Having serious doubts!

[excaliber]

I wondered the same thing ???

I understand where you are coming from – I’m confused about why you would be standing outside collecting for charities ??? Did I miss something

How well know were you? I was very active in our congregation, went on quick build’s for KH’s, axillary pioneered, had Bible studies, I did it all. I was even threatened at my work by an elder with being disfellowshipped if I did not cease and desist with my actions.

But you know what, I came to the conclusion that I am strong enough (with God’s help) to do what I need to do to make me spiritually healthy. It may be difficult. I may not be able to associate with friends I had for years, mentors, even. But where I am now is such a better place.

Now I’m not ashamed to say out loud that I AM CATHOLIC I don’t try to rush in the door at church hoping JW’s aren’t driving by and see me. I don’t hide from my Mom (still a JW) that we have Mass or that Q received his 1st Holy Communion this year. I have stood up and owned this! D*mn consequences, God is backing me up on this.

I had to put myself out there to make contacts. You meet stupid people everywhere. Put the ones you’ve met in the Church behind you and move on. Perhaps God has wonderful things in store for you, but must first test your faithfulness to him?? How are we to know? All we can know for sure is that God has called us home. And I am not leaving. Will you?

I see them outside collecting for charity, that’s how I know.

Im very well known, pioneering,ministerial servant, bethel…basicly a whole life focused on being no part of the world…NO PART.

Yea I know other ex jw’s, who are
Catholic. They all…ALL had a way out. The one consistent thing is that when we speak, my situation is ALWAYS different.

I don’t have a Catholic spouse, Relatives that were raised Catholic. I did not associate and make friends with them, and the ones I knew of didn’t know there
own faith.

So yea Im sure you did feel great,
Cuss you had a way out. We keep
ignoring that major difference.

All day every day, I try to figure a way out. And know I have more rules then I did as a Jw LOL.
That’s the funny thing. How am I supposed to fullfill all this?

We were both Jw, but our situations are still different. So you
can’t judge based of YOUR experience.

You say God has called you, and I am not to say otherwise.

But we know God lead Isreal out of
egypt to the read sea. Because God parted the red sea making it
POSSIBLE for them to cross.

That’s where I am, and the water
aint movin. So what words or advice would you have then?

Everything people have said, I have tried…or attempted.

 

[excaliber]

To me, it sounds like you probably do need some professional help with both depression and with getting free from the cult mindset.

As for how people have reacted to you, I think you are expecting too much from chance encounters. People are just people. How a person speaks to you on the telephone of your parish is not a sign from God. It sounds like it is too easy for you to go into a bitter and helpless mindset when people don’t give you what you need the first time you ask, and that just indicates your emotional vulnerability right now.

There is one thing you can do right now to help yourself. Look for a Catholic therapist with experience dealing with people who have been in cults, and/or a spiritual director. If you have a very specific request in mind when you call a local parish, you will probably have better luck getting what you need. You might explain you want one on one counseling to help deal with the effects of transitioning out of the JWs, and need to feel more emotionally connected to your Catholic community.

I believe that if you keep looking, and don’t give up, you WILL find someone who can help right now. But, even so, there is a larger lesson here for you, and that is that you are seeing the world through a particular lens and viewpoint that tells you that you are shut off from everyone and disconnected and cannot get what you need. As you slowly learn to discard that perspective, you may find you feel more content and connected in the Catholic church than you could have imagined.

I don’t have money right now.
So lets just stop all the Doctor,therapy, medicine talk.
If I could I would have.

I was a devoted JW…no college etc…etc… and this is the biggest
recession I have seen in my life.
Its hard even in the medical field.

LOL the only medicine for people
like me is an ice cold beer and a good movie ( which sounds good
right now) LOL

If there just aint no way, there just
aint no way.
I am just shocked that for a christian its POSSIBLE for there
to be a “no way out” situation, when you just want to serve God.

Just shocked and very disappointed is all. I always thought of the old prodigal son stuff, stories like that got my hopes up I guess.

All them stories about not tested
beyond what you can bear stuff,
had me feeling all hopeful and zealous and what not.

I can’t think of anything to do or say right now. So I guess I will
just take the next exit, cus there aint no more gas. Then I will get back on the road when its possible
to do so.

 

[excaliber]

To me, it sounds like you probably do need some professional help with both depression and with getting free from the cult mindset.

As for how people have reacted to you, I think you are expecting too much from chance encounters. People are just people. How a person speaks to you on the telephone of your parish is not a sign from God. It sounds like it is too easy for you to go into a bitter and helpless mindset when people don’t give you what you need the first time you ask, and that just indicates your emotional vulnerability right now.

There is one thing you can do right now to help yourself. Look for a Catholic therapist with experience dealing with people who have been in cults, and/or a spiritual director. If you have a very specific request in mind when you call a local parish, you will probably have better luck getting what you need. You might explain you want one on one counseling to help deal with the effects of transitioning out of the JWs, and need to feel more emotionally connected to your Catholic community.

I believe that if you keep looking, and don’t give up, you WILL find someone who can help right now. But, even so, there is a larger lesson here for you, and that is that you are seeing the world through a particular lens and viewpoint that tells you that you are shut off from everyone and disconnected and cannot get what you need. As you slowly learn to discard that perspective, you may find you feel more content and connected in the Catholic church than you could have imagined.

I don’t have money right now.
So lets just stop all the Doctor,therapy, medicine talk.
If I could I would have.

I was a devoted JW…no college etc…etc… and this is the biggest
recession I have seen in my life.
Its hard even in the medical field.

LOL the only medicine for people
like me is an ice cold beer and a good movie ( which sounds good
right now) LOL

If there just aint no way, there just
aint no way.
I am just shocked that for a christian its POSSIBLE for there
to be a “no way out” situation, when you just want to serve God.

Just shocked and very disappointed is all. I always thought of the old prodigal son stuff, stories like that got my hopes up I guess.

All them stories about not tested
beyond what you can bear stuff,
had me feeling all hopeful and zealous and what not.

I can’t think of anything to do or say right now. So I guess I will
just take the next exit, cus there aint no more gas. Then I will get back on the road when its possible
to do so.

 

[Angels_Unaware]

I don’t have money right now.
So lets just stop all the Doctor,therapy, medicine talk.
If I could I would have.

I was a devoted JW…no college etc…etc… and this is the biggest
recession I have seen in my life.
Its hard even in the medical field.

LOL the only medicine for people
like me is an ice cold beer and a good movie ( which sounds good
right now) LOL

If there just aint no way, there just
aint no way.
I am just shocked that for a christian its POSSIBLE for there
to be a “no way out” situation, when you just want to serve God.

Just shocked and very disappointed is all. I always thought of the old prodigal son stuff, stories like that got my hopes up I guess.

All them stories about not tested
beyond what you can bear stuff,
had me feeling all hopeful and zealous and what not.

I can’t think of anything to do or say right now. So I guess I will
just take the next exit, cus there aint no more gas. Then I will get back on the road when its possible
to do so.

If nothing else, you CAN find a priest or religious who will be willing to lend their ear to you.

If nothing else, you CAN post here asking for support from former JWs. Hey, maybe start a social group.

And beyond that, I am still really lost as to what it is you are looking for and don’t have. If it’s connections with people in the Church, that is up to you to go and create.

 

[excaliber]

If nothing else, you CAN find a priest or religious who will be willing to lend their ear to you.

If nothing else, you CAN post here asking for support from former JWs. Hey, maybe start a social group.

And beyond that, I am still really lost as to what it is you are looking for and don’t have. If it’s connections with people in the Church, that is up to you to go and create.

You still don’t get much of anything
Im saying. But yea I can put messages on the computer and what not.

You probably would never understand, some things are realy
embarrassing to say, and wouldn’t
matter anyway.
I can figure ways to make my life
way better, just basicly hoping
for a better way. Im sure someone
would say, well you shouldn’t
do this or that but people rarely can give you alternatives.

well I just thought I would start a thread and see if I missed something. But I have tried everything I guess.

 

[Ali_formerJW]

I see them outside collecting for charity, that’s how I know.

Who is them? I am still not understanding. The JW’s, You, Who???

Im very well known, pioneering,ministerial servant, bethel…basicly a whole life focused on being no part of the world…NO PART.

Well known to who? I don’t know you, the hundreds of people registered on here do not know you. Yes, the JW’s know who you are. The local ones around here know who I am. Big deal. Why are you worried about that, exactly.

Yea I know other ex jw’s, who are
Catholic. They all…ALL had a way out. The one consistent thing is that when we speak, my situation is ALWAYS different.

I know each situation is unique. I am trying to offer you a hand here. Some support or advice or help. What I see from you are continued excuses.

I don’t have a Catholic spouse, Relatives that were raised Catholic. I did not associate and make friends with them, and the ones I knew of didn’t know there
own faith.

More excuses. How do you know me? I know I said my dh is a revert in this thread. But from one comment you are judging that this has been an easy road for me. We didn’t know anyone at church. I didn’t associate with anyone outside of the JW’s. So all of these church people were strangers to him and me (he did not grow up in this area, and we had not church support in that regard).

So yea Im sure you did feel great,
Cuss you had a way out. We keep
ignoring that major difference.

Now I’m reading an attitude I have kids, I know attitude when I see it.

All day every day, I try to figure a way out. And know I have more rules then I did as a Jw LOL.
That’s the funny thing. How am I supposed to fullfill all this?

A way out of what? Please be specific.

What rules? Again, be specific.

We were both Jw, but our situations are still different. So you
can’t judge based of YOUR experience.

Like you are judging me based on your perceptions of my experience?

You say God has called you, and I am not to say otherwise.

But God has called you, too. He is calling all of us. Cannot stress that enough. I’m no more special than you. And you are special.

But we know God lead Isreal out of
egypt to the read sea. Because God parted the red sea making it
POSSIBLE for them to cross.

That’s where I am, and the water
aint movin. So what words or advice would you have then?

Are you drowning? {{{hugs}}} I truly am sorry that you are suffering and feel so lost. Have you sat down with a priest? Be persistent. Come on, you were a JW, I know you know how to be persistent

Do you think God loves you?
Do you think the Catholic Church is the one Christ established for us?
Why did you join the Church?

Was it easy being a JW? It may have been comfortable for us, but it wasn’t easy. Were you a cradle JW, lol? I was.

Everything people have said, I have tried…or attempted.

So that means you are giving up at this point because it hasn’t worked yet? Do you know how many times Albert Einstein failed with this light bulb attempt? Well, ok, I don’t either, but it was a lot {google will tell you that!} lol. Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that sometimes it takes a while to make those connections. I’ve been here three years, and only now am I feeling that ~community~ feeling, kwim?

I wish you well on your continued journey. {{{hugs}}} and prayers for you.

 

[Jimdandy]

Hey There!

Please know that when all seems lost, and you can't feel that you are doing what

God wants of you because of all the sorrow and pain and loneliness that is suffocating you spiritually and no one is listening-know that the Holy Spirit is right beside you-just as He was with Jesus in the Garden of Gesthamane.

Look inward to the Holy Spirit and He will come to your aide-remain a true disciple of the Lord, even in times of doubt-the evil one will try to destroy your faith-Pray as much as you can.

Peace be with you.

 

[RebeccaJ]

hi excalibur, good to “see” you around. Welcome home.

I am sorry you are going through a tough time. I might understand a tiny bit, in that, I know the adjustment to Catholicism is strange, difficult, frustrating, wonderful and beautiful.

You obviously have trusted God to get to where you are. You know the rewards that you have experienced. Sometimes God brings us to places that are difficult. Places that require our courage and our patience. Pray for both. He will not abandon you and He has not abandoned you. Trust that this is truth.

It is ok to ask for help in understanding and discerning God’s desire for you. Talk to a priest. Tell him your struggles and that you are in need of help and direction.

 

[Angels_Unaware]

You still don’t get much of anything
Im saying. But yea I can put messages on the computer and what not.

You probably would never understand, some things are realy
embarrassing to say, and wouldn’t
matter anyway.
I can figure ways to make my life
way better, just basicly hoping
for a better way. Im sure someone
would say, well you shouldn’t
do this or that but people rarely can give you alternatives.

well I just thought I would start a thread and see if I missed something. But I have tried everything I guess.

How do you know I don’t get what you’re saying? You don’t know anything about me. Why are you assuming I don’t understand you and couldn’t possibly offer any helpful advice?

Is this the attitude that you have toward everyone you’ve come across in the Catholic Church? If it is, do you see the need to possibly alter that perspective?

 

[distracted]

I have searched and tried to serve
God for as long as I can remember
I served in the religion of my parents, Jehovah’s witness.
And my own personal search lead me to the Catholic church under
the bishop of rome. I have been baptised Catholic for 2 months and something is wrong!

First of all I was in a terrible situation with the Jehovah’s witness’s, it was obviously not Lead by God because they couldn’t
even get there own theology correct. It left me in bad shape financialy-emotionaly-spiritualy.

I went through rcia, alone mostly.
my sponsor came mabey 2 times
in the whole year. And my sponsor
didn’t even know I was in rcia till
the last minuet. Keep in mind that
I needed more help then anyone there, because everyone had someone sitting with them and helping them learn. And my sponsor didn’t even know I was there.

But I didn’t care because I knew God would take care of me, I thought mabey God had a reason
for me being there alone.

I got baptised started going to mass daily and just trying my hardest to figure out how to do
rosary’s and what days were holy
days etc…

But nothing has changed, I am in just as bad shape as I was with Jehovah’s witness. That’s impossible! I actualy have prayed
to the Holy Trinity, took communion, said rosary’s. SOMETHING should be better then
when I was in a cult. I wake up woundering how Im getting through the day spiritualy, the second I wake up I feel just as disappointed and tierd spiritualy as
I was when I went to sleep.

I am just so tierd, I am Catholic but dependent on Jehovah’s witness’s…what sence dose that
make? None.
Something is wrong, and I am tierd of spending my whole life trying to figure out why my search
for God seems to be destroying my
current life.

rt.

wow… that was sad about going through rcia alone… maybe more of us Catholics ought to go to rcia… in the hopes of fixing this kind of problem…

i have my own problems with the Church… but one time it kinda got revealed to me that the Church is mostly to get us saved… maybe what you have is a social kind of problem?? or (and/or) an emotional one???

i dont’ know… I do know that there ar a lot of evil people in the Church… so you can’t just depend on them to … well, for anything…
when i say evil people i mean people who don’t give a rip about doing things God’s way…

the devil himself is in the Church… trying to destroy people, just as he is outside of it…

i don’t feel i have enough info to say what you should do… or try…

have you spent much time with Jesus @ the Blessed Sacrament? Tht helps me a lot…

 

[littleone]

I have searched and tried to serve
God for as long as I can remember
I served in the religion of my parents, Jehovah’s witness.
And my own personal search lead me to the Catholic church under
the bishop of rome. I have been baptised Catholic for 2 months and something is wrong!
First of all I was in a terrible situation with the Jehovah’s witness’s, it was obviously not Lead by God because they couldn’t
even get there own theology correct. It left me in bad shape financialy-emotionaly-spiritualy.
I went through rcia, alone mostly.my sponsor came mabey 2 timesin the whole year. And my sponsordidn’t even know I was in rcia tillthe last minuet. Keep in mind that
I needed more help then anyone there, because everyone had someone sitting with them and helping them learn. And my sponsor didn’t even know I was there.
But I didn’t care because I knew God would take care of me, I thought mabey God had a reasonfor me being there alone.
I got baptised started going to mass daily and just trying my hardest to figure out how to dorosary’s and what days were holydays etc… But nothing has changed, I am in just as bad shape as I was with Jehovah’s witness. That’s impossible! I actualy have prayed
to the Holy Trinity, took communion, said rosary’s. SOMETHING should be better then
when I was in a cult. I wake up woundering how Im getting through the day spiritualy, the second I wake up I feel just as disappointed and tierd spiritualy asI was when I went to sleep.
I am just so tierd, I am Catholic but dependent on Jehovah’s witness’s…what sence dose thatmake? None.Something is wrong, and I am tierd of spending my whole life trying to figure out why my searchfor God seems to be destroying myurrent life.
acording to the bible this is impossible. You canot seek first the kingdom and have nothing.What I see in my life goes against every scripture that assured methat God would see me through.So then what am I to think?Keep on suffering? Use what little
spiritual energy I have left to lookinto the Orthodox or Judaism or islam? Im realy tierd of this. ust thought I would post what’s going on, it couldn’t hurt.

Excuse me I have condenced your wording to make room for my thoughts.

I would like to ask some questions which are very important, because youseem to have some knowledge about spiritual life and the Holy Spirit.
So,

1. Why are you doing this alone that’s not the way it’s supposed to be? ( I know about your sponser).
2. Why have you not got people around you, say groups etc.

3.Why have you not asked about the different groups in the church and found which one suites you?
4.Have you not looked on the board at the back of the church to see which people can help.

You will find it all there if you look, ask, seek…and you will find.

God does not want you wandering

Godbless

 

[excaliber]

Who is them? I am still not understanding. The JW’s, You, Who???

Well known to who? I don’t know you, the hundreds of people registered on here do not know you. Yes, the JW’s know who you are. The local ones around here know who I am. Big deal. Why are you worried about that, exactly.

I know each situation is unique. I am trying to offer you a hand here. Some support or advice or help. What I see from you are continued excuses.

More excuses. How do you know me? I know I said my dh is a revert in this thread. But from one comment you are judging that this has been an easy road for me. We didn’t know anyone at church. I didn’t associate with anyone outside of the JW’s. So all of these church people were strangers to him and me (he did not grow up in this area, and we had not church support in that regard).

Now I’m reading an attitude I have kids, I know attitude when I see it.

A way out of what? Please be specific.

What rules? Again, be specific.

Like you are judging me based on your perceptions of my experience?

But God has called you, too. He is calling all of us. Cannot stress that enough. I’m no more special than you. And you are special.

Are you drowning? {{{hugs}}} I truly am sorry that you are suffering and feel so lost. Have you sat down with a priest? Be persistent. Come on, you were a JW, I know you know how to be persistent

Do you think God loves you?
Do you think the Catholic Church is the one Christ established for us?
Why did you join the Church?

Was it easy being a JW? It may have been comfortable for us, but it wasn’t easy. Were you a cradle JW, lol? I was.

So that means you are giving up at this point because it hasn’t worked yet? Do you know how many times Albert Einstein failed with this light bulb attempt? Well, ok, I don’t either, but it was a lot {google will tell you that!} lol. Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that sometimes it takes a while to make those connections. I’ve been here three years, and only now am I feeling that ~community~ feeling, kwim?

I wish you well on your continued journey. {{{hugs}}} and prayers for you.

You want specifics?
well PM me and I will tell you some.

They are big problems, but not what you think. Trust me your situation is much different then mine.

 

[excaliber]

I think Im just trying to be to perfect. I wana be the perfect little
Catholic. Truth is I was born and raised Jehovah’s witness, that’s what I know.

But here I am trying to go to mass
every day, and expecting myself to
say rosery all the time, never say
a cus word LOL. And do it all mostly here by myself.

Mabey its good God is not helping
me be a perfectionist. It feels impossible because it is impossible
The funny thing is that I am putting so much pressure on my self to be the next pope or something, and I don’t even have to.

I could just go to church once a week, and be happy about the fact
that I even did that.

I can’t be the same way I was as a
Jehovah’s witness, because my situation dose not allow it.

Im going to view my situation out
of another lense starting this sunday.

Im starting to feel happy that God
did not match me up with someone that has time to get me up to speed on everything , because if he did…THEN I WOULD
be expected to do a lot.

Because to whom much is given, much is expected. And since I don’t have much, I don’t have to
be mr. super Catholic.

I feel better now
Now I can watch t.v. in peace LOL

 

[littleone]

I think Im just trying to be to perfect. I wana be the perfect little Catholic. Truth is I was born and raised Jehovah’s witness, that’s what I know.

***What do you know, perfection? no my friend look at Jesus and you will see a better reflection of LOVE in perfection. I have been there andperfection leaves NO PLACE for God to do His works. Try being the messy little person we all are compared to God.***But here I am trying to go to mass
every day, and expecting myself to
say rosery all the time, never say
a cus word LOL. And do it all mostly here by myself.

***What is wrong with that? And…where is your works you are doing to perfect these prayers, the time of reflection, the contemplation, meditation. ***

Mabey its good God is not helping
me be a perfectionist. It feels impossible because it is impossible
The funny thing is that I am putting so much pressure on my self to be the next pope or something, and I don’t even have to.
You are so right because you are not even being the most beautiful loving generous, person God created, trying to be some fictionous person some thing is putting into your mind (kknow what I mean…who I mean).
I could just go to church once a week, and be happy about the fact
that I even did that. Would you at present,
I can’t be the same way I was as a
Jehovah’s witness, because my situation dose not allow it.

Im going to view my situation out
of another lense starting this sunday.

Go for it I hope it is called Jesus.

Im starting to feel happy that God
did not match me up with someone that has time to get me up to speed on everything , because if he did…THEN I WOULD
be expected to do a lot.

Because to whom much is given, much is expected. And since I don’t have much, I don’t have to
be mr. super Catholic.

I feel better now
Now I can watch t.v. in peace LOL

***One last thing …if you get the time read “the autobiography of St Therese”, A little white flower, or A retreat with St Therese.

Godbless.***

 

[excaliber]

***One last thing …if you get the time read “the autobiography of St Therese”, A little white flower, or A retreat with St Therese.

Godbless.***

Ok yea sure.
Catholic books are so different from Jw, books that its hard for me to understand. But yea Im sure
that’s an awsome book. Thanks for recommending it.

 

[littleone]

Ok yea sure.
Catholic books are so different from Jw, books that its hard for me to understand. But yea Im sure
that’s an awsome book. Thanks for recommending it.

Hey no problem this book would be the easiest way of living there is NO scientific reasoning and all leads to Jesus without reserve. I’m a very simple person and I asked Jesus for a person to lead me and I got on to this book that shows Jesus simple way which Therese relates to.So if your not too scientific and want a simple way of loving God then hey presto.
Godbless

 

[excaliber]

Ahhhhh!!!
I figured out what was wrong with my view point!!!

I bet you cradle catholics are like
what’s this guys problem LOL.

Some churches have prosperity teaching. For example tithing is heavily taught in some churches, and by giving to God you are suppose to get a blessing.

Well Jehovah’s witness don’t tith.
But they HEAVILY teach that you will be blessed if you put forth a lot of effort in serving God.

If you came to them because you lost your job and couldn’t pay your
bills, they would think you were not doing enuff to serve God.

So basicly knowone told me that the teaching was not Catholic until
TODAY. Imagine getting out of a cult and into the church…that takes so much work, and the thought that God DEFINITELY was
going to bless me was a huge motiation.

So when nothing happened, I was disappointed because of all that work and sacrifice.Now I wasn’t expecting to to much, its just that
trying to leave a cult is realy hard…
and I didn’t feel completely ready,
but I figured God would just bless
me so much I wouldn’t even think
about life in the cult.

IMAGINE MY SHOCK!

Let this be a lesson to all mormans and Jehovah’s witness, or any other cult!! Before you Get baptised, get counseling to adjust
to life outside the cult. Read books
heal yourself. Don’t just sit there and read your bible and pray thinking God is gona fix it some how.

And if you are singlè getting out of
a cult, and need to get married. God is not going to send you a catholic spouse, so do what you need to do before baptism. So that
you are able to contribute to your
congregation.

I hope cult members see this so they can get well. Knowone was
there to tell me these things.
Hopefuly other Jw’s see this.

But I have learned my lesson, instead of hoping God directs Jw’s
to open this thread. I will post on
Catholicxjw forum.

see Im getting smarter

 

[Rolltide]

Actually Excaliber, as a new Catholic, you’re doing exactly what your supposed to be doing right now. Although some parishes don’t emphasize it, the last period of RCIA is what’s called Mystagogia, which is a period of continued learning where we start deepening our understanding of the mysteries of the faith. Even if your parish does not offer it, it’s something worth doing on your own. Your new “discovery” about the Catholic faith is precisely the type of revelation that many people have just after they’ve been initiated in church (although the types of discoveries are vastly different, depending upon the denomination or faith tradition they might come from). So, what does one do during Mystagogia? Talk to other Catholics, spend time with them, do lots of reading (perhaps a few of the great Catholic Catholics), investigate topics that interest you, and pray (including learning and trying out some of the great prayers of the church). Above all, don’t worry about being perfect! One thing that you need to know about Catholics is that the learning never stops! Someone once said that Catholicism is simple enough for the poorest and most uneducated peasant, and yet complex and rich enough for the greatest philosophers to learn new things for the rest of their life. I’m 38 years old, and I’m still learning things about Catholicism all the time! This is actually part of the richness of our faith.

 

[excaliber]

Actually Excaliber, as a new Catholic, you’re doing exactly what your supposed to be doing right now. Although some parishes don’t emphasize it, the last period of RCIA is what’s called Mystagogia, which is a period of continued learning where we start deepening our understanding of the mysteries of the faith. Even if your parish does not offer it, it’s something worth doing on your own. Your new “discovery” about the Catholic faith is precisely the type of revelation that many people have just after they’ve been initiated in church (although the types of discoveries are vastly different, depending upon the denomination or faith tradition they might come from). So, what does one do during Mystagogia? Talk to other Catholics, spend time with them, do lots of reading (perhaps a few of the great Catholic Catholics), investigate topics that interest you, and pray (including learning and trying out some of the great prayers of the church). Above all, don’t worry about being perfect! One thing that you need to know about Catholics is that the learning never stops! Someone once said that Catholicism is simple enough for the poorest and most uneducated peasant, and yet complex and rich enough for the greatest philosophers to learn new things for the rest of their life. I’m 38 years old, and I’m still learning things about Catholicism all the time! This is actually part of the richness of our faith.

I have learned what I needed to know. There is no prosperity teacching, do you understand the magnitude of this change!

Jw teach that the world and everything in it is evil, prosperity
comes from serving God, not pursuits in the world. This was false.

This is huge for me, and explains 99.9 percent of my problems. I wounder what other teachings I built my life around that are false?

What is the purpose in speaking to
other Catholics? They generaly are
not worth the effort, they are eather liberal and will mislead you…don’t know anything…etc…etc…

this is pointless.

However people that share a similar interest, do become good friends. Like you and me both like history, and chinees food

ahh crispy chicken in garlic sauce!!

 

[RebeccaJ]

I have learned what I needed to know. There is no prosperity teacching, do you understand the magnitude of this change!

I do. The “Gospel of Health and Wealth” is one I learned as a mormon. There are other groups that teach it.

Catholic teaching is that God does not cause suffering or evil. He does not plan it. But He will use it to His own purposes. So, when you are suffering, it isn’t because God has left the building and abandoned you. He is there, suffering with you.

The other one that was a huge magnitude for me is that God doesn’t leave you an orphan if you aren’t doing, thinking, believing a long list of stuff.

This is huge for me, and explains 99.9 percent of my problems. I wounder what other teachings I built my life around that are false?

I went through this exercise for years excalibur. Any thought I had a about God, religion, or anything involved in those subjects, I sought to learn it all over again, like I had never heard anything in my life. It is the only way I found I could learn correct teaching and get the errors in thinking out. I still find stuff lurking around. I think I always will. I call it my cult-brain. You’ll always have it, just over time as you clear it out it will have less and less of an impact on how you think.

And yes, God is helping you excalibur.