Do you regret becoming Catholic?

[tqualey]

Hi, Iloveangels,

No one is ‘lambasting’ anyone. I would suggest you just stand down and re-read the posts in question and stop with the accusations. Please.

I guess if you edit out all but the salutation and the complementary close you do lose some content… I said mine was a limited sample and it was my personal experience - not a published study. It would be similar to you announcing that ‘…isolation and strife…’ are what makes for being a Catholic - and you would pawn that off as objective data?

If you stay in a parish where you feel that ‘…isolation and strife…’ are all you have to look forward to on a social basis - then you need to see what your parish is offering that you are just missing. And, if, as you would have us believe, there is nothing being offered at your Catholic Church that you know of - maybe talking to the priest there may give you some genuine insights. Going to another Catholic parish is not out of the question - and anything beats ‘isolation and strife’ I would think.

God bless

Enough lambasting, already. Please.

The reasons people leave the Church have been studied in some detail. You can find information on this here:

pewforum.org/uploadedFiles/Topics/Religious_Affiliation/faithinflux_3.pdf

Pew Reports has a whole section on people who change from one church to the other, and you can find out a lot.

Sex is NOT the #1 answer why people leave the Church. “Just drifting away” is, followed by “stopped believing teachings,” followed by “spiritual needs not being met.” Many people find that the Catholic Church doesn’t offer much community or teaching to its members. There’s a lot of isolation and strife. I’m a convert and all that is true. It’s definitely one of the things to consider when coming into the Church. I’ve learned to live with it. Not everyone will or can. It’s a challenge. I’m glad I became Catholic many years ago, but it’s not 100% fun and games. For sure.

ON the other hand, it’s the only place you can receive the Catholic Eucharist, and that’s been the #1 factor in keeping me Catholic.

 

[tqualey]

Hi, Redeye,

Welcome to CAF! I trust that you will find a wealth of information and insight at this list that you have just joined - and, maybe a friendly, charitable and less judgmental fellow poster.

By the way, if you are in agreement with your Mother, what did you and she do to make things any better at your parish?

God bless

My Mother was Lutheran and then converted to Catholcism when she married my Dad. She then converted back to being a Lutheran after my Dad passed away several years ago.

My Mother says Lutherans are more friendly, charitable and less judgemental. I agree with her.

 

[iloveangels]

Hi, Iloveangels,

No one is ‘lambasting’ anyone. I would suggest you just stand down and re-read the posts in question and stop with the accusations. Please.

God bless

… she says as she lambastes me.

I"m not going to go reread your posts. The OP wanted honest information and she’s getting it.

 

[Redeye]

Hi, Redeye,

Welcome to CAF! I trust that you will find a wealth of information and insight at this list that you have just joined - and, maybe a friendly, charitable and less judgmental fellow poster.

By the way, if you are in agreement with your Mother, what did you and she do to make things any better at your parish?

God bless

Indeed.

we can learn plenty from Lutherans in being more welcome and accepting to all that seek Christ for instance invite those to advent annual dinner and Mass. Focus more on our primary beliefs we all agree as Christians and stop the needless petty arguments over secondary issues yjay we disagree. Plus a far greater mission based faith with charity.

 

[tqualey]

Hi, Pkrjenkins,

After re-reading several of the past post, it would appear that there are no posts from those who regret converting to the Catholic Faith. But, there does seem to be some serious misplaced sentifment from Catholics who responded on how to simply respond to straight forward issues.

People can disagree and not lambast others - at least that is the theory. Isolation and strife are really not hallmarks of the Catholic Church. How some members interact with others is where theory and practice intersect.

Yes, we can learn from other faith structures - but, the fact that Christ founded His Church on Peter - and not no Martin Luther is hardly a small issue that can be brushed aside in an effort to move towards a homogenized structure.

Ultimately, the truth is how you have been able to receive the Grace of God and understand His calling to you about joining the Catholic Church. If there are some who have regretting their conversion to the Catholic Church - there reasons are strictly their own. You just have to answer to God for how you responded to His Grace - not how others did or did not respond. And, honestly, I think that is the heart of the matter. The entire purpose of RCIA is to show you the truths of the Catholic Church within the context of an actual parish. It takes many different people to make a parish - and not everyone is in agreement on various things they may or may not see. The Church on Earth is not perfect - even though guided by the Holy Spirit so that no error can be taught. Many have failed (and failed badly) in giving good example rather then major public scandal. In the long run, our efforts as individuals following Christ is to follow Him and let the distractions of the world pass us by.

God bless you in your efforts to come closer to Christ. My wife and I will be praying for your success.

God bless

I wasn’t sure where to post this, and since it deals with people who were another religion and then became Catholic, this seemed the logical place.

Does anyone who has become Catholic regretted their decision? Do you know of someone who became Catholic and then decided to go back to what they were?

I am not meaning to be disrespectful, I am curious. I am in RCIA right now, and plan to be reconciled to the Catholic church in the spring. While I cannot imagine becoming unhappy in my decision and I feel that God is leading me here, I have given up a great deal to follow this path. It has been difficult at times and I’ve been wondering about other people’s experiences after being in the Catholic Church for a while.

Thank you in advance for your answers.
Pam

 

[Dara]

I have been many other religions. I have studied many that I was not a part of. When I came to the Catholic faith I was well educated in theology. I have never regretted becoming Catholic. It has been a great comfort and a wonderful boon to me. I would not want to be any other way!

 

[holyrood]

I was raised Catholic, 13 years of CCD, 6 years in Catholic schools, and I refused confirmation my junior year of high school because I didn’t feel I had a clue why I should be Catholic instead of Methodist or Buddhist. Like others here, I feel the Church didn’t teach us well in those years what it is to be Catholic, what the Catholic church really teaches, what sets the Catholic church apart.

I spent several years studying other faiths, and at age 23 met a wonderful, holy, devout friend. I committed to Catholicsm, learned more about my faith, and was confirmed in my 30s.

The choice to live my faith has been the best choice I’ve ever made and brought me abundant blessings.

 

[Randy_Carson]

And comments like yours are one reason.

I think there can be intellectually rigorous and honest discussion both for and against Catholicism. But I don’t see any.

Instead, all I see is the DaVinci Load/Jack Chick nonsense, a la ‘Look at the Pope’s hat! This proves he’s an evil pagan!’

Or I see multitudes of people who leave Catholicism because they want to fornicate and then abort the results.

None of my particular concerns are ever addressed, leaving me nowhere… See ya.

If you have a specific question, start a thread. If not, browse at your leisure.

 

[Catholic_Wife]

Even when I left the Church for a while, I did not regret becoming Catholic. I left the Church because I had poor catechesis before being baptized and confirmed (to be fair to the priest, there was a war going on) and was angry because nobody seemed interested in helping me learn what I should have before I converted. I came back to the Church because God kept calling me back. After I read the Catechism (it wasn’t printed before I converted) and understood what the Church teaches, I felt more comfortable coming back and practicing my faith.

After the Easter Vigil comes mystagogia. It is something that ALL Catholics are called to. The best advice I can give someone in RCIA is to get involved in your parish. Make it your home and your fellow parishioners your family. You are less likely to leave the Church if you are involved.

 

[tqualey]

Hi, Catholic Wife,

Thank you for sharing your experience - and for the new word (at least for me) Mystagogia and the link.

Also, thanks for the encouragement for everyone to become more deeply involed in one’s parish. We all have an obligation to make our contribution to building up the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12).

God bless

Even when I left the Church for a while, I did not regret becoming Catholic. I left the Church because I had poor catechesis before being baptized and confirmed (to be fair to the priest, there was a war going on) and was angry because nobody seemed interested in helping me learn what I should have before I converted. I came back to the Church because God kept calling me back. After I read the Catechism (it wasn’t printed before I converted) and understood what the Church teaches, I felt more comfortable coming back and practicing my faith.

After the Easter Vigil comes mystagogia. It is something that ALL Catholics are called to. The best advice I can give someone in RCIA is to get involved in your parish. Make it your home and your fellow parishioners your family. You are less likely to leave the Church if you are involved.

 

[iloveangels]

Hi, Catholic Wife,

Thank you for sharing your experience - and for the new word (at least for me) Mystagogia and the link.

Also, thanks for the encouragement for everyone to become more deeply involed in one’s parish. We all have an obligation to make our contribution to building up the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12).

God bless

Okay, I’ll bite on this. How do you become “deeply involved with your parish?”

 

[Catholic_Wife]

Okay, I’ll bite on this. How do you become “deeply involved with your parish?”

First, go to Mass at least every Sunday and Holy Day. Go to Adoration.

Second, since not all of us are holy enough to go just for the sake of Christ in the Eucharist, getting involved in parish life can give us an emotional connection that makes us more likely to keep going to Mass after the “romance” of coming into the Church fades. Some people like to help with hospitality, some people are good with kids, some have a talent for teaching. Some parishes have small church community groups that meet. All these things help us form “human bonds”. How “deeply” one becomes involved depends on the person’s comfort level.

 

[iloveangels]

First, go to Mass at least every Sunday and Holy Day. Go to Adoration.

That’s a given anyway. But that’s not becoming involved in the parish. You don’t have to speak to a single human person to do any of those things.

Second, since not all of us are holy enough to go just for the sake of Christ in the Eucharist, getting involved in parish life can give us an emotional connection that makes us more likely to keep going to Mass after the “romance” of coming into the Church fades. Some people like to help with hospitality, some people are good with kids, some have a talent for teaching. Some parishes have small church community groups that meet. All these things help us form “human bonds”. How “deeply” one becomes involved depends on the person’s comfort level.

Many parishes have none of these things. It’s either have a kid and put it in the school–if there is one–so you can share that at least, OR be a permanent bystander. OR you could violate the instructions of the Holy See and go be one of the army of EMHCs. Which means you show up on a schedule and do that when it’s your turn. Other things are pretty much not open to everyone in the parish. It’s not possible the way things are set up, for a large number of people to “get involved in the parish.” It’s not set up that way at most parishes.

 

[Catholic_Wife]

Many parishes have none of these things. It’s either have a kid and put it in the school–if there is one–so you can share that at least, OR be a permanent bystander. OR you could violate the instructions of the Holy See and go be one of the army of EMHCs. Which means you show up on a schedule and do that when it’s your turn. Period.

I refuse to participate in a discussion about EMHCs in this thread, however, there are opportunities to serve. Ushers. Altar guild. Offer to help set up before and clean up after Mass. Youth groups. Parish council. Decorating the church. Helping in the parish office. Helping maintain the parish grounds. Volunteer at the parish school. Help with the kids being confirmed. Offer to teach a quarterly baptism class. Get involved with the marriage ministry. Knights of Columbus. St Vincent de Paul Society.

There are plenty of opportunities to serve and be involved in one’s parish … if one looks. ***If a parish doesn’t have opportunities for parishioners to gather and be involved, talk to the pastor about starting one (or two). *** Don’t wait for someone else to do it - do it yourself! (with your pastor’s blessing) Organize a group to serve once a month at a local soup kitchen, food bank or homeless shelter. Organize a small church community program. Organize a rosary prayer group that meets before or after daily Mass (even once a week or once a month) to pray for those affected by abortion. Organize a group to help with a Habitat for Humanity project. Organize a singles group, a mother’s day out, a men’s group, etc. If you have a parish hall that has a kitchen, organize a monthly or quarterly pancake breakfast to raise money for those in need. Start a prayer tree and pray for the special intentions of others. The list goes on and on…

 

[iloveangels]

I refuse to participate in a discussion about EMHCs in this thread, however, there are opportunities to serve. Ushers. Altar guild. Offer to help set up before and clean up after Mass. Youth groups. Parish council. Decorating the church. Helping in the parish office. Helping maintain the parish grounds. Volunteer at the parish school. Help with the kids being confirmed. Offer to teach a quarterly baptism class. Get involved with the marriage ministry. Knights of Columbus. St Vincent de Paul Society.

There are plenty of opportunities to serve and be involved in one’s parish … if one looks. ***If a parish doesn’t have opportunities for parishioners to gather and be involved, talk to the pastor about starting one (or two). *** Don’t wait for someone else to do it - do it yourself! (with your pastor’s blessing) Organize a group to serve once a month at a local soup kitchen, food bank or homeless shelter. Organize a small church community program. Organize a rosary prayer group that meets before or after daily Mass (even once a week or once a month) to pray for those affected by abortion. Organize a group to help with a Habitat for Humanity project. Organize a singles group, a mother’s day out, a men’s group, etc. If you have a parish hall that has a kitchen, organize a monthly or quarterly pancake breakfast to raise money for those in need. Start a prayer tree and pray for the special intentions of others. The list goes on and on…

No. At most parishes, the list does not go on and on.

 

[tqualey]

Hi, Iloveangels,

I really thought that Catholic Wife had some good and encouraging ideas. Candidly, I was taken back by your apparent lack of receptiveness - and your idea of violating Vatican instructions shows a real interest in getting with the spirit

But, maybe I’ve approached this from the wrong direction… so, I will tell you what I did. The idea of maintaining a deep reverance for Mass and Holy Communion can not be overstated or overused.

My parish has a Sunday bulletin (yeah, I know, everyon’s parish does…) and a list of the various committees. Once a year, all the committees get together and have an ‘open house’ to show what they do and offer information to interested parishoners. In my parish there was a need for a Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister and I joined that ministry. There also was no one to visit the prisoners in our two jails - so every week we do a Bible Study program.

It could be that the trigger phrase was, ‘…deeply involved…’ - and, maybe that is not a good starting point. My thinking that anything in addition to attendance at Sunday Mass is a good start. So, how about telling us about your Sunday bulletin and maybe we come up with something together.

The basic idea is that we are involved because of our love for Christ. Starting our with small steps is how we move forward in growth and development. Sniping at those steps or - worse yet - the people making them will have about as much appeal as sipping on vinegar so that one’s facial muscles have that particular tilt…

God bless

Okay, I’ll bite on this. How do you become “deeply involved with your parish?”

 

[Catholic_Wife]

No. At most parishes, the list does not go on and on.

Like I said, if your parish doesn’t have opportunities, talk to your pastor and offer to organize something.

 

[iloveangels]

Like I said, if your parish doesn’t have opportunities, talk to your pastor and offer to organize something.

Are you the “big starter of things” in your parish? Just curious.

 

[iloveangels]

The big question here, and the topic of this thread, is “do you regret becoming Catholic?”

Generally overall, no. Of course not, the big reason being Holy Communion.

That said, I have had troubles belonging to the Church. My enthusiasm for the everyday experience of being Catholic is pretty low in some ways. I don’t belong to the cultural milieu of Catholicism, not being a cradle Catholic, and have found it to be not very accommodating to converts. Many, or maybe even most Catholics, don’t know their faith and don’t want to know it, which I still find somewhat shocking even after all these years.

I occasionally miss the music and the preaching and the fellowship of my protestant days, which was much more robust and friendly. I would like to find a good multi-year bible study like the Bible Study Fellowship, but there is no such thing for Catholics. Classes and programs for Catholics tend to be really perfunctory and basic and sketchy, even on the rare occasion you can find one to participate in. They’re not very good.

With respect to starting things in the parish, there was a time when I would have jumped on that with enthusiasm. Not so much now. I’m not exactly sure why. I wonder how much good it would do. I wonder if it would even go anywhere. I kind of doubt it, if you want to know the truth. Most Catholics don’t really want to learn anything.

PS, I’m not interested in yet more social service because although social service is one of the consequences of religion, social service does not EQUAL religion, and I’m very tired of having that thrown in my face all the time. If religion = social work, then I would have saved myself a lot of grief and just become a social worker and been done with it. But religion does not = social work.

 

[klm120861]

My advice woud be to identify the one thing that you, if you could have your preference, would like to be involved in. Is it a Bible study? A prayer group? A women’s fellowship? Once you have identified that, then look to see if it exists. If it doesn’t , speak to your pastor. Not necessarily about leading something yourself, but maybe connecting you with others who share the same interests. It could even be something as simple as a quilting or knitting group. There may be several people who are just wanting a day and time to get together to share an activity. As for Catholics not wanting to know their faith, I’ve spoken to 50- ish and I’ve spoken to 2. The number doesn’t matter. The 2 are just as important as the 50.
Maybe you could get involved in the RCIA program. That way you could help new Catholics not to feel isolated when they come inti the church
You could also talk to someone who knows you about it. They may see talents in you that you don’t even realize you have. They might have the perfect idea.
Everyone is called to do something. But finding that something sometimes is hard.
You are in my prayers.
Kris