Not sure where to turn

[lizds]

I started learning about the Catholic religion in early June. I purchased a few books and buried my self in them, at the same time I joined this site. In August I started attending Mass and I have been really interested in RCIA. (Sadly I failed to ask about them in time and classes have already started) In fact I was ecstatic about converting and couldn’t wait to be apart of the Catholic Church. Recently though I’ve been having doubts. I stopped attending my protestant church about seven years ago because of some terrible things that had happened to me. I haven’t looked back until now.

Part of me thinks that some of the stuff I’ve done is making it difficult to have the same faith I once had, that it’s impossible for me to have the same relationship with God that I use to have. Part of me is also having more doubts then I’ve ever had before, it’s becoming more challenging to get back to religious life I had before falling from the church. The amount of information there is about Catholicism has me slightly discouraged. There is just so much history and I have no one to help lead me.

Most of my family is Atheist. My mother was raised Catholic, but fell away from the church when she was twenty. She’s constantly telling me I’m making a big mistake and that I will eventually come to my senses. I have a close friend of mine that is Catholic, but he is all I have. I’ve come to him with questions, but most of them he has a hard time answering. He tries to find the answers for me but isn’t successful all the time. I feel like I’m drowning and that I’m not going to make it to the other side.

Any advice, prayers, etc. is very much appreciated. I’m definitely a reader so any book recommendations would be good to. And feel free to ask questions. I might have left some information out unintentionally.

 

[judechild]

Most of my family is Atheist. My mother was raised Catholic, but fell away from the church when she was twenty. She’s constantly telling me I’m making a big mistake and that I will eventually come to my senses. I have a close friend of mine that is Catholic, but he is all I have. I’ve come to him with questions, but most of them he has a hard time answering. He tries to find the answers for me but isn’t successful all the time. I feel like I’m drowning and that I’m not going to make it to the other side.

I understand your confusion; I’m a very young convert, and a lot of my family sometimes treated me like I was from a different planet. You’re not making a mistake . And, yes, you will make it to the other side, you just have to seek God honestly, and He will guide you.

Now, my dear bookworm, you may try Scott Hahn’s books “The Lamb’s Supper - The Mass as Heaven on Earth”, and/or “Swear to God”. If you’re looking for Catholic spiritual classics, I’d recommend “The Imatation of Christ” by Thomas a Kemps and “The Imatation to the Devout Life” by St. Francis de Sales. If you don’t have a Catechism of the Catholic Church, you may want to invest in one. Finally, I highly recommend Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical letter “God is Love”. If you get through all of those, you’re my hero !

We’ll all help you on your journey, just drop by and we’ll do our best.

 

[the_phoenix]

Welcome, lizds! Praying for you from today’s Liturgy of the Hours:

Prayers and Intercessions

Christ feeds and cares for the Church, for which he gave his very self. And so we pray:
– Lord, look after your Church.

Blessed are you, shepherd of your Church, because today you give us light and life:
make us truly grateful for such wonderful gifts.
– Lord, look after your Church.

Look kindly on the flock you have gathered in your name:
let no-one perish from the flock your Father has given you.
– Lord, look after your Church.

Lead your Church along the path of your commandments:
may the Holy Spirit keep her faithful to you.
– Lord, look after your Church.

By the feast of bread and the Word, give life to your Church:
nourish her and give her the strength to follow you with joy.
– Lord, look after your Church.

---

Our Father, who art in Heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

---

Lord, in your kindness fill our deepest being with your holy light,
so that we may be steadfast in our devotion to you:
for your wisdom created us and your providence guides us.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen.

 

[StillWondering]

Hello Lidz,

I was just thinking that I learned a great deal from reading the articles here on Catholic Answers in the search and reaching the Ask an Apologist questions section to hear questions others have. Also, I really am a big fan of the Journey Homes show that are on EWTN every Monday evening (they have encores a couple of times during the week). I hope you will get a great deal out of them that I have.

chnetwork.org/Journey%20Home.html
This is their main site for a quick idea of the program.

ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/seriessearchprog.asp?seriesID=-6892289&T1=journey+home
This is the real meat of the program. EWTN has 16 pages + of previous shows. They are updated every week for the new shows. I’m not sure how long this program has been running, but Marcus, the host, converted around 1994 into Catholicism from Presbyterianism.

The program is on tv, but these recordings are their sound clips only (which is great for an ipod,mp3 player, or tape to take along as you drive to and from work).

As for the meat an bones of the faith, I have heard people mentioned “nuts and bolts”, “the essential catholic survival guide” and other books that can be found here and on Ignatius Press. Sadly I am not a reader so I do not know those in particular. But I do have a Catechism of the Catholic Church and that is amazing. Plus I often look to my New American Bible for answers (it’s very readable). I know there are other Bible translations but sadly I’m not well read.

Good luck and Catholicism is beautiful – it is the Church the Christ founded back in the old days after all.

 

[Tietjen]

I started learning about the Catholic religion in early June. I purchased a few books and buried my self in them, at the same time I joined this site. In August I started attending Mass and I have been really interested in RCIA. (Sadly I failed to ask about them in time and classes have already started) In fact I was ecstatic about converting and couldn’t wait to be apart of the Catholic Church. Recently though I’ve been having doubts. I stopped attending my protestant church about seven years ago because of some terrible things that had happened to me. I haven’t looked back until now.

Part of me thinks that some of the stuff I’ve done is making it difficult to have the same faith I once had, that it’s impossible for me to have the same relationship with God that I use to have. Part of me is also having more doubts then I’ve ever had before, it’s becoming more challenging to get back to religious life I had before falling from the church. The amount of information there is about Catholicism has me slightly discouraged. There is just so much history and I have no one to help lead me.

Most of my family is Atheist. My mother was raised Catholic, but fell away from the church when she was twenty. She’s constantly telling me I’m making a big mistake and that I will eventually come to my senses. I have a close friend of mine that is Catholic, but he is all I have. I’ve come to him with questions, but most of them he has a hard time answering. He tries to find the answers for me but isn’t successful all the time. I feel like I’m drowning and that I’m not going to make it to the other side.

Any advice, prayers, etc. is very much appreciated. I’m definitely a reader so any book recommendations would be good to. And feel free to ask questions. I might have left some information out unintentionally.

First, WELCOME!
Next, don’t feel too overwhelmed. There isn’t a requirement that you learn 2000 years of history & Tradition before Christmas (or even in your lifetime). I would go and speak to the parish Priest about joining the RCIA class even though it has already started. Often, you can join late and catch up… no big deal. If not, call around to other parishes in your area and see when/if their RCIA classes have started. If you find one that hasn’t begun yet, you’ll be all set. As for having questions… you can speak with a priest, with your RCIA instructor(s), or even ask here in the forms. There are many resources inwhich you can have your questions answered. I would also pick up a book by Scott Hahn called Rome Sweet Home. You can find a copy here.
God bless and I’ll say a prayer for you.

 

[CalCatholic]

Hello Lizds,
I also joined my RCIA class after it had started 5 months prior. I just continued on in the class through the whole next year (for a total of 14 months). So if you can get in now, go ahead and start. If not, check with other parishes, some have a year round programs. A good book that I read while converting to Catholicism was, “Catholic and Christian” by Alan Schreck. I help teach RCIA now, and started giving this book to new Catechumens that come to our parish. I will pray for you, that our Lord will bless you on your journey!

 

[StillWondering]

Hello Lizds,
I also joined my RCIA class after it had started 5 months prior. I just continued on in the class through the whole next year (for a total of 14 months). So if you can get in now, go ahead and start. If not, check with other parishes, some have a year round programs. A good book that I read while converting to Catholicism was, “Catholic and Christian” by Alan Schreck. I help teach RCIA now, and started giving this book to new Catechumens that come to our parish. I will pray for you, that our Lord will bless you on your journey!

Like the posters above, I would recommend talking to the pastor or RCIA director to let you in now. Our parish just started last night and the RCIA director tells us a few could not make it on the first day, so they will join us later. Also if you for whatever reason cannot finish it this year, there is next year to continue but get in now either way.

Also, you do not have to learn everything about Catholicism to be a Catholic. Those first disciples of Christ did not have to learn about the Church’s 2000 year history 2000 years ago after all. Do not sweat it =).

 

[NHInsider]

Lizds -

You don’t share what the church was that you were involved with in the past (which is fine, no obligation ) but it may either make things easier or more difficult, depending on what kinds of opinions and ideas you formed there.

Remember, always, that the whole reason Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us was to make it possible for us to have a loving relationship with Almighty God! That’s the essence of Christianity. All the rest is about living as one of the Lord’s beloved. It is both perfectly simple and amazingly profound, and none of us will ever fully understand - nor do we have to!

Welcome home.

 

[puzzleannie]

I started learning about the Catholic religion in early June. I purchased a few books and buried my self in them, at the same time I joined this site. In August I started attending Mass and I have been really interested in RCIA. (Sadly I failed to ask about them in time and classes have already started) .

Welcome home
this is really wrong and I am sorry you had this experience, please call back, ask to speak to the pastor about a pastoral matter, and ask him why new candidates are not welcomed year-round. If you can’t find a parish right away, to my mind the best first book to get is Catholicisim for Dummies (the yellow one, not the orange idiot’s guide) at any mainline bookstore or amazon.

 

[lizds]

Thanks for all the reading reccomendations. I’ve already purchased a Catechism of the Catholic Church, and I’ve even read through Catholicisim for Dummies. (Very informational) I took puzzleannie’s advice and decided to ask again. Instead of calling this time I went to daily mass and asked about it afterwards. Turns out whomever I asked last time was miss informed.

They don’t have any one to teach the class as of now, but they hope to have some one by October which is when it will first begin. Turns out the parish is quite small and hasn’t had any one ask about RCIA until just this last week. If they fail to find someone in time they will make arangments to place me at another nearby parish’s RCIA. So either way they told me they will find some way to get me started no later then October.

I am beyond excited! :extrahappy:

 

[Tietjen]

Thanks for all the reading reccomendations. I’ve already purchased a Catechism of the Catholic Church, and I’ve even read through Catholicisim for Dummies. (Very informational) I took puzzleannie’s advice and decided to ask again. Instead of calling this time I went to daily mass and asked about it afterwards. Turns out whomever I asked last time was miss informed.

They don’t have any one to teach the class as of now, but they hope to have some one by October which is when it will first begin. Turns out the parish is quite small and hasn’t had any one ask about RCIA until just this last week. If they fail to find someone in time they will make arangments to place me at another nearby parish’s RCIA. So either way they told me they will find some way to get me started no later then October.

I am beyond excited! :extrahappy:

Awesome! :clapping:

 

[PJM]

I started learning about the Catholic religion in early June. I purchased a few books and buried my self in them, at the same time I joined this site. In August I started attending Mass and I have been really interested in RCIA. (Sadly I failed to ask about them in time and classes have already started) In fact I was ecstatic about converting and couldn’t wait to be apart of the Catholic Church. Recently though I’ve been having doubts. I stopped attending my protestant church about seven years ago because of some terrible things that had happened to me. I haven’t looked back until now.

Part of me thinks that some of the stuff I’ve done is making it difficult to have the same faith I once had, that it’s impossible for me to have the same relationship with God that I use to have. Part of me is also having more doubts then I’ve ever had before, it’s becoming more challenging to get back to religious life I had before falling from the church. The amount of information there is about Catholicism has me slightly discouraged. There is just so much history and I have no one to help lead me.

Most of my family is Atheist. My mother was raised Catholic, but fell away from the church when she was twenty. She’s constantly telling me I’m making a big mistake and that I will eventually come to my senses. I have a close friend of mine that is Catholic, but he is all I have. I’ve come to him with questions, but most of them he has a hard time answering. He tries to find the answers for me but isn’t successful all the time. I feel like I’m drowning and that I’m not going to make it to the other side.

Any advice, prayers, etc. is very much appreciated. I’m definitely a reader so any book recommendations would be good to. And feel free to ask questions. I might have left some information out unintentionally.

Heres what you need to ASAP!

Make an appointment to see your priest. It’s not normal to not allow one to enter RCIA even after its begun. I taught for three years. Now the pastor has the right to make that call and if its his decision, then sign up for next year.

Point two: The only way Satan can get to you [any of us] is through our emotions. Satan has no power over our will’s! So continue to attend Mass as often as possible. Pray the Rosary every day and keep studying. Post “help me” questions here on the Forum.

God only Founded One Church, the CC!*** my Father who is in heaven.***

***One Church ***

***1 Tim. 3:15 “if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, [singular] *the pillar [singular] and bulwark of the truth. [singular] Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion:”

***Mt. 16: 15 He [Jesus] said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I [singular] *tell you, you are Peter,[singular] and on this rock [singular] I will build my [singular] church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.[singular] 19 I [God singular] will give you [singular] the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you [singular] bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Eph. 2:19 19 So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; [singular] in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Eph. 4: 4 “There is one body [One Church] and one Spirit, [One set of beliefs] just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, 5 one Lord,[One God] one faith, [One set of doctrine and dogma] one baptism, By water in the Trinity] 6 one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men."

Eph. 5: 23 Christ is the head of the church [singular] , his body, [singular]

1 Cor. 14: 12 “ So with yourselves; since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. [singular]

***Eph. 3: 9 “And to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10 that through the church singular] **the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, *

Don’t allow Satan to win friend. Your in my prayers,

Pat

 

[StillWondering]

Thanks for all the reading reccomendations. I’ve already purchased a Catechism of the Catholic Church, and I’ve even read through Catholicisim for Dummies. (Very informational) I took puzzleannie’s advice and decided to ask again. Instead of calling this time I went to daily mass and asked about it afterwards. Turns out whomever I asked last time was miss informed.

They don’t have any one to teach the class as of now, but they hope to have some one by October which is when it will first begin. Turns out the parish is quite small and hasn’t had any one ask about RCIA until just this last week. If they fail to find someone in time they will make arangments to place me at another nearby parish’s RCIA. So either way they told me they will find some way to get me started no later then October.

I am beyond excited! :extrahappy:

I’m so happy for you =).

As an aside, don’t hesitate to ask the hard or unique questions if any concerns are keeping you up at night. I mean it sounds like you may get a very personalized RCIA so take full advantage of the gift. Also, I bet the instructor will need encouragement since it can be daunting teaching someone on a personal level.

 

[puzzleannie]

actually it is normal to begin the faith journey whenever the candidate is ready, not on the schedule of the person who leads the class, but on the schedule set by the Holy Spirit who calls that candidate. New candidates should be accepted for informal Inquiry sessions at any time during the year, and when the candidate, pastor, and catechist agree he is ready, he can join the formal class, and prepare for the various rites which punctuate this process. That may mean, and usually does mean, different people in the group will celebrate various rites at different times, will journey at their own pace, and not all will necessarily be received into the Church at the same time. But no one should ever be told “call back in August”. there is a definite advantage to being part of group who are all in this process, there is also a very good side to being the only one. Either way, you are where you should be, and moving in the direction you should go.

Welcome home