Do you regret becoming Catholic?

[Church_Militant]

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’s a big one with me too.

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.

Sometimes they don’t seem to know what to do with converts. Generally they bring a lot of good energy and insight with them and, if I were a pastor, I’d be plugging them in to help them get settled and make best use of them, but that’s just me. My parish is pretty much like that though.

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 don’t know that I agree with this generalization because I haven’t found it to be so. I find lots of ways to share with other Catholics because we have breakfast after Mass and the K of C cooks an awesome meal on Wednesday nights and the cost is $6.00 a head, and the food s plentiful and so good that you just don’t wanna miss it and we chat about our families and needs and various aspects of the faith. It’s here that I’ve made some decent Catholic friends as well as got to know our pastor and parochial vicar better, which has been a real blessing.

Also, we have a good RCIA class and usually several study groups going on during the week. Right now my wife and are in a study of Fr. Robert Barron’s Catholicism series, which s awesome. We also did a class on Dr. Edward Sri’s A Biblical Walk Through the Mass which was so good that we suggested to the DRE that it become part of the RCIA curriculum, which they did.

I’ve also found daily Mass a good place to connect with faithful Catholics as well as a tremendous blessing.

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.

You need to look into the ones I mentioned above then.

You might also undertake a personal and ongoing study of the Catechism (something that Pope Benedict has urged for this year of faith) because that is one of the most intense and eloquent expressions of the faith I have ever encountered. Especially if you get into the footnotes. It’s online at Catechism of the Catholic Church.

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.

Again… a generalization, and one laced with doubt. Has it occurred to you that God may be calling you to get this going since it seems to be your burden? Go in and ask for the courses I have mentioned. What can it hurt? I often believe that when we see a need like this, it’s God’s way of guiding us to where we are needed.

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. It’s part of the faith. See Matthew 25:31-46.

 

[pkrjenkins]

Several of the former Protestants have mentioned music and fellowhip. My experience with the Catholic church is mostly limited to the church I attend, but I will have to say that I agree in some respects. The music is very ‘anemic,’ whereas in most of the Protestant churches I have attended it was often robust, lively, vigorous, etc. However, I don’t think I should choose a church because of the music (although at one time in my life that was a factor. Now I think that’s kind of shallow). One thing that Protestants do very well is small group Bible study, aka Sunday School. I can see how a person could attend a Catholic church and pretty much remain anonymous. The church I attend has recently hired a full time religious education director, and she has started a Thursday evening class for adults in addition to the Sunday morning classes for children that were already taking place. The youth group is VERY active also, and we have a daycare also.

I live in the Bible belt, and our church is considered a mission church because there are so few catholics in our area. There are 2 within a 30 minute driving time, and 2 within an hour drive. Three of them are mission churches that came from the church I attend. The parish is all of west Tennessee. There are not a lot of choices, but happily I like the church I attend. One thing I have struggled with is a feeling of being ‘the odd one out’ so to speak. I sometimes feel that others may think I’m pretending to be something that I am not, that I don’t know quite how to conduct myself because I don’t know enough about Catholicism. I don’t think I’m explaining this very well. Anyway, no one has made me feel this way; no one has said or done anything that would indicate they think I’m odd or weird. I think it’s just my reaction to a VERY different way of believing and worshipping.

Right now I am not involved in anything other than RCIA, but when that is finished I plan to attend the adult class on Thursday night, and I’m hoping they will have more classes. I know it is something others want, too, b/c a few weeks ago Father mentioned in the announcements that it was something that had been put in the suggestion box several times. I’m also thinking of joining the choir, or perhaps just asking where I might serve best.

Thanks again for your posts. This has been very interesting, and I appreciate all your prayers.

God bless,
Pam

 

[tqualey]

Hi, Pkrjenkins,

Let me complement you for the postivie attitude you have shown in your post - it is truly looking forward with faith and hope as you and these few Catholics interact in west TN I think that Church Militant provided a number of good ideas - and I think you can tinker and tweak them to fit your particular situation.

It is truly amazing just we can now reach out all over the world and interact with so many people via the internet. As we often see, others do take a different view of things - but, I really think this is the issue of not seeing the forest for the trees. Those with a different perspective can open our eyes to many things we had not thought of before - and, sometimes it is not exactly what they had in mind … but, it got us to look at our reality differently.

The power to effect change must start with changing ourselves - and so much depends on attitude. A poor attitude is like putting on a blindfold in a poorly lit room. Objectively speaking, there really isn’t a lot of light - but, the blindfold reduces or eliminates what light there is - and that can easily become an entrenched way of viewing - not just a problem area - but, all of life.

Following Christ through the Chruch He founded on Peter is the path we need to renew in our hearts every day - lest they slowly become hearts of stone. A daily prayer life is a solid way to achieve this closer walk with Christ.

God bless

Several of the former Protestants have mentioned music and fellowhip. My experience with the Catholic church is mostly limited to the church I attend, but I will have to say that I agree in some respects. The music is very ‘anemic,’ whereas in most of the Protestant churches I have attended it was often robust, lively, vigorous, etc. However, I don’t think I should choose a church because of the music (although at one time in my life that was a factor. Now I think that’s kind of shallow). One thing that Protestants do very well is small group Bible study, aka Sunday School. I can see how a person could attend a Catholic church and pretty much remain anonymous. The church I attend has recently hired a full time religious education director, and she has started a Thursday evening class for adults in addition to the Sunday morning classes for children that were already taking place. The youth group is VERY active also, and we have a daycare also.

I live in the Bible belt, and our church is considered a mission church because there are so few catholics in our area. There are 2 within a 30 minute driving time, and 2 within an hour drive. Three of them are mission churches that came from the church I attend. The parish is all of west Tennessee. There are not a lot of choices, but happily I like the church I attend. One thing I have struggled with is a feeling of being ‘the odd one out’ so to speak. I sometimes feel that others may think I’m pretending to be something that I am not, that I don’t know quite how to conduct myself because I don’t know enough about Catholicism. I don’t think I’m explaining this very well. Anyway, no one has made me feel this way; no one has said or done anything that would indicate they think I’m odd or weird. I think it’s just my reaction to a VERY different way of believing and worshipping.

Right now I am not involved in anything other than RCIA, but when that is finished I plan to attend the adult class on Thursday night, and I’m hoping they will have more classes. I know it is something others want, too, b/c a few weeks ago Father mentioned in the announcements that it was something that had been put in the suggestion box several times. I’m also thinking of joining the choir, or perhaps just asking where I might serve best.

Thanks again for your posts. This has been very interesting, and I appreciate all your prayers.

God bless,
Pam

 

[iloveangels]

Several of the former Protestants have mentioned music and fellowhip. My experience with the Catholic church is mostly limited to the church I attend, but I will have to say that I agree in some respects. The music is very ‘anemic,’ whereas in most of the Protestant churches I have attended it was often robust, lively, vigorous, etc. However, I don’t think I should choose a church because of the music (although at one time in my life that was a factor. Now I think that’s kind of shallow). One thing that Protestants do very well is small group Bible study, aka Sunday School. I can see how a person could attend a Catholic church and pretty much remain anonymous. The church I attend has recently hired a full time religious education director, and she has started a Thursday evening class for adults in addition to the Sunday morning classes for children that were already taking place. The youth group is VERY active also, and we have a daycare also.

I live in the Bible belt, and our church is considered a mission church because there are so few catholics in our area. There are 2 within a 30 minute driving time, and 2 within an hour drive. Three of them are mission churches that came from the church I attend. The parish is all of west Tennessee. There are not a lot of choices, but happily I like the church I attend. One thing I have struggled with is a feeling of being ‘the odd one out’ so to speak. I sometimes feel that others may think I’m pretending to be something that I am not, that I don’t know quite how to conduct myself because I don’t know enough about Catholicism. I don’t think I’m explaining this very well. Anyway, no one has made me feel this way; no one has said or done anything that would indicate they think I’m odd or weird. I think it’s just my reaction to a VERY different way of believing and worshipping.

Right now I am not involved in anything other than RCIA, but when that is finished I plan to attend the adult class on Thursday night, and I’m hoping they will have more classes. I know it is something others want, too, b/c a few weeks ago Father mentioned in the announcements that it was something that had been put in the suggestion box several times. I’m also thinking of joining the choir, or perhaps just asking where I might serve best.

Thanks again for your posts. This has been very interesting, and I appreciate all your prayers.

God bless,
Pam

Thank you, Pam. I enjoyed your informative and honest post.

 

[Charlemagne_II]

Some posters have complained that Catholic music is bland compared to Protestant music. Having attended many Protestant churches, I think they are equally bland. For several years now our pastor has hired Protestant musicians for choir directors. I think we could have done a lot better by not spending that money. Hymns are selected that unmusical people cannot possibly sing, so you end up with the choir only singing and everybody else listening. Where is it written that only bland music composed in the last 50 years can be sung, and only the choirs should be able to sing it?

Hymns are an important element of the liturgy and should not be left to those without an ear for truly spiritual and uplifting music.

 

[iloveangels]

Some posters have complained that Catholic music is bland compared to Protestant music. Having attended many Protestant churches, I think they are equally bland. For several years now our pastor has hired Protestant musicians for choir directors. I think we could have done a lot better by not spending that money. Hymns are selected that unmusical people cannot possibly sing, so you end up with the choir only singing and everybody else listening. Where is it written that only bland music composed in the last 50 years can be sung, and only the choirs should be able to sing it?

Hymns are an important element of the liturgy and should not be left to those without an ear for truly spiritual and uplifting music.

Are you saying that Catholics are un-musical?

 

[tqualey]

Hi, Charlemagne II,

You are so right - at least about having music on the choir can sing! :extrahappy:

The real issue is joining the Church founded by Christ on Peter. Now, the only time I know of that there was singing was immediately after the Last Supper en route to the Garden of Olives. I just feel confident that all present engaged in heart-felt song - and none of the songs were out of the reach of male voices.

By the way, if you don’t mind me asking, is there more structure in being a ‘Practical Atheist’ as to the other guys who have always seemed rather impractical to me? Seriously, what caught your eye about joing the Catholic Church - and, is it still keeping your eye today?

God bless

Some posters have complained that Catholic music is bland compared to Protestant music. Having attended many Protestant churches, I think they are equally bland. For several years now our pastor has hired Protestant musicians for choir directors. I think we could have done a lot better by not spending that money. Hymns are selected that unmusical people cannot possibly sing, so you end up with the choir only singing and everybody else listening. Where is it written that only bland music composed in the last 50 years can be sung, and only the choirs should be able to sing it?

Hymns are an important element of the liturgy and should not be left to those without an ear for truly spiritual and uplifting music.

 

[Catherine_k]

Pam…

as a convert to Catholicism I suffered an enormous personal price (from family members) because of my decisions and actions. AT the time of my reception into the church, I was young (of age) but still financially dependent and personally vulnerable. My family did NOT hesitate to use any form or means of pressure to change my behaviors. Many years later, I’m in a different place (both physically and metaphorically)… and am no longer vulnerable because of my faith.
If you wish, you can PM me and I will be happy to share some specifics of my experiences and perspectives (if you feel it would be helpful to you).

I posted a question in a different forum regarding acceptance of conversion yesterday … Conversion takes a leap not only of faith buut also a tremendous amount of courage. In many cases embracing a different way of approaching God, worshiping God can be seen by family and close friends as a personal rejection of THEIR beliefs. Its one of the reasons why the Catholic community embraces our converts… why we strive in RCIA not only to educate about the faith, but to incorporate our candidates/catecumens into the community/ Body of Christ.

 

[Edmundus1581]

Are you saying that Catholics are un-musical?

If they were un-musical then they would randomly select both good and bad music, so we’d at least get some good music. My impression is that some of them are musical enough to consistently select bad music!

Actually, now that I think about it, I have been to some parishes which have a musically illiterate music director (who does the job because someone has to) and the music has actually been quite acceptable, just because he keeps to mainstream choices from the hymnal!

 

[iloveangels]

If they were un-musical then they would randomly select both good and bad music, so we’d at least get some good music. My impression is that some of them are musical enough to consistently select bad music!

Naw, it’s worse than that. They’re so unmusical that good music sounds like bad music and bad music sounds like good music, and no matter what kind of music they get, they make it sound bad when they “execute” it. Pun intended.

Actually, now that I think about it, I have been to some parishes which have a musically illiterate music director (who does the job because someone has to) and the music has actually been quite acceptable, just because he keeps to mainstream choices from the hymnal!

LOL. Yes, there’s usually a few old ladies in the crowd who can actually carry a tune if they’re just allowed to sing.

 

[tqualey]

Hi, Edmundus1581,

I think you’ve got it! More mainstream choices with engage more of the congretation - and we will drown-out the choir! :

Seriously, those hymns written for those who stand on their toes to hit the high notes have always been a problem for me - but, mainstream I can handle.

God bless

If they were un-musical then they would randomly select both good and bad music, so we’d at least get some good music. My impression is that some of them are musical enough to consistently select bad music!

Actually, now that I think about it, I have been to some parishes which have a musically illiterate music director (who does the job because someone has to) and the music has actually been quite acceptable, just because he keeps to mainstream choices from the hymnal!

 

[Edmundus1581]

LOL. Yes, there’s usually a few old ladies in the crowd who can actually carry a tune if they’re just allowed to sing.

Hi, Edmundus1581,

I think you’ve got it! More mainstream choices with engage more of the congretation - and we will drown-out the choir! :

Thankyou!

Recently it was my turn to choose the music for Mass, and to lead the singing. I chose the following hymns:

• Breathe on Me Breath of God
• Firmly I Believe and Truly
• Soul of My Saviour
• Praise My Soul the King of Heaven

Afterwards one little old lady came up to me and hugged me vigorously, saying “Thankyou”. She was almost crying. Such was her relief at being given the opportunity to sing these hymns again.

However, the regular music director seemed quite displeased with me…

 

[Jennifoo]

Hello all, esp. the OP. I became Catholic 15 years ago and have not regretted it at all. It was a big step, I took a few months to pray, study, ponder, ask questions, and pray even more. What I really loved in that time was that no one ever pressured me to join the Catholic Church: they allowed me to be in my flux time, if you will, no hurry at all. I was a little scared to make the leap, because I knew it would change me forever, but once I knew that this is the original church that Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour founded, I couldn’t refuse. It is not easy to be a faithful Catholic, but it is worth it! I don’t know who or what I’d be today if it weren’t for my Faith. It can be difficult at times, esp. with those Catholics who are mean, unholy, hypocritical, but it’s STILL worth it. I won’t let anybody make me leave the Church- I’m hear to stay.

In Christ,

Jennifer

 

[Catherine_k]

The music in local parishes is so awful on Sundays, I truly appreciate the occasional daily mass more…

 

[tqualey]

Hi, Jennifoo,

Let me welcome you to CAF - and thank you for sharing a beautiful story of ‘Coming Home’. you are right about just needing time to process this new information and to look carefully at what you are about to do. But, following Christ through the Church He left to guide us back to Him is the only practical response we can make to our Savior’s call to, “Follow Me”.

God bless and continue on with that positive attitude.

Hello all, esp. the OP. I became Catholic 15 years ago and have not regretted it at all. It was a big step, I took a few months to pray, study, ponder, ask questions, and pray even more. What I really loved in that time was that no one ever pressured me to join the Catholic Church: they allowed me to be in my flux time, if you will, no hurry at all. I was a little scared to make the leap, because I knew it would change me forever, but once I knew that this is the original church that Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour founded, I couldn’t refuse. It is not easy to be a faithful Catholic, but it is worth it! I don’t know who or what I’d be today if it weren’t for my Faith. It can be difficult at times, esp. with those Catholics who are mean, unholy, hypocritical, but it’s STILL worth it. I won’t let anybody make me leave the Church- I’m hear to stay.

In Christ,

Jennifer

 

[Charlemagne_II]

tqualey

Seriously, what caught your eye about joing the Catholic Church - and, is it still keeping your eye today?

The fact that the Catholic Church is so ancient it can be the only true Church. All the others are add-ons. But also the fact that I looked about and saw much of mainstream Protestantism caving in to the secularists, while the Catholic Church stood alone, and still stands alone, against the world, the flesh, and the devil.

 

[tqualey]

Hi, Charlemagne II,

Let me commend you on your insight and very positive attitude…

The hallmark of being with Christ is Joy. This does not mean that there is an absence of hardship and adversity and outright persecution - everything that the Devil can throw at us - and, as we cling to Christ through His Church - there is no bitterness or disdain. And, if anyone is looking for a criteria - we can look to the 2nd Century pagans watching the Christians being martyred and their comment, “See how they love one another” - I think that is still valid today.

God bless

tqualey

Seriously, what caught your eye about joing the Catholic Church - and, is it still keeping your eye today?

The fact that the Catholic Church is so ancient it can be the only true Church. All the others are add-ons. But also the fact that I looked about and saw much of mainstream Protestantism caving in to the secularists, while the Catholic Church stood alone, and still stands alone, against the world, the flesh, and the devil.

 

[Charlemagne_II]

Tom
**
we can look to the 2nd Century pagans watching the Christians being martyred and their comment, “See how they love one another” - I think that is still valid today.**

I wish the 21st century pagans could look at us and say the same, but to listen to the media, you’d think all they want to do is what they wanted to do back in the day … stamp us out.

 

[pkrjenkins]

I have just read my last post and realized how it sounds. I meant that there are 2 churches within a 20 minute drive and 2 within an hour drive. I’m sorry if I mislead anyone to think there were only 6 Catholics in my area. After reading it today I saw that it kind of sounded that way.

Sorry!
Pam

Jennifoo, I was also happily surprised when I took the RCIA class the first time to find that there was no pressure whatsoever to be reconciled to the Church. About midway through Father asked if I planned to come into the Catholic church because if I was going to there was a class in Memphis that I would need to attend. After talking to him privately I decided and he agreed that it would be good for me to wait. He was perfectly fine with that. Didn’t bother him a bit. I’ve had plenty of time to pray, think, and spend some time in ‘flux.’ I am looking forward to the Easter vigil when I will come into the church.

Pam

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

Yeah… and yours are better? I’d have to disagree.

Then I don’t think you’re looking very hard. Besides…this is an apologetics forum, not theology and they are different things that sometimes overlap. I don’t know what you mean by “intellectually rigorous and honest discussion” and I doubt anyone else here will either because it’s such a nebulous and subjective statement.

I suggest that if you want more then bring more to the discussion than snide remarks and one liner criticisms like these.

And this is our fault on CAF or the fault of the Catholic Church?

That’s called unrealistic expectations, and again…you’re remarks lend nothing to the discussion. It’s like you expect an online forum to solve all the world’s problems (or yours?) and that’s not how the real world works.

I haven’t seen a single thread of yours where you have sought to discuss and of these “particular concerns” of yours. Do you expect people to read your mind? Furthermore, how does any of that justify your remarks here in this thread? Don’t you have a priest and pastor? Why haven’t you made an appointment with him, because that’s the right way to get answers that you seem to need?

Moreover, you posted here in apologetics, where the whole concept is to explain and defend the faith. You won’t (and shouldn’t) find much in the way of other topics here because the average Catholic comes in contact with “the DaVinci Load/Jack Chick nonsense, a la ‘Look at the Pope’s hat! This proves he’s an evil pagan!’” stuff and for the average guy, they don’t know what to think of that or how to respond, so it comes up here where they seek help. If that bends you outta shape, that’s not anyone’s fault here. so it’s not right for you to project that onto CAF.:takethat:

It’s because of responses like yours that I haven’t even dared to bring it up.

The TITLE of this thread is ‘Do You Regret Becoming Catholic?’. Stupid of me to think anyone wanted honest answers.