Going into Spiritual Overdrive

[Grimble]

Hello, it’s been a while, and so much has happened!

After being a seeker for it must be 12 years and trying many churches I’ve landed back ‘thanks to a good friend’ at the door step of the Catholic Church.
I’ve been attending Mass for the last few weeks and I’m more than happy to say that I can’t get enough! Only issue is that I have to drive half an hour to get to this Church, and the reason I’m going here and not to my local one is because my good friend has made me at ease in coming and I’ve been gaining in confidence.

I’m looking to attend my local Catholic Church too as it’s on 5 minutes away and would save a bundle on fuel (gas!) however I feel loyal to the 30 minute church and my friend. What to do??!!! Can I go to both? (not at the same time though!)

I’ve also been asked If I would like to attend the RCIA, YAY!! but they’re not starting until October then only once a month, arghh! After waiting for so long to find my path with God I’ve now got to wait even longer. I guess I can do this but I’m all ready here, calm, pray, patience…

On reflection, for me the best way into the Church, was through friendship. You cannot beat being welcomed into a church with a smile, and given a little time.
Thank you God, Mary & little Therese! X

 

[RHWoodman]

Hello, it’s been a while, and so much has happened!

After being a seeker for it must be 12 years and trying many churches I’ve landed back ‘thanks to a good friend’ at the door step of the Catholic Church.

Welcome back!

I’ve been attending Mass for the last few weeks and I’m more than happy to say that I can’t get enough! Only issue is that I have to drive half an hour to get to this Church, and the reason I’m going here and not to my local one is because my good friend has made me at ease in coming and I’ve been gaining in confidence.

I’m looking to attend my local Catholic Church too as it’s on 5 minutes away and would save a bundle on fuel (gas!) however I feel loyal to the 30 minute church and my friend. What to do??!!! Can I go to both? (not at the same time though!)

Why not visit your local church for 2-3 weeks and evaluate? Also, schedule an appointment with the pastor to talk about the Church and about coming back. Find out what your local church’s RCIA program is like. You might be pleasantly surprised.

I’ve also been asked If I would like to attend the RCIA, YAY!! but they’re not starting until October then only once a month, arghh! After waiting for so long to find my path with God I’ve now got to wait even longer. I guess I can do this but I’m all ready here, calm, pray, patience…

On reflection, for me the best way into the Church, was through friendship. You cannot beat being welcomed into a church with a smile, and given a little time.
Thank you God, Mary & little Therese! X

A cordial welcome is one of the best witnessing tools that any Church has. My wife is Baptist, and for years she refused to attend a Catholic Church unless she absolutely had to. Then she finally decided to “give the Church a try.” We went to our parish church, and she was giving an effusive welcome by almost everyone there. She went through RCIA last year, and although she didn’t convert, she wants to go through RCIA again this year to learn more. She now goes to Sunday mass with me. She attends weekday masses at least once a week. She is part of a Rosary prayer circle and attends Eucharistic adoration once a week for an hour. I jokingly tell her that she has become more Catholic than me.

We will be praying for you.

 

[venite_adoremus]

Can you go to both? Yes! Please do! Part of the beauty of being Catholic is that Masses are offered around the world, and you are always–ALWAYS–welcome at Mass wherever it is that you are.

But once you start an RCIA program, if you decide to take that step, stick primarily with the parish where you are taking classes. There are residency recommendations within many a diocese (with a thousand exceptions, of course) for actual reception.

Pace yourself. Don’t burn out. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

 

[jcrichton]

Hello, it’s been a while, and so much has happened!

After being a seeker for it must be 12 years and trying many churches I’ve landed back ‘thanks to a good friend’ at the door step of the Catholic Church.
I’ve been attending Mass for the last few weeks and I’m more than happy to say that I can’t get enough! Only issue is that I have to drive half an hour to get to this Church, and the reason I’m going here and not to my local one is because my good friend has made me at ease in coming and I’ve been gaining in confidence.

I’m looking to attend my local Catholic Church too as it’s on 5 minutes away and would save a bundle on fuel (gas!) however I feel loyal to the 30 minute church and my friend. What to do??!!! Can I go to both? (not at the same time though!)

I’ve also been asked If I would like to attend the RCIA, YAY!! but they’re not starting until October then only once a month, arghh! After waiting for so long to find my path with God I’ve now got to wait even longer. I guess I can do this but I’m all ready here, calm, pray, patience…

On reflection, for me the best way into the Church, was through friendship. You cannot beat being welcomed into a church with a smile, and given a little time.
Thank you God, Mary & little Therese! X

Hi, Grimble!

Welcome Home!

Were you Baptized in the Catholic Church before your trek got started?

If you were I think that you do not need to go through the whole RCIA program–your local Bishop could expedite the return to the Body!

Sadly, Catholics (now it seems worldwide) are a bunch of standoffish people; they close rank amongst themselves making those “not in the clicks” feel unwanted…

…here’s the beauty of Catholicism… there’s not a single mandate that states that we owe allegiance to one particular parish or another… if you feel right at home in a parish 30 minutes from your home, then that’s your parish.

…here’s the beauty of Catholicism (yeah there are many)… you don’t have to exclude yourself from anyone particular parish… you can root for all of the Church through every single parish in the world!

…this is where “the more the merrier” truly has a good meaning! You can visit both parishes; if you are able, you can become active at both parishes… I don’t suggest you go mom’s way… but she was known all over; some even thought that she was a Nun! They would invite her from all places… it was a wonderful experience to witness her… at our local parish she would attend several Masses… if while at Mass she would find out that there was a funeral or marriage… she would return for that Mass! You could see her being greeted by all of the diverse communities from various parishes as she would join them at Mass (Germans, Italians, Americans, Latin Americans, Haitians, Portuguese, Filipino…)… and she only spoke Spanish and a few limited words in English.

…so let your hair down (or put it up–it’s quite up to you ); seek God with all your heart and Serve Him as you are Called/allowed in both parishes!

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[animalis]

Bonaventure gives a fourfold way in seeking the truth in his commentary on Luke, He says, meditate with leisure, read with eagerness, learn with meekness, and judge with certitude

 

[Mary_Estelle]

Yes, you can go to more than one Mass in a single day and also receive more than once in a single day as long as it isn’t at the very same Mass. I do caution you to not burn yourself out with your “spiritual Overdrive.” Take the time to reflect a little and put the Mass, the readings and communion into context, and if possible, action. Steady stays the course. Peace.

 

[Mary_Estelle]

Bonaventure gives a fourfold way in seeking the truth in his commentary on Luke, He says, meditate with leisure, read with eagerness, learn with meekness, and judge with certitude

Excellent! Peace.

 

[Grimble]

Thank you so much friends, some really kind words to give thought over.

I was Christened Church of England, but as I travelled my way though churches over here I felt like I was being led, again and again to the Church of Rome, the home of Our Lady.
I have felt like an outsider in many churches but then you do when you’re on your own. My wife is very supportive but her path differs to mine, but not too much. She’s happy to come to some masses and has an adoration to Mary so you never know! Just knowing one person is enough to inspire you forward and meet others.

It’s a wonderful feeling to travel this path, I pray for patience and guidance.

 

[Greenfields]

I’m excited for you All the best and God bless you on your journey.

 

[Monica4316]

Welcome! that’s wonderful! To answer your question, yes you can visit both parishes. Just don’t receive Communion yet, but you can say the spiritual Communion prayer

ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/blsac4.htm

I hope you like the RCIA program! I’m a convert too

God bless you!

 

[jcrichton]

Thank you so much friends, some really kind words to give thought over.

I was Christened Church of England, but as I travelled my way though churches over here I felt like I was being led, again and again to the Church of Rome, the home of Our Lady.
I have felt like an outsider in many churches but then you do when you’re on your own. My wife is very supportive but her path differs to mine, but not too much. She’s happy to come to some masses and has an adoration to Mary so you never know! Just knowing one person is enough to inspire you forward and meet others.

It’s a wonderful feeling to travel this path, I pray for patience and guidance.

Hi, Grimble!

I’m not versed in the variation of denominations; is the that the same as Anglican?

Here’s what I found when I searched the web:

Baptism (archdiocesesantafe.org/Offices/Worship/RCIA/RCIAInformation/Baptisms.pdf

)
Yet, there may have been additional/updated information that did not make this pamphlet so I would check directly with the local Catholic Bishop.

…on further search I found this list:

 Anglican / Church of England
 Assembly of God
 Baptists

(catholicjhb.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Valid-Baptism-Roman-Catholic-Church-ZA.pdf

)
…so it seems that the Church of England is approved as having a valid Baptism… so I think that your trek can be fast-tracked… although, I would consider the learning process as an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the Fullness of Faith… so if it takes you a little time, you may be able to savor the moment a little more than if it happened too quickly…

I will keep both you and your wife in my prayers.

May the Holy Spirit Guide and Comfort you every step of the Way!

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[Reuben_J]

Hello, it’s been a while, and so much has happened!

After being a seeker for it must be 12 years and trying many churches I’ve landed back ‘thanks to a good friend’ at the door step of the Catholic Church.
I’ve been attending Mass for the last few weeks and I’m more than happy to say that I can’t get enough! Only issue is that I have to drive half an hour to get to this Church, and the reason I’m going here and not to my local one is because my good friend has made me at ease in coming and I’ve been gaining in confidence.

I’m looking to attend my local Catholic Church too as it’s on 5 minutes away and would save a bundle on fuel (gas!) however I feel loyal to the 30 minute church and my friend. What to do??!!! Can I go to both? (not at the same time though!)

I’ve also been asked If I would like to attend the RCIA, YAY!! but they’re not starting until October then only once a month, arghh! After waiting for so long to find my path with God I’ve now got to wait even longer. I guess I can do this but I’m all ready here, calm, pray, patience…

On reflection, for me the best way into the Church, was through friendship. You cannot beat being welcomed into a church with a smile, and given a little time.
Thank you God, Mary & little Therese! X

Welcome home. May God walk with you and bless you on your journey.

Reuben

 

[Grimble]

Thank you again for such beautiful comments, you really know how to lift someone!
Yes Church of England is Anglican and I want to learn everything I can using the RCIA.
I’m also (work/family permitting!) going to go to some local evening prayers, and local weekday masses and see if I can make myself familiar to people and chat.

 

[jcrichton]

Thank you again for such beautiful comments, you really know how to lift someone!
Yes Church of England is Anglican and I want to learn everything I can using the RCIA.
I’m also (work/family permitting!) going to go to some local evening prayers, and local weekday masses and see if I can make myself familiar to people and chat.

Hi, Grimble!

Great planning!

I think that RCIA would allow for comradeship–other things like a prayer group or one of the various specialized groups can give you both opportunity for growth and a group/family setting.

The one thing that you have to keep in mind is that people tend to form a niche (“us” and them); so you may have to be the “friendly” one so that they may discover Jesus in you instead holding to the far and removed “lets see” approach.

The Church is all for responsibility; she understands that previous commitments with family and work may limit how and what we can contribute… so you may simply attend a few activities without being locked onto them… as you gain your footing you will discover what appeals to you (what Calls you) and how you can best Serve in the Body of Christ.

Maran atha!

Angel