Kind of a New Catholic

[Mxer240]

Hello, I’m kind of a new Catholic. I was baptized Catholic when I was a baby. So here’s my story. I re came to Christ when I was 17. As a Protestant “Born Again”. I’m now 26. My convictions tell me that Catholicism is the actual true way to worship God. I had my first confession about a month ago, I read 1 chapter of the Catholic Bible every morning first thing when I wake up. I pray every day and night. I’m well informed on bible knowledge because I’ve been reading the Protestant version of the Bible daily since I was 17. I have a couple questions. Where do I go from here? What does a strong Catholic do? I’ve gone to mass a few times, it’s mostly old people. How do I meet other Catholics? How do I meet a Catholic woman? I actually went to a popular place in public and I preached the Gospel, do Catholics do that? Do Catholics take the Great Commission serious? Any feedback would be appreciated, thank you

 

[Elf01]

Where do I go from here?

Were you confirmed? If not you should look into that.

How do I meet other Catholics? How do I meet a Catholic woman?

Does your parish run any events? Mine had a Bible study. Most of the attendees were older but it was still interesting and has helped me feel more engaged with the Parish. If not, and you have the time it may be worth starting one. Coming from the background you do I’m sure you would do a good job leading one. It doesn’t have to be a Bible Study.

Also it may be worth considering online dating if you are thinking more of a spouse than a network of Catholic friends.

 

[Neithan]

I’ve gone to mass a few times, it’s mostly old people.

That’s OK, keep going to Mass every Sunday, it’s the “main event” for our worship life. Ask the pastor if there is some ministry for young adults in your area.

 

[TheLittleLady]

How do I meet other Catholics?

Get involved at your parish and Diocese.

How do I meet a Catholic woman?

Get involved at your parish and Diocese

I actually went to a popular place in public and I preached the Gospel, do Catholics do that? Do Catholics take the Great Commission serious?

The Great Commission was given to the Church.

You might want to read our US Bishops wonderful documents on evangelization:

http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/index.cfm

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Where do I go from here? What does a strong Catholic do?

We pray a lot and go frequently to Mass and Confession. Catholics are required to attend Mass every Sunday and every Holy Day of Obligation, unless they have a good excuse for missing Mass, such as being too ill to go. Many Catholics also try to go to Mass on some weekdays when it is not required. We also try to stay in a state of grace by confessing frequently enough that we can receive Jesus in the Eucharist at all or most of these Masses.

If you have not been confirmed in the Catholic church, I would also suggest you take care of getting confirmed as your first priority.

We also try hard to live by the Catholic rules, such as not having sex outside marriage, not using birth control, not having abortion or advocating abortion, not abusing substances and only drinking alcohol in moderation (if we can handle that and are legal to drink), and being kind and Christlike to people.

Many Catholics practice devotions to Jesus such as the Divine Mercy Devotion and the Sacred Heart Devotion (Nine First Fridays). Many Catholics also practice devotions to Mary such as saying the Rosary frequently, making the Five First Saturdays, and doing 33-day or 9-day Marian Consecrations. Many Catholics also have a devotion to one or more saints and ask their intercession (often this is a patron saint you choose at Confirmation) and pray frequently for the souls of both the living and the deceased. Finally, we try to do good works for people on earth, such as volunteering and donating to charities.

I’ve gone to mass a few times, it’s mostly old people.

Daily Mass often has mostly older people at it, unless you are attending in a college town or at a college Newman Center.
You should see more of a mix of age ranges at Sunday Mass. If you are not seeing that, then look into either going to a different Mass that meets Sunday obligation (for example, Saturday evening vigil Mass for Sunday obligation) or going to a different parish with more of an age range.

How do I meet other Catholics? How do I meet a Catholic woman?

See if your parish has any activities for people in your age range. If they don’t, then check the diocesan website and also other nearby parishes to see if there are events for people your age sponsored by the diocese or at other parishes. Often there are Bible studies, “Theology on Tap” which is a get-together for Catholic young adults at a bar for discussion of theology, and volunteer opportunities.

If you are specifically looking for a relationship, I would suggest you try a Catholic online dating service, unless you can find a Catholic singles group for young people in your area (this will depend on whether there’s a significant number of younger Catholics where you are). Also, it doesn’t hurt to be friendly to some of the older folks. They may have granddaughters, nieces, etc who would like to meet a nice young Catholic man.

(continued next post due to char limits)

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I actually went to a popular place in public and I preached the Gospel, do Catholics do that?

Catholics don’t tend to do much street preaching, although there are some groups doing it. Your best bet if you want to do that is again to look for a group in your area that you could join.

Catholics tend to evangelize more quietly. For example, I sometimes put Catholic posts on my social media, or will tell friends I’m going to church or saying certain prayers or visiting a shrine etc. Some people are interested and respond to that. Other Catholics might evangelize by going out and doing good works in the community, like volunteering at a homeless shelter, working at a food bank etc. We usually don’t go around preaching at those activities but instead just try to love people like Jesus would and if someone is interested in the faith we’d talk to them.

 

[CatholicSpirit]

Confirmation and Confession are both wonderful and there is a street preaching organization in the Catholic Church ( https://streetevangelization.com/ )

Are you interested in joining me by using the SOTC in public before eating?

 

[Dan_Defender]

I actually went to a popular place in public and I preached the Gospel, do Catholics do that? Do Catholics take the Great Commission serious?

We Catholics witness with our lives and our interactions with those we meet but going to a public place and preaching is not considered effective. Did that work for you?

 

[Justin_Mary]

Where do I go from here?

I feel like I was called to the Carmelite third order, like you, looking for that next step.

If I were you I’d go to my parish & see if they offer spiritual direction. If not, go to a bigger parish nearby & check if the offer spiritual direction.

Next, I’d start reading about the Saints. See if there’s one you connect with. & become his disciple.

 

[catholic03]

I trust you believe in the Nicene Creed and all Catholic doctrines.

It is great you are a part of the Church of Christ. You should get confirmed and receive first communion as soon as possible after you have been catechised.

The great commission was when Peter was given primacy over the whole Church. That is why the Supreme Pontiff is the leader of the whole Church.

Yes, you can street preach with a Catholic organisation.

 

[Justin_Mary]

I actually went to a popular place in public and I preached the Gospel, do Catholics do that?

Have you ever heard of Eric Mahl?

 

[on_the_hill]

Our parish does the occasional street evangelization.
If you’ve already taken the plunge and gotten over the stage fright—-find a local Catholic Group that does it and join.

I guarantee you’ll find young, enthusiastic Catholics among them.

 

[adamhovey1988]

Catholics need to take the great commission seriously, and there are some groups (such as the Legion of Mary) that make that happen. Try to read the Catechism, watch EWTN and get involved with other Catholics. How do you meet a Catholic woman? Well, I go to church with them, and I got into the habit of talking to one after Mass, maybe you can do that. (I do not live in a heavily Catholic area). I have NO PROBLEM with Catholics preaching in public (I met a sister that does just that!) I have a Sunni Muslim friend that was under the impression I wasn’t trying to convert him. I told him “I am trying to convert you, I just find that discussion is a much better way than getting up in your face about it”. If you know people of different religious beliefs and you want them to know that Catholicism is true, ask them why they believe what they do. This is NOT emphasised enough, but it needs to be. KNOW YOUR BIBLE. Pray everyday, go to confession whenever you need to, and go to Mass at least weekly.

 

[EZweber]

I actually went to a popular place in public and I preached the Gospel, do Catholics do that? Do Catholics take the Great Commission serious?

First remark: I would like it if more people put serious effort into evangelization. Preaching the Gospel in a public place is not exactly a socially common thing anymore, although if it works, go ahead (talk to a priest first though). You might want to look into St Paul Street Evangelization and FOCUS.

 

[Benjinho]

Hello, I’m kind of a new Catholic. I was baptized Catholic when I was a baby. So here’s my story. I re came to Christ when I was 17. As a Protestant “Born Again”. I’m now 26. My convictions tell me that Catholicism is the actual true way to worship God. I had my first confession about a month ago, I read 1 chapter of the Catholic Bible every morning first thing when I wake up. I pray every day and night. I’m well informed on bible knowledge because I’ve been reading the Protestant version of the Bible daily since I was 17. I have a couple questions. Where do I go from here? What does a strong Catholic do? I’ve gone to mass a few times, it’s mostly old people. How do I meet other Catholics? How do I meet a Catholic woman? I actually went to a popular place in public and I preached the Gospel, do Catholics do that? Do Catholics take the Great Commission serious? Any feedback would be appreciated, thank you

I’m also a relatively new Catholic, baptized Catholic as a baby and was confirmed this past Easter through RCIA.

You should do Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). If you live near a decent sized university, they usually have Catholic campus ministries and RCIA programs. They’re also geared toward younger people so you’ll likely find them more open and inviting than the churches that are geared toward retirees.

 

[po18guy]

Welcome home!

We attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to offer the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ to the Father in atonement for our sins, and those of the whole world. And, being members of His Body, we also offer ourselves - our entire beings, our suffering, our prayers, our faith, even our sorrows and fears - to God the father, for the same exact reason. Think: the Passion of Christ, from Gethsemane to the tomb.

The fact that only “experienced” adults attend Mass says more about our wayward youth than it does about them. They realize that eternity is one breath away, while throughout our youth, we largely ignore that fact. You are a blessed exception.

Now, think seriously about pacing yourself! If you burst in through the doors with both guns blazing, it has a tendency to put folks off. It’s not the message, or you, it is about style; about sudden change. If you are a little old for the typical youth group, you can certainly be advisor or group leader.

A future spouse? God works in His own time. Be patient and watchful, offering your solitude and loneliness up to God for eternal purpose. He will send someone. He always does, to those who are called to the vocation of marriage.

What to do when disconsolate, frustrated, or in need of a spiritual recharge? Go directly to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament at Adoration. Sit in silence, as we can hear God only in great silence.

Then, be as patient with God as He has been with you. The Lord has given you His time - now give Him yours. When you receive your consolation via the Holy Spirit, you will be changed.

 

[Shelion]

Welcome home! It’s always good news that brightens up my day that somebody came closer to Christ.
As for advice, all of the above is good, so I will not repeat those, but only add what might be useful to you (coming from my experience).
Read spiritual books. I strongly advise saint Alphonsus de Liguori. Here is the collection, although I loved his books so much I actually bought quite a few. The complete ascetical works of St. Alphonsus : Liguori, Alfonso Maria de', Saint, 1696-1787 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Another set of online books: Free Traditional Catholic Books - Catholic Tradition - Traditional Catholic Reading | Traditional Catholic
There says traditional - but it doesn’t mean it focuses on tradition only, rather that these were written by “old” saints - like Church Fathers for instance, but also later saints (st Liguori included).
There are a few catholic books I specifically recommend you either buy, or have online/pdf for frequent perusal - Thomas a Kempis “The Imitation of Christ”; St Therese of Lisieux “The story of a soul”; Catholic Catechism, so you have all the teaching in one place in case of some doubts (doctrinal or other); and then after you really get to know some saints that attract you the most - something they wrote, if they wrote anything, or their biography.
For me, after I converted for real (or reverted, for the sake of definitions), I started reading a lot. About faith, spirituality, the Church, but mostly saints. Now, it’s different. I got to a point, when reading is more difficult in a sense, I feel like I can’t read something new and feel it’s old news - unless it’s the Bible. And yet, sometimes I come across something inspiring. For instance, a new interpretation of a Biblical passage that really speaks to me. But I am more focused on prayer.
As for prayer - pray as much as you can. Pray with your life, offer up EVERYTHING to God. Try to remeber God all the time, and get rid of all unnecessary, unrelated to God things in your life. (Brother Lawrence book - “The Presence of God”)
As for a Catholic woman - pray every day for the intercession of Saint Joseph. He will find you a wife

 

[Mxer240]

What does it mean to be confirmed?

 

[Brian_K]

Sacrament of Confirmation - Prayers - Catholic Online

The sacrament of confirmation completes the sacrament of baptism. If baptism is the sacrament of re-birth to a new and supernatural life, confir- mation is the sacrament of maturity and coming of age. The real confession of Christ consist in this 'that the whole man submits himself to Truth, in...

www.catholic.org

 

[Mxer240]

It didn’t work well at all, I read Matthew chapters 16-24. One person said “that’s a good book” the rest of the people didn’t even pay attention. Which o guess isn’t a bad thing either.