Depression and conversion from JW

[fhansen]

Still never talked to the priest…sorta getting tired of chasing them around…I went to church and saw him there…but I was tired and disappointed and frankly didn’t want to talk to him anymore.

What are these websites to buy books and stuff. I will look through it later. I made up my mind…untill rcia or Im able to have comunion…there literaly is no reason for me to step foot in a Catholic church.

Without comunion…you are siting in a big building…just doin a bunch of routines. standing up…kneeling…crossing yourself…etc…etc…etc… There is no loving to insight to fine works…like it says in the bible…not unless you count the sign of peace…or waving at people LOL. Basicly no MEANINGFUL human for interaction.
Not to mention NO involvement what so ever…if your not baptised,there is nothing for you to do.

I personaly think they should just get rid of that stupid coffee and donuts meeting…mabey you guys like it, but listen to my side of the story…its bad enugh to be in church not knowing anyone in what is supposed to be your congregation. BUT I can use the real presence as an excuse and say hey we aren’t supposed to speak to each other because of that. However now Im supposed to wonder around BY MYSELF and try to aproach complete strangers, at some donut gathering???
Im sorry but that’s not my idea of a congregation…I can do that at a bar…or at a club if I want to aproach complete strangers on my own…it should be easier in a congregation.

So what’s the point of going to church…I can just go online here.

I think that’s what Catholics need to know about Jehovahs Witnesses.

A Jehovahs Witness convert is coming from one of the most close
knit religious structures there is, and he is converting to one of the most lose knit major Christian religious structures on earth.

The difference is that extreme.

This is also what Catholics need to know about Jehovahs Witnesses,unless a JW has a Catholic realitive, or miracle takes place and your mate converts with you…there is virtualy no way out of your former religion.

A JW that actualy practices there faith, should have VERY FEW conections outside there church.
Catholics canot understand this…but I will state it anyway…

A jw that practices there faith (especialy one that gose to serve at bethel as a single brother…such as my self) IS DEPENDENT on the jw church, and there congregation is the ONLY known suport structure. The Jw church threatens
and can take all that away if a member gets involved with the Catholic church. Ok do you follow me so far?..The Catholic church has absolutely nothing to help a cult member who has lost the protection of there church.

So your stuck!!! you canot risk losing everyone you know…and your whole family by being disfellowshiped. Because if that happens all the kneeling and standing up and crossing yourself in the world won’t help you then.
You would need the help of a congregation…I honestly don’t see where that exists in The Catholic church. You end up with a situation that DON’T WORK.

I truly think I should go to the Greek Orthodox church for a while.
Mabey they have more of an actual congregation because its smaller. The only other alternative
is to just become more active in the Jw Church, and use the support system there.

But all things considered, it is two risky to lose everyone I know, simply for the routine of standing up and kneeling. I have no choice but to wait for Rcia, before risking being caught at a mass.

I agree with what you say-I actually studied JW material seriously once through a JW friend of mine just because I was so impressed with their fellowship and support and dedication to evangelization. The theology, of course, was the problem. I believe we need to get people involved- like yourself?- who can help to enliven the brotherhood aspect of our faith again. It shouldn’t be so easy for us to be isolated in our worship. Part of the problem is the wide diversity of opinions about the faith itself, allowing for a fair amount of conflict, even though dogma is unified and quite clearly expressed in our catechism and other resources the Church provides for that purpose. In any case we have lots of room for improvement in the area you speak of.

 

[Ravyn_Guiliani]

Conversion from one religion to another is the hardest thing I have ever attempted. Conversion to a religion that is such the opposite of JW seems ALMOST impossible.

Conversion to a religion that’s the opposite of everything you were raised to believe…while going through a MAJOR depression IS IMPOSSIBLE.

I feel like I used everything I had trying to be a good Jehovahs witness…pioneered…went to bethel…etc…etc
Now that Im on empty…I find out that I need to convert to another church…and I pray until Im blue in the face…for things god would want…just a lil strength to read some of my bible( depression for me is the lack of any strenght to do ANYTHING) or I pray for little things like that. And its bad because I will wake up feeling worse then before…like if I could get up…Id jump of my house…LoL.

Praying is not helping…when you pray for help…you expect it…when nothing at all slightly good happens…you feel that its impossible for God to care…and yet answer no to a prayer for a little strength to read a bible…or go to mass…or a little faith or somethin.

its like the devil has me in a checkmate…I ofcourse am not married have no kids…just the absence of everything.

How on earth am I supposed to convert under these conditions?
This aint even fair…its the devil hitting me…the me hitting the floor. then he just keeps kicken so I can never get back up.

shhhh shhhhhh…you need spiritual quiet! relax. I succeeded in BECOMING a Catholic after being a third gen JW (34 yrs!) and a pioneer for 15 years! This is the key–BE not DO. JWs are all about the DOING. You just BE Catholic. Stop trying so hard and let God’s grace work on you. Get yourself some rosary CDs or listen to the free streams on ewtn.com of the rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet, just let it flow over you in a soothing balm, do not try to recite anything unless you have the energy to. Let prayers that have been tested for years and years work for you. If all you have the energy for is Jesus save me! then that is good enough. You ARE good enough just as you are–Jesus will meet you on the road.
Let our Lord heal you–stop trying to lead the dance! The only thing you need to be baptized Catholic is to believe in the Creed and (it is recommended) that you atten RCIA classes. Let yourself be fed–the Catholic Church is a 5 star restaurant not a serve yourself buffet!

 

[kms123]

This computer I’m on keeps logging me out before I get a chance to post, and it’s very frustrating…

So I will try again - I am leaving a link to something you should be able to listen to online - maybe headphones would be good as I don’t want you to get in trouble - it is EWTN’s Journey Home, the first one listed has a former JW as a guest…

ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/seriessearchprog.asp?seriesID=-6892289&T1=journey+home

More to follow, before my computer logs me out again…

Sorry if this is a repeat as I did not read all posts.
I saw this episode also. When you leave JW you lose family and friends. This is enough to cause depression. Check out Cabeen’s website and a conference this summer. Maybe you can hook up with other converts to help you also.

catholicxjw.com/index.html

x

 

[Rolltide]

Excaliber,
Sorry its taken so long for me to get back to you. I’ve been busy teaching summer school…

First, let me say that I understand your frustration. A good part of what you are experiencing is not a result of Catholicism, but the vast difference between Catholicism and the JWs. It will take years to become acculturated to Catholicism. It is not a change that will simply happen overnight. The overwhelming influence that the JW’s have upon people’s lives will not make this any easier either.

Still never talked to the priest…sorta getting tired of chasing them around…I went to church and saw him there…but I was tired and disappointed and frankly didn’t want to talk to him anymore.

Since you are not Catholic yet and have little experience with the Catholic religion or its history, you probably do not know very much about the serious priest shortage that the Catholic Church has been facing since the late 1960s. For a variety of reasons, the number of priests in the US has been declining. Secularism has a lot to do with this (people valuing human culture more than religion). Just forty years ago, it was common for parishes to have five or six priests, or even more. Today, there are some parishes that have to share their priest with another parish across town. This has resulted in them becoming so busy, that literally the only thing they have time for are those duties that no one else can do. In other words, they spend virtually the whole day performing the Mass and the various sacraments (Last Rites for the dying in hospitals, funerals, weddings, baptisms, etc…) This is not necessarily true everywhere, but it has definitely been a problem that the Catholic Church is trying to address, because it causes the exact problems that you are describing to us. The lay infrastructure doesn’t always keep up with the new demands, and the priest is often so overstretched that he can’t do everything asked of him. The church is trying to expand the role of the parishoners, add deacons, and even import priests from overseas, but it will take years to completely address the problem. (I should also add that priest levels are stable and doing well in most parts of Latin America and Africa. This is mainly a US and European problem.)

I can guarantee you that you will eventually talk to a priest at some point, and you will probably find them very helpful. Often, I have had the best luck trying to talk to a priest by simply walking into the church if I happen to be in the area and stopping by their office. In other words, don’t do over the phone or leave to a secretary what you can do in person. They still very well might not be there, but you’re likely to catch him at some point. Once you talk to him once, and he becomes aware of your situation, then he will probably make the effort to become more available to you.

continued…

 

[Rolltide]

continued from above…

I made up my mind…untill rcia or Im able to have comunion…there literaly is no reason for me to step foot in a Catholic church.

Without comunion…you are siting in a big building…just doin a bunch of routines. standing up…kneeling…crossing yourself…etc…etc…etc… There is no loving to insight to fine works…like it says in the bible…not unless you count the sign of peace…or waving at people LOL. Basicly no MEANINGFUL human interaction.
Not to mention NO involvement what so ever…if your not baptised,there is nothing for you to do.

Now here I have to completely disagree with you. The Mass is not only the biggest difference between Catholics and JW’s, but Catholics and Protestants in general. When we are at the Mass, we are literally in the physical presence of God. There is no greater participation on earth with God than that. Just because someone cannot partake in the Eucharist does NOT mean that there is no value in the celebration! Before the 1960s, it was common, even for Catholics, to feel SO unworthy to receive Jesus physically in Communion, that they might only actually receive once in a whole year. Even now, those Catholics who are in a state of mortal sin may not partake. And yet, there is STILL value being in the physical presence of Jesus. We are united with all other Christians, millions of them, all over the world, celebrating at the exact same time. We are united with those who have gone on to heaven, and are participating with us there. We are united with the early Christians of 2000 years ago, who celebrated much as we do today. We gather as a community, but in humble humility in front of our Lord. The art and architecture, the ceremony, the incense… all of this is meant to inspire us through our senses. Even if you were to die tomorrow, you could still be considered “Catholic” through a “baptism of desire”, meaning that God knew in your heart that the intention was there to convert, but you simply died before it was possible to complete the process. The more exposure you have to Catholicism at this point, the sooner you will be feeling at home… and coming home.

continued…

 

[Rolltide]

continued from above…

I personaly think they should just get rid of that stupid coffee and donuts meeting…mabey you guys like it, but listen to my side of the story…its bad enugh to be in church not knowing anyone in what is supposed to be your congregation. BUT I can use the real presence as an excuse and say hey we aren’t supposed to speak to each other because of that. However now Im supposed to wonder around BY MYSELF and try to aproach complete strangers, at some donut gathering???
Im sorry but that’s not my idea of a congregation…I can do that at a bar…or at a club if I want to aproach complete strangers on my own…it should be easier in a congregation.

So what’s the point of going to church…I can just go online here.

I think that’s what Catholics need to know about Jehovahs Witnesses.

A Jehovahs Witness convert is coming from one of the most close
knit religious structures there is, and he is converting to one of the most lose knit major Christian religious structures on earth.

The difference is that extreme.

To be frank…I am normaly the only young African American at any church around me…and the only ex jw…I may aswell be from mars.
I think that has a lot to do with it.
Not bieng able to relate to anyone.

Well, there’s a couple of different problems here. One that you’re overlooking is the size factor. The JW’s are a (relatively) small organization, whereas the Catholic Church is the largest religious organization on earth. It’s like the difference between going to a small or large high school. At the small school, you know everyone, but you might not have the resources or programs that a larger school has. It’s also CERTAINLY harder to make friends at the larger high school, especially if you’re moving there from somewhere else. Protestants often make the comments that you do, that its sometimes hard to meet people. However, the “megachurch” phenomenon is very new to Protestantism (really only within the last 30 year or so). Catholics have had parishes with thousands, or even TENS of thousands, of people for hundreds of years. As a result, it is indeed challenging to come from the outside and meet people. But… part of that has to do with normal community factors. In many areas of the US, the churchgoers already knew each other from simply living in the town. In Chicago, for example, some parts of town are 30-40 PERCENT Catholic, so just as much socializing is done inside of church as outside. It’s not necessarily that Catholicism is “unfriendly”, but its that its big, and you’re coming from a religion so totally different (in that everything centers on the community of the JW’s and the Kingdom Hall). That would be challenging whether it was a religion, a school, a workplace, or whatever.

Now, compound this with the fact that you’re African-American, and you get another cultural barrier. Certainly, the Catholic Church does NOT discriminate against African-Americans, but the group does not make up a large percentage of the church in America (about 2-3% if I recall). The reason why is that most blacks families in the US are descendants of slaves in the South, and the South is almost exclusively Protestant. So, when slaves got exposed to religion, it was almost always Protestant. The only major exception to this was blacks that lived in Louisiana, which was founded by French Catholics, and those that moved to the North (or were never in the South for some reason). That said, Catholicism is growing rapidly in many African-American communities. Further, the place on earth where Catholicism is currently expanding most rapidly is Africa. Although Africans are certainly different culturally from African-Americans, it does mean that you will be seeing many more black faces in Catholicism in the future. There is even a very good chance that the next pope may be black, as there are several very good candidates in Africa currently!

 

[Rolltide]

continued from above…

This is also what Catholics need to know about Jehovahs Witnesses,unless a JW has a Catholic realitive, or miracle takes place and your mate converts with you…there is virtualy no way out of your former religion.

A JW that actualy practices there faith, should have VERY FEW conections outside there church.
Catholics canot understand this…but I will state it anyway…

A jw that practices there faith (especialy one that gose to serve at bethel as a single brother…such as my self) IS DEPENDENT on the jw church, and there congregation is the ONLY known suport structure. The Jw church threatens
and can take all that away if a member gets involved with the Catholic church. Ok do you follow me so far?..The Catholic church has absolutely nothing to help a cult member who has lost the protection of there church.

So your stuck!!! you canot risk losing everyone you know…and your whole family by being disfellowshiped. Because if that happens all the kneeling and standing up and crossing yourself in the world won’t help you then.
You would need the help of a congregation…I honestly don’t see where that exists in The Catholic church. You end up with a situation that DON’T WORK.

Remember that until the reign of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great in the early 300s AD, that it was illegal to be Christian, and many were persecuted or executed. For almost 300 years, the entire Christian Church was underground. In many ways, what you are experiencing is not unlike those remarkable first-generations of Christians, who could not publicly profess their faith, but needed to win converts just a few at a time, on a more intimate level and hide the truth from their friends and families. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t your sister also considering converting to the Catholic Church? I haven’t heard from her in a while. If so, that means that at least you wouldn’t be totally alone in your journey. At least you would have her, and although you don’t live in the same state, you could still talk to her and have her support on the phone and through the computer. Just remember that the early church had far greater obstacles than all of us, and yet they managed to make it and flourish.

I truly think I should go to the Greek Orthodox church for a while.
Mabey they have more of an actual congregation because its smaller. The only other alternative
is to just become more active in the Jw Church, and use the support system there.

Or… you could just try to find a smaller Catholic Church. Different churches have completely different feels, and completely different communities. Maybe that would help. Or… if you really like the Orthodox feel, you could search for an Eastern Catholic Church in your area. It will probably reflect the culture of the area of the world it came from (Eastern Europe, the Middle East), but it will likely have the small feel that you want. There are still many options.

continued…

 

[Rolltide]

Excaliber,
I think part of what we need to try to do with you now, while you’re waiting for RCIA, is teach you exactly what it means to be Catholic and how to be Catholic… You’re got depression, which is understandable, since everything in your life that you thought to be true regarding religion has been turned upside-down. We need to get you out of that depression through action. We can help you learn about the significance of the Mass, but more than that, we can teach you how we live in everyday life. We can teach you Catholic traditions that we have for our families. We can teach you about the work that we do, and so on. Since it is difficult for you right now to work on your “outer” Catholic life, we can spend some time focusing on your inner, spiritual life. For example, what is a chaplet, or a novena? How do we celebrate Christmas and Easter? How is the Church calender organized? What were some of the critical moments in Catholic history? Who were some of our most important saints? All of this will help you understand how better to fit in with your congregation when the time comes, and in the meantime, it gets you doing something that will advance you toward your goal. Again, I would continue to go to Mass. Even if you can’t receive Communion, you can do everything else, and learn how the liturgical year works. You can become familiar with the Mass so that it doesn’t feel so alien to you. You can talk to us on here, and we can help guide you. There is a lot you can do.

Now, I realize that none of this takes the place of actually getting out and meeting people, but let me put it this way. When you were a JW, you had to go out and actively witness to people. Meeting people in the Catholic Church is similar, I suppose. You simply have to go up to them, make an effort, and explain yourself. Just tell them a bit about yourself, let them know that you know very little about Catholicism but you wish to convert, and that you’re finding it hard to meet people. I’d be willing to bet that people will open up and talk to you. And yes, maybe not every single person will become your best friend, but at least people in the parish will begin to know who you are, and that should help. When RCIA starts, things will improve, because you’ll be in with a group of people in similar situations to yourself. I would guess that it will start in August or September, so you only have 10 or 12 weeks left to go. Even if you can’t meet many people in the meantime, we can sure help you out on here. Just be sure to do whatever it takes to get into the RCIA program when it starts from day one.

 

[Armor_of_God]

Without comunion…you are siting in a big building…just doin a bunch of routines. standing up…kneeling…crossing yourself…etc…etc…etc… There is no loving to insight to fine works…like it says in the bible…not unless you count the sign of peace…or waving at people LOL. Basicly no MEANINGFUL human interaction.
Not to mention NO involvement what so ever…if your not baptised,there is nothing for you to do.

I personaly think they should just get rid of that stupid coffee and donuts meeting…mabey you guys like it, but listen to my side of the story…its bad enugh to be in church not knowing anyone in what is supposed to be your congregation. BUT I can use the real presence as an excuse and say hey we aren’t supposed to speak to each other because of that. However now Im supposed to wonder around BY MYSELF and try to aproach complete strangers, at some donut gathering???
…

A Jehovahs Witness convert is coming from one of the most close
knit religious structures there is, and he is converting to one of the most lose knit major Christian religious structures on earth.

The difference is that extreme.

This is also what Catholics need to know about Jehovahs Witnesses,unless a JW has a Catholic realitive, or miracle takes place and your mate converts with you…there is virtualy no way out of your former religion.

A JW that actualy practices there faith, should have VERY FEW conections outside there church.
Catholics canot understand this…but I will state it anyway…

A jw that practices there faith (especialy one that gose to serve at bethel as a single brother…such as my self) IS DEPENDENT on the jw church, and there congregation is the ONLY known suport structure. The Jw church threatens
and can take all that away if a member gets involved with the Catholic church. Ok do you follow me so far?..The Catholic church has absolutely nothing to help a cult member who has lost the protection of there church.

Hi Excaliber,

It sounds like part of what you are going through is a major “culture shock”. From my experience with JWs, appearances and conduct are very important - to please the elders and Watchtower Society, not God. This is the impression I got. I have not been to JW meetings, but I have been to a few JW weddings and an anniversary celebration, and I have also spent some time with my JW relatives. It seems that everyone is always on their best behavior, but to me it seems as if they are this way for fear of being disfellowshipped or thought to be sinful by the elders or other members of the congregation.

I also felt quite like an outsider at the events I attended, as one of the few Catholics. Although people were kind to me, I was not sure about their sincerity and I sensed that they really pitied me because I was going to be annihilated at Armaggedon, not being a JW. It can be a lonely feeling.

Now, about Catholics. No, they do not always appear to be on their best behavior, as far as reaching out and being friendly. Part of that may be that there is not that pressure to “conform” in order to please others. Rather, the only truly fruitful “conforming” that a Catholic should do is in order to please God, out of love for Him. Don’t get me wrong - Jesus taught us to love one another. But people show this love in different ways: some people are shy, some are just reserved, and some are outgoing.
So, when you see people at Mass quietly praying and worshipping, or seeming a little reserved, please try to understand. They are not necessarily shutting those around them out, but rather the congregation as a whole is worshipping in unison. This is community!

On a similar note, as you know, JW faith life is very much centered on attending meetings and tallying the hours of door-to-door service and the number of converts. JWs answer to the Watchtower.

On the other hand, Catholics are quite free to serve God in whatever way they feeled called to. There are no Church members keeping tabs on how many people they convert. So, your average Catholic is not in a hurry to go out and convert everyone they meet using a set of rules or instructions. Rather, it is the Catholic belief that each person who converts only does so under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. So, we wait for the Holy Spirit to lead us! In other words, every person’s conversion is different, and we need to let the Holy Spirit guide us regarding the humble role we can play in a person’s conversion.

Excaliber, I hope you will continue to go to Mass and just be there in the Real Presence. Maybe try to go to Adoration, as others have suggested. At this point, it matters not that you cannot receive Communion. Just sit there - and talk to Jesus! And listen to Him, too!

I pray also that you may find a friend to attend Mass with you. You seem to really be needing that fellowship aspect right now.

God bless you

 

[Bridget07]

I found this thread discussing the benefits of going to Mass.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=189843&highlight

hope it helps

 

[excaliber]

It might be interesting to know what you would do as a JW in the same situation. That might give us a “routine” that you could modify to get better acquainted with being a Catholic.

Keep asking questions! Hear from 'ya soon.

Well if you were in my shoes, I would contact the Kingdomhall in your area and give them your adress…the rest would be history…LOL

Someone from that church would be asigned to study with you at your home. That same person would sit at church with you…introduce you to everyone (the people would probably swarm around you LOL)
You would probably be baptised in 6 months…regardless of when you start studying…and what can I say…after baptism you would be involved in a training program to teach you how to preach door to door…you would start seeking for your own bible students…and you would be asigned research to complete every week…lets just say you would be buisy…especially if you were a male. The Jw Church is extremely envolved, that’s why people never feel that they can do enuff.

The good= The Jw Church is very good at evangelising.
The Bad= The jw church is not the TRUE church.

However what makes no sence…is that there is nothing stoping a parish from being just as envolved in evangelising, There is nothing Jw’s do that Catholics can’t…It seems that the parishes (near me) just dosent do it.

So far my observation is that 100 percent of Christianity can exist within the Catholic church. However the local parish (in my area) is not envolved in 100 percent of Christianity…only in what is NECESSARY.

Mass is necessary…and because of that…that’s all you will see.

Catholics have apostolic succession to give the Church athority. Because of that, many Catholics don’t know anything about the bible. History replaces the bible.

Catholics Have the REAL PRESENCE…but because of this…the congregation virtualy dose not exist. Let me explain…A catholic Can pray before Christ, sit back and enjoy bieng in the real presence…And in the Parishes (near me) that’s ALL they do. Meaning the Congregation dose not do anything else…but adore Christ. I personaly love the real presence…however its not ALL Christ has given us…and because of that I leave Church always feeling spiritualy still hungery.

Do you guys think the devil has something to do with this???

Satan canot destroy the Church.
So wouldn’t he want it to atleast slow down…and do only what is necessar?

I think protestants is simply what could be IN the Catholic Church…but is not. So they try to remake the whole church…but protestants can’t because of St.Peter’s athority.
Jehovahs Witnesses- Pentecostals-
They just saw things Catholics were not doing and built there church around it.

Its like Catholics can out witness a Jehovahs Witnesses…or display gifts of the spirit MORE then a pentecostal…but for some reason they just don’t.

 

[excaliber]

shhhh shhhhhh…you need spiritual quiet! relax. I succeeded in BECOMING a Catholic after being a third gen JW (34 yrs!) and a pioneer for 15 years! This is the key–BE not DO. JWs are all about the DOING. You just BE Catholic. Stop trying so hard and let God’s grace work on you. Get yourself some rosary CDs or listen to the free streams on ewtn.com of the rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet, just let it flow over you in a soothing balm, do not try to recite anything unless you have the energy to. Let prayers that have been tested for years and years work for you. If all you have the energy for is Jesus save me! then that is good enough. You ARE good enough just as you are–Jesus will meet you on the road.
Let our Lord heal you–stop trying to lead the dance! The only thing you need to be baptized Catholic is to believe in the Creed and (it is recommended) that you atten RCIA classes. Let yourself be fed–the Catholic Church is a 5 star restaurant not a serve yourself buffet!

I wish I could understand what you mean. I have heard…let go and let Jesus before…but as a Jw…you know we NEVER ONCE in our lives did that.

Yes I have ewtn…my favorite show is the journey home. To be honest I doont listen to the prayers
that much…and as a exjw…you know that these prayers are completely foreign to us.

Mabey you can explain what spiritual quiet is.

 

[Pier]

I wish I could understand what you mean. I have heard…let go and let Jesus before…but as a Jw…you know we NEVER ONCE in our lives did that.

Yes I have ewtn…my favorite show is the journey home. To be honest I doont listen to the prayers
that much…and as a exjw…you know that these prayers are completely foreign to us.

Mabey you can explain what spiritual quiet is.

Hi Excalibur,

You can quietly pray to God anytime, anywhere, and especially during the Mass, or even if you go into a Church that is open during the day and pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament. EWTN broadcasts the Daily Mass as well, which is also good to watch if possible - it will help you to learn.

Whether you go for a walk or do volunteer work when you can (maybe someday you’ll teach CCD ) you can always and everywhere give thanks and praise to God.

 

[excaliber]

Ok thanks.
I know people that go to a church about 40 minuets from me.

Mabey I should go there…to be around atleast one family I know.

 

[kage_ar]

Hello!

Having been a convert, a sponsor, a volunteer and a catechist, I’ve a couple of suggestions for you.

Our parish is not huge, our town is small, yet - we have many groups. Have you had a chance to look at the bulletin for your Parish? Sometimes they have them on a Parish web site too (check www.masstimes.org).

None of the things I mention are restricted until “after RCIA/Baptism”.

Eucharistic Adoration. 24/7

A Sunday morning class called “The Seekers”, it is an adult study class, they study apologetics, scripture, the CCC, people from many different ages groups and backgrounds attend.

Every other Wednesday is an evening Bible study, book of Luke.

Prayer group, Sunday evening at 6 PM.

Monday 11 AM Scripture study.

Prayer group, Thursdays 10:30 AM

Prayer Fridays at 11 AM.

Those are the groups that meet on a regular basis during the summer, there are also “one time” groups/events/studies.

VBS is starting up soon, we need lots of volunteers for that.

I pray you can find a group or three at your or a neighboring parish!

 

[excaliber]

Hello!

Having been a convert, a sponsor, a volunteer and a catechist, I’ve a couple of suggestions for you.

Our parish is not huge, our town is small, yet - we have many groups. Have you had a chance to look at the bulletin for your Parish? Sometimes they have them on a Parish web site too (check www.masstimes.org).

None of the things I mention are restricted until “after RCIA/Baptism”.

Eucharistic Adoration. 24/7

A Sunday morning class called “The Seekers”, it is an adult study class, they study apologetics, scripture, the CCC, people from many different ages groups and backgrounds attend.

Every other Wednesday is an evening Bible study, book of Luke.

Prayer group, Sunday evening at 6 PM.

Monday 11 AM Scripture study.

Prayer group, Thursdays 10:30 AM

Prayer Fridays at 11 AM.

Those are the groups that meet on a regular basis during the summer, there are also “one time” groups/events/studies.

VBS is starting up soon, we need lots of volunteers for that.

I pray you can find a group or three at your or a neighboring parish!

I wish!!!
that would all be nice, put that at any of the parishes around me and I would go…as long as I wasent working.

 

[ElizabethPH]

I wish!!!
that would all be nice, put that at any of the parishes around me and I would go…as long as I wasent working.

What does your parish/parishes have to offer? You mean they don’t have any programs at all?

 

[excaliber]

What does your parish/parishes have to offer? You mean they don’t have any programs at all?

I wish you could listen in when I call the parish…then you could hear them for yourself. Nothin goin on in the bulitin…etc…etc…

 

[CB_Catholic]

If you want to find the church unlocked, find out what times they have Confession, then go at that time and sit in the church and be with God. It’s usually very quiet and peaceful during Confession times.

Also, go to Mass. People will not think you are strange, most of the time they aren’t paying attention to others around them, they are focusing on God (or should be). Stand when they stand, sit when they sit, kneel when they kneel–you will soon learn the routine. And listen to the words of the Mass and the Readings and the homily. You will learn a great deal. Also, don’t worry about not going to Communion–lots of time people do not go and nobody judges them. That is really true.

Then when you start RCIA, you will have and idea of what is going on.

 

[excaliber]

If you want to find the church unlocked, find out what times they have Confession, then go at that time and sit in the church and be with God. It’s usually very quiet and peaceful during Confession times.

Also, go to Mass. People will not think you are strange, most of the time they aren’t paying attention to others around them, they are focusing on God (or should be). Stand when they stand, sit when they sit, kneel when they kneel–you will soon learn the routine. And listen to the words of the Mass and the Readings and the homily. You will learn a great deal. Also, don’t worry about not going to Communion–lots of time people do not go and nobody judges them. That is really true.

Then when you start RCIA, you will have and idea of what is going on.

It is obviously of no great concern
to God if I feel apart of a parish right now. Mabey he is just as pleased for me to wait until rcia.

I am spining my own wheels and waisting energy. If God was concerned would he not have picked even one out of the Thousands of catholics close to me…or even in my parish to introduce the religion to me?

To do so would have taken very little effort from God…and would have used very little resources, in that he has sooo many Catholics and it would have taken only one, for me. And if we want to go into all that God loves every individual stuff…we could go so far as to say
God could have picked out a Catholic that could particularly deal
with MY situation. hehehehehehe
but that’s for people who believe stuff like that.

I guess I will just be satisfied waiting for rcia…until then there is a church with a family I know…about 45 minuets from me…mabey I better go there.

I guess God made Rcia for people like me and that’s that.