My journey begins

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RodneyJ

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… Sunday!

After a few weeks of endless questions, praying, and just thinking, I am going to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Sunday. It’ll be my first time in any church other than a Protestant church and to be quite honest, I am nervous, scared even. I’m ready, though, for this change in my life. I need that fire of Christ again in my soul that has been missing for sometime now.

I ask for your prayers along this journey. 🙂

ON EDIT: I have no idea where this post goes, so move if needed.
 
Well, Easter certainly is a great day to pick to attend your first Mass! The Easter Sunday Mass will probably be more crowded than normal, so get there early. Easter will have a pretty typical service, but if you’re interested, you may also want to check out the Easter Vigil Mass, which is Saturday evening. The Easter Vigil Mass is when the Catholic Church preforms the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation for converts to the Catholic Church. It’s NOT a typical Mass, but if you would like to see three Catholic sacraments performed on the same day, it would also be a great experience. Remember, you’re welcome to participate in everything except the reception of Communion.

I hope you have a wonderful and blessed experience! Let us know what you thought after the weekend!
 
Rolltide said:
Well, Easter certainly is a great day to pick to attend your first Mass! The Easter Sunday Mass will probably be more crowded than normal, so get there early. Easter will have a pretty typical service, but if you’re interested, you may also want to check out the Easter Vigil Mass, which is Saturday evening. The Easter Vigil Mass is when the Catholic Church preforms the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation for converts to the Catholic Church. It’s NOT a typical Mass, but if you would like to see three Catholic sacraments performed on the same day, it would also be a great experience. Remember, you’re welcome to participate in everything except the reception of Communion.

I hope you have a wonderful and blessed experience! Let us know what you thought after the weekend!
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I knew that communion was off limits, but when would I be able to receive communion?
 
God bless you on your journey, Rodney. I will be entering the Church this Saturday, and looking back, I know He was right there beside me the entire time, whether I realized it or not. I feel as though every moment of my entire life has been leading up to this one. May you feel the same joy!

Btw, pray the rosary. Having our Blessed Mother’s prayers makes the journey all the more comforting.
 
RodneyJ said:
I knew that communion was off limits, but when would I be able to receive communion?
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You will likely have to go through the process of RCIA, which is the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. It is a year-long process of studying about the Catholic faith. Groups will meet weekly, usually starting in September. All types of topics will be discussed regarding the Catholic faith, to ensure that the person truly understands the doctrines of Catholicism before converting. By the way, there is no obligation or pressure to actually convert at these classes. Anyone wishing to learn more about the faith is welcome to attend. The process culminates at the Easter Vigil Mass (this Saturday), where the candidates will receive Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. If you decided to convert this year, you would officially come into the Catholic Church Easter Saturday 2009. That would be when you would receive your First Communion.

If you have already been baptized according to the Trinitarian formula (“I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”), then you will not be rebaptized. The Catholic Church recognizes these baptisms as official.
 
You are in my prayers, Rodney, and lots of others’ I’m sure. Follow the Spirit… and have fun!

I also highly recommend attending the Easter Vigil Mass, in the evening (this Saturday).
 
That’s great Rodney!! Absolutely great. I’m so happy to hear it. I was raised protestant too.

You will be able to take Communion when you are confirmed. You can take RCIA, or, you can find a Priest to give you private lessons (what I did) and get confirmed earlier.

God bless,

Matthew
 
mschrank said:
That’s great Rodney!! Absolutely great. I’m so happy to hear it. I was raised protestant too.

You will be able to take Communion when you are confirmed. You can take RCIA, or, you can find a Priest to give you private lessons (what I did) and get confirmed earlier.

God bless,

Matthew
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I’ll have to do something other than a regular weekly class due to the fact that I don’t work the same hours every week. If I am off one day this week, I’ll have to work the same day next week. :-\
 
RodneyJ said:
I’ll have to do something other than a regular weekly class due to the fact that I don’t work the same hours every week. If I am off one day this week, I’ll have to work the same day next week. :-\
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Hi Rodney,

I am a convert to the Church as well. It has been the single most amazing powerful change I have ever made in my life. The journey was a wonderful one.

Another poster has suggested you pray the rosary. I say I agree 100%. Our Mother loves us all, asking for her intercession will aid you during this process.

I know that work can be “enslaving” at times. I believe that the poster who suggested you contact a priest for private lessons was right in offering that. It is the priests job to help you thru this process. Explain your situation and I am sure you and he can work it out. Also, find a devout Catholic to be your mentor, your sponsor. S/He would be able to help you as you learn about our Faith.

God bless.

Pax Vobiscum
 
Oh and I see you and I are from the same state, North Carolina.

We are fortunate to have to marvelous Bishops in our state. I am in the Raleigh diocese under Bishop Burbidge. He is a wonderful man full of love. I was privileged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation from him last October.

Then there is Bishop Jurgis in Charlotte. Again, a wonderful man full of love. I had the privilege of meeting him at the March for Life in Raleigh in January.

Both are pastoral Bishops, meaning they feel the need to minister to their flock up close and personal. That is a wonderful thing!!

Pax Vobiscum
 
I devoured everything thing I could find in the encyclopedia on Christianity, history of, and monasticism. I read Augustine’s “Confessions.” During RCIA, I devoured the Catechism. I read encyclicals.

I wanted to know the truth. All along, it was right there. It was no coincidence that Catholic friends gave me my 1st book about Jesus when I was no more than 4 or 5 some 45 years ago.
 
You may want to read the ancient church fathers:

St. Ignatius to the Smyrnians uses the word Katholikos from which the word Catholic is derived.

St. Clement of Rome
St. Justine Martyr
just to name a couple. There are many more and they discuss the most unique part about being Catholic…the Eucharist.

I would loveto tell you my story about the rosary, but when you are ready to understand Mary and her role in the Church just open your heart to Jesus. Mary always points to Jesus. We seek her intercessory prayer much like we ask others to pray for us. Reading the church fathers will help give you a historical view of what the early Christians actually believed. Study Judaism, it will alos help you understand. Especially, while you read about the Eucharist, read from the an Orthodox Jewish perspective the Passover celebration. If you can find a CD on Scott Hahn’s conversion story and the 4th Cup. Read the Lamb’s Supper. Nothing is new, but he has a fresh look at things from the eyes of a Christian on fire with what he discovered through his studies.

Watch the Journey Home on EWTN as well. Mondays at 8:00 P.M. your time I believe.

Oh, talk to the Pastor and Faith Fromation Director and ask if you can be give catechesis one on one.
 
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