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Megan7
Guest
Beautiful picture. Thank you
God bless them both.
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PerlaDelRosario
Guest
And also lapsed Catholics.
Not too long ago, I had been planning to visit various churches (Baptist, Methodist, non-denominational, Catholic, etc.) in hopes of finding the “right church for me.” Well, this approach didn’t feel quite right to me and I didn’t put that plan into action. I was so frustrated and finally prayed for God’s guidance (what I should have done in the first place) and I found myself thinking about the Catholic Church. Then in the days leading to the election of the new pope, I found myself watching EWTN out of curiosity. I also watched EWTN live when they announced Jorge Bergoglio as the new pope. I was overcome with joy which surprised me and some tears escaped my eyes. Also seeing the multitude of people waving flags from various countries made me see and feel the universality of the Catholic Church – my church. Just like that, I felt an instant connection and was filled with hope and faith for the Catholic Church. As I prayed along with the crowds, I felt God’s presence and was overcome with happiness. That same day, I called three Catholic Churches in my area and inquired about mass times and Adult Confirmation classes. I attended Adult Confirmation class that night. I’ve started to attend mass again and I went to confession today after almost two years of not attending church
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TimothyH
Guest
This is too bad. Spirituality and theology are for everyone.
Jesus was the supreme mystic, in intimate commuion with the Father. We are called to imitate that to the extent we are able to the extent that God gives us that gift. Prayer is the primary response of a Christian to God’s offer of love and prayer is the primary way we stay in commuion with God.
Sound doctrine is the basis for faith. When we say “We believe” in the Apostles Creed and “I believe” in the Nicean Creed, we believe in a concrete body of doctrine. Our faith is in that Jesus existed and was who he claimed to be but our profession of faith goes much deeper and forms the basis of our faith, what we believe as disciples of Christ.
Both our spirituality and the most basic statements of sound doctrine are summed up best in our Baptismal promises, and these are common to all.
-Tim-
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Robyn_p
Guest
Thank you for sharing, that was beautiful, welcome home!!And also lapsed Catholics.
Not too long ago, I had been planning to visit various churches (Baptist, Methodist, non-denominational, Catholic, etc.) in hopes of finding the “right church for me.” Well, this approach didn’t feel quite right to me and I didn’t put that plan into action. I was so frustrated and finally prayed for God’s guidance (what I should have done in the first place) and I found myself thinking about the Catholic Church. Then in the days leading to the election of the new pope, I found myself watching EWTN out of curiosity. I also watched EWTN live when they announced Jorge Bergoglio as the new pope. I was overcome with joy which surprised me and some tears escaped my eyes. Also seeing the multitude of people waving flags from various countries made me see and feel the universality of the Catholic Church – my church. Just like that, I felt an instant connection and was filled with hope and faith for the Catholic Church. As I prayed along with the crowds, I felt God’s presence and was overcome with happiness. That same day, I called three Catholic Churches in my area and inquired about mass times and Adult Confirmation classes. I attended Adult Confirmation class that night. I’ve started to attend mass again and I went to confession today after almost two years of not attending church
I know several people who felt exactly the same thing you did when Pope Francis came out. It’s so awesome to be Catholic
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Brendan_64
Guest
And that is worth far more than all the red shoes, capes, not sitting for the Homily etc. and other traditions that some Catholics are getting upset about Pope Francis not seeming to pay due regard to.Not too long ago, I had been planning to visit various churches (Baptist, Methodist, non-denominational, Catholic, etc.) in hopes of finding the “right church for me.” Well, this approach didn’t feel quite right to me and I didn’t put that plan into action. I was so frustrated and finally prayed for God’s guidance (what I should have done in the first place) and I found myself thinking about the Catholic Church. Then in the days leading to the election of the new pope, I found myself watching EWTN out of curiosity. I also watched EWTN live when they announced Jorge Bergoglio as the new pope. I was overcome with joy which surprised me and some tears escaped my eyes. Also seeing the multitude of people waving flags from various countries made me see and feel the universality of the Catholic Church – my church. Just like that, I felt an instant connection and was filled with hope and faith for the Catholic Church. As I prayed along with the crowds, I felt God’s presence and was overcome with happiness. That same day, I called three Catholic Churches in my area and inquired about mass times and Adult Confirmation classes. I attended Adult Confirmation class that night. I’ve started to attend mass again and I went to confession today after almost two years of not attending church
This really is a man who will see what the real purpose of our Church on Earth is and that many of the ‘bells and smells’ are merely tools to help us evangelise (rather than having any intrinsic value in themselves).
I do believe that Pope Francis will truly be one of our Church’s great Popes. To reach out to and evangelise people today you have top meet them on their own ground, at their own level, and in a spirit of equality. You cannot, in today’s culture, evangelise from ‘on high’, or use symbols that people do not understand; people will just not listen to you. In think in Pope Francis we have a Pope who will get out amongst people, talk to people on level terms, and display the goodness of God and the Church through his own personal actions towards his fellow man.
Personally I feel quite stunned at how much I can feel the Holy Spirit flowing through Pope Francis and reaching out to humanity. It is quite difficult to put into words really, but there is a real sense of ‘feeling’. As if we are on the brink of something amazing.
God bless Pope Francis.
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Christine85
Guest
Pope Francis has won my heart!! It’s the first Papal election I’ve been a Confirmed Catholic for so I felt more involved.
He is so sweet, and he inspires me to share the love of Christ everywhere I go. (I am trying it will be a journey…) he also helps me to see that it’s not a case of Catholics against the world, which is awesome. I do still miss Bishop Benedict but I must say I feel more of a connection with Pope Francis. I just pray he will be ok in health as he only has one lung. But it’s obviously Gods will he’s Pope!!!
He is so sweet, and he inspires me to share the love of Christ everywhere I go. (I am trying it will be a journey…) he also helps me to see that it’s not a case of Catholics against the world, which is awesome. I do still miss Bishop Benedict but I must say I feel more of a connection with Pope Francis. I just pray he will be ok in health as he only has one lung. But it’s obviously Gods will he’s Pope!!!
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Lucky7
Guest
Yes, that pretty much sums it up. The OP asked “How has Pope Francis impacted your spirituality so far?” when I think he meant to ask us to “share positive stories of positive spirituality changes based on positive impressions of our new Holy Father.” Those who responded to what was asked instead of what was meant got a smack-down.
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Sirach2
Guest
[sign] OFF TOPIC and INAPPROPRIATE [/SIGN]
I believe Bro. JR has explained this quite adequately, prior to the two of you continuing your angst. I myself offered explanations, as well. It would appear that there is a eagerness to display displeasure where Pope Francis is concerned, not only in this thread, but in other posts.
I believe Bro. JR has explained this quite adequately, prior to the two of you continuing your angst. I myself offered explanations, as well. It would appear that there is a eagerness to display displeasure where Pope Francis is concerned, not only in this thread, but in other posts.
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Moore11
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Perhaps you should ask the mods to close it. And maybe be a little more careful in your thread titles from now on.
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Sirach2
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Close it for whom? There are a great many beautiful and inspiring posts, and there is no reason to shut it down due to antagonists. They just need to start their own thread.
I think the title is inclusive of those who may NOT be impacted spiritually, but they need to refrain from taking jabs at others’ more positive views, as if they are wrong or deluded in holding them. The thread is clearly meant to be a personal reflection on their OWN spiritual impact, however it may be.May we take wings and inspiration from those posts - I know that I have benefitted very much reading them. Have you seen the number of
in response?
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Brendan_64
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May we take wings and inspiration from those posts - I know that I have benefitted very much reading them. Have you seen the number of
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Marie5890
Guest
Biggest impact this past week is that he has shown what it means to be, in action, charitable.
And I dont mean that in strictly “be nice”. But rather, truly Christ-like in our dealing with our neighbors, and those with who we have disagreements with.
I will always remember that, this past week.
And I dont mean that in strictly “be nice”. But rather, truly Christ-like in our dealing with our neighbors, and those with who we have disagreements with.
I will always remember that, this past week.
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Marie5890
Guest
This thread has been very fruitful in my life.May we take wings and inspiration from those posts - I know that I have benefitted very much reading them. Have you seen the number of
Thanks for starting it, Sirach2.
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Sirach2
Guest
Won your heart, huh? What a lovely way to say it!Pope Francis has won my heart!! It’s the first Papal election I’ve been a Confirmed Catholic for so I felt more involved.
He is so sweet, and he inspires me to share the love of Christ everywhere I go. (I am trying it will be a journey…) he also helps me to see that it’s not a case of Catholics against the world, which is awesome. I do still miss Bishop Benedict but I must say I feel more of a connection with Pope Francis. I just pray he will be ok in health as he only has one lung. But it’s obviously Gods will he’s Pope!!!
Try not to worry about the one lung. He has had that for maybe 50 years without a problem.My pastor just had a letter-sized color photo of him inserted our bulletins for Palm Sunday. I now join “Rich C” who said he has a photo of him in his living room Me, too!
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Sirach2
Guest
You’re most welcome, Marie. I believe the Holy Spirit has quietly inspired many of the replies. It is a homecoming, more or less, for all who love Pope Francis. I feel a deeper sense of community here in the TC forum with all of the varied responses from many different members.This thread has been very fruitful in my life.
Thanks for starting it, Sirach2.
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SarahB85
Guest
The election of Pope Francis is what brought me back to the Church after 10 years away. I had left as a teenager after a bad experience with the priest at my family’s church. Basically, being called out for “daring to question the authority of the priest and of the Church and being an embarrassment to him” because I had questions about some of the teachings. Unfortunately, instead of privately answering my questions (and I had asked them privately, and had not tried in any way to be argumentative or questioning of anyone’s authority), he decided to make an example of me during the homily on Sunday morning. It was an awful time in my spiritual life and at 16 years old I decided if he didn’t have answers other than yelling at me in front of the entire church, then he must not have the answers. In the last few months I had felt a pulling back to the church, but after so many years away, many in a church with much different teachings, it was difficult to even consider it. Regardless, Benedict’s resignation was a jolt. I called my mom crying when I heard the news on the way to work. I can’t say that I spent the new few weeks in prayer for the new Pope, but I was looking forward to the conclave. In the days leading up I started thinking about it more and and hoping for "the right person’ for the Church during this time. By the day of Pope Francis’ election, I was glued to the screen at work, getting almost nothing done because I just had a feeling we were going to have the news of a new Pope. When the white smoke started and the bells started ringing I called my mom crying and said, “We have a new Pope!” So I suppose that you could say that it wasn’t really him that caused me to come back(and of course it was really God all along). But as soon as he stepped out onto the balcony and began speaking, and then again the next day when I heard his sermon from the Mass with the Cardinals, I knew that I wanted to be in the same Church as Francis. So a process that began months ago found its way to completion in the election of Francis. His humility and simplicity and his love for the poor and the forgotten has had a tremendous impact on me. I went to confession on Thursday for the first time in over 10 years. I’m praying prayers that I wouldn’t touch for years(Especially the Hail Mary). Over the last few months, teachings that I had trouble accepting, I’ve slowly been able to reconcile, or at least defer to the judgement of the Church. I realize that Francis has only been Pope for a short time and we still have much to learn about him, and see what he’ll do. So I understand the caution that many are showing and I’m not at all disagreeing with that approach. But for this girl, his election was a breath of fresh air and something that was much needed in order to finally bring me back.
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crazzeto
Guest
Welcome back, I was out 10 years as well and came back a few years ago. Let your self be lead, attend confession and attend the sacraments. You’ll notice your life turn so much for the better.
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Michael19682
Guest
His election and significance, and I’m sure his prayers, has made me more cognizant of how important peace and harmony is between and amongst all men and women. I take the social responsibility he is asking of me very seriously. People in general, everywhere, seem happier and more respectful of each other…and if not visibly happier, then more trustful. You must know how lax people can tend to be at the sign of peace in mass…as if there is no question as to who offers it first and both people say the same thing simultaneously. Today I waited and said the full response “and also with your spirit” to each of the four people who greeted me. I know it was the new Pope’s influence.
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JohnTomHoc
Guest
It’s hard to believe we’re only 11 days into this pontificate.
His effect on my life has been immediate and surprising. Without exactly consciously thinking, WWTPD (What Would the Pope Do?), I’ve found myself responding spontaneously in a much more Christ-like fashion to people & to situations. Likewise, I went back to re-read Lumen Gentium and the Catechism & sediment that had built up in my soul from long-held controversies suddenly dissolved.
Bl. John Paul had turned my heart towards the Church, Benedict gladdened my heart by re-integrating practices which had been abandoned in the name of a “Conciliar spirit”, and Francis is showing us the unity in which social justice & orthodoxy are not separate strands at all.
His effect on my life has been immediate and surprising. Without exactly consciously thinking, WWTPD (What Would the Pope Do?), I’ve found myself responding spontaneously in a much more Christ-like fashion to people & to situations. Likewise, I went back to re-read Lumen Gentium and the Catechism & sediment that had built up in my soul from long-held controversies suddenly dissolved.
Bl. John Paul had turned my heart towards the Church, Benedict gladdened my heart by re-integrating practices which had been abandoned in the name of a “Conciliar spirit”, and Francis is showing us the unity in which social justice & orthodoxy are not separate strands at all.
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