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Hi

Sorry I am new. I dont know if I am in the right place on the site, or even on the right site - so sorry if I am mucking things up

I dont know where to start…

I was brought up an Anglican. It was expected. My father worked in the Anglican cathedral and I went there from birth, and was baptised as an infant.

My family split apart when I was at school. My mom and I stopped going to the cathedral. We stopped going anywhere. Then we lived near a methodist (I think) chapel and I went to Sunday School there. Later, we moved on again and started to go to another Anglican church. I went sometimes. But Church stood for something that had both good and bad overtones. It had been instrumental in the splitting of my family. But there was good stuff too. I started to help out at the Sunday School, because it was a way of being involved without having to get my head around things. I believed - and still do - that you can pray anywhere and that who you are, how you behave, how you treat others - thats important and instrumental in being a Christian. Then I stopped going again.

Now…I am confused. I am starting to think there is more. I dont know where to start. I dont know what is right and what is not. Its all got a but complicated.
 
You’re right there is more. While I have no doubt that most Anglicans and Methodists are good and moral there is something more to be part of the Christ’s One True Church… the Catholic Faith. Try going to a Catholic parish Church and talk to the local priest about it. Most people on this forum will be able to give good and honest advice so continue to post, when I was uncertain about some aspects of my faith, I found those on this forum helped me.
 
Thanks for the reply CC - I wasnt sure if I was doing it right…not sure about much TBH!

Thing is - it gets more confusing… well complex. I dont really feel I can approach local people, well not until I know a bit more sure…I don’t want to let people down…and my family are now really heavily involved in the local methodist/united church. As a result I am kinda part of it - I like the people there, but it doesnt feel quite right - and when its run by family - that kinda dont feel right too. But I feel like if I go anywhere else, then I am betraying them. Does that make sense? And I dont really know how to approach anyone. Internet is good for that - I dont feel like quite such a dork talking on here, even if I am in tears doing so and not sure why.

Is it bad that to be honest, I am not even sure about what the differences are between the Christian faiths? I know some of the basics, but not much - I got taught more about Islam and Judasim at school than I did about Catholics and Anglicans and Baptists etc… Everyone believes in the same God, right?
 
What is your age? Just curious, because you talk about being under your parents, etc…

My advice…hang out here and learn about Catholicism. You have time and shouldn’t be in a hurry to label you Christianity right now while you are learning.

you are not confused, just curious…

God bless ya!
 
I am 28 - nearer 30 than 21 now!

Curious…confused…both of them! 🙂

Parent thing is basically around the fact that I live in a small place, and we are quite well known and I am worried about causing problems, about ending up letting people down by not supporting them, by not being part of their services etc. Does that make sense? (at the moment I rarely go at all,…avaoids the problem - I went to help at the Carol Service this week, first time been in months
 
You are searching which is great. I ask God to lead you. 🙂

If you feel drawn to knowing more about the Catholic beliefs,
the Catechism of the Catholic Church is online,

vatican.va/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm

And a simplified version is accessible at

catholicity.com/catechism/

In any case I do wish you the best and will remember you in prayer. God bless you…and have a lovely Christmas.

Bless you for your loving concern for your parents. This is frequently a dilemma to be solved by those who may consider a different tradition to their parents…the most difficult I knew of was an only son of unbelieving parents who became…not just Catholic, but a Jesuit priest!
 
What is a catechism?

Showing my ignorance now…didnt take long!

Thank you all for you replies x
 
listen, I grew up in a Southern Baptist family…I’m in the south as well…talk about not fun making the conversion.

it took me four years to convert, I was going to wait for my father to pass away. Yep…but sometimes God doesn’t want us to wait.

go to the book store and pick up The Catechism of the Catholic Church. go ahead and spurge on a hardback copy. start reading it…make notes in it and make sure you read all the biblical references…all of them! If you feel adventurous, read the church fathers writings that are referenced as well. I did this for probably a year. Then joined this forum. I learned a lot here although I do not really participate in discussions other than spiritual type…kwim?

so first…get a copy of the catechism…read the bible along with that …

Dana
 
Hi, when I was teetering on the edge myself I found a book called “Rome Sweet Home” by Scott Hahn, it was very simply stated, (enough for me to understand anyway), it made sence and it made me believe the Church of the first Christians is still alive and well in the Catholi Church. Read the book and then do a little more research, but make sure when you do look for info that you let Catholic Church define the Catholic Church.
peace.
 
:okpeople: Welcome to CAF, marathonrunner!

I was born and raised Episcopalian, an acolyte and all that. Then, like so many people, I drifted into that “I know Jesus loves me and I read the Bible so I don’t need organized religion” mindset. Eventually I knew I needed to get back in church. But which church? Well, I’d read a book on the history of the Christian Church, St. Augustine’s Confessions and other writings by the Early Curch Fathers. But I didn’t put it all together until I stumbled across some program on EWTN radio. Then I knew the Catholic Church was the place to be! 👍

I know “family issues” may be difficult to deal with. However, we’re talking about our souls and eternity here! 🙂

As others have already mentioned, be sure to get a Bible and a catechism of the Catholic Church. Make sure it is a Catholic Edition Bible that has “all the books” and I like the big green Catechism of the Catholic Church with all the indices and cross-references in the back.

Good luck and God bless, marathonrunner!

Oh, one other thing, pray the Rosary! :signofcross:
 
marathonrunner said:
Thanks for the reply CC - I wasnt sure if I was doing it right…not sure about much TBH!

Thing is - it gets more confusing… well complex. I dont really feel I can approach local people, well not until I know a bit more sure…I don’t want to let people down…and my family are now really heavily involved in the local methodist/united church. As a result I am kinda part of it - I like the people there, but it doesnt feel quite right - and when its run by family - that kinda dont feel right too. But I feel like if I go anywhere else, then I am betraying them. Does that make sense? And I dont really know how to approach anyone. Internet is good for that - I dont feel like quite such a dork talking on here, even if I am in tears doing so and not sure why.

Is it bad that to be honest, I am not even sure about what the differences are between the Christian faiths? I know some of the basics, but not much - I got taught more about Islam and Judasim at school than I did about Catholics and Anglicans and Baptists etc… Everyone believes in the same God, right?
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You would intend to respect your parents protestantism, then your parents should respect your beliefs if you convert to Catholicism. Also your religious beliefs are for God not people including your parents. You will not “betray” your parents by becoming Catholic by this logic you could say that the first protestants betrayed their parents. If anything you could prove a good witness of the Faith to your parents and that could only be a good thing. For example, when I first wanted to go to confession, my parents wern’t thrilled to say the least but after about two to three months (of me not recieving Communion for I was not in a State of Grace) they came to respect my beliefs and agree to take me regularly.
 
Hi all

"Bless you for your loving concern for your parents. This is frequently a dilemma to be solved by those who may consider a different tradition to their parents…the most difficult I knew of was an only son of unbelieving parents who became…not just Catholic, but a Jesuit priest! "

My parent recently was ordained as a Baptist minister

Thanks for the replies - I will have a look into some of the books etc suggested

What is RCIA?

And what is a Catholic bible? - I mean, what is the difference?

Thanks 🙂
 
marathonrunner said:
Hi all

"Bless you for your loving concern for your parents. This is frequently a dilemma to be solved by those who may consider a different tradition to their parents…the most difficult I knew of was an only son of unbelieving parents who became…not just Catholic, but a Jesuit priest! "

My parent recently was ordained as a Baptist minister

Thanks for the replies - I will have a look into some of the books etc suggested

What is RCIA?

And what is a Catholic bible? - I mean, what is the difference?

Thanks 🙂
Click to expand...
Hello!

RCIA is the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.They are classes designed to instruct you in the faith and prepare you for entry into the Church. I suppose it may depend on the size of the parish whether or not they have “formal” RCIA classes. 🤷

The way I understand it is, if you do not have a valid baptism, you are a “Catechumen”. Then you need to go through the full RCIA and then you will receive baptism, confirmation and first communion at the Easter Vigil. If you do have a valid baptism, then you are a “Candidate” and should be accepted into the Church separate from the Catechumens. At least that’s the way the Diocese of St. Augustine web site explains it.

By the way, a “valid baptism” is one done with proper form and matter, i.e. using water and “In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”.

Now, to the Bible!

In short, today, Catholic Bibles have 73 books while Protestant Bibles only have 66. For almost 400 years the Christian Church did not have a “Bible”. It was not until the Council of Rome in 382 A.D. that a first list of “accepted books” was made. Here are a couple of links to articles on this web site for simple explanations:

Link 1

Link 2

That was just a quick search. I’m sure an internet search would give better results.

I hope this helps. It’s quite difficult to go “in depth” on some of these issues on a forum. After all, people have written entire books on some of these topics.

Keep the Faith, marathonrunner! 👍
 
Hi everyone! I hope you are all having a peaceful, happy start to the Christmas season with those who are important to you 🙂

Well. I went into the Church in the town yesterday - I was walking along and happened to be in the same road, so went in. Then today, I decided to go out for a walk, and followed some people into the Church and crept into a corner for Mass. I enjoyed it. Is that a bit mad?

Left me with more questions than answers though…!

You mentioned “valid baptism” - is that done in a Catholic setting, or does it include baptism by other Christian denominations eg Methodist, Protestant?

I got a little bit lost - some of the service was very similar to ones I have been to before - for example the Creed was almost identical. The lack of any kind of service book threw me though! I didn’t know what parts I could, and coudn’t, participate in, either!
 
marathonrunner said:
You mentioned “valid baptism” - is that done in a Catholic setting, or does it include baptism by other Christian denominations eg Methodist, Protestant?
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Most mainstream Protestans, Anglican/Episcopalian, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist etc., have a baptism considered “valid” by the Catholic Church. As long as it was done with proper form and matter, i.e. with water and “in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”. The only one I’m aware of that is not considered valid is a Mormon baptism, but I’m sure there are others.
marathonrunner said:
I got a little bit lost - some of the service was very similar to ones I have been to before - for example the Creed was almost identical. The lack of any kind of service book threw me though! I didn’t know what parts I could, and coudn’t, participate in, either!
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🙂 The only part you can’t participate in is you can’t receive the Eucharist.

The parish I attend has copies of the Missal in the pews, but I still haven’t figured out how to use it properly just yet. :confused: Here is a link that gives a basic overview of the Order of Mass.

I hope this helps. 👍
 
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