Feeling conflicted

[AlieMarie728]

Hi all, my name is Alie and I’m 26. Please forgive me if I get some things wrong or if I state my feelings in a less than eloquent way.

I was raised Catholic but started attending a nondenominational church in college and continued that until just recently. I got married a year and a half ago in a EFCA church, and after the wedding my husband and I moved where we live now (Wisconsin). Our church attendance has been lax at best, and I’ve since started feeling a pull back to the Catholic Church.

I’m conflicted because on the one hand I love many of the traditions of the Church, but I feel like I was so poorly educated in the faith formation classes I took as a child that I have no idea why things are done the way they are. Any resources I’ve used to try to sort this out have left me feeling overwhelmed. (I have tried to read bits and pieces of the Catechism, but much of that even went over my head at times too, and I consider myself to be a fairly educated, well-read person.)

Another thing I’m curious about is why there have been few resources offered as far as Bible studies or fellowship opportunities (as least that’s how nondenominational churches phrase it). I think I would have been stronger and less likely to stray from my faith growing up if there had been ANY kind of opportunities like that. I know that’s a relatively minor thing, but I never had anything resembling a close friendship with anyone I knew through church.

It also makes me a bit uneasy about the role of the Church in modern culture, especially in the U.S. I read an article about how evangelical Protestants are becoming more devout and Catholics are becoming less devout. Likewise, it troubles me that in an election where the bishops took such a strong stand against the HHS mandate half of the voting Catholic population essentially ignored the impact it has on Church-run organizations. I’m also confused on some of the social and political stances the Church has taken.

Again, please forgive me if I have said anything offensive, I’m simply trying to figure some things out so I can be knowledgable. Thank you.

 

[fred_conty]

Just off hand, I would recomment you stay and read the topics and responses here on CAF.
If you don’t understand something, you can always ask.
Also this allows you to pick topics that you want more info on.
You may also check out historical topics and posts and read those.
These are in question and debate type of answers which may make more sense to you.
You will get a lot of good suggestions.
Stay with us.

Just a thought.

 

[JRKH]

You have said nothing offensive…Welcome to CAF…Glad you are here.

For a really good “basic” understanding of the faith…Get the book, "Catholicism for Dummies. Well written and very accurate - and easy to read.
Stay away from "idiots guide to Catholicism ( I think that is the title)…from what I understand it contains errors.

The political issues you mention are troubling, but it only emphasizes the need for truly devout Catholics to come home.

Finally - As Fred says above…Just keep hanging out here.
Read - post, ask questions…you’ll get a lot of excellent (name removed by moderator)ut.

Peace
James

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Welcome to the forum.

Do yourself a favor and go and talk to a priest. He can advise you and you may even be able to sign up with RCIA classes, just to get up to date on basic information.

Jim

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Hi all, my name is Alie and I’m 26. Please forgive me if I get some things wrong or if I state my feelings in a less than eloquent way.

I was raised Catholic but started attending a nondenominational church in college and continued that until just recently. I got married a year and a half ago in a EFCA church, and after the wedding my husband and I moved where we live now (Wisconsin). Our church attendance has been lax at best, and I’ve since started feeling a pull back to the Catholic Church.

I’m conflicted because on the one hand I love many of the traditions of the Church, but I feel like I was so poorly educated in the faith formation classes I took as a child that I have no idea why things are done the way they are. Any resources I’ve used to try to sort this out have left me feeling overwhelmed. (I have tried to read bits and pieces of the Catechism, but much of that even went over my head at times too, and I consider myself to be a fairly educated, well-read person.)

Another thing I’m curious about is why there have been few resources offered as far as Bible studies or fellowship opportunities (as least that’s how nondenominational churches phrase it). I think I would have been stronger and less likely to stray from my faith growing up if there had been ANY kind of opportunities like that. I know that’s a relatively minor thing, but I never had anything resembling a close friendship with anyone I knew through church.

It also makes me a bit uneasy about the role of the Church in modern culture, especially in the U.S. I read an article about how evangelical Protestants are becoming more devout and Catholics are becoming less devout. Likewise, it troubles me that in an election where the bishops took such a strong stand against the HHS mandate half of the voting Catholic population essentially ignored the impact it has on Church-run organizations. I’m also confused on some of the social and political stances the Church has taken.

Again, please forgive me if I have said anything offensive, I’m simply trying to figure some things out so I can be knowledgable. Thank you.

Hi Alie! Welcome to Catholic Answers Forums! Glad you found us!

The book “Catholicism for Dummies” is a great suggestion. It will fill in some of the blanks you have, about why Catholics believe what we do, and our sacraments, etc. Going straight to the CCC is a bit intense for most reverts (what we who come back to the Church after a time way usually call ourselves) and I have heard that the Dummies book is well-written and is correct (it may even have the Vatican OK, the imprimateur).

Many Catholic parents over the last 50 year have dropped the ball when it comes to teaching the faith to their children. It really is first the parents’ responsibility to pass on the true faith, and make sure the children receive the sacraments and form their consciences correctly. That is one reason you have so much confusion when it comes to voting as a Catholic - incorrectly formed consciences. The Church’s tenets have not changed in over 2000 years, but unless people understand and submit to the Magisterium (the body of Church teaching since Jesus came the 1st time), they will go their own way both politically and morally. Then you add to the problem that neither of the current political parties is 100% Catholic-friendly, and it’s quite a quandary. Each party gets some things right, and some things wrong.

Anyway, that’s all for later on in your journey home. Speaking of which, if you get EWTN (my satellite co. has it at channel 360), there’s a great show called, “The Journey Home,” and it’s on tonight. The host, a convert himself, interviews people who converted from other faiths or who reverted after being away for a period of time. Very interesting and enlightening show. Leah Darrow, a former runway model, is on tonight. She’s involved in chastity work now.

The Journey Home

There are fellowship experiences for adults in the Catholic Church. Each parish varies - some have more focus on families with children; others have more older folks, so you have to look around and find one that suits. It’s true that we don’t have as many Bible studies but we get Bible teaching every Sunday during the Mass. Many Catholic parishes do have Bible studies these days, however.

Again, glad you’re here and welcome!

 

[bzkoss236]

\Many Catholic parents over the last 50 year have dropped the ball when it comes to teaching the faith to their children. It really is first the parents’ responsibility to pass on the true faith, and make sure the children receive the sacraments and form their consciences correctly. That is one reason you have so much confusion when it comes to voting as a Catholic - incorrectly formed consciences. The Church’s tenets have not changed in over 2000 years, but unless people understand and submit to the Magisterium (the body of Church teaching since Jesus came the 1st time), they will go their own way both politically and morally. Then you add to the problem that neither of the current political parties is 100% Catholic-friendly, and it’s quite a quandary. Each party gets some things right, and some things wrong.

I second this. A lot of the reason why people are poorly catechized is because they don’t bring the message home. Many seem to leave religion at church and live the rest of the week like anyone else. And that is the culture that many end up in. It also leads those outside the church to feel that as long as we get to go to church on Sunday that they can make us do whatever they want, even if it’s against our beliefs, because “they aren’t infringing on our ability to worship”. But we are to worship in everything we do.

And in regard to the lack of Bible studies, etc., this stems from the same block of thought, that religion stays at church. You need people to run the Bible studies, and not just anyone, but someone with good knowledge of whatever topic is at hand. There are other instances where there are Bible studies, but they are put together while being unaffiliated with a particular church, and so there’s no “word of mouth” spreading of the fact that it is there.

There are numerous fellowship opportunities and activities going on in the Church. Sometimes it depends on the particular local church, but there are activities going on. Again, it depends on people willing to participate during a time outside of Sunday worship, which many people seem unwilling to do. They get their God time in and forget about Him the rest of the week. But there are volunteer opportunities, retreats, and church functions going on all over the place.

 

[Chuck1]

I suggest you vist catholicscomehome.org They have some very useful Infomation about anything you will need to know ! Trust me !

 

[mryan6699]

Alie,

Glad you are here. Things have changed in the Church but for the most part they have benn good changes. The Catholic Church never taught evangilism now they are starting to embrace it… 27 percent of Catholic attend Church that means 73 percent are luke warm Catholics a term I hate. I belive people need to be asked to come back into their faith. If you want to come back here are some ways you can learn about your faith set in on RCIA classes these class are for people who want to become Catholic mostly adults. this would give you a good foundition to build on and learn about your faith. I don’t know why we don’t do bible studys but im trying to find information to start one. I hope that helped
Mike DRE in KY.

 

[Patrick1540]

Hi all, my name is Alie and I’m 26. Please forgive me if I get some things wrong or if I state my feelings in a less than eloquent way.
I was raised Catholic but started attending a nondenominational church in college and continued that until just recently. I got married a year and a half ago in a EFCA church, and after the wedding my husband and I moved where we live now (Wisconsin). Our church attendance has been lax at best, and I’ve since started feeling a pull back to the Catholic Church.
I’m conflicted because on the one hand I love many of the traditions of the Church, but I feel like I was so poorly educated in the faith formation classes I took as a child that I have no idea why things are done the way they are. Any resources I’ve used to try to sort this out have left me feeling overwhelmed. (I have tried to read bits and pieces of the Catechism, but much of that even went over my head at times too, and I consider myself to be a fairly educated, well-read person.)
Another thing I’m curious about is why there have been few resources offered as far as Bible studies or fellowship opportunities (as least that’s how nondenominational churches phrase it). I think I would have been stronger and less likely to stray from my faith growing up if there had been ANY kind of opportunities like that. I know that’s a relatively minor thing, but I never had anything resembling a close friendship with anyone I knew through church.
It also makes me a bit uneasy about the role of the Church in modern culture, especially in the U.S. I read an article about how evangelical Protestants are becoming more devout and Catholics are becoming less devout. Likewise, it troubles me that in an election where the bishops took such a strong stand against the HHS mandate half of the voting Catholic population essentially ignored the impact it has on Church-run organizations. I’m also confused on some of the social and political stances the Church has taken.
Again, please forgive me if I have said anything offensive, I’m simply trying to figure some things out so I can be knowledgable. Thank you.

Hi Alie and welcome, I have been where you are at. I once left the Catholic Faith. Put your trust not in man, but in Jesus Christ. The thing for me that really brought me back to the Catholic Faith was the Holy Spirit. Let me explain. I use to pray to the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus to give me Wisdom and knowledge, not as the world gives, but the Father gives. I read the Bible, even had listen to Evangelical preachers. It took the scripture verses and looked them up in the Catechism of the Church.Some one else turned me on to Fr.Haydock’s Catholic Bible Commentaries. Praying to the Holy Spirit I found the 7 Sacraments of the Catholic Faith were graces, sanctifying Grace, which the Holy Spirit works through. I found the Catholic Church is lead by the Holy Spirit in the Pope,through the Chair of Peter.My faith in the Catholic Church blossomed. I didn’t need to be spoon feed the Bible, it was all there through the Holy Spirit in Sacramental life. I was no longer going to church to have fellowship, I was going to worship God, in Jesus Christ and the Eucharist.An through the power, in the Precious Blood of Jesus, the fruits of the Holy Spirit are given to me,Love(charity),peace,joy,strength,endurance. No matter what, I had faith, in the Blood of Jesus, and the Power in the Eucharist, that changes my life, each and everyday.That power, makes me better today,than I was yesterday, even though I may not achieved yet were I want to be. I grow deeper,deeper in love with the Trinity, my neighbors,and all God created. Love,Joy,Peace of the Holy Spirit,a Peace, the world can’t take from me, no matter what the trials of the day.That, is what the Catholic Faith teaches, and why, would I want to separate myself from that in the Mass. We get a taste of Heaven. That is why I’m back in the Catholic Church.
God Bless you on your journey and the Peace of the Holy Spirit be with you.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Hi Alie and welcome, I have been where you are at. I once left the Catholic Faith. Put your trust not in man, but in Jesus Christ. The thing for me that really brought me back to the Catholic Faith was the Holy Spirit. Let me explain. I use to pray to the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus to give me Wisdom and knowledge, not as the world gives, but the Father gives. I read the Bible, even had listen to Evangelical preachers. It took the scripture verses and looked them up in the Catechism of the Church.Some one else turned me on to Fr.Haydock’s Catholic Bible Commentaries. Praying to the Holy Spirit I found the 7 Sacraments of the Catholic Faith were graces, sanctifying Grace, which the Holy Spirit works through. I found the Catholic Church is lead by the Holy Spirit in the Pope,through the Chair of Peter.My faith in the Catholic Church blossomed. I didn’t need to be spoon feed the Bible, it was all there through the Holy Spirit in Sacramental life. I was no longer going to church to have fellowship, I was going to worship God, in Jesus Christ and the Eucharist.An through the power, in the Precious Blood of Jesus, the fruits of the Holy Spirit are given to me,Love(charity),peace,joy,strength,endurance. No matter what, I had faith, in the Blood of Jesus, and the Power in the Eucharist, that changes my life, each and everyday.That power, makes me better today,than I was yesterday, even though I may not achieved yet were I want to be. I grow deeper,deeper in love with the Trinity, my neighbors,and all God created. Love,Joy,Peace of the Holy Spirit,a Peace, the world can’t take from me, no matter what the trials of the day.That, is what the Catholic Faith teaches, and why, would I want to separate myself from that in the Mass. We get a taste of Heaven. That is why I’m back in the Catholic Church.
God Bless you on your journey and the Peace of the Holy Spirit be with you.

WOW what a testimony!!! Thank you for sharing, I got chills from reading it. :clapping::yup::dancing:

Welcome Home.

 

[Grace2013]

Hi all, my name is Alie and I’m 26. Please forgive me if I get some things wrong or if I state my feelings in a less than eloquent way.

I was raised Catholic but started attending a nondenominational church in college and continued that until just recently. I got married a year and a half ago in a EFCA church, and after the wedding my husband and I moved where we live now (Wisconsin). Our church attendance has been lax at best, and I’ve since started feeling a pull back to the Catholic Church.

I’m conflicted because on the one hand I love many of the traditions of the Church, but I feel like I was so poorly educated in the faith formation classes I took as a child that I have no idea why things are done the way they are. Any resources I’ve used to try to sort this out have left me feeling overwhelmed. (I have tried to read bits and pieces of the Catechism, but much of that even went over my head at times too, and I consider myself to be a fairly educated, well-read person.)

Another thing I’m curious about is why there have been few resources offered as far as Bible studies or fellowship opportunities (as least that’s how nondenominational churches phrase it). I think I would have been stronger and less likely to stray from my faith growing up if there had been ANY kind of opportunities like that. I know that’s a relatively minor thing, but I never had anything resembling a close friendship with anyone I knew through church.

It also makes me a bit uneasy about the role of the Church in modern culture, especially in the U.S. I read an article about how evangelical Protestants are becoming more devout and Catholics are becoming less devout. Likewise, it troubles me that in an election where the bishops took such a strong stand against the HHS mandate half of the voting Catholic population essentially ignored the impact it has on Church-run organizations. I’m also confused on some of the social and political stances the Church has taken.

Again, please forgive me if I have said anything offensive, I’m simply trying to figure some things out so I can be knowledgable. Thank you.

Welcome Home!

I am a recent revert too. I felt the “pull” and stumbled into the nearest Church I could find and met with a wonderful Priest. I was reconciled and am all the better for it.

The good thing is that there are online forums like this one for us to discuss the Faith to make up for opportunities that may be lacking face to face.

I have found tons of resources online to help get me started so I’ll share them with you:

Here are some online resources I found helpful that are free (However I did donate later on to each of these when I was able to):

Salvation History: Site by Dr. Scott Hahn. Lots of Audio Bible Studies that you can download as well as online Bible study courses. A lot of this information I wish I had years ago.

Catholic Home Study Service: Actual softcover books with question booklets you fill out, return by mail and request a new one. I started with “The Catechism Handbook” and then went to “Mary, Christ’s Mother and Ours.” The books average about 100+ pages and there are lots of questions to each chapter.

CatholiCity: Print out form and request CD’s and books. There are many CD messages and Bible studies (free mp3 version to download also on site) and 3 catholic fiction books.

Rosary Army: Request online a free rosary and tons of rosary mp3 downloads. They also have a CD by Father Leo P. and DVD “That Catholic Show” season 1 DVD is like an intro to the Catechism. There is a pdf supplement on the site that has discussion questions. The rosary is a knotted rosary that they send, I got a pink one. You can also download a few Catholic talk radio shows.

Cathechism Online

Online Bible: Be sure to select the New Revised Standard Version (Catholic Edition)

EWTN: 24/7 Online Streaming of Catholic shows and radio

iCatholic: Simiar to EWTN but with different Catholic shows and radio. They also have online forums, and a monthly magazine that you can download in pdf to read.

TotallyCatholic.com: Very affordable Catholic items. Ships fast.

Hope this helps.