If You're a Convert, How Did You Cope?--Adjusting, Learning, and Becoming

[RWMorris]

Coping very well. I feel like I am so blessed to have been “accepted” by the one, true Church. I am now at home.
The only thing that does bother me is feeling a little lonely. As a musician, I am always in the choir loft so I can’t socialize with the congregation. Plus, as a music teacher, all my evenings are taken up by teaching so I can’t give my time to evening Bible studies or what have you. So I am a little lonely from not having many friends in my beautiful little cathedral.
However, personally and spiritually, my needs have all been met by Catholicism. I am the only Catholic in my family besides my DH so no one really understands my experience as a new Catholic.

 

[LeahInancsi]

Coping very well. I feel like I am so blessed to have been “accepted” by the one, true Church. I am now at home.
The only thing that does bother me is feeling a little lonely. As a musician, I am always in the choir loft so I can’t socialize with the congregation. Plus, as a music teacher, all my evenings are taken up by teaching so I can’t give my time to evening Bible studies or what have you. So I am a little lonely from not having many friends in my beautiful little cathedral.
However, personally and spiritually, my needs have all been met by Catholicism. I am the only Catholic in my family besides my DH so no one really understands my experience as a new Catholic.

Don’t dispair. My experience has been that most Bible study classes are in the morning. Apparently, housewives seem to have the most interest in studying the Bible. If your parish doesn’t have a morning class, you might look for an evening class at a neighboring parish.

 

[Elizabeth_C]

Thanks Chads. I read your response the other day, and have been thinking and reading and asking more questions of the RCIA people. And my sponsor, who helps me out a lot. We are both haunted by mormonism, in the sense of what other converts are saying here. You have what your previous religion taught you, and it exerts itself at the most unexpected times, and it takes some time and many different “Catholic” experiences to unlearn what you have learned (to quote Yoda).

But, I think I figured out something in the past couple of days. I have my atheism haunting me as well as mormonism. I started this search as a way to find God. Viewing it as how I viewed my atheism. Me, taking care of myself. But in thinking and conversations and amazingly (to me) this Spirit of conversion, I all of the sudden understood that Someone else is taking care of me.

Probably obvious to most Christians, but it wasn’t to me. It is actually a profound thing to learn.

So, thanks for the prayers. I need them.

Rebecca…
I just wanted to add some encouraging thoughts to everyone elses. I don’t have the mormonism to overcome, or even a true atheism, but I spent 37 years of life without acknowledging the presence of God in my life. I am now sure that He was there, but I didn’t accept it. I often had a feeling in my life that something was missing. I had a great husband and family and good work as a nurse. What I thought was that I needed something uniquely mine. What I found out was… God was calling to me. I finally joined the Church 3 1/2 years ago… complete with Baptism.

I will say that the hardest thing for me has been trying to pray regularly. I am not used to praying and relying on God to help me. But, I keep trying.

As for the basics of Catholism and mass…another book you might want to read is “Catholism for Dummies” (in the “Dummies” series of books) written by 2 Catholic priests! I read it after RCIA. Even though I knew most of the information, it was still good for me to read it.

I would say “Good luck” on your journey… but God is with you and that is all that you need!

Elizabeth

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

I still feel a little bit at sea, but kid’s books like the Baltimore Catechism and My First Communion help a lot.

 

[marty30]

Converts can have a rough time of it, and here are some “for instances”:

Protestants: integrating your Sunday School image of Jesus with all of the “new” (rather, “old”) teachings (for example, His Actual Presence in the Eucharist).

Reading Bible verses that you haven’t read since your conversion and going, “Whoa! How long did that verse say that?”

Wishing that you had grown up in a Catholic family so you could know all of the cool family/cultural things (like writing JMJ on test papers, etc.)

Tell me about yours!

---

Tiber Swim Team of '08:nun2:

well I have no problem at all coping. I grew up in an alcoholic home. My mother and father divorced when I was 3 and there was no God or church any where except maybe a few summers when I was really young and I went to a baptist summer program for a couple of weeks. My mother dated and married guys that were abusive to her or my brother and I. I seen a lot of bad things growing up and experience a lot of bad things growing up. I hated men because I thought they were all evil. I was taught that women were good for sexual pleasure and nothing else. It was by no coincidence that I would be like the men I grew up hateing and abusing alcohol and drugs. I tried to kill my self three times and failed. At the age of 23 I was in my bathroom on the floor crying out to God to help me. To make a long story short I made it to the hospital, to the rooms of recovery, and then the day came when I went to my first mass. I fell in love with the Catholic Church right away. It was like I finally found what I had been looking for my whole life. It took me a year and a half to make the decision to do RCIA, but I will tell you there has been no greater experience than the day I was baptist. It was electrifying according to my pastor and others who were there. Cope isn’t the right word for it. I spent almost 26 years of my life in darkness and the last 5 in amazing glory. Everyday is a gift to me. I love our Church, I love our God, and I love Catholics, especially the Saints.

 

[LeahInancsi]

Marty,

I agree. Becoming Catholic has made be realize how much good there is in the world and much of it begins at my own parish. I could go on and on about my wonderful parish and pastor, but I’ll spare everyone.

 

[Holly3278]

I converted to Catholicism on Easter of 2005. I started RCIA on September 11 of 2004. From the beginning I was totally enthusiastic about joining the Church though I did have a few lags in my enthusiasm later on. At one point or another, my Protestant Fundamentalist neighbor accused Catholics of worshipping Mary. Unfortunately, I didn’t know how to respond and so I didn’t respond that I remember of. I remember at one point I printed some articles from Catholic Answers and gave them to her. I don’t think she read them in their entirety if at all and I know she just dismissed them saying that she would ask her pastor about it. Unfortunately my Protestant Fundamentalist neighbor acts as though her pastor is the Pope practicing infallibility. It is very unfortunate and I don’t really know how to witness to her. I wish I did know but I am just not that skilled in apologetics yet.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

Welcome to the club!

Everyone anti-Catholic says that about the Blessed Mother. Get used to it!

We don’t worship Mary but we pray to her for her love and intercession. We don’t worship the saints but we ask them to pray for us and to help us.

Images are wonderful. In the early days of the Church, they helped people who could not read—in a way the Iconoclasts were elitists, and destroyed many beautiful works of art.

Think of pictures and statues as carrying around photos of your loved ones.

 

[Holly3278]

Welcome to the club!

Everyone anti-Catholic says that about the Blessed Mother. Get used to it!

We don’t worship Mary but we pray to her for her love and intercession. We don’t worship the saints but we ask them to pray for us and to help us.

Images are wonderful. In the early days of the Church, they helped people who could not read—in a way the Iconoclasts were elitists, and destroyed many beautiful works of art.

Think of pictures and statues as carrying around photos of your loved ones.

Cool. Anyway I have come to realize that it is a common line amongst anti-Catholics that we worship Mary. It sickens me though that it is used so much.

 

[Elizabeth_C]

Cool. Anyway I have come to realize that it is a common line amongst anti-Catholics that we worship Mary. It sickens me though that it is used so much.

I have heard a number of times on EWTN shows that those who hate the Catholic Church do not truly hate the Church, they hate what they THINK the Catholic Church is (believes, teaches, etc.) Many convert when they learn and accept the truth. EWTN hosts also quote often that to be steeped in history is to cease to be Protestant. Those who truly want to know will find the truth. Others are only following what they have been erroneously taught.

Elizabeth

 

[marty30]

Cool. Anyway I have come to realize that it is a common line amongst anti-Catholics that we worship Mary. It sickens me though that it is used so much.

This verse I think says it all.

The New America Bible,
The Cantacle Of Mary
fulfilled."
46
And Mary said: 16 “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
47
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
**48
For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed **
49
The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50
His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.
51
He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
52
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.
53
The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.
54
He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,
55
according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

 

[Elizabeth_C]

Welcome to the club!

Everyone anti-Catholic says that about the Blessed Mother. Get used to it!

We don’t worship Mary but we pray to her for her love and intercession. We don’t worship the saints but we ask them to pray for us and to help us.

Images are wonderful. In the early days of the Church, they helped people who could not read—in a way the Iconoclasts were elitists, and destroyed many beautiful works of art.

Think of pictures and statues as carrying around photos of your loved ones.

I would add that you can ask those who don’t believe we should pray to Mary or the Saints because we can pray directly to Jesus whether they ask their friends to pray for them in times of need. That is all we are asking of Mary and the Saints… the pray (intercede) for us. They are already with God in Heaven.

ELizabeth C

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

I would add that you can ask those who don’t believe we should pray to Mary or the Saints because we can pray directly to Jesus whether they ask their friends to pray for them in times of need. That is all we are asking of Mary and the Saints… the pray (intercede) for us. They are already with God in Heaven.

ELizabeth C

The Super Friends!

 

[Holly3278]

I have heard a number of times on EWTN shows that those who hate the Catholic Church do not truly hate the Church, they hate what they THINK the Catholic Church is (believes, teaches, etc.) Many convert when they learn and accept the truth. EWTN hosts also quote often that to be steeped in history is to cease to be Protestant. Those who truly want to know will find the truth. Others are only following what they have been erroneously taught.

Elizabeth

Ah yeah, I agree that not many people hate the Catholic Church but hate only what they think is the Catholic Church. It makes sense really.

This verse I think says it all.

The New America Bible,
The Cantacle Of Mary
fulfilled."
46
And Mary said: 16 “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
47
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
**48 **
**For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed **
49
The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50
His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.
51
He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
52
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.
53
The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.
54
He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,
55
according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

I love that scripture passage!

 

[dalesmom]

Last year I was in RCIA at the advent. I remember thinking…how in the world am I gonna learn all of this? Well, one year later, Mass just happens and I know what to say and do! I kinda chuckled to myself at Mass tonight. One year ago, I would never have thought that this would all come so easily and make me feel so whole.

 

[LeahInancsi]

Last year I was in RCIA at the advent. I remember thinking…how in the world am I gonna learn all of this? Well, one year later, Mass just happens and I know what to say and do! I kinda chuckled to myself at Mass tonight. One year ago, I would never have thought that this would all come so easily and make me feel so whole.

That’s a nice thing about Catholicism, you always have more to learn. Two thousands years worth.

 

[dalesmom]

Very true! And the meaning behind all of it makes it so interesting. There must be something to it if it’s lasted 2000 years!

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

Ever have a non-Catholic Christian insist that Catholics “aren’t saved?”

 

[Pixie_Dust]

Ever have a non-Catholic Christian insist that Catholics “aren’t saved?”

I was one.

 

[vocatio]

Welcome Home frinds. I have a bazaar story that reads like a mix of Scott Hahn and some other reverts. I’ve always loved God. I was a practicing Fundamentalist Evangelist that thought all of you and Catholics were doomed to the eternal fires of hell after meeting my wife’s family. It’s very sad. But I actually struggled with that belief. I even went as far as to argue with some of the ministers here and there. I knew something was wrong with that belief.

…
skip the very long story and place yourself between an anti-Catholic mother that didn’t even go to church anymore and an extreme traditionalist Catholic that beleived most priests were going to hell much less any non-Catholics. Long story short…God blessed me with a wonderful, though challenging, spouse that came from a faith that rejects divorce more strongly than Catholicism without the so called “loop hole annulments”. I have been scandalized all across the board growing up in a mixed religious home, or should I say no home at all…thus I live by “Home is where I lay my head”. Violence seemed to be the center of my entire upbringing. Even in that I found JMJ, by way of Arcbishop Fulton J. Sheen [thanks dad]. I learned my faith from the concervatives by way of casset tapes in the mid 70’s while living in Southern Baptist country in the country on top of that, about 25 to 30 miles to the closest Parish church with floating priests.

I eventually made my way to the seminary to become a priest, something I’ve never stopped feeling called to, even while practicing a Fundie faith with my wife. The wife was anti-Catholic coming from a very strong fundamental evangelical Christian faith that teaches details about the faults of all other faiths, especially Catholicism…the Whore of Babylon as we’ve all heard before. A very long a painful…very scandalous experience…I abaondoned the Church broken hearted finding myself seeking truth in that other faith that ripped the rug out from under my feet…all because I was never effectively catechized with a strong apolgetics background. Now, I could tear their world apart, but why would I do something so wicked. I’ve learned to just pray …be still and know that I am God rings in my head. I’m seeking peace…even though my wife’s family still doesn’t know that she is Catholic. So Catholic that she feels as strongly about leading our children to vocations in the priesthood and religiouis life. Our son, I like to think, is taking my place as a seminarian to become a priest… If God continues to lead me the way I feel called I am seeking the diaconate. I initially tried to go Orthodox because the calling to the priesthood is strong in me. [jokingly sounding like Star Wars]. I’ve always felt profoundly drawn to the priesthood and religious life. If the Pope/bishop would allow I’d love to become an eastern Catholic to fullfill my calling. However, submission is far more important to me that feeling the call to the priesthood. I feel that the diaconate would be a way of stepping in that direction and allow me to remain dedicated as a bishop in the domestic church working towards fostering vocations. I feel that if God truly has mercy on me He will draw vocations from my children…something my wife and I both share… My wife has turned into the best Catholic woman any could ever be. We both realize that God led me to her…and her to me. He offered an alternate choice that has turned out wonderful. She’d probably be a sister had she grown up Catholic. It’s like 2 religious came together and married…so we make our home like a monestary for our children’s sake. It’s a very long story that many have asked if I will write about. In time, God willing, I will put it together…but for now, I want to give my life to Him who has had so much mercy on me. I carry a Rosary and a Chikoti. I love the Eastern Traditions.