Any suggestions appreciated

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Catherine7

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Hi,
I was baptised and confirmed in the Episcopal church, and over the last 5-10 years faith has become a more important part of my life. As I’ve made an effort to learn more, I worry that there is no cohesive structure to what we believe… I am feeling increasingly lost. I am not ready to take any drastic steps, but I’m beginning to appreciate some of the tradition and structure that (at least in online exploring) seems to be a part of the Catholic church. I’m not at a point where I’d want to join an rica (rcia?) class, but I would like to learn more. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks.
 
Hello Cathrine7. My husband fell away from the church about 25 years ago but he came back for the very reason you are putting forth, structure. One thing the church does have & has always had is continuity. Remember Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and tomorrow. His church strives to do the same. That’s probably why we are always at odds with the secular world. I would suggest, for starters, to watch EWTN esp “The Journey Home” series. There is a lot to learn and if you are hungry for truth you will find it there. Good luck! 😉
 
The course of study in preparation for RCIA is very much aimed at people in your situation. It’s not a commitment to become Catholic, it’s a study course to decide if it’s the right thing, and learn about Catholicism. Participants then are invited to comity themselves around Christmas time, while making further preparation in advance of joining the Church in Easter.

You could look to see if there are any catholic parishes which hold a prayer group or bible study where you could attend and learn a bit more before you decide to sign u to an RCIA course.

You could also tune in to your local or an internet Catholic Radio station. The EWTN network have some programs explicitly aimed at people in your situation. These could help you explore some of the questions involved.

Give it more thought and prayer. perhaps The Lord is calling you to His Church.
 
Hey Catherine…welcome to the forum!!!

I have a wonderful book you could read. It is called Christ Among Us.

amazon.com/Christ-Among-Us-Presentation-Catholic/dp/0060693495

Many in my family are Episcopalian and Anglo Catholic. Many have joined the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. love the Episcopalian faith, but sad to see the direction it is going. I hope with much prayer and reading, you find peace.
 
That’s awesome! I don’t want to brag, but the Catholic Church is the sole Church that Christ founded… not by a person like countless other Christian denominations. Though God was fully human, He was also fully divine, and said to St. Peter, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18)
God Bless you.
 
Welcome to CAF 🙂

You may wish to begin by talking to your priest. Find out which Catholic parish you live in (the diocesan offices can assist with that) and make an appointment with its pastor. Once you’ve told him what you’ve said here, he should be able to give you suggestions on how to proceed that would be most appropriate for your situation and where you are on your spiritual journey.

The Husband is in a similar place—he is a non-practicing Reform Protestant, who in essence took the required courses to be baptized, got baptized at age 16, then stopped going to church. He’s found (mostly since being married to me) that his beliefs are far more in line with Catholic teaching than with what he learned in the Reform church. He, too, laments the lack of cohesive structure in his church, as well as what he perceives to be inconsistencies between Scripture and what his church teaches. He comes to Mass with me with increasing frequency, but I can’t get him to attend services at the local Reform church for love or money. In our nine years living in this area, he has not once set foot in the Reform church.

A year ago, he made an appointment with my pastor to discuss something related to our marriage but not directly spiritual that had been bothering him for eight years. He intended for this to be a one-off meeting, but they’ve maintained a monthly hour-long appointment together ever since. During his last appointment, The Husband announced that while he was not ready to commit to converting he did want to learn more about the Catholic faith. RCIA is handled at the diocesan level where I live, and The Husband found that idea intimidating so Fr. B will probably instruct him one-on-one for the time being.

It is through contacting your priest that you may find the best way forward for you specifically.

Like Patti, I also recommend “The Journey Home” on EWTN. It helped bring my lapsed mother back to the Church after 27 years away! :yup:

May God bless you abundantly! I will remember you in my daily prayers. :signofcross:
 
Thank you for all the great ideas. I’ll check out that book, and the “journey home” series sounds interesting. It’s not an easy thing to even consider leaving… I always wonder about people who have joined multiple denominations/religions over the years (this shouldn’t be like shopping, right?). At the same time, while I’m really happy with the social aspects of my experience in church, I feel lost at times in the sense that (to be very honest) I don’t know what we really believe. I’m ok with uncertainty and ambiguity but there is so much of it I struggle to find a clear message. Maybe I’m not meant to be a spiritual “seeker”, but I would like to be part of something genuine, with deeper connections than familiarity. It’s not easy though. Thanks for taking the time to help!
 
Catherine7 said:
Thank you for all the great ideas. I’ll check out that book, and the “journey home” series sounds interesting. It’s not an easy thing to even consider leaving… I always wonder about people who have joined multiple denominations/religions over the years (this shouldn’t be like shopping, right?). At the same time, while I’m really happy with the social aspects of my experience in church, I feel lost at times in the sense that (to be very honest) I don’t know what we really believe. I’m ok with uncertainty and ambiguity but there is so much of it I struggle to find a clear message. Maybe I’m not meant to be a spiritual “seeker”, but I would like to be part of something genuine, with deeper connections than familiarity. It’s not easy though. Thanks for taking the time to help!
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Hi Catherine,

We are ALL destined to be seekers! God plants a desire in every human heart to know and to love him! And God expects us to help each other to journey in faith.

Here are some free on-line resources for you to use. Enjoy your journey!

The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
(598 questions and answers on the fundamentals of the faith + Catholic Prayers + Formulas of Catholic Doctrine)
usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catechism/compendium/

The Catechism of the Catholic Church
(Catechesis on the four pillars of our living Church – what we believe, the sacraments, morals, and prayer)
usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catechism/catechism-of-the-catholic-church/epub/index.cfm

Catholic Bible: New American Bible Revised Edition
usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/index.cfm

Living in Christ: The Bible, The Living Word of God, Robert Rabe, Saint Mary’s Press, 2011
(A high school religion book–there’s nothing wrong with us adults starting out at high school level to get the basics!)
sanmiguelcristorey.org/ourpages/auto/2013/1/14/40586260/TheBible.pdf
excerpt from page 13:
In the words of Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430), “The whole life of a good Christian is a holy desire to see God as He is.” Because we came from God and are going toward Him our ultimate desire is union with him. As religious beings, our whole spiritual journey is characterized by an unceasing craving to know the saving hand of God. When we respond to the invitation to live in communion with God, we become more fully the people he created us to be.

Beginning Catholic: Basic Tenets of Catholicism
beginningcatholic.com/tenets-of-catholicism.html

**“Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!” **(Psalm 105:3)
 
Hi Catherine,
I understand ! I fell away from the Church and experimented in Anglican and Assemblies of God churches in Australia and elsewhere. None of those churches have the traditions which Catholics have. Christ founded a teaching church and not a Bible reading church.
Please visit my website where I have a section discussing how the Holy Bible proves the Catholic church as being the true Church.
www.catholicprayergroup.net
I will pray for you.
God bless!
 
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