CRHP

[Suslar]

Thank you very much Suslar. It’s not my intention to bash CRHP, and your words offer some needed encouragement. I do find it disturbing that no one called to follow up concerning me leaving early. I didn’t just sneak out the back door, but instead took one of the leaders aside during a break to let him know I wasn’t comfortable. It’s not at all that I think I’m important enough to warrant a follow-up call…I suppose if the shoe had been on the other foot, I’d believe I’d have at least wanted to know why someone left early. Maybe there are still some sour grapes on my part, something I’m not proud of I promise.

I did meet with another married couple from the church for a couple of hours yesterday. They are not associated with CRHP and have never attended a CRHP weekend. They were leaders during the inquiry part of RCIA, and I’ve felt a special closeness with them since. They were immensely helpful in helping me recognize where my focus needs to remain. I don’t know what God has in store for me, but I trust that all of my experiences with guide me in His direction.

Again, thank your your encouragement. I’ve been an occasional Protestant all my life, but I never before found the closeness to God that I’ve experienced with the Catholic faith. It’s like having been spiritually hungry for years, and never even aware I was hungry at all. I hope that makes some sense…

I didn’t read it as bashing at all. All very legitimate issues you raised!
I sure would have called you. But then, I would also have tried to encourage you to stay a bit longer and "just see . . . " Not sour grapes at all - more like a reminder that each and every one of us can give either a good or a bad impression of the Church as a whole by how we behave each and every day. Would anyone want to be part of a Church that doesn’t welcome, encourage and follow up with you??? What a wake up call for me.

I am glad you have that couple to support your journey. They sound lovely! I’m so glad they are willing to walk closely with you on your journey. I also admire your faith. God indeed has a plan for you. I will add you to my prayer list.

 

[sparky100]

Hello again Suslar, I read your latest post this morning. I was going to respond at that time but something inside me said to wait til after Mass.

I’m amazed, with some frequency, concerning God’s gifts. At mass this morning we sang several hymns, as is usual. Near the end of mass, we sang “Be Still My Soul”, which was something I’d heard in the Protestant church growing up, although not very often. I just assumed that it was a normal part of the Catholic Mass, until mass had ended and I mentioned it to my wife. She said it was not a hymn she could ever remember singing.

I’m rambling. While reading the words, as I sang along, I was touched by their message, and that song very much speaks directly to where I long to stay in this faith journey.

I appreciate so much your encouragement and reassurance. Thank you for your prayers. I’ll take then anyway they come, and I’ll remember you in mine as well. You are one of my gifts from God above.

 

[Gaelwynn]

I’m a Catholic-wannabe, in the midst of the RCIA process now.

I went through RCIA about 26 years ago. It was a truly wonderful experience for me. I was an Evangelical Fundamentalist Protestant and was called to be Catholic after studying early Christian writings.

I just attended my first, and I imagine my last, CRHP weekend. I should say that I “partially” attended, since I found it necessary to leave about half way through the experience.

I found nothing unifying about the experience. If anything, I found it to be divisive. My perception was that most of the presenters, those who have previously completed a CRHP weekend, seemed rather cliquish.

I found the hosts to be close, but also welcoming when I went on a CRHP weekend. It is regretable that you did not have the same experience. The witnesses are in a particular order for a reason. It is a shame that you had to leave before hearing the more edifying witnesses. On the other hand, the CRHP leadership needs to know if the hosting team is cliquish rather than focused on serving you and offering you a gift of sharing themselves with you. I tend to be stubbornly independent, so my wife wisely warned me that I would have to let my guard down and allow others to serve me on the weekend. I am truly sorry your experience was not as warm and embracing as mine.

It would be very difficult for someone to experience both CRHP and RCIA at the same time. The real meat of CRHP is not the weekend but the formation period afterward.

Not at any time did I feel the spirit move me.

I did not either until the very end of the weekend and afterwards.

Peace and everything good.

 

[sparky100]

I haven’t look at this thread for a couple weeks, and I find my feelings towards my CRHP experience have changed somewhat. Perhaps I should have stayed till the end of the weekend, but that’s yesterday’s news now.

I believe that CRHP may be valuable for many who choose to attend. And perhaps my reaction my be colored by where I am in my RCIA process now.