eheheBeing a full time graduate student and wroking has taught me art of multi-tasking very well. I guess it’s splling over into my prayers now!
)
Of course, according to our faith, you were in His presence. Not just spiritually, but also physically.
I’m glad to hear that you have found a good Catholic parish where reverence is remembered. I’ve had the unfortunate experience of some that do not show any reverence.
Christ prayed that we would all remain one so He cannot be pleased with the divisions. However, we must always remember that God will always meet us where we are and loves us no matter what. There are blessings and graces for all in the world; each according to their condition. It is our belief that these blessings radiate out to them through the Church and their ultimate purpose is to lead everyone into her and, through her, to Him.
I am thrilled that you feel this way. I am also glad that you are being smart about it and continuing to seek the answers to your remaining questions. Like any religion, Catholicism is a faith and faith cannot be based solely, or even primarily, on how one feels about it. There have been times where I have not felt uplifted by my faith but I adhere to it because I believe it to be true. Many of the greatest Saints have recounted long periods of time where, after many personal experiences of God, they felt completely abandoned by Him. They knew it was not true but they felt that way. I seem to remember reading one who said that God does this to help remove the imperfect ideas that we have of Him; to better prepare them for the full and perfect glory of Him in Heaven.
Some do, some don’t, from what I understand. I don’t, and I’ve never known a Jew who does. From what I’ve learned over the years, it’s primarily the followers of Kabbalah that believe in reincarnation. (Although I’m definitely not an expert, so I might be wrong.)ehehe
by the way, i heard Jews believe in reincarnation. is this true? (suddenly i feel so ignorant
Thank you for the links. I’ve never heard of EWTN. I’m not sure, but I don’t think it’s avauilable in my area on TV or radio. I guess it’s because I live in the South. Tahnk you also for your encouraginf words. Yes, I defnintely plan to take my time with this and investigate everything thoroughly. As for eventually being a true believer in the Catholic faith, I’m not ready to say that yet, of course. I’ll just continue to say that I’m moving forward for now.By the way, have you ever had the chance to watch EWTN television or listed to EWTN radio? Great and solidly Catholic stuff 24 hours a day!
ewtn.com/tv/index.asp
ewtn.com/radio/index.asp
Of course, according to our faith, you were in His presence. Not just spiritually, but also physically.
I’m glad to hear that you have found a good Catholic parish where reverence is remembered. I’ve had the unfortunate experience of some that do not show any reverence.
Christ prayed that we would all remain one so He cannot be pleased with the divisions. However, we must always remember that God will always meet us where we are and loves us no matter what. There are blessings and graces for all in the world; each according to their condition. It is our belief that these blessings radiate out to them through the Church and their ultimate purpose is to lead everyone into her and, through her, to Him.
I am thrilled that you feel this way. I am also glad that you are being smart about it and continuing to seek the answers to your remaining questions. Like any religion, Catholicism is a faith and faith cannot be based solely, or even primarily, on how one feels about it. There have been times where I have not felt uplifted by my faith but I adhere to it because I believe it to be true. Many of the greatest Saints have recounted long periods of time where, after many personal experiences of God, they felt completely abandoned by Him. They knew it was not true but they felt that way. I seem to remember reading one who said that God does this to help remove the imperfect ideas that we have of Him; to better prepare them for the full and perfect glory of Him in Heaven.
The more you write about your experiences and how you are approaching them, the more I’m convinced you will eventually be a true believer in the Catholic faith. This is, of course, my own personal impression.
Hi,
At Mass this morning, the readings came from Acts. (I’m not really sure what chapter. The priest announced it, but I can’t remember. Sorry, I’m still new at this.) Thank you for tellng me about the tabernacle. I actually didn’t know about it. I assume it’s a type of container. (It can’t possibly be a tent, I know.) I’ll look for it tomorrow or Sunday. As far as “Charism” goes: That’s a spiritual gift, right? Or am I mistaken?
I checked their web site and I don’t see any listings for North Carolina. Don’t give up hope, though, they are based in Alabama!!!Thank you for the links. I’ve never heard of EWTN. I’m not sure, but I don’t think it’s avauilable in my area on TV or radio. I guess it’s because I live in the South. Tahnk you also for your encouraginf words. Yes, I defnintely plan to take my time with this and investigate everything thoroughly. As for eventually being a true believer in the Catholic faith, I’m not ready to say that yet, of course. I’ll just continue to say that I’m moving forward for now.
Wow, I’m surprised. I wouldn’t expect them to be based in the South. I’ll check them out on the Intenet.
Yup, way too addictive!Hi,
I hope you weren’t too late for your class. I know how addictive this forum can be.
Actually, when the Priest announces the reading, or the lector for that matter, they don’t announce the Chapter/Verse, just the book being read from, so you didn’t miss anything. That they read from Acts means they were following the standard readings, and didn’t vary at your parish for the St.'s day.
It’s a box which can be found in a fine metal or sometimes it has a glass front door (actually it should be glass, but I’ve seen it that way enough times, it may be at your parish). It’s where the consecrated hosts are held. This is what gives the Catholic Church that amazing presence when you walk in the door, because the Consecrated Eucharist is the actual presence of God. Isn’t that absolutely amazing! At every Mass we have the opportunity to witness the miracle of the window to time opened up to Eternity and Christ steps down to be present with us through the Eucharist. It doesn’t get much better than that, and yet he’s gentle and does it in such a subtle way that those who are not prepared for the truth can easily miss the significance of what is occurring and go about their day undisturbed.
Sorry about that, whipping my catholic vocabulary about like that on an unsuspecting stranger
Yes, Charism is a spiritual gift. The Church teaches that we each receive Charisms at baptism so we can state definitively that all the baptised have certain Charisms which are intended to build up the body of Christ. Not everyone has the same Charism(s), this is related to the economy of salvation. We are expected to work together to bring the entire world to salvation through the joint use of the Charisms we have been given. Charisms are also like super talents that are intended for the good of others, rather than for our own personal gain, and they cannot be misused because they are God given.
Thank you. I’llm look for it tomorrow. You’re attending a Catholic university? What are you studying? You said that Charisms are given by G-d at baptism, but is it possible that some people are given them before baptism? Does the Church teach this?Yup, way too addictive!
Actually, when the Priest announces the reading, or the lector for that matter, they don’t announce the Chapter/Verse, just the book being read from, so you didn’t miss anything. That they read from Acts means they were following the standard readings, and didn’t vary at your parish for the St.'s day.
It’s a box which can be found in a fine metal or sometimes it has a glass front door (actually it should be glass, but I’ve seen it that way enough times, it may be at your parish). It’s where the consecrated hosts are held. This is what gives the Catholic Church that amazing presence when you walk in the door, because the Consecrated Eucharist is the actual presence of God. Isn’t that absolutely amazing! At every Mass we have the opportunity to witness the miracle of the window to time opened up to Eternity and Christ steps down to be present with us through the Eucharist. It doesn’t get much better than that, and yet he’s gentle and does it in such a subtle way that those who are not prepared for the truth can easily miss the significance of what is occurring and go about their day undisturbed.
Sorry about that, whipping my catholic vocabulary about like that on an unsuspecting stranger
My class is a 2 hr drive away, so while it was still relatively early when I left for my evening course, I still only arrived with a bit of time to spare. We had a Mass before class to pray for the new Pope. It’s great that I’ve found a brand new Catholic University to attend. God is Good!
It’s interesting that you’re taking such an interest in Judaism as well. Have you heard of the Association of Hebrew Catholics? Several people here have recommended them to me. I don’t know how to insert links, but if you search back through the posts, you’ll see a link for them. You might want to check them out. They have an online Yahoo group. I joined it the other day. It’s been interesting so far. And yes, I love fiction. I looked these books up on Amazon.com, and they seem really interesting. I’ve actually seen them in Barnes and Noble before, but didn’t know what they were. I’ll add them to my list of books to read.
I’m attending the brand new University of Sacramento where I’m taking a course in “Foundations of Catholic Thought” by Dr. Kenneth Howell. The subject matter is excellent!
Argh, sorry about that, I meant to answer that question, since obviously you haven’t been baptized. The Church makes no specific statement regarding Charisms for those who have not been baptised, so it could be yes, no, maybe or some do, some don’t. I personally believe that at least some do and I say this because I’ve had some really excellent experiences / conversations with unbaptised people and at least some of these individuals appear to exhibit wonderful Charisms.
Perhaps God has given you the gift of tears …your going to have to find the reason for this in one of the old spiritual writers…it is very real and for a reason ! Like a continuous Baptism…a tenderness of heart…sensitivity to all that is good and a deep sadness over what is dark. Like the hearts of flesh that Christ spoke of…they are much deeper than sentimentalism or emotion…You may find writings on this in Evelyn Underhill’s book on Mysticism or in one of the Hebrew Mystics ! Remembering always that the spirit of God is in us…when it rises a little to the surface of our concious minds…than it is felt. **We do not always have awareness of the Holy Spirit praying within us but He does. **You continue to mention I feel…I did not feel etc. I think what you experience is deeper than feeling but comes to you through them.The soul already knows what we do not!! The contemplative nature always knows before they know what exactly it is they know. One needs stillness to listen…sitting before the Blessed Sacrament in receptivity before the living God so that He might bless us! We spend our lives trying to figure it all out and we all talk too much even to God…God knows what is in our hearts before we even open our mouths “Be still and know that I am God” “In stillness God is born” again that still small voice !
That class sounds interesting. I don’t know of any Catholic college classes around here. (It is North Carolina, after all.) About the Charisms: So basically my experiences could be Charisms, or maybe not?
Catherine S. said:
To pray for Jews (or others) as they prepare for their own religous services is pretty much a modern thing, however, it is (or at least it should be) the norm to pray for everyone to embrace Christ and the Church. I can remember prayers for Jews as Chanakka was starting, “that they come to see the light of Christ.”
I seem to remember hearing that title before but I haven’t read it myself.
I think this little “coincidence” is more of the Holy Spirit calling out to you. Not all churches read this particular prayer on this particular day for the Jews, although it would not be unusual for a prayer to be read for anyone, as it is our responsibility to pray for the entire world, Jews included.