How do I meet "conservative" Catholics?

[joamy]

Thanks, Ockham. As I posted on the Evangelization forum, we have actually been uninvited to Easter dinner with the family since we are “no longer Christian.” My sister-in-law crosses the street when she passes a Catholic church so she doesn’t “give the Devil a foothold.” “Friends” of over 20 years will no longer go to dinner with us. I can only conclude that Satan has a powerful reason for wanting us to stay Protestant. Last week my autistic son’s former Sunday School teacher saw us at the grocery store and told my son that his mother was taking him to “the devil’s church.” (After we left, my son told me, “Father is more like Jesus than that lady is.” What a great moment!) So, yes, it is safe to say that we are under attack from the rabid Fundamentalists. Debbie:shrug:

I am so sorry that people are reacting that way. I’ll keep you in my prayers and Welcome Home!!! One thing I try to keep in mind is that my protestant friends can look at me and see that I am not doing any of the things that they think are Catholic (like worship idols etc.) Never underestimate the power of your visual witness. One thing you might try is to go to daily mass - usually people are there because they want to be and not because they “have” to be to fulfill an obligation. I know it’s been suggested before, but are you able to check out different parishes?

God has brought you this far- he isn’t going to let you down. Easter Vigil is incredible. My sponser was my co-worker at the time. The whole week after Easter, I kept saying to her “I’M CATHOLIC!!!” (Probably 10 times a day- enough to significantly lessen her time in purgatory.) It’s been three years and I’m still grinning like this:

 

[Monica4316]

Hi - I’m joining the Church this Easter Vigil. I am feeling a little bit lost (OK, a lot lost) in our parish. The leaders of RCIA seem to be a lot more liberal than I am prepared to be – they told us that almost no one considers sterilization a sin, and they let women participate in the foot-washing on Holy Thursday, and some of them are really into women’s ordination, etc. They’re really nice people, but…I disagree with them on many points. Unfortunately, I don’t know any other Catholics, in this parish or any other one, and I would like to meet some like-minded women. I was invited to the group that prays the Rosary, but I heard them one day and they say it so fast I would never be able to keep up! (I still need a crib sheet, I’m sorry to say.) I am a convert from an Evangelical church and I just recently dared to say my first Rosary. My family and friends have practically disowned me for my conversion, and I’m missing Christian friends. Changing parishes is not an option. I guess my question is, what kinds of “groups” should I look for to find conservative people? Thanks – Debbie

dear Debbie, I’m in a similar situation as you… I’m also a convert from evangelical Protestantism and I’m entering the Church this Easter Vigil! Welcome btw!! I’m sorry that you’re feeling lost in your parish… sometimes I feel that way too, my parish is not very liberal but it’s still more liberal than I am lol. It’s helped me to go to Adoration cause this gives a lot of peace!

I don’t know what groups you might join to find more conservative people, do you mean groups at your parish? the only thing I can think of right now is maybe going on a retreat or a conference of some sort… or a pilgrimage…and meeting people there. That’s how I met some of my friends… also I joined a Catholic group at my university and that really helped. But if you go to anything like that, make sure it’s something traditional or you’ll find yourself in the same situation as in your parish.

What sorts of groups or activities does your parish offer?

btw, - about the Rosary… I’m reading a book called “the Secret of the Rosary” by St Louis de Montfort, and there he gives advice on saying the Rosary… and he makes it clear that it’s much better to say it slowly and with attention so don’t feel that you’re doing anything wrong by not praying it really quickly.

That’s wonderful that you prayed your first Rosary a while ago, I remember that time for me, lol… I encourage you to keep on praying it because it gets better with time!

I know converting can be a really lonely time especially if your family and friends are against your decision I’ve actually lost a few friends because of my decision too… but I’m sure that with time, God will provide new friends, and I’m sure it pleases Him very much that you haven’t given up despite all that! Don’t get discouraged and stay close to Him.

God bless you!

 

[maryjk]

Find the someone that home schools. Even if you don’t. Chances are they are Conservative. And they will know others in your parish that are.

Check out daily Mass.

Attend Thursday night, Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Friday, Stations of the Cross and Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion. Then look around outside before Easter Vigil starts. Anyone attending at least three of these, chances are they are pretty Conservative.

 

[Monica4316]

Thanks everyone for your kind responses. Now for the questions: what is a “Tan Book”?

TAN is a traditional Catholic publisher they publish a lot of books by the Saints and Catholic classics like “Imitation of Christ”… I’ve read some of their books and they’re all very good!! If you ever come across “Story of a Soul” by St Therese, I very highly recommend it

and I’m afraid I don’t know what a novena is either.

it’s a prayer you say for 9 days for some intention =) well usually it’s 9 days, but sometimes another number. There are different types of novenas out there…
ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/novena.htm

I have never seen anyone with a veil at our parish, I don’t think. Is that symbolic of something?

if you ever go to a Latin Mass (and I suggest you do if you can find one, especially by priests from FSSP! ) you’ll see women there wearing veils (mantillas)

I did talk to the woman from the Rosary group last night, and she said it didn’t matter that I couldn’t keep up with them, and that I might learn the Rosary faster by listening to it instead of reading it. So I think I will try that.

I think that’s a good idea… usually people who pray the Rosary are more traditional/conservative. Even if they pray it really fast don’t feel bad if you don’t pray it quickly though… but it might really help to learn how to pray the Rosary if you pray with a group! =) I’ve noticed that it’s easier to go through the whole thing if you pray with other people…

Our church only does Adoration on First Fridays. Is there some special significance to the first Friday? It seems like a lot of churches do it on that day.

there’s something called the First Friday devotion…
miraclerosarymission.org/shj.htm

My husband loves this parish so changing is not really an option unless I go to another parish on weekdays while he’s at work Sorry for all the questions! Debbie

sometimes I go to another parish on weekdays than the one I usually attend =)

if you ever find a parish with vespers…especially if it’s sung - in Gregorian chant… usually you’ll find more conservative people in those services. =)

Sorry, another question. What is TLM? I think I need a Catholic dictionary…

Tridentine Latin Mass =) it’s beautiful btw. I love those Masses. And pretty much all the people who go there are conservative/traditional. (but be careful not to go to SSPX - there are other groups that are more loyal to the Holy Father and Rome).

Thanks, Ockham. As I posted on the Evangelization forum, we have actually been uninvited to Easter dinner with the family since we are “no longer Christian.” My sister-in-law crosses the street when she passes a Catholic church so she doesn’t “give the Devil a foothold.” “Friends” of over 20 years will no longer go to dinner with us. I can only conclude that Satan has a powerful reason for wanting us to stay Protestant. Last week my autistic son’s former Sunday School teacher saw us at the grocery store and told my son that his mother was taking him to “the devil’s church.” (After we left, my son told me, “Father is more like Jesus than that lady is.” What a great moment!) So, yes, it is safe to say that we are under attack from the rabid Fundamentalists. Debbie:shrug:

how sad!! (I love your son’s reply though…! )

some people have really huge misconceptions about Catholicism and they think we worship idols and are earning our salvation… as I’m sure you know! I used to belong to Campus for Christ and had to leave cause I heard so many anti-Catholic remarks there. I’ts really unfortunate… But don’t get too discouraged… we can be great witnesses for the faith if we reply with kindness and patience (or don’t reply at all…don’t feel like you have to!) and God is always there to strengthen us.

Have you ever read “Rome Sweet Home” by Scott Hahn? He’s a former Protestant minister who became Catholic, and it was a pretty difficult journey for him and his wife… (they both wrote the book). They lost a lot of friends too, but others became Catholics because of them! it’s a really good book.

God bless!

 

[Shin]

Find the someone that home schools. Even if you don’t. Chances are they are Conservative. And they will know others in your parish that are.

Check out daily Mass.

Attend Thursday night, Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Friday, Stations of the Cross and Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion. Then look around outside before Easter Vigil starts. Anyone attending at least three of these, chances are they are pretty Conservative.

Good calls! And the people who are first in and last out on Sundays.

During one’s conversion going through the things you are going through one is endearing oneself all the more to the Lord and the angels and gaining great graces and merit in Heaven.

 

[convert999]

This is great! All these ideas! I don’t want to give the impression that I’m not excited about becoming Catholic – I can’t wait to participate in the Eucharist. I think that once I’m actually Catholic, people will stop trying to “convert” me back to Evangelical. I hope so, anyway. I used to be the church librarian in the Evangelical church, and I was always interested in history. All the church histories we had in that library only went back to the Reformation. Once I started reading about the early church, I found out why the pastors there never recommended that we read about the N.T. church – it was Catholic! Finally one day I was reading Jesus’ words about baptism and it hit me – YOU’RE CATHOLIC! It was a real shock. I tried to be a “closet Catholic” for a while, but God just kept nagging at me until I decided to go to Mass. And, as they say, the rest is history!

 

[Al_Masetti]

One way is to get on the mailing lists of conservative Catholic publications.

You don’t even need to subscribe to them if your budget isn’t up for it; just ask them to keep you on their mailing lists particularly for seminars, trips, etc.

This Rock
The Latin Mass
The Wanderer

Ave Maria Press
Ignatius Press
Tan Books

are three magazines and three book publishers. And in time you will get on other lists as well. This will get you invited to a fair number of seminars.

There is also the Cardinal Mindszenty Foundation and Eagle Forum.

A purely political magazine which seems to be pretty Catholic is Human Events.

You can Google them and get their phone numbers and call and explain your situation and they can help you make further contacts.

 

[malphono]

Most of what has been suggested in this thread is, IMO, valid, but how far you go depends on what you want. For example, the “home school” folks: it doesn’t seem to be the Faith that motivates the bulk of them but rather ultra-right-wing reactionary politics. It is possible to be observant (even in the EF) without trying to live in the past. Also some publications promote a right-wing political agenda couched in religious terms specifically to appeal to those who prefer the EF and/or a more traditional view of the Church (even in the OF). In the end, the decision of where to look is up to the individual, but but keep in mind that right-wing politics and being a faithful, observant Catholic are not synonymous.

 

[maryjk]

Most of what has been suggested in this thread is, IMO, valid, but how far you go depends on what you want. For example, the “home school” folks: it doesn’t seem to be the Faith that motivates the bulk of them but rather ultra-right-wing reactionary politics. It is possible to be observant (even in the EF) without trying to live in the past. Also some publications promote a right-wing political agenda couched in religious terms specifically to appeal to those who prefer the EF and/or a more traditional view of the Church (even in the OF). In the end, the decision of where to look is up to the individual, but but keep in mind that right-wing politics and being a faithful, observant Catholic are not synonymous.

Talk about a stereotype. You might want to spend time with home schooling families before you pass judgment.

 

[Ockham]

Most of what has been suggested in this thread is, IMO, valid, but how far you go depends on what you want. For example, the “home school” folks: it doesn’t seem to be the Faith that motivates the bulk of them but rather ultra-right-wing reactionary politics. It is possible to be observant (even in the EF) without trying to live in the past. Also some publications promote a right-wing political agenda couched in religious terms specifically to appeal to those who prefer the EF and/or a more traditional view of the Church (even in the OF). In the end, the decision of where to look is up to the individual, but but keep in mind that right-wing politics and being a faithful, observant Catholic are not synonymous.

Ahem…cough…didn’t you request this forum stay free of politics?

 

[malphono]

:
Talk about a stereotype. You might want to spend time with home schooling families before you pass judgment.

Been there. Done that. Hence my comment.

 

[malphono]

Ahem…cough…didn’t you request this forum stay free of politics?

No “ahem” no “cough” … yes I did, and I do. And I prefer to keep it that way. The two are NOT synonymous.

 

[Ockham]

Neither is home schooling and conservative political philosophy yet you made that stereotype quite easily.

 

[malphono]

Neither is home schooling and conservative political philosophy yet you made that stereotype quite easily.

Not a stereotype. Many years of experience says it is often the case. But evidently I’m not wasting my time, so my involvement with this argument is ended. Say, think, and believe what you please. Not my concern. bibi

 

[maryjk]

Not a stereotype. Many years of experience says it is often the case. But evidently I’m not wasting my time, so my involvement with this argument is ended. Say, think, and believe what you please. Not my concern. bibi

Should I tell my home schooling friends, that happen to be very liberal, that they ultra right wing reactionaries?

And it is a stereotype.

dictionary.reference.com/browse/stereotype

Stereotype :a simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group

stereotype
A too-simple and therefore distorted image of a group, such as “Football players are stupid” or “The English are cold and unfriendly people.”

stereotype
A generalization, usually exaggerated or oversimplified and often offensive, that is used to describe or distinguish a group.

You are correct, this argument is ended, and you are wrong.

 

[malphono]

Should I tell my home schooling friends, that happen to be very liberal, that they ultra right wing reactionaries?

And it is a stereotype.

You are correct, this argument is ended, and you are wrong.

Ya know, honey, there’s an expression (oh, horrors, it’s French!) that translates: the extremes touch. right wing. left wing. It’s all extreme. And your right. This argument is ended, and you are wrong. Have a nice day.

 

[Ockham]

Ahem…cough…didn’t you end your involvement in this discussion?

 

[malphono]

Ahem…cough…didn’t you end your involvement in this discussion?

Yep, I did just that. With you first. And then with the other poster. And actually, now that you bring it up, with this entire thread. The whole thing is evidently a lost cause and is truly a waste of time.

BTW, please cut out the “ahems” and “coughs” why dontcha? Enough is enough.

 

[Shin]

Well…

I’m glad that’s over.

Let us know how you get along on your search!!!

 

[Ockham]

This is great! All these ideas! I don’t want to give the impression that I’m not excited about becoming Catholic – I can’t wait to participate in the Eucharist. I think that once I’m actually Catholic, people will stop trying to “convert” me back to Evangelical. I hope so, anyway. I used to be the church librarian in the Evangelical church, and I was always interested in history. All the church histories we had in that library only went back to the Reformation. Once I started reading about the early church, I found out why the pastors there never recommended that we read about the N.T. church – it was Catholic! Finally one day I was reading Jesus’ words about baptism and it hit me – YOU’RE CATHOLIC! It was a real shock. I tried to be a “closet Catholic” for a while, but God just kept nagging at me until I decided to go to Mass. And, as they say, the rest is history!

Debbie,

It seems every Lent something truly remarkable occurs that strengthens my faith. This year it is your testimony that will become part of my history. I’ve prayed for strength and guidance and in two posts you’ve displayed what I’ve been seeking. You are an inspiration and I thank God for answering my prayers.