and they behave more like priests. They lead the mass and perform baptisms. Aside from that, they perform this alongside with their wife, which makes an interesting dynamic (that i have never seen personally in the Philippines, and neither did grandma.)
4. Deacons' sermons sound more human. They don't resort to childish jokes to make the sermon interesting. They sound more conversational, and if it gets funny, it is because they are so relatable or genuinely funny. (Example was when within the sermon he shares the story of him surfing.)
5. Although they are more direct when talking about monetary offerings and donation, the way they deliver these messages are more compelling, and does not feel like extortion.
Before coming to the US, I have always thought that this country is so liberal and are less religious than Filipinos, but to be honest Catholic churches seems healthier in the US than it is in the Philippines.
Here are a few things she noticed in churches here, in contrast to how she always known churches are based on her experience in the Philippines:
1. Majority of the church-goers go as a family, including the dads and grandfathers, versus the Philippines where it is mostly ladies with their kids, grand kids or by themself. There are men who goes to church by themself, which is a very uncommon sight in the Philippines.
2. Church-goers, despite being presentably dressed, they are not overly dressed as if going to a dinner date or business meeting. No one flaunting branded clothes or expensive jewelries.
3. There are vastly more deacons, and they behave more like priests. They lead the mass and perform baptisms. Aside from that, they perform this alongside with their wife, which makes an interesting dynamic (that i have never seen personally in the Philippines, and neither did grandma.)
4. Deacons' sermons sound more human. They don't resort to childish jokes to make the sermon interesting. They sound more conversational, and if it gets funny, it is because they are so relatable or genuinely funny. (Example was when within the sermon he shares the story of him surfing.)
5. Although they are more direct when talking about monetary offerings and donation, the way they deliver these messages are more compelling, and does not feel like extortion.
Before coming to the US, I have always thought that this country is so liberal and are less religious than Filipinos, but to be honest Catholic churches seems healthier in the US than it is in the Philippines.