Your Catholic friend speaks for the majority of Catholics I've encountered on FR who do not consider Scripture to be authoritative on a multitude of topics. Her comment that 'no one takes that stuff seriously' speaks to the people in her personal circle; her priest, her family, her friends, and her fellow parishioners. As remarkable as her comment sounds I find it consistent with my experience of Catholics on FR.
I'd say you found the problem, right there.
It has nothing to do with think Scripture isn't authoritative, but everything to do with thinking Scripture doesn't teach that stuff.
Her comment that ‘no one takes that stuff seriously’ speaks to the people in her personal circle; her priest, her family, her friends, and her fellow parishioners.
I was raised Catholic and although I credit and thank the church with establishing my wonderful relationship with Jesus, we did not discuss scripture and I never heard of the rapture. I was a “cafeteria Catholic” from age 10 when I decided I would talk directly to Jesus about my sins every day and stopped going to confession. Made no sense to put the priest between me and Jesus. Jesus healed me and talked to me during those sessions. The Priest, not so much. Also, I loved to pray so calling it penance made no sense to me. With Jesus, He’d expect and teach me about repentance and atonement. Like when I took my sister’s pack of gum, He wanted me to put three packs of gum in her drawer to make things even and to heal her hurt I caused. Baby sitting money came in handy. : )
For God so loved the world He sent a book.
Are you putting scripture above Christ? Sure sounds like it.