Any advice for new Catholics?

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If you love Jesus (the only reason to be Catholic), you may now spend time in His physical presence. Ask at your parish when they offer adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (also known as holy hour). Then, just go and spend time adoring your Savior in silence. Outside of the Eastern Orthodox Churches, there is no other place on earth where you can do this. It is the best-kept secret in all of Christianity.

Two books:

Catholicism for Dummies

7 Secrets of the Eucharist
 
Just realize that you are in a lifelong commitment with Our Lord. The Catholic faith is a beautiful way to worship God and prayer is the key. My wife, also a convert, has felt a special relationship with the Blessed Mother, as she is also a mother and the deep respect that the Catholic faith has for the Mother of God just made so much sense to her. Take things slow and steadily explore all the mysteries of the Church.
 
Here is a good blog post about pitfalls for new converts.

My advice, enjoy the high while it lasts, but remember at some point you will come down from it and that doesn’t mean you are losing your faith or doubting or doing something wrong, it is normal.

Second, find some way to get involved! Join the choir, help with religious ed or RCIA, join a rosary group, go to daily mass, help at the soup kitchen, become a reader or EMHC, help in the office, whatever. There are so many benefits to being involved in something at your parish. You get to know people, make friends who are strong Catholics, you learn so much by doing and helping, you really feel like part of the family, it is harder to drift away if people are expecting to see you every week or month or whatever, and we are supposed to give of our time and talents as well as our treasure. 👍

And welcome home! 😃
 
Yes: Revel in your new-found faith, and throw yourself into the arms of Jesus!

Don’t overwhelm yourself, and avoid a checklist sort of mentality. The Church isn’t a rule book. It’s more like a huge banquet. You’ve just entered the Church that has the fullness of faith, and it’s tempting to want to gobble everything down all at once, like one of those all-you-can-eat buffets. Relax. There’s plenty enough to go around, nobody’s going to take your plate away from you, and there is plenty to keep you intrigued for the rest of your life! Relax, savor, and enjoy the richness the Catholic Church has to offer. Learn to read Scripture by immersing yourself in the scenes, picturing them unfolding as if you are right there. Get acquainted with a few saints through their writings. Learn to take time for prayer and meditation every day, even if it’s just for ten or fifteen minutes. You’ll come to rely on it, and feel cheated if you miss. Get to Mass more often than just on Sundays, get to Adoration, avail yourself of the sacraments frequently. That’s what they’re there for, to keep you close to God, and He loves it when you receive the sacraments lovingly and devoutly. He wants to spend time with you.

Welcome home!
 
I entered the Church last Easter, and the single most important thing I have found is to go to frequent Confession…I began with once a month, but now I go twice or three times a month. I also recommend adoration with the Blessed Sacrament.
 
This is a good thread.

Since I was only received last September and confirmed last month, I found myself asking, “Now what”?

I think for me and people like me, the greatest danger is becoming overwhelmed by doing too much.

So I’m learning to slow down and to focus on a maintaining a few spiritual practices consistently, like chanting the Prime office and saying the Rosary. Essentially maintaining my conversation with God throughout the day.

Prayer givesus the fuel that allows us to persevere.
 
KarenElissa said:
My advice, enjoy the high while it lasts, but remember at some point you will come down from it and that doesn’t mean you are losing your faith or doubting or doing something wrong, it is normal.
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Yes, this has somewhat already happened to me because I was disappointed about my family’s lack of interest in this life-changing event. I let their lack of care steal my joy prematurely. Anyway, this thread is great and has lots of ideas for me to rekindle the feelings. I’m reading the Bible and doing the Divine Mercy Chaplet currently. If I can make it to Mass during the week, I will but I will probably have to wait until Sunday. I’m also praying praying praying because I’m a little emotional right now.
 
TrueLight said:
This is a good thread.

Since I was only received last September and confirmed last month, I found myself asking, “Now what”?

I think for me and people like me, the greatest danger is becoming overwhelmed by doing too much.

So I’m learning to slow down and to focus on a maintaining a few spiritual practices consistently, like chanting the Prime office and saying the Rosary. Essentially maintaining my conversation with God throughout the day.

Prayer givesus the fuel that allows us to persevere.
Click to expand...
I like the picture you have here. I have the same prayer card taped facing outward on the window of my 18 wheeler. (my little bit of witnessing the faith)
 
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