Just As I Am... I Can't Turn Away

[scylla]

How about video instead?

Watching the Journey Home with my wife really helped a lot for my wife and me. Before this we barely considered that someone even converted to the Catholic Church.

Sometimes other people need different ways to start to relate to the Church.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[Semper_Fi_1]

Manphibian:

Thank you all, again.

If you could recommend one book about the Catholic faith, that is nicely written, easy to understand that I could give to my wife to help her understand all of this, which would it be?

I always recommend Fr Oscar Lukefahr’s We Believe - A Survey of the Catholic Faith. A very good orthodox priest, he presents the faith in an easy to read format and cross-references his points with the CCC. You can get it along with a study booklet from the Catholic Home Study Service absolutely free.

 

[djrakowski]

Manphibian:

I appreciate all of the prayers and answers to the many questions that I’ve had over the past few months. You may recall that a matter of weeks ago I ended my inquiry into Catholicism and decided that I could not join into communion with Her.

I WAS WRONG!

Matt, I fought the notion of joining the Church for nearly a year. Finally, I ‘gave in’ to the Truth I have discovered, and have enrolled in RCIA with the intention of entering into communion with Christ’s Church next Easter vigil. I’m really glad to see you posting here again.

Manphibian:

1. I have ZERO time to attend RCIA classes. I work everyday and I’m on call so I never know when I’ll have to work or when I’ll be home. So showing up at a weekly class is out of the question, any ideas? Do I have to go to RCIA? I’ve read the Catechism, Christ Among Us (the book the Rcia Pragrams around here use) and numerous others. I have a pretty good grasp of the faith.

I believe you have to attend RCIA if you’re serious about entering the Church. I’m attending the same parish as a co-worker, and he was catechized personally by one of the priests who was assigned there a few years ago. So there’s at least a possibility that the pastor of the parish you wish to attend may be considerate of your work schedule and do the same.

Lots of folks (including myself) have been underwhelmed with the quality of their RCIA programs (even at parishes, like mine, that are considered theologically orthodox). You may already know more about the Church than the person teaching the class.

Manphibian:

1. I’m not sure that my wife will join with me. she seems disinterested, at best. Being a Husband, and a Father, I cannot see myself going to one church, and my family going elsewhere. Any Ideas?

My wife was actually quite upset when I decided to look into the claims of the Catholic Church. Now she’s in RCIA with me I will pray that your wife will have a change of heart.

Manphibian:

1. By doing this, it’s going to cause problems with some of my older relatives that I’ve attended the Baptist church with my whole life. They just believe that Catholicism is wrong, and you all know how old people are set in their ways, and I’m afraid they’ll take it personally.

They may indeed take it personally, but that’s not your fault. We were attacked by family members (some who are not particularly religious) for simply considering the Church. Hopefully, if you’ve earned the respect of these folks, they won’t think you’ve gone too far off the deep end. Again, I’ll continue to pray for you, as I still have some family and friend challenges looming on the horizon.

God bless you on this journey,
Dan

 

[Mijoy2]

Manphibian:

Hello… It’s Me Again,

I appreciate all of the prayers and answers to the many questions that I’ve had over the past few months. You may recall that a matter of weeks ago I ended my inquiry into Catholicism and decided that I could not join into communion with Her.

I WAS WRONG!

The more I think about all that I’ve read and heard I cannot turn my back on the truth. I cannot help but think that your prayers played a part in this, and I’m excited, but also a little scared.

1. I have ZERO time to attend RCIA classes. I work everyday and I’m on call so I never know when I’ll have to work or when I’ll be home. So showing up at a weekly class is out of the question, any ideas? Do I have to go to RCIA? I’ve read the Catechism, Christ Among Us (the book the Rcia Pragrams around here use) and numerous others. I have a pretty good grasp of the faith.
2. I’m not sure that my wife will join with me. she seems disinterested, at best. Being a Husband, and a Father, I cannot see myself going to one church, and my family going elsewhere. Any Ideas?
3. By doing this, it’s going to cause problems with some of my older relatives that I’ve attended the Baptist church with my whole life. They just believe that Catholicism is wrong, and you all know how old people are set in their ways, and I’m afraid they’ll take it personally.

Again, thank’s for your prayers, and thanks for knowing what you believe and helping to preserve the faith of our Fathers.

Peace of Christ,
Matt

I don’t know if this will help but I will share my experience where it is a similiar one.

1. RCIA classes are generally very accomodating in my experience. Nobody wants to lose a new Catholic becuse of logistical reasons. Please don’t let your difficult schedule stop you from enrolling. Enroll and talk it over with your prospective RCIA teachers. I think you’ll find they will work with you to make it work.
2. My wife was also prtestnt and I felt she’d never convert. With much prayer the road turned out much smoother then I had figured. There were bumps, but it worked out when I thought it impossible.
3. I too thought this would be a big issue. I was surprised how it was hardly mentioned at all. I think I felt the Protestant family members (on my wifes side) were more tied to thier faith then they actually were. It was a relative non-issue. I beleive people may have felt my determination and conviction and figured any confrontation would be a lost cause. Of course being 6’2" AND 220 LBS helps…

Actually I would have welcomed the oppurtunity for discussion. I’m not one to instigate such a thing. Not much of an evangelist I suppose. Although I think they know the door is always open and they could see the emotion I displayed when my wife and daughters were confirmed into the faith.

 

[Catherine_S]

Manphibian:

Hello… It’s Me Again,

I appreciate all of the prayers and answers to the many questions that I’ve had over the past few months. You may recall that a matter of weeks ago I ended my inquiry into Catholicism and decided that I could not join into communion with Her.

I WAS WRONG!

The more I think about all that I’ve read and heard I cannot turn my back on the truth. I cannot help but think that your prayers played a part in this, and I’m excited, but also a little scared.

1. I have ZERO time to attend RCIA classes. I work everyday and I’m on call so I never know when I’ll have to work or when I’ll be home. So showing up at a weekly class is out of the question, any ideas? Do I have to go to RCIA? I’ve read the Catechism, Christ Among Us (the book the Rcia Pragrams around here use) and numerous others. I have a pretty good grasp of the faith.
2. I’m not sure that my wife will join with me. she seems disinterested, at best. Being a Husband, and a Father, I cannot see myself going to one church, and my family going elsewhere. Any Ideas?
3. By doing this, it’s going to cause problems with some of my older relatives that I’ve attended the Baptist church with my whole life. They just believe that Catholicism is wrong, and you all know how old people are set in their ways, and I’m afraid they’ll take it personally.

Again, thank’s for your prayers, and thanks for knowing what you believe and helping to preserve the faith of our Fathers.

Peace of Christ,
Matt

** God Bless You!**

---

Hundreds of conversion stories on these tapes…perhaps you and your wife can listen to some of them together…
**ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/seriessearchprog.asp?pgnu=1&SeriesID=-6892289 **
.
**PS…**you will need to download a free Real Player if you do not have one!

 

[hurst]

Manphibian:

1. I have ZERO time to attend RCIA classes.

If you can find a priest who has time, you can take instruction with him individually, and be received in a private ceremony. This is how my wife became Catholic.

Manphibian:

1. I’m not sure that my wife will join with me. she seems disinterested, at best. Being a Husband, and a Father, I cannot see myself going to one church, and my family going elsewhere. Any Ideas?

I married a Protestant outside of the Church. About a year later, I returned to the Catholic Church. My wife was not at all happy. I didn’t realize it, but for over five years after this, she was secretly looking up information to try to disprove the Catholic Church. Eventually she admitted she had to become Catholic because she became convinced it was the true Church and deserved her obedience.

It is harder for you with children, though, because every Catholic is obliged to raise their children Catholic. You will need personal counseling from a priest for this, I think.

Which Parish?

As for you question about which parish, I think it does matter in this case, because the other one is in a different diocese. Bishops have authority according to geographical boundaries, and this is also acknowledged in the heavenly realms. While you normally should join the parish in your geographical area, that is not as serious as staying within your diocese. The bishop in your geographical diocese is accountable for your soul.

1 Peter 2:25 For you were as sheep going astray; but you are now converted to the shepherd and bishop of your souls.

hurst

 

[StCsDavid]

Matt,

The way of the cross is not easy. There will be difficulties. That you can count on. Ultimately this about your relationship between you and our Lord. Perhaps this is the road you have to walk to bring your wife and kids home to Him, too. Find the time to talk with a priest. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. Trust in that and God will take care of you. Perservere. Welcome home.