The pity is that Catholics (like all people) need the personal relationship with Christ, but that’s rarely preached. My conservative-ish parish does hear that message though.
My wife loves the Church, tought CCD for many years and is a “minuteman” because the men don’t want to do it.
I was raised in the Baptist tradition, but we agreed to raise the kids Catholic. I have had a chance to see both sides.
Catholicism is complex, trying to understand Doctrine and Dogma requires a PhD. The Mass and the church’s are full of symbolism and significance and complicated meanings.
But, the one thing that my Catholic friends all understand is that you have to go on Sunday or go to hell. To them this means that the reverse is also true. Go to church on Sunday and you will go to heaven. I have never had a meaningful discussion about a sermon with a Catholic after mass. Being there is what’s important.
What is the most common complaint against the priest? It is his sermons are too long.
To be a Baptist, you have to join a church. To be saved, you have to accept Christ as your lord and saviour. You attend when you want, but you want to attend, after all, you CHOSE to join the church. People complain when the pastor talks too much, but they also complain about the substance and style of the sermon. The sermon is the reason for the service and your opinion on it is as valid as the pastor’s.
Now, I don’t know which is right or better, but I understand the attraction and detractions of both approaches.
I seem to get “stuck” teaching RCIC, the one thing I make clear from the beginning and throughout is “Jesus loves you” and we go from there. When you’re working with children from 12 to 15 who have no religious background you get down to the basics. After that I try to teach them how and where they can learn and I ask them to never stop learning.