help please!

[music22]

Hi I’m new to this forum so I wasn’t sure were to post this. But I’m looking for some help and figured maybe somebody would have some advice. Let me give yall some background first my family is southern baptist who used to attend church regualarly when i was younger but now they never attend church regulary just on christmas eve or easter. Etc… I’ve never felt a real connection anytime I would attend church I just felt as thought I was getting judged or talked about most of the time.it felt as more of a place for gossip.

But now as I am older I am dating this wonderful man who is catholic, he invited me to attend mass with him and so I did the moment I walked into the church I felt completely different. I felt so much love and acceptance for once in a church. I feel closer to him and to God. I felt like i had found a piece of me that was missing. I have always felt a little drawn to the catholic church but never attended because of my family. Basically I’m just wondering if converting is what I should do and how I would go about telling my family and the steps I need to take.

 

[Ohokplease]

Hello, I am a Catholic convert, and I can relate to your experience in every way. I remember going to mass with family, and there, listening to the Latin and praying towards the altar, suddenly it struck me…and it was like every word spoken had so much meaning, so much power, so much truth. For me, the choice was clear (partially because I was raised Catholic for a portion of my life, and at that point still trying to find myself religiously) and I converted more or less right away.

If you are thinking of converting, that is absolutely wonderful! You are always welcome in the Church I have been Catholic for a bit now, and even though it was quite difficult at first, I have found my home in the faith. I hope that you, too, can find yourself here

Your family may be difficult about it, but coming from a non-Catholic family myself, I guess the best advice I can give is to keep your head screwed on tight and explain your feelings as well as you can (it’s helpful to think over what you want to say, but not script it). I don’t know how strongly Baptist your family is, but with any luck they will be accepting of your decision.

One mistake that I made in converting, is I leaped straight from a liberal barely-there Protestant faith straight into expecting myself to be a full-formed Catholic. Take it slow, and try to seek help from those around you if it is available. Don’t expect too much of yourself straightaway - educate yourself first, because what I did led to a world of confusion Dx Try your best, confess your sins, and never be afraid to ask for help!

RCIA I have heard to be a wonderful thing. I didn’t go through it, but I wish I had the opportunity to do so. If you do not have the opportunity, one thing that may be helpful is to look up what it is, and use it to get an idea of what a conversion might look like.

Good luck, and God bless! I hope you can find what you are looking for; I will pray for you!

 

[kmuestwin]

My advice to you is to pace yourself. Do some reading and some research. Study some of the theology of the Catholic Church and try to understand what the teachings of the Church are. I wouldn’t suggest starting the “conversion talk” until you understand more of what you are looking in to.

Catholicism for Dummies is a good start in understanding some of the points of the Catholic faith.

The catechism can be a bit of a doozy for some because it doesn’t read like a story. A good abbreviated catechism can be found here.

This is going to sound strange but try not to make this lifelong decision based on something as fleeting as feelings. You are going to need more than that to live the life required of all Christians. Making a commitment of faith based solely on how you feel is like building a house on sand.

I also suggest waiting on RCIA until you’ve done some private studying. This will give you a better theological foundation and give you a chance to think up some questions that you may not consider otherwise.

 

[Catholic1954]

Hi I’m new to this forum so I wasn’t sure were to post this. But I’m looking for some help and figured maybe somebody would have some advice. Let me give yall some background first my family is southern baptist who used to attend church regualarly when i was younger but now they never attend church regulary just on christmas eve or easter. Etc… I’ve never felt a real connection anytime I would attend church I just felt as thought I was getting judged or talked about most of the time.it felt as more of a place for gossip.

But now as I am older I am dating this wonderful man who is catholic, he invited me to attend mass with him and so I did the moment I walked into the church I felt completely different. I felt so much love and acceptance for once in a church. I feel closer to him and to God. I felt like i had found a piece of me that was missing. I have always felt a little drawn to the catholic church but never attended because of my family. Basically I’m just wondering if converting is what I should do and how I would go about telling my family and the steps I need to take.

Welcome Home, the Holy Spirit is calling you to the Catholic Church! The usual way to convert to the Church is to attend the RICIA program at your local parish. There still might be time enroll for this year; call the office as soon as possible, your friend might want to attend the classes with you. As for your family, you know them better than we do. Are they anti-Catholic or would they be open to you attending any church? I would wait and get more information before saying anything to them, and then approach the one who would receive the news most favorably first.

 

[AussieTrish]

I will pray for you and your family.
May the Holy Spirit guide and inspire you and lead you as God desires.

 

[Phil_Marinus]

I agree with a comment… Just pace yourself… Don’t rush like a bull at a gate,
Take your time… Because people have started threads about going to fast with a relationship with a great guy and there feelings for the new found faith,
Then several years down the track the wheels fall off,
It’s great that you have what you have… Do some study, include your new b/f. Partner,
Learn together, grow together, then you will stay together…
Then, what to do about your family ?
Let them see what your doing… Let them see that you are both learning together,
Growing together, spend time together with your family, not hidden away in a room somewhere but out in the open for all to see,let your family see you becoming a mature young woman… If they see what you have, they will learn to love and accept the both of you. And your new faith… Good luck.

 

[music22]

Thank you everyone for your help! I have been doing a lot of research and reading about it for a while now. But I’m definitely going to take things slow. I will be looking into the RCIA Classes for the near future but not until I’ve done some more studying.

 

[ClearWater]

Hi I’m new to this forum so I wasn’t sure were to post this. But I’m looking for some help and figured maybe somebody would have some advice. Let me give yall some background first my family is southern baptist who used to attend church regualarly when i was younger but now they never attend church regulary just on christmas eve or easter. Etc… I’ve never felt a real connection anytime I would attend church I just felt as thought I was getting judged or talked about most of the time.it felt as more of a place for gossip.

But now as I am older I am dating this wonderful man who is catholic, he invited me to attend mass with him and so I did the moment I walked into the church I felt completely different. I felt so much love and acceptance for once in a church. I feel closer to him and to God. I felt like i had found a piece of me that was missing. I have always felt a little drawn to the catholic church but never attended because of my family. Basically I’m just wondering if converting is what I should do and how I would go about telling my family and the steps I need to take.

First of all, I’d like to congratulate you on your interest in the Catholic Church! :clapping::yup::bounce:

Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) is the first step. Now, this is classes people take when they have converted to the Catholic faith. However, you do NOT even have to be converted to Catholicism to go. People also can go who are undecided and want more information. They have people there who are in your same situation who you could talk to.

You could contact the church and see when classes are. Otherwise, just go with him to church would be a good start, reading “Catholicism for Dummies”, the New Testament, getting Catholic movies, too.

“For the Greater Glory” was good and here are some more if you’re interested:

patrickmadrid.blogspot.mx/2010/07/plethora-of-catholic-movies-available.html

Good luck in your relationship, and God bless!

 

[marbleartist]

I also went through RCIA and can identify with many of your concerns. I have since sponsored people going through this process, and now currently lead the Inquirer’s group at RCIA. You might want to check with your parish, as most RCIA programs begin with an Inquirer’s group- which is a set of classes in which you are lightly taught Catholicism and are given ample time to express concerns and ask questions. In our parish, these classes last 7 weeks. At the end of the class, you are given the option to remain in Inquirer’s or to move into RCIA. We have had people remain in Inquirer’s for even 1 year, because they weren’t ready to “move up” into RCIA. Along the way, in RCIA, you may always opt to stay- you will not be forced to advance unless you feel you are ready. And, most importantly, if you decide not to become a Catholic, these classes will give you a better understanding of Catholicism and will make you a better Christian. It is a journey towards a closer relationship with God, that doesn’t end once you become Catholic, but instead continues throughout life. I will be keeping you in my prayers.

 

[Beryllos]

Hi I’m new to this forum so I wasn’t sure were to post this. But I’m looking for some help and figured maybe somebody would have some advice. Let me give yall some background first my family is southern baptist who used to attend church regularly when i was younger but now they never attend church regularly just on christmas eve or easter. Etc… I’ve never felt a real connection anytime I would attend church …

Your story sounds a bit like my mother’s. She was raised as a southern Baptist, and in her early twenties she felt something was missing. To begin with, she read about many different religions. I don’t know a lot of details except she chose Catholicism. That must have been difficult for her to explain to her parents, but she did it somehow. I wish you all the best!

 

[PJM]

=music22;11478144]Hi I’m new to this forum so I wasn’t sure were to post this. But I’m looking for some help and figured maybe somebody would have some advice. Let me give yall some background first my family is southern baptist who used to attend church regualarly when i was younger but now they never attend church regulary just on christmas eve or easter. Etc… I’ve never felt a real connection anytime I would attend church I just felt as thought I was getting judged or talked about most of the time.it felt as more of a place for gossip.

But now as I am older I am dating this wonderful man who is catholic, he invited me to attend mass with him and so I did the moment I walked into the church I felt completely different. I felt so much love and acceptance for once in a church. I feel closer to him and to God. I felt like i had found a piece of me that was missing. I have always felt a little drawn to the catholic church but never attended because of my family. Basically I’m just wondering if converting is what I should do and how I would go about telling my family and the steps I need to take.

here’s some Rock-solid advice:

Proceed slowly
One step at a time
PRAY MUCH!

The Normal process for entry into the CC is to attend a series of information classes, that we call RCIA: Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults

Each parish is a bit different; but most begin weekly classes with the start of the school year [can vary]; and ALL end on Easter Sunday

The classes are a introduction to our beliefs and practices. Sufficient to permit one to discern if God IS calling you “Home.”

They are often however insufficient to teach and explain is DETAIL all we believe in practice, given the time restraints and the 2,000 years of history and practice.

Contact the Pastor at the parish you attended and he will be happy to discuss this with you.

This is a big and very important step so you want to be able to make an informed decision.

God Bless you,
Patrick [PJM] here on CAF

 

[Uli]

Many Cathoics don‛t wanna proselytizing other Christians. But if you are a Baptist, than you can pray about this questions:

▲ Is the Christian Tradition good (1 Thess 2,15)

▲ Do you want to keep the true worship (Joh 4,24)?

▲ Is Peter the Rock (Mt 16,18)?

 

[kkollwitz]

I can connect you to former Southern Baptists in my parish if you think that’d help.

 

[PJM]

=Uli;11510133]Many Cathoics don‛t wanna proselytizing other Christians. But if you are a Baptist, than you can pray about this questions:

▲ Is the Christian Tradition good (1 Thess 2,15)

▲ Do you want to keep the true worship (Joh 4,24)?

▲ Is Peter the Rock (Mt 16,18)?

If truth matters here?

1. I’m not sure what you mean by “Christian TRADITION” and this specific bible verse:shrug:

But yes: Christian TRADITION is what the Apostles taught so it IS Good.

1. Yes we must Worship God who is SPIRIT IN the totality of His singular TRUTH
2. Yes Peter is THEE Rock of the Foundation; BUT Christ is the Cournerstone