I'm Scared

[St_Francis]

I have never read nor heard of the book *Karen *until now. I am now eager to find it. Thank you!

Oh, wow! I guess time rolls along–it was a bestseller in the 1950s!

You may be able to get it through inter-library loan (if there are any libraries which still have it!). The title is *Karen, *and there is a sequel called *With Love from Karen. *The books were written by Karen’s mother, Marie Killilea (pronounced Ki li lee ah, with the first two i’s being i as in dip).

If you have trouble finding it, pm me and I will see what I can do.

 

[zz912]

To communicate with God? To converse with Jesus? I thought it too good to be true. I want very much to do this, I just do not know how.

Let’s look a little deeper into what you said here. You wish to “communicate” with God. What is the root of the word communicate…commune. What is the deepest, most meaningful way to “commune” with God? It is to “Communion” with Him. To receive God Himself, in the Eucharist is to be closer to God than in any other way you can be. Be grateful for that opportunity, because you have the ability to do something even the angels cannot do. They have no body, they are pure spirit, and they cannot come into physical contact and receive God into their body like we can.

Another great way to converse with Jesus is to spend time in Eucharistic Adoration, and simply spend time with Him, directly in His Presence. Speak to Him there, and spend some time quietly listening. That is a great way to communicate with Him as well.

 

[Ariana_Katlyn]

Let’s look a little deeper into what you said here. You wish to “communicate” with God. What is the root of the word communicate…commune. What is the deepest, most meaningful way to “commune” with God? It is to “Communion” with Him. To receive God Himself, in the Eucharist is to be closer to God than in any other way you can be. Be grateful for that opportunity, because you have the ability to do something even the angels cannot do. They have no body, they are pure spirit, and they cannot come into physical contact and receive God into their body like we can.

Another great way to converse with Jesus is to spend time in Eucharistic Adoration, and simply spend time with Him, directly in His Presence. Speak to Him there, and spend some time quietly listening. That is a great way to communicate with Him as well.

Wow, I didn’t realize that! I’m really looking forward to RCIA and my pastor told me that Adoration in our church begins in October. About a year or so ago, I went with my friend Milah to her Anglican service, and not knowing what I was doing, just following everyone else, I took Communion.

Needless to say, it got sorted out, my mother explained to me what Communion was and I wasn’t repremanded for it.

 

[Pax]

I’m new here and just joined. I do have some fears I’d like to get out in the open, but first let me give all you nice people my shortened life story. I’ve said this hundreds of times throughout my life.

I was born prematurely, one of a fraternal twin, at 24 weeks gestation.

My brother beloved, Zachary Nicholas suffered a grade V (out of V) intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) 9 hours after birth. He is now safe in the arms of Jesus.

I suffered a grade IV IVH, which destroyed the pathways between synapses (brain messages) in my frontal lobe, right hemisphere. Because of this, I developed cerebral palsy (CP).

This is a neurologic issue, the pathways are now scar tissue. CP is chronic, irreversible, incurable but non-degenerating.

I am so sick of this condition, the constant doctor and therapy appointments and my family having no time because of me. It is manageable, but overall the condition never improves.

The brain can only send one underlying message to the muscles of the left side of my body: work. This is called spasticity, one of the hallmarks of cerebral palsy. The muscles are tight to begin with. When I try to use the muscles, they tighten up even more. No medications can be used and muscle relaxants are in vain because they target the whole body, not just one side.

I was baptized with water and christened along with my brother on the day of our birth. After spending 97 days in the NICU, I recieved an oil baptism and christening to fulfil the traditional sacrement and also so my parents could have pictures for my scrapbook.

I attened Sunday School up until I was 4, then we moved too far away from my parents’ prefered church so they stopped going. I never recieved Communion or Confirmation.

Now, years later, we are attending church and RCIA begins in November. I am attending of my own free will and my younger brother, Aaron, will ultimately be catechized because my parents put his name down on the list.

Back to my original intent of this post, I have always been drawn to theology and philosphy since I was young. I have my parents’ support to become a nun if I choose, after I earn my high school diploma. Currently, I am finishing up my junior year.

I do have some fears though holding me back and I was hoping I could find some support with all you nice people.

(Links to general anti-Catholic website pages removed as per CAF policy. Please see Forum Rules)

I can’t get these fears ^^ out of my head and they’re really holding me back from my full potential. I know that there will always be people who disagree with my beliefs, but this websites are taking it too far. Evangelists and Southern Christians scare me, they just get so up in your face.

So if any of you would be so kind as to look into these and put my mind at ease, thank you.

May God’s blessings go with all you kind, wonderful people ~ Ariana Katlyn

Ariana Katlyn,

Welcome to CAF and know that I and others will have you in our prayers.

God bless.

 

[JoeT777]

I can’t get these fears ^^ out of my head and they’re really holding me back from my full potential. I know that there will always be people who disagree with my beliefs, but this websites are taking it too far. Evangelists and Southern Christians scare me, they just get so up in your face.

So if any of you would be so kind as to look into these and put my mind at ease, thank you.

May God’s blessings go with all you kind, wonderful people ~ Ariana Katlyn

Try this book, It seems others had fears as well. Here’s and excerpt:

"May I ask [says the interviewer to John Paul II]: Have you ever once hesitated in your belief in your relationship with Jesus Christ and therefore with God? Haven’t you ever had, not doubts certainly, but at least questions and problems (as is human) about the truth of this Creed which is repeated at each Mass and which proclaims an unprecedented faith, of which you are the highest guarantor?

My explanation begins by clarifying words and concepts. Your question is infused with both a lively faith and a certain anxiety. I state right from the outset: "Be not afraid!" This is the same exhortation that resounded at the beginning of my ministry in the See of Saint Peter.

Christ addressed this invitation many times to those He met. The angel said to Mary:* “Be not afraid!”* (cf. Lk 1:30). The same was said to Joseph: “Be not afraid!” (cf. Mt 1:20). Christ said the same to the apostles, to Peter, in various circumstances, and especially after His Resurrection. He kept telling them: “Be not afraid!” He sensed, in fact, that they were afraid. They were not sure if who they saw was the same Christ they had known. They were afraid when He was arrested; they were even more afraid after his Resurrection.

The words Christ uttered are repeated by the Church. And with the Church, they are repeated by the Pope. I have done so since the first homily I gave in St. Peter’s Square: “Be not afraid!” These are not words said into a void. They are profoundly rooted in the Gospel. They are simply the words of Christ Himself.

Of what should we not be afraid? We should not fear the truth about ourselves. One day Peter became aware of this and with particular energy he said to Jesus: “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (Lk 5:8)

Peter was not the only one who was aware of this truth. Every man has learned it. Every successor to Peter has learned it. I learned it very well. Every one of us is indebted to Peter for what he said on that day: “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” Christ answered him: “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men” (Lk 5:10). Do not be afraid of men! Man is always the same. The systems he creates are always imperfect, and the more imperfect they are, the more he is sure of himself. Where does this originate? It comes from the human heart. Our hearts are anxious. Christ knows our anguish best of all: “Christ knows that which is in every man”(cf. Jn 2:25). . . [John Paul II, “*Crossing the Threshold of Hope”

Buy the book and see if the John Paul II actually makes it as a ‘Saintly’ Pope or not.

JoeT

 

[Ariana_Katlyn]

I’m going to take a little time to vent/rant. I did some digging on those anti-Catholic websites and two of them (Jesus is lord and Jesus is savior) are just too similar. Does anyone know if they’re written by the same person? I’m reading over some of this stuff and it’s crazy! So inaccurate and degrading.

Let me reiterate. This. Guy. Is. Nuts.

The Jesus is Savior website is essentially the same as the Internet Church for Christ if it were created by a furious schizophrenic. There are so many fonts, photos and hate-filled, incongruous pieces of information on the homepage that at a certain point the human eye just gives up and stares into the vast expanse of the background. The only unifying theme of the site seems to be contempt and a psychotic distrust of literally everything.

Is it okay for me to -]hate/-] really not like this guy?

Any other thoughts?

(I added the recommended books to my reading list)

 

[Dorothy]

I do not like what is put on anti-Catholic sites, but I prefer to say a prayer for who is doing that, and leave them to the Lord.

 

[Kevin2015]

I want to say first, congratulations on your determination to continue forward in your Catholic Christian faith. While fear is a normal human response, pray and draw closer to God. Study the lives of the saints. Many saints are excellent models and their faith can help you draw close to God and overcome your fears.
I taught RCIA for my Parrish for a few years. I applaud your faith in pursuing your endeavor. Once you get started in your classes, you will be so happy that you chose the path that leads you to our Lord through the sacraments and especially to the Body and Blood of our Lord. Place your fears at the foot of the cross, take hold of our Lord’s Mother’s hand, pray the rosary and know that you will rise again! Allow the Spirit to comfort you through prayer.
May God bless and keep you close in all that you do.

 

[Ignatius]

I’m going to take a little time to vent/rant. I did some digging on those anti-Catholic websites and two of them (Jesus is lord and Jesus is savior) are just too similar. Does anyone know if they’re written by the same person? I’m reading over some of this stuff and it’s crazy! So inaccurate and degrading.

Let me reiterate. This. Guy. Is. Nuts.

The Jesus is Savior website is essentially the same as the Internet Church for Christ if it were created by a furious schizophrenic. There are so many fonts, photos and hate-filled, incongruous pieces of information on the homepage that at a certain point the human eye just gives up and stares into the vast expanse of the background. The only unifying theme of the site seems to be contempt and a psychotic distrust of literally everything.

Is it okay for me to -]hate/-] really not like this guy?

Any other thoughts?

(I added the recommended books to my reading list)

Christos voskrese!

Those hate filled, anti-Catholic sites are all full of falsehood and calumny against the Church that Jesus Christ founded.

We may hate the lies, but we should not hate those poor, misguided people. Remember that Our Lord Jesus Christ told us:
Mat 5:44-45 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which spitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven

Voistinu voskrese!

 

[Dorothy]

Yes! We need to pray for our enemies that have been deceived and filled with hate.

We don’t want the evil one to win…we want the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, through us, to affect them positively. And if they choose to still hate, we can still pray for them…but walk away.

 

[Ariana_Katlyn]

Thank you all for the encouragement! My scapular and my St. Therese beads should be here soon so I know that they will bring me one step closer to godliness. One step closer to a holier life. :angel1:

 

[Ignatius]

Thank you all for the encouragement! . :angel1:

Christos voskrese!
:byzsoc:
Voistinu voskrese!

 

[Ariana_Katlyn]

Christos voskrese!
:byzsoc:
Voistinu voskrese!

Latin yes?

 

[Ignatius]

Ignatius;12916880:

Christos voskrese!
:byzsoc:
Voistinu voskrese!

Latin yes?

It’s Old Church Slavonic (kind of like Russian). It’s the Paschal greeting and response.

One greets a fellow Christian by saying Christos voskrese! = Christ is RIsen!

The other responds Voistinu voskrese! = He is Risen Indeed!

From your and your brothers names I thought perhaps you have some Eastern Christian heritage or back ground.

It is used in the Byzantine Catholic Churches, Here’s a link: byzcath.org/

 

[Ariana_Katlyn]

It’s Old Church Slavonic (kind of like Russian). It’s the Paschal greeting and response.

One greets a fellow Christian by saying Christos voskrese! = Christ is RIsen!

The other responds Voistinu voskrese! = He is Risen Indeed!

From your and your brothers names I thought perhaps you have some Eastern Christian heritage or back ground.

It is used in the Byzantine Catholic Churches, Here’s a link: byzcath.org/

Perhaps that may be the origin of my name. I’ve reasearched, and still nothing turns up except Italian or Greek, which I scratch because the pronunciation is different. My name isn’t Air-ree-anna, it’s pronounced almost as Addie-an-nah, with a trill or a roll on the “r” that causes it to sound like a “d” with a soft “r” – but never Adriana.

Katlyn is pronounced Kat(e)lyn with a bright “a” vowel. And the name Nicholas, I know, has a Russian equivilent of Nikolai.

 

[Ignatius]

Perhaps that may be the origin of my name. I’ve reasearched, and still nothing turns up except Italian or Greek, which I scratch because the pronunciation is different. My name isn’t Air-ree-anna, it’s pronounced almost as Addie-an-nah, with a trill or a roll on the “r” that causes it to sound like a “d” with a soft “r” – but never Adriana.

Katlyn is pronounced Kat(e)lyn with a bright “a” vowel. And the name Nicholas, I know, has a Russian equivilent of Nikolai.

Well, I rarely get a chance to use the seasonal greetings, so I’m glad for the opportunity.

Christ is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed!

God Bless.

 

[santiagoamr]

RC church was founded by Jesus Himself
Rc has the TRUE PRESENCE OF JESUS TRULLY PRESENT IN THE EUCHARIST.
No other christian group has this.

Jesus told us in the Bible He would be trully present in the RC church, "I am the bread of life. (of the bread) This is my body. (of the wine) this is my blood.

Other christian groups were founded by PEOPLE

Also Orthodox Churches have the Eucharist. But You are right

 

[santiagoamr]

Ariana,
Be not afraid, you are in the right path, walk it at your own pace knowing that the Truth rests within the Magisterium. All answers can be attained with time and patience, some can be answered in a lifetime many will be answered once we pass and hopefully are in the loving arms of our God.
I’ve had a long process and being as inquisitive and questioning as I am, logically I had and still have thousands of questions, some have been answered, some were answered by priests, others by friends, or books and pamphlets and some by meditating, I recommend to you that you meditate about Love which emanates from God and it is interconnected with every other Virtue, which are the base of our faith. Everything is so interconnected that is in the end so very simple. And there are reasons for everything and not human reason but Godly reasons, that can be understood, some barely because of our limitations and our complexity.
Love is always the answer to every question like for example venerating our mother. Calmly meditate what Love is. Does it have limits? What is it to love? etc… and you will see that God exalting Mary above every other woman on earth has a reason and it is behind pure love. Every answer that I have had the pleasure of receiving through meditation has been answered with love and through love, and love is always the final answer. Knowing this this always gives me peace to the never ending questions.
I’ve had questions like the following:
If God is all powerful why couldn’t he jut forgive our sins without going through such a violent death? why did he have to become human? Why did God create us? What is our purpose? Why did God Create the Church? Is there a need for the Church? Why did God confer authority to men? Why do we do Dulia and Proto Dulia and other types of veneration?
Literally thousands of questions and truly we are in the right path, the Catholic Church is the true Church, the continuance and the evolution of the Jewish faith.
Do not be afraid you are already being guided by the Church and everything that comes with it. Feel the embrace of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Potato1237]

I had the same problems recently. You are completely correct in saying how scary the evangelical websites can be to the eye of someone like me who is not educated in the faith. I feared for my catholic family, because I had adopted some of these ideas. Don’t be afraid. Just remember to pray and ask for guidance because the lord will show you the way. Remember, the Catholic Church has many things proving that it is the truth but the spearhead of the things it has is history. No church can claim to be founded by Christ because it would be ludicrous to try to assert that Christ founded a church that was born at the earliest 1517. And that’s mainline Protestants. Southern baptists and evangelicals came along WAY after that.

Fear not,
Pray a lot,
And place your trust in the Lord.