New to Catholicism just starting

[Jan52]

I’ve just started discussions in my local church. I was raised Protestant and was told Catholics are not true Christians.
I’m 52 and I’ll make up my own mind. Thank you.
Today I had the initial “inquiry” where we just get to know each other and my backgrounds. I know the basics of Chrustianity, but not the WHY of what Catholics believe and what they believe that is different than how I was taught. I’m coming into this with an open mind, heart, and soul. I want to learn the whys and not just dismiss!!
But I admit that I am (name removed by moderator)atient. I’ve heard many things Catholics believe that I don’t understand. I try to be patient. Understanding it takes time to learn and its a process. I get that! But it will take many months. I respect that. Yet, it frustates me. I have so many questions they don’t want to tell me yet. I feel I can take it now! But I have to wait. Though I truly do appreciate and respect that they want anyone joining to truly know and have all explained before I join. That’s the way it should be and not what I have seen from any other church. They’ve all said you can join right away. Many times I don’t even know all they believe! Certainly not why. But its so hard to wait and know i can’t take.of communion until then.
How do I build my patience and accept that I just have to wait?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Welcome @Jan52.

Waiting is the hardest thing ever. But this period is something like Advent, the time we wait and prepare for Christmas. It’s a time of joyful anticipation, waiting for something truly awe-inspiring.

While you wait and learn, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to ask questions. People here would be happy to try and answer or describe their varied experiences.

 

[Convert3]

Welcome @Jan52
Four years ago I was in your position and was actually just trying to learn more about the Catholic Faith because my wife is Catholic. I began reading books and listening to podcasts to absorb as much as I could. Half way through RCIA I changed from wanting to learn more to believing. I had decided to convert at 60 years old despite being a Protestant all my life.
A podcast I listened to was “Called to Communion” with Dr David Anders, himself a convert. I highly recommend it.
I read lots of books from Catholic writers like Matthew Kelly and others. I also suggest you read about the Mass so you understand it each week when you attend. You’ll also be able to ask more questions that come up in your RCIA class.
The Catholic Faith is much more than an individual reading and interpretation of the Bible by yourself. Thousands of scholars over the past two thousand years have studied the meaning of the scriptures digging through the original meaning of the language in the context it was said. The Catholic Church gave the Bible to us. The Catholic Church also has passed much down through tradition and oral teachings. It wasn’t until a few hundred years ago the Protestants broke away, and since have created 3,000 denominations to suit their different beliefs. But the Catholic Church was the Church Jesus Christ founded.
The Catholic Church is not perfect, but Jesus is. Keep your focus on our Lord and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you. There is much to learn and understand, but you can find the answers to you’re questions.
God Bless

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Hi Jan,

I’m happy that you want to learn more about Catholicism!

I understand it’s frustrating when the class seems to move too sl-ow-ly for you. Learning about Catholicism used to take a much shorter amount of time back in olden days when my father converted, assuming someone was motivated and knew the basics which Protestant Christians like my dad and you generally did (such as the basic story of Jesus, that he’s the Savior, etc. )

If you want, you can certainly read some Catechism on your own. Not sure if they gave you a copy for class but it’s also on the Web here

https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

If you have questions, feel free to ask here. You might also want to use both the forum search and an outside search engine like Google to see if your question has been addressed in past threads or by a tract already on the Catholic Answers website catholic.com .

Good luck and God bless on your faith journey!

 

[Dan_Defender]

Pray for the virtue of patience. Like St Teresa of Avila said: patience achieves everything.

 

[JanR]

Hello there!

I hope you have good teachers who will take the time to answer your questions (with straight answers and clear answers), and patiently explain to you as much as possible.

Meanwhile, please feel free to ask us questions. We’ll try to help as much as we can.

 

[spruce]

Hi Jan,

I’m happy that you want to learn more about Catholicism!

I understand it’s frustrating when the class seems to move too sl-ow-ly for you. Learning about Catholicism used to take a much shorter amount of time back in olden days when my father converted, assuming someone was motivated and knew the basics which Protestant Christians like my dad and you generally did (such as the basic story of Jesus, that he’s the Savior, etc. )

If you want, you can certainly read some Catechism on your own. Not sure if they gave you a copy for class but it’s also on the Web here

Catechism of the Catholic Church

If you have questions, feel free to ask here. You might also want to use both the forum search and an outside search engine like Google to see if your question has been addressed in past threads or by a tract already on the Catholic Answers website catholic.com .

Good luck and God bless on your faith journey!

What she said.