Catholics Converting to Non Denominational

[Gingersnaps4]

Pray as in ask for intercession or protection etc yes. “Pray” in the common Protestant understanding of the word where it equals worship or assuming divinity, NO. All priests would or at least should say no with regards to the last point. An example of a way you shouldn’t pray, would be to ask mary to forgive your sins like you would in prayer to God.

 

[Convert3]

No, Catholic churches aren’t very helpful in that regard. They also lack a sense of real community, at least to me.

My experience has been different. I converted two years ago, and was suffering from depression. The sacrament of reconciliation led me to a change in my life to finally treat my depression. I’ve been becoming more active in various ministries and found great support from my parish community.

 

[Gingersnaps4]

I will admit that I tend to automatically jump to the Protestant understanding of the word pray, as I am a former Protestant and it’s just ingrained. But asking for intercession from saints and praising Mary is ok as long as one realizes that she isn’t Divine.

 

[vsedriver]

There are differences. One says we pray to Mary, another says no.
One says capital punishment may be justified, another says no.
One says the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father, another says the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.
One says it was justified to drop the A Bomb, another says no.

the differences may be more in how the ideas are being expressed.

yes we can ask Mary to intercede for us (pray to Mary)
No we can’t pray to Mary (worship prayer)

so you see both can be true.

Capital punishment as a self defense measure is justified (as in times when locking people up was not possible)
Capital punishment is not justified (as in a society with the capacity to remove these individuals from being a threat should do so and are not justified in taking their lives)

The Holy Spirit issue is clearly defined in the Catechism. When in doubt refer to that.

The A bomb falls under the same issue as capital punishment. Was it a self defense act or not?

so you see differences are not always really differences just an expression of a point of view.

 

[TC3033]

I wonder if that is a location thing.

I don’t think anyone entered the church here last year. The priest made mention in one of his weekly letters he had no adults to baptize (and maybe confirm…I don’t remember) at Easter.

 

[vsedriver]

we are seeing a return of 25-30 year-olds in our church. Very young families too.

 

[Gingersnaps4]

I think it is dependent upon location. Where I live in the mid-south, the diocese is growing by leaps and bounds. When my husband and I converted 2 years ago we had about 50 catechumens and candidates come in at the Easter Vigil. I believe my diocese is one of the fastest growing in the country. We are thriving!

 

[TC3033]

Ya, I’m pretty sure this one may be struggling…they really seem to eb and flow. They had issues maybe 10-12 years ago where a priest chased a lot of people away once (from my understanding), and it seems like they may have just gone through another downswing.

I think they lost a lot of people here between a few things that were said, their changing RE and how it was changed. I try to be active with the RE, but it’s tough. I think they lost quite a few families to the ELCA a couple blocks down. Everyone here who’s gone to that church loves it. My wife has brought up heading over there next year.

 

[Gingersnaps4]

That would be incredibly sad to put your kids through RE for their sacraments only to walk away from your faith right afterward. Hopefully your wife can find a solution to not liking a parish that doesn’t involve walking away from the church.

 

[Hope1960]

Our 33 year old daughter just converted to Catholicism one 1/2 or two 1/2 years ago. I hadn’t told her about checking out this other church until today because I didn’t want to upset her so recently after her conversion.
She wasn’t at all for me going to this ND church, either, and her opinion of this church wasn’t exactly what CAF would term charitable but I will say she, along with many of you, have been very helpful. Thanks.

 

[jericho777]

I’m sorry to hear that. I feel your anguish in your post. There are many ND churches that believe in healing. My pastor is used by God in this area. Honestly there have been literally thousands of healings of everything imaginable including OCD from our church. I have personally witnessed many of them for myself. No lie no joke.

God is real and still healing broken people. My pastor will tell you he can’t heal anyone he is just used by God.

 

[Hope1960]

Your post gives me a little bit of hope. At least I’ve now heard of someone suffering from this who has been cured.

 

[Hope1960]

When I go to Confession prior to the Saturday Vigil, (not that I go weekly, I don’t) it’s not at at all uncommon to see teenagers going, too.

 

[AlNg]

An example of a way you shouldn’t pray, would be to ask mary to forgive your sins like you would in prayer to God.

Do you accept that Catholics may ask the Mother of God to sanctify, glorify, and save all who lovingly sing to her ?

 

[Hope1960]

Also, since I’ve decided to stay put, I want some recommendations for a soft cover Catholic Study Bible that’s written in modern English, if there is such a thing.
I used to have a Protestant Bible, forget which one, but it had a lot of extras to read. Commentary etc. Is there a Catholic Bible that has a lot of commentary and extra stuff to read?

Anyone?
…

 

[Gingersnaps4]

I have an Ignatius study Bible, it’s great. Mine is only the New Testament, not sure if it comes with the OT or not. But it’s easy to read.

 

[Hope1960]

I have an Ignatius study Bible, it’s great. Mine is only the New Testament, not sure if it comes with the OT or not. But it’s easy to read.

I was searching Amazon and unless I missed it, they don’t have one with the OT.
I currently use the NAB but it’s not a Study Bible. I also have the Catholic Women’s Devotional Bible and I just found a copy of The Catholic Bible (Personal Study Edition), NAB that I bought years ago.
None of these has as much to read as the old Protestant Bible I used to have.

 

[Start]

She can do that through her intercession to God, so yes (it is acceptable) if they say that in that sense.

 

[ConstantLearner]

our church doesn’t have a room for noisy children. it’s a 150 year old building. And I support that we should suffer to let the little children come to Christ.

Some people don’t mind kids screaming and being defiant at church. The original poster, however, is intensely bothered by it as I would be. And I’m not Christian. We have several learning programs for children at our synagogue, and I support those. The children not only learn about G-d, they learn proper decorum when in the sanctuary. And they do have fun and play, but in the proper place.

 

[paperwight]

Other priests will tell you to pray the rosary, which involves prayer to Mary.

.
A few priests still say that the Blood was shed for all. It was said so in the past, even by a Catholic pope at mass. At least it was reported to be so. Now almost all priests say that the Blood was shed for many.

In what way does the Rosary involve prayer to Mary? The words of the Hail Mary ask her to pray for us, just that…

I’m surprised and shocked you have come across any priests still saying ‘for all’, as those words were changed several years ago. They are being disobedient.