I was raised in a Protestant family, and have recently decided to attend a local Episcopal church. But quite honestly, I feel very drawn to Catholicism, which is a shock to me. I have an interesting situation, however. I am married to an Atheist, and we have two children. He has agreed that I can take our children to church, but he will not be going with us.
I understand that I need to complete the RICA classes to become a Catholic, but I am holding back on starting that process because I have several misgivings regarding church teachings, particularly on birth control, for example. Also, since it’s not the tradition I grew up in, I have a difficult time understanding the Pope’s role in faith, as well as the idea of praying to/through Mary.
Can anyone guide me a bit here. I’m a mess, but with good intentions
***My dear freind in Christ,
Faith is a Gift not offered to everyone in the same degree. It seems obvious that Christ is offering you this gift at the present time. Eph.2: 8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God”*
***Let me first try to briefly address your concerns, then I will give you some very specific reasons tocome a Catholic
The fact that you are married to an Atheist is not critical although mixed marriages are more stressful. [All good comes at a price.] He would have to agree to allow you to raise your children in the Catholic Church.
As for RCIA; it continues to be the normal way into the CC, and it will teach the basics of our faith and give you an opportunity to answer questions.
It is completely normal to have doubts or even be at odds on specific issues which you may not have a full understanding of. Conterception, the Eucharist, Mary, Confession, all require rather esttensive explaination, and even then, God’s Grace is required to teach them.
Let me briefly explain the Popes Role in Faith, and a bit about Mary, and I’ll respond to he BC issue on a PM. Do you have access to a Catholic Bible?
There are many things in any Faith taht are difficult to accept, because they are counter to our culture, our up bringing and what society sees as acceptable, even “normal.” which is why it is called the practice of our Faith.
St. Paul tells us “Faith is” Heb. 11: v. 1 " Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Thus they are not easily understood, and reqire prayerful assistance from the Holy Spirit.
Jesus only Founded One Church, the church known today as the Catholic Church, now some 2000 years young. Also there is only ONE full and complete Bible which comes through the CC. Indeed the NT was written by men known today as Catholics.
Mt. 16: v. 15-19 "He [Jesus] said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. *** And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock [SINGULAR… you Peter] I will build my church,[SINGULAR] and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. [19] I will give you {Peter and the Popes] the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” **
***Here Christ starts His One Church with Peter as the Head of it. Jesus gives Peter and His Church the “keys to the kingdom of heaven.” ONLY the CC has this special access.
Further evidence can be found such as in Eph. 2:19 19 So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [singular] built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; [singular] in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."
Thus the Role of the Popes is to teach the Faith [what is essential for one s Salvation], Govern the Church, and guide the church.
As for Mary: Lk. 1 v. 26-36 clearly shows Mary to be the Mother of Jesus who is God; therefore MAry is the “Mother of God.” In order to be suitable for this agust role, Mary had to be made Perfect so that Jesus could as a man be born perfect. This is warranted by the merits of Her Son Jesus. [For God time does not exist].
[26] In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. [28] And he came to her and said, “Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” ] But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus… [34] And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” [35] And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you,and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy,the Son of God” [Conceived by the Holy Spirit, who too is God.]
Obviously these are very limited explainations because of space limitations.
Reasons tocome a Catholic on the next post…
Love and prayers,
Pat***
