I'm a convert , but there's something miss from my Protestant church

[mikeledes]

Wow, this thread has really expanded! There are so many great posts! Thank you all!

God Bless,
Michael

 

[janw]

​

When I walked out of my Protestant Church, nobody said “goodbye,” and when I walked into the Catholic Church, nobody said “hello.” Except for God.

Here’s what happened.

I walked out of my Protestant church for the last time, and as I left the building I could hear the strains of “Sheep Safely Graze” wafting from the organ. I said to God, “I hope you realize what I am giving up, here. I will never hear that, again.” (Because for some reason I was under the impression that Catholics don’t play the organ, or use classical music.)

15 minutes later, when I walked into Sacred Heart Catholic Church to hear my first Sunday Mass (I had been to plenty of other Masses, but never a Sunday Mass before), I heard someone playing the organ. Someone was playing “Sheep Safely Graze.”

It was like God was saying, “It’s okay. This is Me, here, and I know you. I won’t let you lose anything important.”

I was excited to read your post as I had a simular experience. We were visiting our 3rd parish. Had probably visited catholic churches a total of 12 times and felt a little uncomfortable not knowing if we should cross ourselves, etc since we weren't catholic and especially when everyone went down for communion, we just moved out of the way as we hated to make people step over us. I was feeling out of place and a little down as we moved aside to let the other go down for communion, so in my mind I started singing How Great Thou Art, I had already ask God to give me a sign, something I never do. But I told him not a sign of his existance as I believed and loved him, but a sign he wanted me at the catholic church. Well when mass was over everyone stood up and sang How Great Thou Art. Some may think it only a coincidence, but I knew this was my sign as I also started experiencing his presence more than ever. We joined the rcia class the next week. [RIGHT] [/RIGHT] I think if we see anyone that acts like they down know what to do at mass, like we did, we should make a special effort to smile and say hello as this was really the hardest time, we didn't know any catholics to tell us how to act or what to do.

 

[Sarabande]

I only read the first two pages of posts, but I’ll give my personal experience on this as a cradle Catholic.

1. First and foremost, it’s about time and availability. The spare time I have, I want to either spend it with my family and/or very close circle of friends or by myself. Maybe if I were within walking distance of my parish, I might be more willing, but mine is about 45-50 minute drive. Most social activities or religious activities are in the evenings during the week. That’s really difficult if you work late usually or have a family, etc. Usually, after mass almost every Sunday we all go to my parents’ home for dinner and family time.
2. Although it is always nice to find new ways to enhance one’s spiritual life and relationship with God, I honestly receive a lot of spiritual nourishment through music - whether during practice, study, performance and even if it is sacred or secular music. I often find myself praying and talking to God while I’m in practice. When I receive a “revelation” with an interpretation of a piece of music I’ve been working on or if I’m have a very open and free day in singing it is God’s warmth flowing throughout me. I’m praying to God and thanking Him through my voice. It’s my best way of prayer to Him.
3. I’m an introvert and not a fan of large, social gatherings. I prefer small, intimate gatherings of up to four (maybe 6) people. I would like to be intellectually stimulated regarding faith and religion, something that really gets me to think. I tend to find this when the discussion has been unplanned - such as when I’m with friends and often times when I’m with my immediate family. When I have attended parish gatherings/classes or Catholic conferences, I did get that somewhat through the conferences, but the intellectual stimulation was missing in most parish gatherings. Everything was about niceties and/or a regurgitation of what someone learned, which is good to a point. But once you get past that, there has to be something more - something deeper. This is not just with Catholic groups, but also with the Protestant ones that I’ve encountered.

I will say that when I was in college and involved in our Newman Center activities, some of our best stimulating conversations on faith were during our Interfaith dialogues with other Catholics, Jews, and Muslims. They were almost always interesting and truly got you to really think about what you believe as a Catholic. They unfortunately had to stop inviting the Non-Denom group, though, because they’d always end up telling all of us that we were going to hell and the conversation would never go any deeper than that.

Anyway, most often the unspeakable depth that I thirst for is consistantly during mass and through my own private prayer anywhere - whether in speaking or in singing, or with individual persons.

 

[Sarabande]

Great for you!!

We converts don’t have families who share our faith. Indeed, in many cases, they are outright opposed to us being Catholic, so there is no possibility of having a significant conversation with any family member.

Where can we go for this kind of support?

That must be so difficult for you. I couldn’t imagine not having my parents and other family to talk to regarding my faith. There are many parishes that have lots of parish activities where you can meet fellow Catholics. Even though I don’t partake in them for the reasons I pointed out in my pp, almost all of my parishes have been very active outside of the mass.

 

[Sarabande]

Originally Posted by jmcrae

When I walked out of my Protestant Church, nobody said “goodbye,” and when I walked into the Catholic Church, nobody said “hello.” Except for God.

Here’s what happened.

I walked out of my Protestant church for the last time, and as I left the building I could hear the strains of “Sheep Safely Graze” wafting from the organ. I said to God, “I hope you realize what I am giving up, here. I will never hear that, again.” (Because for some reason I was under the impression that Catholics don’t play the organ, or use classical music.)

15 minutes later, when I walked into Sacred Heart Catholic Church to hear my first Sunday Mass (I had been to plenty of other Masses, but never a Sunday Mass before), I heard someone playing the organ. Someone was playing “Sheep Safely Graze.”

It was like God was saying, “It’s okay. This is Me, here, and I know you. I won’t let you lose anything important.”

This was a beautiful story. Thank you for posting it!!!

 

[ckonrad]

Well, I’m not a convert, but there are converts who miss the fellowship they had in their former Protestant church and this deeply saddens them and makes them look at their Protestant past with nostalgia. They feel that the Catholics of their parish show little enthusiasm for Jesus and His Church and don’t go beyond memorized prayers and being physically present in church on Sunday. They miss the fellowship and the sense of family they had in their Protestant churches. Are there any converts here who feel this way? Are there any converts out there who do not have this experience?

As a Catholic, I also feel that good Christian fellowship is often lacking in many Catholic parishes. Sometimes I feel like I’m the only Catholic that takes my faith seriously and that deeply saddens me. Cradle Catholics, do you feel you have good fellowship with Catholics zealous for their faith in your parish?

Thanks and God Bless,
Michael

I dont think i can really judge whether someone is just going through the motions when i am at mass, most of the time most other catholics look very reverent and penitent which is exactly how i feel when i am in church. I am there because of my commitment to my faith and i always feel good afterwards. Various denominations always try to make themselves look more fun than everyone else The church i go to is a wonderful old fashioned catholic church built about 150 years ago and i love going there.

 

[kittery]

I understand what you are saying but how is that any different then getting together at a social event?

After receiving the Body Of Christ, in that glorious period of silence, have you ever felt or meditated on the ultimate bond of oneness that is Christ? The bond for those few moments when everyone in the church has received Christ? Outside of heaven could there be any greater fellowship? And that bond extends for outside of those few moments.

Beautifully and inspirationally said! your eloquence is profound. I do love that very moment when we’re all kneeling and I can sense the presence of God silently cradling each soul, binding us together with his body. It’s simply heaven on earth.

 

[vocatio]

Wow, this thread has really expanded! There are so many great posts! Thank you all!

God Bless,
Michael

Mike,
Many of us miss some of what we left behind. However, if you were truly part of that scene you’d come to understand that there were forces in place for some of us that forced us to be there for everything. One could not just bow out without hearing the “we missed you on ???”. Drove us crazy. It was always the “one upsmanship game”…social happy hour …only we didn’t always have coffee or food available because some of our congregations would croack if you walked in the building with food. The more liberal congregations …mega churches…are merely a social club. If your friends are missing that then tell them to go to worship at the country club …because either way they’re getting what they put in it. Now I agree, we need to improve our ability to socialize effectively. There are parishes in this country that are stepping up to the plate. However, there is a lot of resistence from clergy and lay alike because of the snob effects. It’s almost a clericalism mentality at times. Many Catholic loves their freedome to do what they want because many of them are cafeteria style Catholics or just plain cultural catholics which is really not Catholic at all.

But you should encourage them to start reading clubs to read through various books or Church documents. It’s how we’ve gotten connected. We’re starting an adult CCD next fall. Hope it works out. It’s something I started pushing when I first arrived. But I can’t take credit for it because I don’t remember talking to the current director about it. I did strongly suggest it to one of the priests that moved back to Ohio, Franciscan.

 

[CuriousM]

A few thoughts on fellowship outside of the Church walls…

Not a Catholic (yet?) however, I can relate to some extent…

When I was a JW, spiritual discussion took place over meals in homes or restaurants. It could be heard between family members on the way to a movie…

Since leaving, I have really struggled to find people who I can talk with.

I found a friend who is, I suppose, a pretty devout Catholic. Member of the choir. Goes to Mass every week.
She likes to have a drink and have fun and she loves her kids and faith.
I tried talking about spiritual things with her, but it’s just not well received.

But hey she makes a good drinking bud (just kidding )
Over time, I have found that she IS a spiritual person. She has pondered life’s great mysteries and the concept of heaven and hell. She is very charitable, and embodies a Christian life in a way I didn’t quite understand as a JW.

There is a quiet, faithfulness that is alive in her movements throughout the day. She doesn’t need to talk forever on the subject, because she just doesn’t need to.

I’m not sure if anyone will “get” what I’m trying to illustrate.
But so I’m not misunderstood.
I’m not suggesting there is anything with missing that fellowship. Not by a long shot.
Sometimes though, we can make quick judgments about what we need, or think we need, or what we think others need or whatever…
My biggest suggestion:

Pray.
Ask God to show you what lessons you can learn from this period of your life. Ask God to reveal His plan for you right now for where you are at.
Perhaps there is something you need to learn from this part of your life in Christ before you can move forward.
It could very well be any one of the things that has been suggested here, or it could be something you didn’t see coming.
So ask for faith to see what you might be missing.

Hope this made sense…
Best wishes…

 

[chewchoo]

A few thoughts on fellowship outside of the Church walls…

Not a Catholic (yet?) however, I can relate to some extent…

When I was a JW, spiritual discussion took place over meals in homes or restaurants. It could be heard between family members on the way to a movie…

Since leaving, I have really struggled to find people who I can talk with.

I found a friend who is, I suppose, a pretty devout Catholic. Member of the choir. Goes to Mass every week.
She likes to have a drink and have fun and she loves her kids and faith.
I tried talking about spiritual things with her, but it’s just not well received.

But hey she makes a good drinking bud (just kidding )
Over time, I have found that she IS a spiritual person. She has pondered life’s great mysteries and the concept of heaven and hell. She is very charitable, and embodies a Christian life in a way I didn’t quite understand as a JW.

There is a quiet, faithfulness that is alive in her movements throughout the day. She doesn’t need to talk forever on the subject, because she just doesn’t need to.

I’m not sure if anyone will “get” what I’m trying to illustrate.
But so I’m not misunderstood.
I’m not suggesting there is anything with missing that fellowship. Not by a long shot.
Sometimes though, we can make quick judgments about what we need, or think we need, or what we think others need or whatever…
My biggest suggestion:

Pray.
Ask God to show you what lessons you can learn from this period of your life. Ask God to reveal His plan for you right now for where you are at.
Perhaps there is something you need to learn from this part of your life in Christ before you can move forward.
It could very well be any one of the things that has been suggested here, or it could be something you didn’t see coming.
So ask for faith to see what you might be missing.

Hope this made sense…
Best wishes…

beautiful

 

[Mini_gerbel]

ya my catholic church was boring so we got a Bull Dozer and …well… I better stop there.

LONG story short its not there any more.

 

[katy]

ya my catholic church was boring so we got a Bull Dozer and …well… I better stop there.

LONG story short its not there any more.

Wow, seems like a rather drastic approach to the problem.

 

[THutch04]

A few thoughts on fellowship outside of the Church walls…

Not a Catholic (yet?) however, I can relate to some extent…

When I was a JW, spiritual discussion took place over meals in homes or restaurants. It could be heard between family members on the way to a movie…

Since leaving, I have really struggled to find people who I can talk with.

I found a friend who is, I suppose, a pretty devout Catholic. Member of the choir. Goes to Mass every week.
She likes to have a drink and have fun and she loves her kids and faith.
I tried talking about spiritual things with her, but it’s just not well received.

But hey she makes a good drinking bud (just kidding )
Over time, I have found that she IS a spiritual person. She has pondered life’s great mysteries and the concept of heaven and hell. She is very charitable, and embodies a Christian life in a way I didn’t quite understand as a JW.

There is a quiet, faithfulness that is alive in her movements throughout the day. She doesn’t need to talk forever on the subject, because she just doesn’t need to.

I’m not sure if anyone will “get” what I’m trying to illustrate.
But so I’m not misunderstood.
I’m not suggesting there is anything with missing that fellowship. Not by a long shot.
Sometimes though, we can make quick judgments about what we need, or think we need, or what we think others need or whatever…
My biggest suggestion:

Pray.
Ask God to show you what lessons you can learn from this period of your life. Ask God to reveal His plan for you right now for where you are at.
Perhaps there is something you need to learn from this part of your life in Christ before you can move forward.
It could very well be any one of the things that has been suggested here, or it could be something you didn’t see coming.
So ask for faith to see what you might be missing.

Hope this made sense…
Best wishes…

I really hope I’m not misunderstanding you, and I apologize in advance if I am (lots of German studying over the past few days has made it not as easy for me to comprehend in English ).

I agree with what you’re saying, that we aren’t always sure of what we need, or what we think we need. And a lot of times we assume others are at the same point in their spiritual journey as we are. So, just because we feel a need to constantly discuss our faith, we feel that others do as well.

But I don’t think the fact that some people really do need to discuss their faith should be ignored. Many people need to talk about it openly in order to process the entire experience and to understand their new faith. Talking about it helps one grow in ways that just reading about it doesn’t do. It’s wonderful that some people don’t need to talk about it because they’re already so settled in their faith. That’s a beautiful thing. But I still believe that those Catholics who ARE settled and adjusted and comfortable with their faith should help people who aren’t as far along in their journey as they are. If we don’t reach out to help new Catholics, where are they going to go? Some don’t need the help, but many do. Maybe by helping them process their faith, we can really help them grow. I think that even if some of us don’t “need” to discuss faith and spirituality, we should at least be there for those who do.

 

[CuriousM]

THutch, you are right there are those that don’t need to discuss things, and there are those that should be more engaging with newbies.

The only thing I can really do to clarify (if that is what I can call it) is to highlight what I said here:

Pray.
Ask God to show you what lessons you can learn from this period of your life. Ask God to reveal His plan for you right now for where you are at.
Perhaps there is something you need to learn from this part of your life in Christ before you can move forward.
It could very well be any one of the things that has been suggested here, or it could be something you didn’t see coming.
So ask for faith to see what you might be missing.

I just tend to think, and I could be totally wrong about this!
That there are lessons and plans for each of us. Not sure if I have a total predestination idea happening…hm.
Just that where we are at in a given point, where there is a predicament, a choice or a challenge, a lesson lies there as well.
So, what is it?
And sometimes perhaps, we need to experience something before we can see what the plan is or how we are to execute a plan.

I’m sure I must have muddied the picture ever more so.
But to be perfectly clear, I don’t think of any of the thoughts expressed are wrong. Only that to properly discern what it is that God has in mind, be prayerful about it.

peace

 

[Jeanette_L]

I really hope I’m not misunderstanding you, and I apologize in advance if I am (lots of German studying over the past few days has made it not as easy for me to comprehend in English ).

I agree with what you’re saying, that we aren’t always sure of what we need, or what we think we need. And a lot of times we assume others are at the same point in their spiritual journey as we are. So, just because we feel a need to constantly discuss our faith, we feel that others do as well.

But I don’t think the fact that some people really do need to discuss their faith should be ignored. Many people need to talk about it openly in order to process the entire experience and to understand their new faith. Talking about it helps one grow in ways that just reading about it doesn’t do. It’s wonderful that some people don’t need to talk about it because they’re already so settled in their faith. That’s a beautiful thing. But I still believe that those Catholics who ARE settled and adjusted and comfortable with their faith should help people who aren’t as far along in their journey as they are. If we don’t reach out to help new Catholics, where are they going to go? Some don’t need the help, but many do. Maybe by helping them process their faith, we can really help them grow. I think that even if some of us don’t “need” to discuss faith and spirituality, we should at least be there for those who do.

THutch, you are right there are those that don’t need to discuss things, and there are those that should be more engaging with newbies.

The only thing I can really do to clarify (if that is what I can call it) is to highlight what I said here:

I just tend to think, and I could be totally wrong about this!
That there are lessons and plans for each of us. Not sure if I have a total predestination idea happening…hm.
Just that where we are at in a given point, where there is a predicament, a choice or a challenge, a lesson lies there as well.
So, what is it?
And sometimes perhaps, we need to experience something before we can see what the plan is or how we are to execute a plan.

I’m sure I must have muddied the picture ever more so.
But to be perfectly clear, I don’t think of any of the thoughts expressed are wrong. Only that to properly discern what it is that God has in mind, be prayerful about it.

peace

I think about this topic almost non stop anymore since this thread started, I guess because it is something I struggle with personally. I probably wouldn’t be on this forum if I didn’t have this need to converse and relate with people who share the faith. So the need is there for all of us here, even if we don’t think about it, we are each here - engaging.

The Bible has many passages about keeping the faith alive through speaking about it, through encouraging one another, teaching one another. If we were all supposed to walk around holding it all inside all the time, it doesn’t make sense that we are instructed and encouraged by the Bible itself to do otherwise. I will have to do a search and come up with a list of verses to prove my point, I am writing this unprepared, , but wanted to get my thoughts out.

I do agree that we are for some reason struggling with this - and many other things that are peculiar to us as converts - for a greater purpose, but that purpose hasn’t come to fruition yet. I agree with CuriousM and Thutch that we all need to pray and reflect on what it is that we are supposed to be learning and possibly at some point being asked to follow up with a lay mission/ministry that hasn’t been revealed or “fleshed out”.

I believe, in my heart, that we have only seen the tip of the iceberg with regards to an influx of Evangelical/Protestant conversions to the Church, and maybe we are being prepared to help those who come after us to make the transition less painful.

Something to think about and maybe prayerfully prepare for.

 

[katy]

Were Catholics always like this? Not wanting to talk about faith. Or is it some kind of fallout from the last 35 years or so that people just gave up and started withdrawing into themselves in bewilderment or something.

 

[EHRAM]

What I miss is nothing compared to what I’ve gained, but here’s what I miss:

Hymnals with the harmony parts included.
Congregations in which most of the members sing.
Larger choir/congregation ratios
Better music
Smaller congregations in which people get to know one another better.
Wearing name tags (although my spouse would firmly disagree on this one)
The opportunity to serve the poor via a ministry in which congregations host homeless families overnight in the church or synagogue
Memorable homilies/sermons with a message in which one learns something one can apply to one’s life. (I can find this at some Catholic churches but not others.)

However, having said all of this, I must make it clear that I do not believe that mass is for entertainment, but I do believe that God gave us music for His pleasure and ours, and that sacred music glorifies Him.

 

[Sr_Sally]

I think there is much value to the idea that different people are on different places on their journey. Some who don’t want to have lots of theological conversations could be uncomfortable with that, some could be ‘beyond’ the level of the person starting the conversation. We have to also consider that different people have different levels of comfort with what they may consider personal thoughts or feelings. There are planty of people who may think of their faith journey as something private and just for discussion among family. I also think we should consider that normal curve of friendship. Just as people normally don’t start talking about marriage troubles to new aquaintances, they may not be ready to talk about deep spiritual issues either. After getting to know people better–through serving together, having dinner and casual conversation, etc–they may be ready to open up.

Let us all pray the converts may come to feel more ‘at home’ in the Catholic church and that cradle Catholics may open the doors more to discussion and friendship.

 

[GemmaRose]

Cradle Catholic - 52 years old - away a few (teenage) years.

I confess to not reading every single post in this thread, but I can’t help but agree. The majority of Catholics will not do anything (some not even go to Mass) unless threatened: i.e., “No, your little darling cannot be confirmed if (a) your family does not go to Mass and (b) you do not attend the parish Bible study.” (That’s what our former pastor resorted to.)

I don’t know why.

What I believe, however, is that while (I firmly believe) the Catholic Church holds the fullness of faith, we practice Christianity abysmally poorly, whereas fellow Christians lack the fullness of faith yet seem to be so much more “Christian”.

Both sides should learn from the other.

---

*“I wish that my heart could beat, that I could live and breathe only for Jesus, I wish that my tongue could utter no other name than that of Jesus; that my eye could see only Jesus; that my pen could write only about Jesus, and that my thoughts could soar to nothing but Jesus. I have often wondered where on earth there might be something on which I could center my love. But neither on earth nor in heaven do I find any such thing but only my beloved Jesus… I am the fruit of your passion, Jesus, born of your wounds. O Jesus, seek me in love; I no longer possess anything; you have stolen my heart…” *- St. Gemma Galgani

 

[EHRAM]

I miss the literary quality of the prayers, and psalm and song translation in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP). I still haven’t gotten used to the ones used in the Catholic Liturgy of the Hours, and I had memorized a number of canticles, psalms, and prayers in the BCP.

Example from BCP Compline and Catholic Night Prayer:

"Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;

For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:

A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel."

vs.

“Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace.
You have fulfilled your promise.
My own eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples.
A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness;
the glory of your people Israel.”

I think the latter may be a more precise word-for-word translation, but the former sounds better in the English language while preserving the thoughts of the original.