Afraid to move forward, but can't stay here

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You can join the RCIA group without committing to joining the Catholic Church. I hope you’ll give it a try. : )
 
bankerdavid said:
Marcus Grodi also has a novel about this very thing. A Congregationalist preacher moves up from seminary 19 years of preaching sola scriptura and sola fide, then finds out what the truth really is. I don’t remember the name, but I will post it later.
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*How Firm a Foundation. *Bad novel but a really good read for those who are going through the process. He covers all the bases, using examples from his experience with many, many clergy converts.
 
Terri, how was Mass Thursday morning?
Peace, love, and blessings,
Spirithound
 
Spirithound said:
Terri, how was Mass Thursday morning?
Peace, love, and blessings,
Spirithound
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I overslept and missed it…But I will go Tuesday morning, I promise, I was out of town all weekend, and Thursday I spent the whole day running around getting things in order to leave that night when I got my kids.
 
Teeliumtrozzle said:
Learn all about both types of Christianity, learn Catholic history, doctrines, and customs, as well as any Baptist ones you dont know,and do not be biased,and forget about what others think, and forget about your famillys religion, and then just ask yourself…

Do you believe in the teachings of Born Again Christians, or do you believe in the teachings of Roman Catholichism?

Which do you agree with and which makes more sense to you?

Do you agree that you would have stayed in the church in the Middle Ages, and chosen that way of making it better, or do you agree that you would have left and become Protestant?Even if you would have left, do you think that now that the Pope is better and abuses are gone, you would love to folllow him?(this is the most difficult one)

If you believe most in Roman Catholichism, and think you would have stayed in the Church and gotton a better Pope, and really want to be Catholic, then convert, and if you don’t, don’t.Do not be influenced by your familly.Just trust God.
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The problem with this is I don’t feel like I have the authority, anymore, to decide what is the truth. Just because it is something that I think is true doesn’t mean I am right. If you had said this a month ago I would have followed your advice, and that is how I ended up thinking this way in the first place…🤷 😃
 
Terri,

As many others said - “Try RCIA”. No commitment necessary!

Also, a parish I used to attend in my youth had “Mass Buddies”. Basically, any non-catholic who wanted to attend Mass, yet felt uncomfortable alone, could request one.

Perhaps if you let us know what area you’re in - maybe you could “Buddy-up” with someone.

Just a suggestion!!!

Many blessings to you!
 
I live in Salisbury, NC. 👍 There. It would be great to go with someone. I suppose I am just afraid, actually I am, that is how I ended up asking this question. I know I need to just go and suck it up and call the parish and follow the steps I am being pulled to, but I am a person, and I am not perfect. But anyway. Ia m going to go on Tuesday morning. It is really early morning, and I am going. I am going. I am going! (I am trying to convince myself, not ya’ll)

~T
 
terri_fortner said:
I live in Salisbury, NC. 👍 There. It would be great to go with someone. I suppose I am just afraid, actually I am, that is how I ended up asking this question. I know I need to just go and suck it up and call the parish and follow the steps I am being pulled to, but I am a person, and I am not perfect. But anyway. Ia m going to go on Tuesday morning. It is really early morning, and I am going. I am going. I am going! (I am trying to convince myself, not ya’ll)

~T
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You know what? Just tell yourself that when you go on Tuesday morning you can leave at any time for any reason. You will not be chained to the pews until you are “dismissed”!! 😃

Also, you might come away from your first Mass not fully understanding everything that went on. You may find if very quiet and reverent. That’s because the Mass is essentially one big prayer. Any talking and socializing is done in the vestibule before and after Mass.

So, just go and plan on a quiet, contemplative time with God. Follow along in the missal if you wish. Or not. But plan on going several times. And ask questions!!! Question Question Question because that is how you will learn!! Either post here or ask a friend who accompanies you!

God bless!
 
Also, find out if they have Eucharistic Adoration and when it is. Just sitting in the presence of Our Lord - what a gift!!
 
terri_fortner said:
I live in Salisbury, NC. 👍 There. It would be great to go with someone. I suppose I am just afraid, actually I am, that is how I ended up asking this question. I know I need to just go and suck it up and call the parish and follow the steps I am being pulled to, but I am a person, and I am not perfect. But anyway. Ia m going to go on Tuesday morning. It is really early morning, and I am going. I am going. I am going! (I am trying to convince myself, not ya’ll)

~T
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You are going with someone, Jesus. 🙂
 
terri_fortner said:
I live in Salisbury, NC. 👍 There. It would be great to go with someone. I suppose I am just afraid, actually I am, that is how I ended up asking this question. I know I need to just go and suck it up and call the parish and follow the steps I am being pulled to, but I am a person, and I am not perfect. But anyway. Ia m going to go on Tuesday morning. It is really early morning, and I am going. I am going. I am going! (I am trying to convince myself, not ya’ll)

~T
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I recommend Scott Hahn’s book The Lamb’s Supper for anyone attending Mass for the first time. Hahn, expecting to find a neo-pagan, idolatrous, statue-worshiping cultic orgy, found the Book of Revelation in full dress. He was astonished to find that almost every word was drawn from Scripture.
 
Okay I went! I am so glad I did, although I was terribly tired I still got up and went. Daily Mass is at 7 am here… Also, I have been to mass before for those who might have missed that in the original post. I went almost every sunday for two years when I was 15, and 16. I ev en attended some confirmation classes with my friend who was born Catholic.

I again felt that longing for communion. I am reading a lot of books right now. I’ll finish Mere Christianity today, and I am working on Scott Hahn’s Reasons to believe. I am also reading Father forgive me, and The how to book of Catholic devotionals, and I have a copy of the catechism, although I have yet to crack it open. I think I am a little intimidated by it.

I am going to the parish office today just as soon as I can leave the house again. There are people here working on my bathroom floor, and my landlord has still not shown up…

I feel like I am not doing everything I can be doing and after a long talk with my neighbor about choices we make and letting our fears run our lives I know I need ot follow my own advice. Thank you all for your support. :grouphug:

I actually didn’t get to sleep until very late last night and when that alarm went off this morning I really didn’t want to get up and I started thinking of excuses to come on here nad give you, but I sucked it up and got up and went. I thought of something my sister once said, “Have you ever felt guilty or bad about going to church? How about not going?” I sat in the back, and I followed along. I still feel out of place there, but it was better this time. Then when I sat there while everyone else got up and recieved communion I felt really left ou. Like I was missing out on something so awesome, and I wanted to be part of it. I felt Him there, and I wanted to feel Him inside my body becoming part of my body, giving it life… I told someone other than my sister that I wasn’t getting my tubes tied today. I had planned on doing that after I had this baby, but I can’t do it now. I cannot in good concience do that to Gods body. She told me I was crazy. I told her I had faith. But anyway… That is what went down, now I am waiting on the landlord to get here. SO I can leave to go to the parish office and talk to someone.
 
Terri, my sister – this hunger you have for Holy Communion is nothing other than a very great personal grace from the Boss himself.

If you pursue your journey, be prepared to suffer with his longing until you are able to receive Our Lord in this way. They say that longing for the Eucharist is a very powerful and efficacious form of Penance . . . .

God love you! :hug3:
 
Hooray, I happy for you and the strong pull the Lord is giving you, what a blessing! There will be ups and downs, so don’t fret. Obedience is what keeps me going when things get rough, but right now it sounds pretty smooth. God Bless, Tim
 
My prayers will be with you on your journey home. Welcome, and I am so happy for you.
 
Just thought I would let ya’ll know what I have been up to. For the past two weeks I have been to Mass twice a week, usually on Tuesday and Thursday. I was going to go this morning, but alas I overslept AGAIN! Then I got up had my first contraction, this is the third pregnancy and the first time I have had a contraction, and knew it was that, without being in labor… I am excited, I am working on getting everything in order for the baby. I also called to get into RCIA classes, but I never got a call back. I’ll have ot call again On Monday I suppose. Been dealing with some issues with my husband, not liking the fact that I want to be Catholic, and threatening to divorce me. But I have prayed about it, and today he told me he had an appointment to talk to a phsyc dr. about all these issues. He is up and down on and off, I thin he might have bipolar, or boarderline personality. But that is just my opinion.

I have noticed that the more I attend Mass the more I know what to do. I remember some of the prayers, I follow along in the missal, and I know when its time to kneel and time ot stand, and I don’t feel like everyone is looking at me like I don’t belong anymore. Sometimes I’ll get that feeling, but I look up and see Jesus shining down from that cross, and I know I am home. :extrahappy: :extrahappy:
 
I’m so happy for you. I might suggest dragging your husband along to RCIA, or explaining to him why you want to be Catholic, or at least tell him that you’re just exploring, because RCIA does not necessarily consumate in becoming Catholic. But explain to him why at some point. I’ve been a Catholic for a little more than a year, and started helping with the RCIA program that was so instructive to me. We had a sort of pre-RCIA meeting with someone who is interested, and I was surprised how easily I was able to explain myself.

Also, try to lovingly deter your husband from making a rash decision (regarding divorce).

God bless you.
 
bankerdavid said:
I’m so happy for you. I might suggest dragging your husband along to RCIA, or explaining to him why you want to be Catholic, or at least tell him that you’re just exploring, because RCIA does not necessarily consumate in becoming Catholic. But explain to him why at some point. I’ve been a Catholic for a little more than a year, and started helping with the RCIA program that was so instructive to me. We had a sort of pre-RCIA meeting with someone who is interested, and I was surprised how easily I was able to explain myself.

Also, try to lovingly deter your husband from making a rash decision (regarding divorce).

God bless you.
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While this would work in a normal circumstance he is in Afghanistan. He will not return until April of 08. He will however be home on R&R in September when I am due to have his first child, my third (I was previously married all explained in OP). It happens a lot and while it does scare me I know that the next day he will be appolgizing and saying he doesn’t mean it. 😊 I actually told him yesterday that, “I am sorry but divorce is no longer an option for us. I just do not believe in them anymore.” And said a little prayer hoing that would be enough to subdue the beast until the next arguement. 🤷
 
terri_fortner said:
While this would work in a normal circumstance he is in Afghanistan. He will not return until April of 08. He will however be home on R&R in September when I am due to have his first child, my third (I was previously married all explained in OP). It happens a lot and while it does scare me I know that the next day he will be appolgizing and saying he doesn’t mean it. 😊 I actually told him yesterday that, “I am sorry but divorce is no longer an option for us. I just do not believe in them anymore.” And said a little prayer hoing that would be enough to subdue the beast until the next arguement. 🤷
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I remember, please forgive my (slightly) older brain for lapsing. BTW, thank your husband for me for what he’s doing, all he’s suffering. Bravo on your divorce response. With what he’s going through, that may be true about having an emotional issue, being loving in one minute and angry the next.

As for you, consider this-you know that priests (no matter their rank) are the biggest targets of the enemy? Why? Separate the shepherd, scatter the sheep. Please understand that the devil will be working overtime to deter you from your conversion…keep on praying, keep on going to mass, learn about eucharistic adoration, pray the rosary. These things will help keep you strong.

But God bless you, you’re in my prayers.
 
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