As a former cradle Catholic, I have found many Protestant churches much more welcomin

[Kristine1957]

Good evening eveyone,

I am a cradle catholic but really at the age of 47 just transfered from the cradle to the playpen. I must thank the Holy Spirit and our Blessed Mother to getting me back fully to the church.

Yes I do feel born again and am now a sponge in learning my faith. Yes I knew the basics but was missing the history of the church, the Saints, understanding fully the sacred teachings, traditions, and Scriptures.

It is amazing how much the prophets of the old testament foresaw the coming of Christ.

How Jesus did make all things new tranferring the old convenant to the new.

beginning with Genesis the creation of man without sin,
Adam and Eve being born without sin but later falling to sin.

Now Jesus and Mary, the New Adam and Eve, mankind being born “without sin once again”, however lived without sin, and died without sin.

Funny enough I went to Catholic grammar school for 9 years. Received all my sacraments and was taught the basic cathechism but I did never really knew my faith.

I know now Catholism is the one true church of Christ and is the only true way to salvation.

Protestant comes from the word to protest. What was the protest? Who were they protesting, Who wrote the bible? yes I know the answers " divorce, Peter’s Sucessor the Pope being the devil, and the list goes on".

My Protestant brothers do take the bible literally when they want to refute many areas professed by the Catholic Church, but do not believe in the transubstansiation of the Mass, the changing of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ.
This was spoken numerous times by Christ and at one point lost many followers at the time Christ taught this in the Temples. This was meant literally.

Yes I do believe that many protestant churches are probably more welcoming however I am not looking for approval and to feel good from my fellow man when folllowing Christ. I am looking for a personal relationship with Jesus. When you find this there is a sense of peacefulness and I receive this by being in communion with Christ’s Church,receiving communion, and trying not to sin and being repentent when I do.

For those of you that do not believe in confession, well all I have to say is the face to face confessional is a way of admitting your sins (failings) to Christ through his Church. Embarrassment and not wanting to disappoint Jesus impedes me from committing them again. Admitting one faults to another however private it is will not be an easy thing to do, but what good is repentence if you keep it to yourself. ( yes I am sorry I hurt you but will not tell others I was wrong) However I am human and do sin again but a whole lot less.
For Jesus told his Apostles “whose sins you forgive will be forgiven and those you retain will be retained”. Well I am not retaining anything from Jesus’s Apostolotic successors and want to follow the bible as literally as possible with as much common sense as possible.

Holy Communiion (the Eucharist) is the most powerful truth we as Catholics have. I know now I not only believe in Christ but Christ is within me and I in Him. For I do eat his body and drink his blood and will have eternal life.

I am not saying that if you are a protestant or any other Religion you will not be with Christ for I will not judge as I do not want to be judged. What I need is Mercy.

WELCOME HOME!!!

 

[Chancellare]

There is a very encompassing notion when you are a Catholic to only accept that which comes from the magisterium if it is not written in scripture and sometimes accept what the magisterium says even in contradiction to scripture. This is much more focused to one that has been out of the Catholic realm for quite some time. Why do you believe that mary was taken into heaven body and soul? First, I do not believe this at all, but you must in order to be Catholic. What is the belief built upon?? Certainly not scripture, you won’t find a hint of this. It was a pope who declared this as dogma. This disproves your belief of the truth as never changing. If you believed this to be true before the pope of this time declared it as dogma you would have been involved in heresey. If you didn’t believe it after the pope declared it dogma, again you would be in heresey. How can the truth change all in one person?? Scripture does not speak to that ever!

Hi Traveller,
I think your example is borne from incomplete understanding of Catholic doctrines to start with. At this condition, the people who converted you from Catholicism did an easy job ( just a matter of welcoming and country club atmosphere did it)
I have lots of relatives who are non-Catholics and I see where you’re coming from. You must have been convinced with “bible alone” doctrine. Try to read more history and Early Church Fathers literature and you will understand that not all things that are true and righteous only come from the Bible alone. Or about the development of doctrines. Even Anglicans believe in development of doctrines.Mary’s Assumption was no exception. The author who developed it was a former Anglican himself: Cardinal John Newman.

Even the Bible came from Catholic Church. Even the phrase ‘God’s Word’ does not mean ‘Bible’. Try testing this: Look for the phrase in your bible that says “Word of God”. Then try to look it up in its contextual meaning and you notice that it would mean ‘Chirst’ himself or ‘the Law’, or God’s creative utterances and apostolic and prophetic preachings.

Just citing some examples where we really need to know our faith.

 

[RLT]

Hi. I wanted to answer your questions as to how they relate to me: a Catholic who has been going to a Protestant church (as well as my Catholic Church) because I get so much more out of the Baptist service.

Yes. It keeps me on the right path by hanging around other Godly women. It also enables me to see Christ within these people. Finally, it gives me the opportunity to study His word in fellowship with other Christians who are going through the same struggles as a sinner that I am.

I think both. Good quality service is important, but if you’re only serving others once a year, then how is that living the Gospel?

You are never in any obligation to join x number of groups. But it certainly is nice having many options open to you. It seems in the Catholic church that there are so few fellowship groups that if one doesn’t fit your schedule or spiritual need, then you are out of luck.

Protestants believe that the Holy Spirit lives within each believer. So, to a protestant, Christ already lives within them.

Sometimes it does. We need to have fellowship as believers. We need to learn from each other. We need to lean on each other and pray for each other. I know that I, personally, have become a better Christian since joining the Ladies Bible Studies, Women’s mentoring group, etc.

I have never seen a protestant service that was not humble to the Lord. Have you ever listened to the words in their praise & worship songs? The pastor at the baptist church is extremely humble in his sermons as well.

What is a “stand out in a worship group”?

Where? I don’t remember seeing that.

Absolutely. I don’t think you’ll find an argument here from even a non-Catholic. I think of all the missionary work that Baptist Church does, and all the charity as well.

They are done by Catholics through hospitals, St Vincent de Paul Societies, charities, outreach groups and so on.

Wow, after reading this it seems to me that your walking the razors edge with the wind blowing you towards our protestant bretheren. You really need to ask yourself why you even stay Catholic. Why it is that you don’t ultimately make that leap.
and don’t misunderstand me as telling you to “well if you don’t like it, you can leave.”

…and what happened to the OP?

 

[a_priori]

I have to say that one of the many reasons why I left the Catholic church wasn’t so much the Catholic teachings but the way in which the Catholic church really fails to reach out in fellowship not only to its own parishioners, but to others as well. I have been received into the Anglican church for a few years now along with my wife and my son and I must say that our teachings and Liturgy is about 90% the same as Roman Catholics and the way we are close to Christ and really share that with our parishioners and others is something I really missed out on for many years. Why does the Roman Catholic church really lack that zeal for fellowship and out reach?

The concept of being “welcoming” has more to do with a given area of the country or a specific parish. My Catholic parish is by far the most welcoming Church I’ve ever been in and during the past 40 years, trust me, I’ve hit 'em all.

It’s my job to reach out, not the “other guy’s”. At the Judgement, I won’t be able to blame my parish for not reaching out. It will have been me who didn’t reach out.

 

[awantz]

We do have fellowship with other believers, but these gatherings are seperate to the Parish’s times of Mass.

Well, the person I was responding to said it wasn’t in the Bible. I wasn’t trying to say you don’t. As far as what you said, they need to do them on different days of the week, instead of always on the same day and at the same time. I have at least two different reasons for saying this. One, I have a disability that keeps me from driving. So, I can only go when my husband goes and noone else is willing to help me with transportation. Two, My husband works 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM the second half of the week, Thursday-Saturday and every other Wendsday, and everything seems to be planned then. Why don’t they try a different time?

 

[c659smith]

Have you tried contacting a parish near you to help with transportation. such as the Legion of Mary, Catholic women organizations, Rosary Makers, Eucharistic Ministers, the Brothers, Deacons, the parish priest. This may be a way to start that fellowship you are looking for.

Ask and you shall receive, Seek and you shall find. Light up that latern and keep it on the nightstand. Do not place the latern under the bed. Let them know you are there and do not let them forget it.

 

[awantz]

Have you tried contacting a parish near you to help with transportation. such as the Legion of Mary, Catholic women organizations, Rosary Makers, Eucharistic Ministers, the Brothers, Deacons, the parish priest. This may be a way to start that fellowship you are looking for.

Ask and you shall receive, Seek and you shall find. Light up that latern and keep it on the nightstand. Do not place the latern under the bed. Let them know you are there and do not let them forget it.

Our deacon would love to help, but I think he is getting near the end of his life here on earth. Especially since he lost his wife.
My husband is a Eucharistic Minister.
I never thought about asking the parish priest. We recently got a new one and he is more friendly than the last one. Maybe I’ll give that a try. I’ve never heard of any of the others.

 

[lak611]

Our deacon would love to help, but I think he is getting near the end of his life here on earth. Especially since he lost his wife.
My husband is a Eucharistic Minister.
I never thought about asking the parish priest. We recently got a new one and he is more friendly than the last one. Maybe I’ll give that a try. I’ve never heard of any of the others.

I’m not sure if you live in a big city or a small town and what their public transit system is like. Here in Cleveland, the public transit system has special busses for the disabled that will come and pick them up at home and then they can transfer to a regular bus (all of which have wheelchair lifts). The bus fares are reduced for seniors and disabled also. Is public transportation an option where you live?

 

[awantz]

I’m not sure if you live in a big city or a small town and what their public transit system is like. Here in Cleveland, the public transit system has special busses for the disabled that will come and pick them up at home and then they can transfer to a regular bus (all of which have wheelchair lifts). The bus fares are reduced for seniors and disabled also. Is public transportation an option where you live?

Yes, there is public transportatio, but I’d have to walk a ways to get to a pick up point. You seem to think I’m in a wheelchair, but that is not my disability. I’ve been epileptic since I was 2 years old.

 

[lak611]

Yes, there is public transportatio, but I’d have to walk a ways to get to a pick up point. You seem to think I’m in a wheelchair, but that is not my disability. I’ve been epileptic since I was 2 years old.

Sorry. I did not know what your disability is, but just suggested public transportation as a possible alternative. I am not sure what the requirements are for the special busses here in Cleveland, but I know that not everybody who takes them is in a wheelchair, so other disabilities do qualify. It’s probably different in every city, though. I know that public transportation here is not as good as in other cities. There are a lot of places that are not on the bus line. I actually live in the city, so I only have to walk about a block for a bus if I choose not to drive somewhere, but there are many suburban areas that the busses do not travel to.

 

[awantz]

Sorry. I did not know what your disability is, but just suggested public transportation as a possible alternative. I am not sure what the requirements are for the special busses here in Cleveland, but I know that not everybody who takes them is in a wheelchair, so other disabilities do qualify. It’s probably different in every city, though. I know that public transportation here is not as good as in other cities. There are a lot of places that are not on the bus line. I actually live in the city, so I only have to walk about a block for a bus if I choose not to drive somewhere, but there are many suburban areas that the busses do not travel to.

The city I live in is a lot smaller than Cleveland. So, the bus route isn’t as good and with me being in my seventh month of pregnancy it is very hard for me to walk very far. However, it was a good idea if we had a better transportation system here.

 

[boppaid]

Wow, after reading this it seems to me that your walking the razors edge with the wind blowing you towards our protestant bretheren. You really need to ask yourself why you even stay Catholic. Why it is that you don’t ultimately make that leap.
and don’t misunderstand me as telling you to “well if you don’t like it, you can leave.”

…and what happened to the OP?

It’s a good question. I do ask that myself. First, I think it’s because I was raised to believe that it is the original church of Christ. I’m afraid to leave, because it’s Christ’s church. Secondly, I was also raised to believe that if I willingly leave the CC, after knowing the fullness of the faith, than I will go to hell. Only the protestants who for lack of a better phrase “don’t know any better” can still possibly get to heaven. But a catholic who rejects her faith certainly will not. Not sure if I believe it, but the fear I feel is real. And if it is true, I certainly don’t want to lead my husband and kids away.

So I continue on, trying to understand the Catholic Church, but never getting it. I am going through the motions. I go to coffession. I go to mass. My kids are making their sacraments, etc. But my heart doesn’t believe.

 

[genealogist]

One thing to remember is that many of the former Catholics who are not Protestants are divorced. They wanted to set up their own liturgical rules and found a community willing to applaud their adultery. Great new members, great churches that really stand for something. It might have been this lack of committment that made their marriages fail.

Church should be friendly etc. bu that is not the standard. Even if they are friendly other things like true doctrine matter more. On tv Tony Soprano is not all bad but he is headed to hell nonetheless because of the theft and especially the murders. Mortal sin kilss the grace in you and casts you out from God’s family.

I hope some of these people enjoy the fellowship now because they might not like their final destination so much.

The parish should work to be friendlier and offer ministries that meet today’s needs. But just like it is not okay to leave your wife because she is a so so cook or a so so lover it is wrong to bail from the bride of Christ for a pretend bride in the Anglican church.

 

[guanophore]

It’s a good question. I do ask that myself. First, I think it’s because I was raised to believe that it is the original church of Christ. I’m afraid to leave, because it’s Christ’s church. Secondly, I was also raised to believe that if I willingly leave the CC, after knowing the fullness of the faith, than I will go to hell. Only the protestants who for lack of a better phrase “don’t know any better” can still possibly get to heaven. But a catholic who rejects her faith certainly will not. Not sure if I believe it, but the fear I feel is real. And if it is true, I certainly don’t want to lead my husband and kids away.

So I continue on, trying to understand the Catholic Church, but never getting it. I am going through the motions. I go to coffession. I go to mass. My kids are making their sacraments, etc. But my heart doesn’t believe.

this was my exact experience also. I spent three years in seminary trying to figure it out. I have not read all your posts, but I wonder, what are you “not getting”? Why do you say your heart does not believe?

 

[Eireann]

I have to say that one of the many reasons why I left the Catholic church wasn’t so much the Catholic teachings but the way in which the Catholic church really fails to reach out in fellowship not only to its own parishioners, but to others as well. I have been received into the Anglican church for a few years now along with my wife and my son and I must say that our teachings and Liturgy is about 90% the same as Roman Catholics and the way we are close to Christ and really share that with our parishioners and others is something I really missed out on for many years. Why does the Roman Catholic church really lack that zeal for fellowship and out reach?

I don’t need this fellow-ship, personally I need fellowship with Jesus in the Eucharistic and the rest follows, I don’t go to Mass for the " feel good factor " even if I was the only person at Mass along with the Priest, or at Eucharistic Adoration, then that would be enough for me.

Some do seem to need the Sunday school approach, I’ve got along fine without that, probably I don’t miss what I never had, heard a few street preaching non-catholics from time to time, and I’d rather go to Mass any-day.

Anyway if I or you believe that the Catholic Church has/had the fullness of truth, how could you leave it, unless you never believed it had in the first place ?

There are a number of groups in my own Church, at least here in this part of Ireland.

 

[boppaid]

this was my exact experience also. I spent three years in seminary trying to figure it out. I have not read all your posts, but I wonder, what are you “not getting”? Why do you say your heart does not believe?

I just don’t believe in papal infallibility, the fact that Christ no longer resides in you when you sin, until you receive official absolution from a priest, and I’m not sure the apocryphia (sp?). None of it makes sense to me, although I try so hard. But I just don’t believe. What do I do then?

 

[c659smith]

just don’t believe in papal infallibility

What that that word mean?

Well the Pope being given special graces from the Holy Spirit when making decisions regarding Church teachings is infallable as the Holy Spirit is infallable.

There is a reason for this,an ultimate end, and that is for God’s reasoning not ours.

A young man saves his money and buys a stallion and his family says that is good.

The stallion runs away and the family says that is bad.

The stallion returns with 12 mares and the family says that is good.

The young man while riding one of the horses gets thrown and breaks his leg and the family says that is bad.

There is a war and the young man cannot go to war because of the broken leg and the family says that is good.

 

[jmcrae]

I just don’t believe in papal infallibility, the fact that Christ no longer resides in you when you sin, until you receive official absolution from a priest, and I’m not sure the apocryphia (sp?). None of it makes sense to me, although I try so hard. But I just don’t believe. What do I do then?

Study what the Church actually teaches about these things, using the Catechism and the other documents of the Church that are referenced in the Catechism.

This will take a bit of work - but you didn’t get the success you have today in other areas of your life without a bit of work. This is no different.

 

[guanophore]

I just don’t believe in papal infallibility, the fact that Christ no longer resides in you when you sin, until you receive official absolution from a priest, and I’m not sure the apocryphia (sp?). None of it makes sense to me, although I try so hard. But I just don’t believe. What do I do then?

What is your understanding of papal infallibility?

What do you think happens between you and Jesus when you sin?

What are the apocrypha?

I suspect that you have not been properly educated on these issues.

 

[Jlynch]

Early christians were comitted to fellowship. The Catholic church could use some imorovement here( I’m a Catholic). Many parishes are now creating small groups which meet during the week. For many people the once a week mass is not enough to keep them on track spiritually. The best way we can glorify god is to live a Christlike life. The fellowship of other Catholics is essential for me. Find a parish with small groups and you may be more excited.-]/-]