paramedicgirl:
Converts to Catholicism are usually very spiritual and eager to learn about the Catholic faith. They often become very knowledgeable about a faith that cradle Catholics know little about.
Do you think that converts make better Catholics? Can we lump
cradle Catholics who “convert” to their own faith (by their learning efforts) as adults into this category?
Why, as children, do so few Catholics ever really get taught their faith?
Well now, something I can finally speek with authority on.
I am a Cradle Catholic. I went to Church almost every weekend, did my CCD and Confirmation classes, I was even an Altar Server.
But guess what? Once I left home and had no one to MAKE me go to Church, I didn’t go. Why? Cause I was never inspired enough by my parents, my church leaders, or anyone else to WANT to go to Church, to choose for myself whether or not I had faith.
Right now I am “outside” the church, exploring faith, spirituality, and finding my OWN desire to be close to Jesus.
What’s wrong with the Church- and a lot of it has it’s roots in so called “tradition”- is that everything is procedural, it’s mandated, it’s not fun, it’s not intimate. It’s strict, it’s rules, it’s following orders, it’s watching a Priest perform Mass rather than the congregation praising the Lord, it seems less like worship and more like a dull stage show.
I was baptized as an infant, but that did not make me want to have faith. I took my first communion, but even then I did not understand what it was I was doing. I went to CCD classes, not because I was interested in learning about God, but because my parents made me. I served on the altar during mass, not because I wanted to be closer to God, but because I waned to actually participate in the Mass. I was confirmed, but only cause “I was supposed to be” before I left high school.
Parents, preachers- MAKING people do things before they are ready is about as useless as trying to bring water to a fire in a sive! Only now, at 23 years old am I actually interested in searching, studying, and finding my way to Jesus.
18 years I was MADE to go and worship, take classes, and participate in sacraments I never had any interest in, understanding of, or desire to take part in. As a result, my experience with the RCC is dull and boring. Can you honestly tell me that just because I went through the motions of Roman Catholic Tradition, that I am a Catholic? That I have a knowledge of salvation and of our Lord? NO!
That is why IF I do go back to the RCC church, I will need to start over from the beginning. So much for the “foundation”… The Church tried to build a house on me before the foundation was ready to support it. The result was that as soon as a slight wind came up, it blew it all over. Now what do I have?
Elsewhere I see people who are joyous in their worship- that let their faith show through in their day to day lives… not just Sunday morning only, like I have seen the vast majority of Catholics I grew up with.
Until I came to know Jesus outside of the RCC Church, I was uncomfortable speaking His name, or discussing the Word in my own home let alone in public. Now with just a brief experience and study of Scripture outside the Church, I proclaim His name daily… proudly, and without reservation.
So my advice to the RC Chruch is this… Bring joyous faith back into your worship, nurture and let develop an individuals interest in faith in their own time, don’t mandate a timetable of sacraments to be given at particular ages, and in addition to the rites and rituals engage the congregation in more than responsorials and creeds.
Sorry for the rant… but I have a lot to say. I hope I don’t come across mean or patronizing… i’m just flowing from the heart here.
-GS