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WoundedIcon
Guest
Well, it was the deacon, not the priest. But point still stands. And I cannot thank you enough for the support and citations, I was starting to feel steamrolled for a second there.
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waterbender
Guest
the problem with WoundedIcon is that he constantly posts complaints and “liturgical abuses” of a faith he is not fully a part of, and complains that he’s uncomfortable with it, yet wants to be a part of it.
Since WoundedIcon is not Catholic, he is still free to choose a branch of it that suits what he is looking for. In all of the threads that he complains about “liturgical abuse” in, he seems to want reverence in a worship service the most. Orthodox are pretty reverential, and if you don’t think so, please go visit a Byzantine Mass. 2 straight hours of standing, praying, genuflecting is something that puts Roman Catholics to shame.
I became RC because I love it and recognize its fullness in Faith. Others may only be drawn to other types of Catholic lineages. There is nothing wrong with that.
I do have a huge problem with WoundedIcon constantly griping about the Roman Catholic liturgy that he is not a part of yet, yet loves so much to complain about!
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WoundedIcon
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Whoa, hold on. I’m not attacking the liturgy itself. I just want it done well. I don’t want to drag the Church backwards by any means, but let’s face it we need a reconnection with our past in the light of the present (which is also a continuous part of tradition). But I shouldn’t have to keep explaining that I’m not seeing things after being defended by others so many times. And don’t thread jump man. I already know that RCIA is important, I don’t approve of just chucking people in the water like a Baptist (LOL), but I also know enough to know that the Church allows for pastors to meet with the individual and ascertain their level of spiritual maturity, and allows for someone to meet individuals in private to speed them along. I don’t see them doing that, I see them avoiding it or even worse assigning my strengths as flaws (!) When I came into the Church I basically got told for the first time by anybody to think less and stop being so smart. That’s ridiculous, assigning intellect to the realm of scruples. And that creates a horrible example for the non-Catholics I know, who would like to see us as mislead sheep to begin with.
Call me emo, I feel misunderstood
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Lapey
Guest
I’ve been following this thread from a distance, a safe distance. But I can’t help but feel for you. I must respectfully inform you of the way you come across, not emo, but arrogant and pompous. You’ve already had to apologize once, so instead of telling everyone how smart you are, including the Church and Her priests, be quiet and listen. Some of the people here are trying their very best with love to help you understand what is truth, try listening.Whoa, hold on. I’m not attacking the liturgy itself. I just want it done well. I don’t want to drag the Church backwards by any means, but let’s face it we need a reconnection with our past in the light of the present (which is also a continuous part of tradition). But I shouldn’t have to keep explaining that I’m not seeing things after being defended by others so many times. And don’t thread jump man. I already know that RCIA is important, I don’t approve of just chucking people in the water like a Baptist (LOL), but I also know enough to know that the Church allows for pastors to meet with the individual and ascertain their level of spiritual maturity, and allows for someone to meet individuals in private to speed them along. I don’t see them doing that, I see them avoiding it or even worse assigning my strengths as flaws (!) When I came into the Church I basically got told for the first time by anybody to think less and stop being so smart. That’s ridiculous, assigning intellect to the realm of scruples. And that creates a horrible example for the non-Catholics I know, who would like to see us as mislead sheep to begin with.
Call me emo, I feel misunderstood
RCIA is necessary, not just “important”. There are very few instances where this process will be circumvented, including your case. Go to the classes and come into the faith properly and with the knowledge of what you are becoming a part of. You need it because you must learn to die to self and be that follower of Jesus Christ and His Church. Chances are you will never lead the Church, but you can grow into a leader in the Church. Google early Christian heretics, you will find many strong minded intelligent people from the past just like some today who listen to their intellect and not the Spirit of God.
You have an awesome opportunity, don’t make this about you, it must always be about Jesus.
If you care to converse with me, send me a PM note.
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Spirithound
Guest
I disagree that people are “free” to choose a branch of Christianity that suits what they’re looking for. Being Catholic is the only true choice, regardless of the reverence shown by the Orthodox.
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TevereNauta
Guest
As someone who went into RCIA thinking I ‘knew it all’ about Catholicism, and as someone who came out realizing I had only just begun my spiritual journey to Christ, let me tell you Wounded that you are in this case mistaken. RCIA is an excellent program for many reasons, but primarily because it pertains to matters of the Spirit and God. We are not talking about being put in Algebra 1A when you clearly have the ability do do Trigonometry. We are talking about Our Lord adding an enitrely new spiritual dimension to your very soul. You don’t bubble in the answers and get a score, you approach the Lord and give him a chance to work on you, through his Church, and this is – at the very, very least-- a one to two year process. Personally my own RCIA journey took two years, I was anxious at first, but with time have come to realize that was a bare minimum for me to grow in Faith.
All that said, I think this thread has served its purpose and indeed gone beyond it. We have established that there is no ‘Liturgical Abuse’ to speak of at your parish. Now, the thread is devolving into a sort of ongoing critique of your parish and of the Church – you have been given much excellent advice, but rather than digest it prayerfully this thread limps on and on. Therefore, although my prayers are with you during your discernment, I think this thread should be closed before it continues to devolve into navel gazing and totally unhelpful and uncharitable comments. God bless you.
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nickybr38
Guest
Intellectually my RCIA experience was completely useless. I didn’t learn a thing about the Catholic Church… BUT I’m glad I went and I’m glad I went through it because I had SO much to learn about myself and SO MUCH humbling that I had to undergo.
Being in a room full of Catholics who know nothing about Catholicism isn’t easy but they still had a lot to teach me.
It was an invaluable experience but we’re still in the last few weeks and I think God has rewarded me for my patience because he’s sent me a wonderful new priest to teach us! It’s very exciting!
Anyway, I encourage you (OP) to go to RCIA. I know you’re on fire and you just want to be jump in BUT RCIA will do a few things. 1. It will allow you to form an RCIA family. A small group of people within the parish that are yours! 2. It will teach you other valuable things outside of the intellect. 3. It’s a great test of patience.
You know, the early Christians (not Bible Christians but early Christians) had to undergo YEARS of training before they were allowed to be confirmed into the Church. I wouldn’t complain about a few months of RCIA remembering what our fellow Catholics had to go through.
Being in a room full of Catholics who know nothing about Catholicism isn’t easy but they still had a lot to teach me.
It was an invaluable experience but we’re still in the last few weeks and I think God has rewarded me for my patience because he’s sent me a wonderful new priest to teach us! It’s very exciting!
Anyway, I encourage you (OP) to go to RCIA. I know you’re on fire and you just want to be jump in BUT RCIA will do a few things. 1. It will allow you to form an RCIA family. A small group of people within the parish that are yours! 2. It will teach you other valuable things outside of the intellect. 3. It’s a great test of patience.
You know, the early Christians (not Bible Christians but early Christians) had to undergo YEARS of training before they were allowed to be confirmed into the Church. I wouldn’t complain about a few months of RCIA remembering what our fellow Catholics had to go through.
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TrueLight
Guest
Hi WoundedIcon,
The first thing you have to do is take a deep breath.
That’s what I was told to do by the RCIA director when I was complaining about my baptism or lack thereof and not being able to take communion.
He was right.
Like you, I feel Catholic in my heart and I try my best to keep sacraments that technically I don’t have to keep yet. Like you, I haven’t begun RCIA yet and I am fairly sure when I start in the fall, I will know more than the majority of the candidates and catechumens.
I feel all fired up and impatient to start.
This process is teaching me humility. And yes, like me, I believe you struggle with humility. When you’re smart, and a go-getter. it’s hard to be humble.
My advice to you is to ask questions yes, but ask them with humility as one who wants to learn. Do you see grave abuses? Then sure, ask in this forum if they are abuses. But your focus should be on absorbing this wonderful Catholic faith and thinking of ways you can more serve our Lord.
Just recently, the RCIA director, as a way of consoling me, suggested that I go up for a blessing during communion so I won’t feel so bad about not receiving. Now you know this is a hot topic on this board. So I said, “Oh. I thought that wasn’t permissible.” He said he thinks it varies by parish but they do it in this particular parish. I could have gone on about why I think it’s wrong, but all I did was nod and thank him for encouraging me.
My primary purpose is not to debate him, but to be humble, learn and one day be confirmed.
So shift your focus from identifying abuses to meeting Jesus in the mass.
Visit different parishes. You may find one that really feels like home.
The first thing you have to do is take a deep breath.
That’s what I was told to do by the RCIA director when I was complaining about my baptism or lack thereof and not being able to take communion.
He was right.
Like you, I feel Catholic in my heart and I try my best to keep sacraments that technically I don’t have to keep yet. Like you, I haven’t begun RCIA yet and I am fairly sure when I start in the fall, I will know more than the majority of the candidates and catechumens.
I feel all fired up and impatient to start.
This process is teaching me humility. And yes, like me, I believe you struggle with humility. When you’re smart, and a go-getter. it’s hard to be humble.
My advice to you is to ask questions yes, but ask them with humility as one who wants to learn. Do you see grave abuses? Then sure, ask in this forum if they are abuses. But your focus should be on absorbing this wonderful Catholic faith and thinking of ways you can more serve our Lord.
Just recently, the RCIA director, as a way of consoling me, suggested that I go up for a blessing during communion so I won’t feel so bad about not receiving. Now you know this is a hot topic on this board. So I said, “Oh. I thought that wasn’t permissible.” He said he thinks it varies by parish but they do it in this particular parish. I could have gone on about why I think it’s wrong, but all I did was nod and thank him for encouraging me.
My primary purpose is not to debate him, but to be humble, learn and one day be confirmed.
So shift your focus from identifying abuses to meeting Jesus in the mass.
Visit different parishes. You may find one that really feels like home.
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WoundedIcon
Guest
I’m managing to put words to the core of my concerns as time and prayer go on. My problem is that I see Jesus as a patient, mighty, just, and merciful King but when I go to Mass at this parish I find that aspect of Him highly obscured by a more comfortable and “meek and mild buddy” view of Him. I find the atmosphere of the liturgy and the actions of the clergy and congregation too skewed towards a soft and happy Jesus, and from His dealings with me in life and from my theological knowledge I find that to be unbalanced. I mean, the musical recommendations are there, and the new English translation is coming about, because there’s been too much of a focus on the horizontal and communal aspects of religious life. They’re there to restore a more vertical, regal, and sacrificial aspect to our Masses.
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carletoncath
Guest
I searched for the fullness of the Catholic Faith, for years, left protestantism, always interested in the Catholic Church, bought a house with a Catholic church around the corner and came to the conclusion I had better really get serious about the Faith. Weekly sessions with Priest for a number of months but he never really talked about the Faith in the way that I had read about the Church’s past, tradition, etc. Masses were atrocious, less reverence than what I had left in protestant church, etc. I found the SSPX and began instruction with a traditional Priest, wow!!! I had found the fullness of the Catholic faith, I found that which had inspired the great Saints of all the ages and that which strengthened the Martyrs, I’m surrounded by people who live and practice the faith 24/7. I underwent instruction, made my abjuration and profession of Faith, received absolution from excommunication (I was a heretic), received conditional baptism and made my first confession with conditional absolution and then received my Lord, kneeling and on the tongue in Holy Communion from the hands of the priest and only the priest. The Catholic Faith is the most treasured gift from God and I thank Him every day for the majesty and beauty of our Faith. Deo gratias!
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WoundedIcon
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As an introvert I thought I’d fit right in with the more solemn, ritualistic, philisophical, theological, and artistic aspects of the religion. But I find myself being discouraged from these things as time goes by, from even my clergy. I get treated like some kind of OCD walking encyclopedia whenever I say something about theology, etc. I have deep and unique insights because I’m analytical, young or not, so I’m tired of being encouraged to shush them up and be more about the “heart”. Which means what anyways? social justice, community, extroversion, and emotion? 
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WoundedIcon
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Not that there’s anything wrong with those things, per se. But it’s not how I function. I would be much more helpful behind the scenes…
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Spirithound
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I’d like to reiterate my advice to try out the other parishes around you.As an introvert I thought I’d fit right in with the more solemn, ritualistic, philisophical, theological, and artistic aspects of the religion. But I find myself being discouraged from these things as time goes by, from even my clergy. I get treated like some kind of OCD walking encyclopedia whenever I say something about theology, etc. I have deep and unique insights because I’m analytical, young or not, so I’m tired of being encouraged to shush them up and be more about the “heart”. Which means what anyways? social justice, community, extroversion, and emotion?
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WoundedIcon
Guest
I have been looking around, but my grandmother is the only one who can drive here and she’s been sick so I’ve had to put it off. Perhaps today I’ll go to the vigil at another parish, God willing. Not to mention, weekday masses don’t always give the full impression, so I’ll have to stick to Saturdays and Sundays if I want a good taste of what a parish is like.
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WoundedIcon
Guest
OK folks, everything’s all good. Found a more traditional parish nearby. Had to practically beg my gma to get there, but 'twas worth it.
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