New Convert, Already Frustrated By Local Parish

[utah_rose]

Oh I love all those beautiful things that we have in the Catholic Church. I could not live without them. When I am at the holy sacrifice of the mass and all those angels, and saints come down to worship Him with us, heaven meets earth! I am so in awe!

When I first reverted back to the Church the people had redone the church building to look more modern. They broke up the marble steps and altar, took the beautiful statues and hid them away downstairs. They replaced the altar, steps and statues with wood. They took the Blessed Sacrament and put Him in a chapel off to the side of the church. The altar was put in the center of the church so it would be more about community

Fortunately, we got a new pastor and he put the tabernacle with Jesus back up front on the back marble altar, moved the wood altar up there too. He replaced the stairs, moved the pews so all were facing the Blessed Sacrament and brought the statues back into the church.

That’s great! I noticed in ours that large statue of the Resurrected Jesus has been replaced with a crucifix (maybe because of Lent but what a great surprise).

I must also remind the new convert on something I learned recently, The priest has to keep the seal of Confessionals, but the penitent has to also. That is not to be telling other people what was said. I was guilty of that too, until an older priest at the TLM Mass had a homily about Confessions and was told that.

I have gotten some “odd Penances too” and I feel that one priest doesn’t understand me either as I am more of an introvert, but we must accept the Penance, and again, if this particular Confessor is not understanding, please choose another.

 

[onmyknees]

We have a huge crucifix on the wall above the back altar all year long. I love to look at Jesus on the cross during the mass. I was told that the priest cannot tell anyone what is said in the confessional because of the seal but a very orthodox Catholic told me that we can tell other people what was said there. We don’t have a seal.

 

[Joannm]

I must also remind the new convert on something I learned recently, The priest has to keep the seal of Confessionals, but the penitent has to also. That is not to be telling other people what was said. I was guilty of that too, until an older priest at the TLM Mass had a homily about Confessions and was told that.

I have gotten some “odd Penances too” and I feel that one priest doesn’t understand me either as I am more of an introvert, but we must accept the Penance, and again, if this particular Confessor is not understanding, please choose another.

The priest was wrong. The Penitant does not have to keep the seal of confession. The penitant never had you keep it, even pre-Vatican II. You can talk about it with whomever you wish. It is only the priest who must keep it and anyone who accidently overhears a confession.

 

[WoundedIcon]

Actually, I now think the “problem” is that the priest is incredibly perceptive and is telling me exactly what I need to hear! I realize now that I took it the wrong way - incredibly so - but it was actually an answer to my prayers, and I’m just being broken down and remodeled: everyone’s advice when they meet me is all synced up at church, just from their particular angle. Father just managed to stab the weed in the roots. And the root is about a girl… I probably took to Father pretty quickly too because of parental issues. But I’ll deal with that when it comes.

So I’m staying, it’s the right thing to do. I’m already laying down roots. OH, and about the Secular Franciscan Order - sign of signs I just somehow ran into a man who is one at church today. I hadn’t seen him before. He’s becoming a deacon too, which is something I’ve considered. Ahaha… it’s all coming together! Bloody hell though, it’s gonna be at least a year till confirmation and another three or so before I can be accepted into the Order… and like what, ten or more until I can approach the diaconate - but I can figure out something else to work for in the meantime.

:bowdown2:
:extrahappy:

Why am I so freakin’ blessed? By the world’s standards I’m a turd!

---

:newidea:

Duh, I keep taking to female role models and need a male one. Single mom, spent ten or so years living with her boyfriend and then they suddenly separated.

 

[WoundedIcon]

He’s becoming a deacon too, which is something I’ve considered. Ahaha… it’s all coming together! Bloody hell though, it’s gonna be at least a year till confirmation and another three or so before I can be accepted into the Order… and like what, ten or more until I can approach the diaconate - but I can figure out something else to work for in the meantime.

Ehhh… maybe I should take a hint from my talents and actually be a musician instead. I can spread Franciscan stuff that way.

 

[jmcrae]

Bloody hell though, it’s gonna be at least a year till confirmation and another three or so before I can be accepted into the Order… and like what, ten or more until I can approach the diaconate - but I can figure out something else to work for in the meantime.

You’ll still need paid work, in any case - deacons and monks don’t get paid anything by the Church.

 

[Mike_Dye]

There is a book I would highly recommend. It is “The Story of a Soul”, the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux. I am so impressed with the simple holiness of this great saint.

 

[veilofveronica]

Hi there,
Being a fellow person living with Bipolar Disorder, (and you don’t have to answer this, just food for thought and consideration), are you also getting adequate treatment for your medical disorder? I know that when I was not, things were much more difficult for me. Getting on the right medication and finding the right psychiatrist did a world of good…ALONG with spiritual help.
I’m not saying that you do not have these supports already, but if you do not, I would suggest looking into them. I’ve been rock-bottom with my disorder and it is treatable. (and I have type one, rapid cycling, so I know how nasty it can be.)
You’re in my prayers.

 

[WoundedIcon]

You’ll still need paid work, in any case - deacons and monks don’t get paid anything by the Church.

Well, even better! Doing something I could love for God, and for free. Makes it more meaningful. But I need to care for my future lover and child(ren)… I like money, but I hate consumerism and materialism, superficiality - advertisements make my head want to explode. I’ve been straight up poor for a few years now, and it really is not so bad. I just don’t want to lose my heart and turn into something vain. If I had money I’d want to help people, and take care of my loved ones… eh, but I have catholipseudohipsteryuppie tastes in art and food and I love sacramentals and books and music and technology. Although I have had a few moments where I was pleased with God to the point where my favorite things would bore me. Twas awkward. Hmm…

:juggle:

 

[WoundedIcon]

Hi there,
Being a fellow person living with Bipolar Disorder, (and you don’t have to answer this, just food for thought and consideration), are you also getting adequate treatment for your medical disorder? I know that when I was not, things were much more difficult for me. Getting on the right medication and finding the right psychiatrist did a world of good…ALONG with spiritual help.
I’m not saying that you do not have these supports already, but if you do not, I would suggest looking into them. I’ve been rock-bottom with my disorder and it is treatable. (and I have type one, rapid cycling, so I know how nasty it can be.)
You’re in my prayers.

Thank you. God bless. But yes, I do have treatment. It took eight years of testing out meds, being harangued by doctors and committed repeatedly, and basically winding up with new disorders in the long run from stimulants and mistreatment to get the right meds. But I’ve never really clicked with any psychiatrists. They come off as falsely professional, or leap on some kind of opportunity to scold me or question me. I think I had Borderline Personality Disorder (symptoms matched), then I was put on Adderall and became Schizophrenic… a two years later I had my first manic episode, and after my mom kicked me out all the stress broke me and I wound up with a form of PTSD that isn’t even in the books anymore for some weird reason. And people keep trying to peg me with Asperger’s, which would falsely cancel out my schizophrenia diagnosis. Most docs are like, yup that’s it. Other’s are like, no way in hell do you have it. I’m a walking wrecking ball of contradictions in this world XDDD. BPD isn’t supposed to actually be borderline, for me it was. C-PTSD isn’t getting added to the books. Cyclothymic bipolar is inconspicuous enough to be a pain for relationships and health. And I’m a freakin’ Catholic Goth! XDDD

You can see why I cracked at church now, eh?

On my meds my schizophrenic traits hardly show through (although as a charismatic some people would beg to differ, but I think I’ve shown myself intelligent enough to not have to worry about that here.) I used to have severe social anxiety, but I pushed through that with medication and self-effort (no trust most therapists, treet me dum.) Now I just have to deal with occasional triggers, and rapid cycling mild mood swings that wind up looking like character flaws Positive and negative stress both set them off.

But somehow I’m happy!

 

[graceandglory]

Ask God to help you cultivate the virtues of humility and obedience. Someone who receives “tons of guidance and signal graces and massive blessings from the Lord” needs to submit these things to a spiritual father to interpret them correctly.

Also, know that you don’t have to say everything you think to people. Humility is cultivated by not showing off what you know.

Find a different church. It will make a world of difference. Be submissive to the RCIA process where you are. Just get through it.

 

[WoundedIcon]

Also, know that you don’t have to say everything you think to people. Humility is cultivated by not showing off what you know.

Find a different church. It will make a world of difference. Be submissive to the RCIA process where you are. Just get through it.

Don’t worry, I’m fine with it now.

 

[WoundedIcon]

There is a book I would highly recommend. It is “The Story of a Soul”, the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux. I am so impressed with the simple holiness of this great saint.

Yes, holistic simplicity and peace. Our world buzzes about too much, frets over too much. I can appreciate those who vow poverty - they’re brave enough to strip themselves down to what is needed and loose all their anxieties and worldly cares. To put it simply, they get closer to what’s natural.

Oops, that sounded sexual… oh well, point still stands. Freudian slip.

 

[hazcompat]

Matthew 24:27 because the coming of the Son of man will be like lightning striking in the east and flashing far into the west.

all altars face east in anticipation of His coming.

.peace

 

[hazcompat]

Luke 9:62 Jesus said to him: No man putting his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

do not look back toward gifts, look ahead for the Giver of gifts. As you admire the gift, you admire yourself.

peace

 

[WoundedIcon]

Luke 9:62 Jesus said to him: No man putting his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

do not look back toward gifts, look ahead for the Giver of gifts. As you admire the gift, you admire yourself.

peace

Yes, I am aware that not a single molecule of what I am - or anything that is - would exist without God having created it. All the things we have we are not responsible for having, and I was not conceived with these gifts of my own ability. However, I do enjoy them - I even count my pains as gifts, as crosses to bear and flames that refine. I know I wouldn’t be as well without having been sick, etc.

But I am responsible for how I use them, and I know even the Lord will reward me for embracing what he gave me and using it, cultivating it, etc.

1 Corinthians 4:6-7
“I have applied all this to myself and Apollos… that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?”

 

[hazcompat]

Philippians 3:8
Furthermore I count all things to be but loss for the excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but as dung, that I may gain Christ:

Philippians 3:13
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended. But one thing I do: forgetting the things that are behind, and stretching forth myself to those that are before,

there are many curiosities along the path. if you stop to admire them you impede your progress. for awhile it is to be expected, read Saint John of the Cross. the things he says that unsettle you (dislikes) the most will be treasured in the end. God speed

peace

 

[WoundedIcon]

I’ve got all this in my head but it’s like there’s a barrier keeping it from my heart. It keeps pushing back…

 

[hazcompat]

When we have hearts of stone, only the hammer of the Holy Spirit can give you a fleshy heart. Have you been confirmed?

peace

 

[WoundedIcon]

When we have hearts of stone, only the hammer of the Holy Spirit can give you a fleshy heart. Have you been confirmed?

peace

No, and it will be till next Easter most likely until I can be… I really want to take Communion.

I came into the RCIA program right on the last Sunday before Lent.

I need the program, but I tend to wind up helping teach sometimes rather than learning. Although I still do learn in there, about more down to earth matters and such. Not going to say I’m above it: I have to get it in my heart, because lately I’ve been making the mistake of projecting an evangelical heart through a Catholic lens. I’ve never been a regular member of any church - I could count how many times I went to church as a Protestant on two hands - because I never felt it right to belong to a church whose beliefs I couldn’t consent to in full. So I’ve never been around Catholics like this before. No close relatives or friends are Catholic, and my closest relatives and friends are either Jehovah’s Witnesses or anti-catholic Protestants, or just have an aversion to religion in general even though they can respect it in some ways.

The closest I’ve ever come to Catholicism is through some of the traits and values and imagery of the Gothic subculture, ironically enough. But some of the other traits, values, and imagery of that culture can get in the way of hammering out my heart. A good Goth is supposed to live and let live, love intellect and art, and sometimes the supernatural/mystical (not always), and just enjoy creation while understanding sometimes painful and ugly things can be good. They’re supposed to be about substance against superficiality, and detest consumerism, manipulation, and lies. But the bad traits a lot of us fall into are stubbornness, pretentiousness, anger, self-pity, and an unhealthy level of morbidity. Strongly self-willed you could say. I used to be the former, life events turned me into the latter. I’m just trying by God’s grace to scrub myself clean again, but first I need to feel safe somehow. And also, I managed to somehow convince myself that since I wasn’t culturally like other Protestants that I was sinning.