Protestant Convert

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djglci6

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I have been Catholic for almost five years. I have been married to a cradle Catholic for almost 12 years now. We were married in the Church, and I attended semi-regularly until we settled down after my military service.

I became Catholic in a wonderful parish. It was so inviting and yet spiritually challenging at the same time. We had two children, one of which attended Catholic school there as well. I am a “logical” type of person, and I need the thought provoking elements of a good homily.

We have since moved, and life has become more interesting as we have had two more children. My two school aged children attend Catholic school, and the family attends the associated parish.

Being from a protestant background, I find that mass is very ritualistic, and it seems that priest keep the homily in the “middle of the road.” I find myself attending the Mass to provide a good example for my children. I am looking for the “challenge” and/or thought provoking homily. For the priests, to say “if you are using birth control, you are not inline with Church teachings.” Instead I feel like we are lectured each Mass, without much personal experience related in the homily. My wife and I have discussed this, and she feels I should remember the Eucharist is the important part of Mass. While I understand, I think because I am not a cradle Catholic, it is not the same for me in that way.

I am wanting more, and I guess for me I need to make it happen. I am just disappointed in the Catholic Churches around where we live. I am looking for the excitement about being Catholic and encouragement to evangelize. I know it is out there, but it seems very elusive depending on the parish and the priest. We have tried other churches, but must remain members of the one that supports our children’s school.

Do others feel this way? I am just way out there in my thinking? Any suggestions? I attend Mass generally twice a week, one weekday early morning and then Sunday. I am tired of feeling that I go …just to go!

Thanks!
 
Challenges are always good.

Most people would say, “hey, read this book, its very spiritually challenging” and they are right. Find a good one and read it if you like. The best challenge is getting to know yourself so that you may have knowledge about God. “Lord let me know myself so that I may know thee” - St. Augustine.

challenges or “hardships” come and go as the Lords wills for you. Remember Jesus said,

Matthew 11:29:
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
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what is a yoke? Its that device which is bound to the necks of a pair of oxen so you can steer them and make them do what you want them to do. So Jesus is saying that His yoke is light. That should be a relief! (compared to the old law).

If you want a challenge, try reading the first 8 chapters of Dark Night of a Soul and practice what St. John teaches.
 
I can see where you are coming from.

I have two small pieces of advice for you.

You have to realise that it’s not like protestant denominations’s services. The Mass is totally different. We don’t go there for anything other than to meet Jesus. Phyiscally present in the Eucharist, we go to Mass to worship the True, Living and Present God.

On top of that, the craces that yuo receive through thte Eucharist is worth such an incredible amount, that even if it is ritualistic and the homily is bland, we do not go there for “entertainment value”, we go there for a physical meeting with Christ.
That’s wonderfull!👍

You also have to look at the Mass differently. Research it and see that it is any Catholic’s Ultimate Prayer to God. The whole Mass is a prayer.

I hope this will help you see the Mass in a whole, different and exciting light!

In Christ,
PM.
 
djglci6 said:
I have been Catholic for almost five years. I have been married to a cradle Catholic for almost 12 years now. We were married in the Church, and I attended semi-regularly until we settled down after my military service.

I became Catholic in a wonderful parish. It was so inviting and yet spiritually challenging at the same time. We had two children, one of which attended Catholic school there as well. I am a “logical” type of person, and I need the thought provoking elements of a good homily.

We have since moved, and life has become more interesting as we have had two more children. My two school aged children attend Catholic school, and the family attends the associated parish.

Being from a protestant background, I find that mass is very ritualistic, and it seems that priest keep the homily in the “middle of the road.” I find myself attending the Mass to provide a good example for my children. I am looking for the “challenge” and/or thought provoking homily. For the priests, to say “if you are using birth control, you are not inline with Church teachings.” Instead I feel like we are lectured each Mass, without much personal experience related in the homily. My wife and I have discussed this, and she feels I should remember the Eucharist is the important part of Mass. While I understand, I think because I am not a cradle Catholic, it is not the same for me in that way.

I am wanting more, and I guess for me I need to make it happen. I am just disappointed in the Catholic Churches around where we live. I am looking for the excitement about being Catholic and encouragement to evangelize. I know it is out there, but it seems very elusive depending on the parish and the priest. We have tried other churches, but must remain members of the one that supports our children’s school.

Do others feel this way? I am just way out there in my thinking? Any suggestions? I attend Mass generally twice a week, one weekday early morning and then Sunday. I am tired of feeling that I go …just to go!

Thanks!
Click to expand...
When I have concerns, I try to offer my own abilities to make things a little better. How about starting a men’s Bible study? I understand your feelings concerning the priest. I have to admit that I’ve been in the ol’ parish doghouse a couple times for voicing my conservative/orthodox views. But, as a friend told me, sometimes the doghouse is the place to be. Do what you can and politely speak your mind to try to make your parish home a better place. You may not always have the perfect priest, but you are in the perfect Church–well, as perfect as we humans can manage!
 
HailMary said:
Challenges are always good.

Most people would say, “hey, read this book, its very spiritually challenging” and they are right. Find a good one and read it if you like. The best challenge is getting to know yourself so that you may have knowledge about God. “Lord let me know myself so that I may know thee” - St. Augustine.
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I am going to do just this, suggest a book, because this book helped me very much 🙂 I am a cradle Catholic and through this book came to a clear understanding and appreciation of the Mass that I had never known before.
The Lamb’s Supper, by Scott Hahn, explains the fulfillment and spirituality of the Mass so well. He compares Mass to heaven, on earth. If you have the time, read this book. It makes even the most “boring” Masses make sense, the most droning homilies make sense. The book is nihil obstat.
 
I will tell you for Lent, I am reading Scott Hahn’s book The Lamb’s Supper. I saw him a couple of weeks ago. What a remarkable story. Although he is married, I think he would make a wonderful priest. But I am glad for his talents.
 
I’m a convert myself, and would second what others have already written. Yes, the homilies could be better at times. But, the important thing is that the Mass is about worship. The Protestant churches had good preaching (the music I could have done without, or at least a little less), but I felt like there was something missing. In the Mass, we become one with Jesus in the Eucharist, which is what its all about. There are alot of good Catholic organizations to participate in, such as the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, etc.
As others have pointed out, dryness does happen from time to time, not just going to church, but even in personal prayer (read Dark Night of the Soul, as someone suggested). I think someone said that it was God’s gift to us, to draw us closer to him.
 
Remember you are at Mass to Worship God anything you get from the homily is just a bonus.

I would suggest putting yourself to the test. Sign up for Adoration once a week, start a Bible Study, look into Opus Dei, read the Church Fathers, etc…

Become the agent of change you are looking for in your Priest. If you rely on your parish Priest to challenge you, you may continue to be disappointed. There is so much richness and depth to the Catholic faith don’t let “middle of road” homilies bring you down.

I would bet your not the only one in your parish with this thought seek out others and make a difference.
 
I have to agree with the several previous posts. Mass is where heaven and earth meet. Indeed, read the “Lamb’s Supper” when you can along with other great talks about the Mass on CDs or even DVDs.

We don’t go to Mass to get something out of it. In reality, it’s what we put into the Mass that’s more important. This is what “confuses” a lot of people. They find Mass boring and decide to leave or what have you. You don’t leave your wife just because she gets boring. Na-uh, you’re there for better or worse. It’s the same thing with Mass… It’s never about the feeling.

I think (and don’t take my word for it, just give it a go) that understanding the Eucharist more would be helpful to you. But I do have to admit that there are boring homilies. Let the Holy Spirit help you out in times like these. 👍
 
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