I really am trying to Return to Catholicism BUT!

[Margarite]

WOW Margarite! You are what I (IMHO) would call a TRUE devoted Catholic! God bless you for your beliefs ! It is so refreshing to hear a young conservative Catholic such as yourself standing up for what you know is right!
Well, you got to this OLD cradle Catholic, who all week was thinking about changing parishes because I’m being ostracised for trying to correct some of the abuses at my Church. I will stay and FIGHT now. THANK you VERY MUCH!
[sign]God bless you![/sign]

Thank you, but all the credit goes to my incredible parents. They have spent their entire lives teaching us about the faith because they knew we would not get it from anyone else. They are completely selfless. They have been married for 20 years and this past weekend was the first time that they have been alone for more than a day since I was born. We spend at least 2 hours at dinner each night discussing different issues and topics, mostly we discuss the Church. My father is an attorney and he has the natural gift of logic, so he has tried to teach this to us. He spends so much time with us teaching us and my mother spends so much time teaching us, as they say, the most valuable thing that we can give to God is our time. So they give it to God, by giving it to us.

Mass is the most important part of our lives. No matter where we are, on vacation or at home, we don’t miss mass. I think my family has missed mass twice, and that was only because we were snowed-in in Colorado.

We have not only had the good example of our parents spending their time with us, but also of them rebuking priests/nuns/deacons/cantors/etc… after mass, when herecy was proclaimed, or when something was wrong with what they were doing. If those people did not respond, then the bishop was notified, and then whoever was over him…etc… We are not afraid to stand up for our faith, God is more important than any other person.
Both of my parent’s families, are outside the Catholic Church. I have protestant family, mormon family, SSPX family, and agnostic family, we are the only Catholic (in union with Rome) It is sad, it is a separating factor in our family, but at the same time it makes my immediate family even stronger. We are exposed to so many other religions, and we know allot more about them than most people our age. We know the reason their religions are wrong and how to defend against their beliefs.

My parents have made the Faith our life, it is what makes us smile and happy even when we are ridiculed by our classmates. We know that we are right and that God will help us and that we have eachother. (God gave my family many gifts, but the three most important, in order of importance, are: Our faith, Our parents, and my 3 sisters and 2 brothers) Having a big family makes it easier to stand up to the world because we have our own built in support group, we have our own cheering squad. God certainly is good, and we can’t let the devil get in the way of us praising and thanking him.
The best prayer I know is “Lord help me to know you, love you, and serve you more and more each day, and help me to be more like your mother each day.”
Pray for me and my family.
Thank you for joining the fight for the right. It is an uphill battle, but just think of the view at the end:thumbsup:

 

[1234]

Try going to another mass or another church. Is there a Newman center? Maybe you could go to confession and mass there. Or some religious house.

If all else fails, and you’re not getting the spiritual support you need, go back to the Protestant church. Better a good Protestant than a bad Catholic.

 

[Margarite]

Try going to another mass or another church. Is there a Newman center? Maybe you could go to confession and mass there. Or some religious house.

If all else fails, and you’re not getting the spiritual support you need, go back to the Protestant church. Better a good Protestant than a bad Catholic.

Don’t say something so horrible! The Church is the Body of Christ, why would you ever encourage someone to leave? If there is a mean person in a parish, that does not mean that the Church is bad, there is so much to gain from the Church, even if you never talk to a single person in the Church except the priest in confessional. The Church is much more than a bunch of grumpy women, and I am sad that you think it is not. Please read about the saints and you will find that the Church is full and rich and a promise to a future in heaven reguardless of who is around you. You reach heaven all by yourself, so you can’t let other people around you distract you from heaven.

 

[jmcrae]

Better a good Protestant than a bad Catholic.

Better for whom?

It would be more convenient for the rest of us if there were no bad Catholics, but as far as the individual himself is concerned, it’s better to be a bad Catholic, because a bad Catholic can receive Last Rites on his deathbed, but a good Protestant cannot.

 

[Margarite]

This should not be a choice between good protestant or bad Catholic, but rather a protestant with less of a chance of reaching heaven or a Catholic who has the best chance possible, and the tools needed to reach heaven. If you are not knowledgable about the faith, well, you are in the right place to learn, and there are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many books you should and could read to learn more, and Read the Church Fathers, Scott Hahn, Pope Benedict, and so many others. Read about the saints, read the Bible with Catholic notes explaining each passage, read, read, read and you will come to the conclusion that you already have, but you will know WHY: The Catholic is the only true Church and it is the only way into heaven.

 

[elizabethw4]

This should not be a choice between good protestant or bad Catholic, but rather a protestant with less of a chance of reaching heaven or a Catholic who has the best chance possible, and the tools needed to reach heaven. If you are not knowledgable about the faith, well, you are in the right place to learn, and there are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many books you should and could read to learn more, and Read the Church Fathers, Scott Hahn, Pope Benedict, and so many others. Read about the saints, read the Bible with Catholic notes explaining each passage, read, read, read and you will come to the conclusion that you already have, but you will know WHY: The Catholic is the only true Church and it is the only way into heaven.

I was going to reply, but there very little I can add after this quote. WOW…just wonderful. My love of our faith is forever growing and deeping. Learn the TRUTH of our faith b4 you decide to do anything. Read the stories of the early fathers, the lives of the first Christians…How amazing God is to have done all that he has in our Church. Scott Hahn’s book The Lamb’s Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth or Reasons to Believe.

And we will pray for you and for the “grumpy ladies” too:thumbsup:

 

[MementoMori3283]

Not to pick on you Peary… but I really do tire of some catholics saying ‘it is the Devil that done did it’ when it comes to feeling more at home in a protestant church.

Hmmmmm
Jesus Christ - Mt 16:22-23 KJV:

Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Did this woman have in mind the things of God?
1 Chronicles 21:1-2 KJV:

And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.

Does Scripture lie?
Job 1:7-8:

And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Either Scripture lies, or Satan provokes…
Luke 22:3:

Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

John 13:27 KJV:

And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

Acts 5:3 KJV:

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

2 Cor 2:11:

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Hmmmmm, So I guess the question would be, if a person is supposed to go wherever he’s happy, and, as the OP stated, he wants to come back, but he’s attacked as soon as he leaves a stronghold of Catholicism “feeling” great, who…

…nah, couldn’t be Satan, why would he attack someone feeling good about God and himself:shrug:

 

[peary]

I have. The parish I grew up in was so cold, you could see your breath in August.

The only churches I found a somewhat unwelcomed attitude were protestant churches whose members generally kept their distance once finding out I was Catholic.

 

[HashemEchad]

Truthfully, with one exception from my childhood, I’d not met ANY angry/hateful/mean Catholics until I found this forum, and “met” some here.

Most of the truly hostile/arrogant/mean people I’d met until then were mostly bornagain Christian types, esp. the “in your face-I’m saved-you’re not” kind.

Maybe I’ve just been lucky, but mostly all the Catholics I have met offline (as I said, with one childhood exception) have been of the “I’d give you the shirt off my back to help you out” types.

I also remember a nun from my childhood (who was walking through our area when I was little)…she saw me sitting on my front porch, crying (my dog had just been put to sleep).

She asked me why I was crying, and I told her. I then said, “Will my dog go to heaven?”

She replied, “Well, heaven is where everyone is supremely happy. And I’m sure that if you need your dog in Heaven with you to be happy, she will be there”.

I realize what she said was not in line with Catholic dogma, but it sure made me feel better, and I never forgot what she said.

 

[po18guy]

Don’t say something so horrible! The Church is the Body of Christ, why would you ever encourage someone to leave? If there is a mean person in a parish, that does not mean that the Church is bad, there is so much to gain from the Church, even if you never talk to a single person in the Church except the priest in confessional. The Church is much more than a bunch of grumpy women, and I am sad that you think it is not. Please read about the saints and you will find that the Church is full and rich and a promise to a future in heaven reguardless of who is around you. You reach heaven all by yourself, so you can’t let other people around you distract you from heaven.

Thank you for saying this! It needs to be said. To leave is to be one of His followers in John 6 who walked away. Christ was clearly saddened by this. Did the Apostles all agree and have group hugs ever after? No! They argued and disputed, just as they did in His Divine presence. Read The Acts of the Apostles to see the examples. It does not matter to your eternal salvation if even one other soul at mass truly believes. It matters that you believe. And, if you truly believe, you can go nowhere else. As Peter said: “Lord, to whom else shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

Christ’s peace.

 

[JackQ]

Could not have been the Devil.What would he be doing in a Church…So close to the Blessed sacrament? but I will consider it

God is everywhere. The devil can’t escape him in a brothel anymore than in a church. That’s why he is in hell.

 

[cyberjacques]

So, are you saying “get over it”? If the rudeness of others is ours to get over, then the responsibility to behave kindly is taken away from the individual who was rude in the first place. It is the responsibility of Christians everywhere - of every denomination - to love others as Christ loved us! “Do unto others…” is not just a suggestion!

Annie

“… and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who have trespassed against us…”

 

[po18guy]

“… and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who have trespassed against us…”

Ouch! uch: Struck in the head by the 2X4 of truth!

 

[rick43235]

Truthfully, with one exception from my childhood, I’d not met ANY angry/hateful/mean Catholics until I found this forum, and “met” some here.

I hate to say it, but this forum has been a major stumbling block in my conversion process. I’m aware that many of the posters on here represent the extreme conservative fringe of the Church and that most Catholics (at least the ones I have had “real life” contact with) are not as “hard-core” as some of the folks I have found here. Still, the self-righteous, uncharitable attitudes expressed by some on here have actually made me question whether or not I really want to convert.

 

[elizabethw4]

I hate to say it, but this forum has been a major stumbling block in my conversion process. I’m aware that many of the posters on here represent the extreme conservative fringe of the Church and that most Catholics (at least the ones I have had “real life” contact with) are not as “hard-core” as some of the folks I have found here. Still, the self-righteous, uncharitable attitudes expressed by some on here have actually made me question whether or not I really want to convert.

Our conversion is forever growing. I know someone who is devout in his faith. He knows doctrine, can talk to you about theology, the very fundatmentals of our Church. Yet, he does not trust! He doesn’t trust God when God answers his prayers. Even the most devout Catholic can sin. We are not in Heaven yet and are FAR from perfect. I suggest Rick43235 that 1. Continue to pray for Him to guide you to the truth. 2. Read about the Catholic faith from our Church fathers…start w/ The Catholic Classics by Dinesh D’Souza. 3. Go to your parish and begin to talk to a priest about your conversion. Remeber being “self-righteous” or “uncharitabe” is not being CATHOLIC. My apologies in behalf of any Catholic who has been less then humble to you or anyone else seeking the truth.

God Bless you all!!!

 

[po18guy]

I hate to say it, but this forum has been a major stumbling block in my conversion process. I’m aware that many of the posters on here represent the extreme conservative fringe of the Church and that most Catholics (at least the ones I have had “real life” contact with) are not as “hard-core” as some of the folks I have found here. Still, the self-righteous, uncharitable attitudes expressed by some on here have actually made me question whether or not I really want to convert.

Rick, I would suggest that you might have more contact with “live” Catholics at your local parish, rather than relying on a forum. There is an artificiality to forum interaction that may lead to misunderstanding of intent and emotion. Sterile typed declarations, minus the inflection of the spoken word, can cause much of what you are experiencing. There is no substitute for direct, human interaction. However, you need to have contact with reliable, well-catechized Catholics, so that you are lead in the proper direction.

One of the most difficult things for me to accept in my conversion process was that it was not the church that changes. It was not those to whom I spoke. It was neither the pastor, nor the teaching of the church. It was ME! That was the most difficult thing to face. Conversion is a lifetime process and is never complete. In the forums, you are speaking with the entire spectrum of both believers and non-believers. Some of us are less flexible than we used to be, and so it may appear that some are even hostile, when no such this is intended.

If you see a reply that appears well-reasoned, but still challenging, feel free to PM that member for some one-on-one. If you are truly thinking of converting, please obtain either a full catechism, or the abbreviated “compendium” of the catechism. That, and a bible with all 73 books wil greatly assist you.

Christ’s peace.

 

[Margarite]

I hate to say it, but this forum has been a major stumbling block in my conversion process. I’m aware that many of the posters on here represent the extreme conservative fringe of the Church and that most Catholics (at least the ones I have had “real life” contact with) are not as “hard-core” as some of the folks I have found here. Still, the self-righteous, uncharitable attitudes expressed by some on here have actually made me question whether or not I really want to convert.

I sure hope you didn’t mean me, because I am one of those very conservative Catholics, But please don’t let grumpy people keep you from Our Lord.
I am 18 year old, and I have only two Catholic friends. It is hard sometimes because I can’t be really good friends with Catholics who don’t follow the Catholic rules. I mean, they don’t like me because I won’t do allot of the thing they do because the Church teaches against it. I had one protestant friend, but it became difficult to continue our friendship because of the difference of religion and cultures.
I am lucky because God gave me three sisters and two brothers, and the most wonderful parents. We move on average ever three years, so that is also a factor in my lack of friends.
But, I am not saddened by this, I realized long ago that since I have so few friends, and since I chose them so carefully, I knew that they would never fail me. Both of my friends live in other states, but we keep in contact through e-mail. My parents have only a few friends, but the friends they have are really good Catholics. It is a small group, but we all help each other in the struggle towards heaven. It is a small support group, but it is a very strong one too.
If you attend functions at the Catholic church, and if you find a parish and mass that fits your tastes exactly, you will meet other people like you, it may take a while, I have noticed that it takes about a year to become at least casual friends with people, so give it time and please, please don’t let me or anyone else in the entire world get in the way of you being a Catholic and following the only way to heaven.
I will pray for you, and for your conversion.
My Our Lady Guide you to her son.

 

[elizabethw4]

I sure hope you didn’t mean me, because I am one of those very conservative Catholics, But please don’t let grumpy people keep you from Our Lord.
I am 18 year old, and I have only two Catholic friends. It is hard sometimes because I can’t be really good friends with Catholics who don’t follow the Catholic rules. I mean, they don’t like me because I won’t do allot of the thing they do because the Church teaches against it. I had one protestant friend, but it became difficult to continue our friendship because of the difference of religion and cultures.
I am lucky because God gave me three sisters and two brothers, and the most wonderful parents. We move on average ever three years, so that is also a factor in my lack of friends.
But, I am not saddened by this, I realized long ago that since I have so few friends, and since I chose them so carefully, I knew that they would never fail me. Both of my friends live in other states, but we keep in contact through e-mail. My parents have only a few friends, but the friends they have are really good Catholics. It is a small group, but we all help each other in the struggle towards heaven. It is a small support group, but it is a very strong one too.

WOW only 18! I don’t want to take away from the topic here but I must say what a joy it is for someone so young to have such faith. My niece is 12 w/ a strong and sound understanding of Catholicism. She is being called into religious life (a Carmelite nun even).
As a parent of 4 young ones…faith formation begins at conception. As parents we have that responsiblity.
I wasn’t brought up as a “practicing” Catholic, but God called me home and here I am:extrahappy:
God is good!!

 

[peary]

I have been to protestant churches (I’m Catholic) and there is a different atmosphere to be sure. I went to my SIL Baptist Church and wasn’t prepared for the noise level at all. People talked before and after…loudly…It was fellowship for sure…

I am more somber in Church because I feel that I am in the presence of our Lord in a larger way. Small talk seems so…well, small. I don’t feel like talking about what I did last Friday, or what I’m doing after Church…I am concentrating on my Lord in the Eucharist…who never screams to me He tends to whisper

I think what we’re talking about here are different perspectives. most Protestant denominations are focused on the members naturally. The services are about the sermons and the choir with the singing and whatnot…The whole thing surrounds the people, and it is service oriented.

Catholic Mass is not about the People at all…the people can be there or not…the homily can be five minutes long (I saw that once when the priest had a sore throat) or bad even. A lot of times in my Church there is no Choir, and the singing is regulated to only a few lines…it’s not about any of these things, and so these things don’t matter…it surrounds and is about the Sacrifice of the Mass.

Now…if people are rude and brisk, not smiling afterward and leaving before dismissal…before the Priest…well I always just avoid these types…I’m not there for them. Personally I really only feel peaceful and loved the most during Mass. Last Sunday I didn’t want to leave at all and wished I could stay in that place longer…if not forever…because to me when I am there it is Only me and my Lord…everyone else disappears…it doesn’t matter if they are there

One of the effects of the protestant revolt in the 15th century was the eventual rejection of the Sacred or Divine Liturgy. Once the liturgy was rejected, then there had to be a supplanting of a non-sacred celebration or service. In Eastern-rite Catholicism, it is still referred to as the “Divine Liturgy” as well as in the Orthodox tradition. In the West it is called the ‘Mass’ but, even prior to Vatican II was considered ‘sacred’ and ‘divine’. As Scott Hahn points out to his readers, the Mass is “Heaven on earth”; hence, the ‘Divine’ or ‘Sacred’ Liturgy. Once you numb the senses and the heart to what is sacred or divine, you lose the sense of connection.

 

[HashemEchad]

I hate to say it, but this forum has been a major stumbling block in my conversion process. I’m aware that many of the posters on here represent the extreme conservative fringe of the Church and that most Catholics (at least the ones I have had “real life” contact with) are not as “hard-core” as some of the folks I have found here. Still, the self-righteous, uncharitable attitudes expressed by some on here have actually made me question whether or not I really want to convert.

I can imagine how it must make you feel. I feel very badly for you in that regard.

I stumbled upon this forum last month while researching some things my (formerly Catholic) mother had once told me about. I had no idea what this forum was for or about when I first got here, but have been learning fast!