Questions from a returning Catholic

  • Thread starter Thread starter C2M2C
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Well I think it has more to do with the promises made in Mormonism. Again, Mormonism (as I stated in another thread) makes BIG promises. So after all of these years believing what was taught about the celestial kingdom, “time and all eternity” and “together forever” it’s hard to get over thinking of Heaven from a different perspective or that it’s even not going to be what I thought it was.
Yes, I understand what you are saying. Thankfully, you’re getting good answers here.
 
I have noticed that Catholics have mutliple bibles. The instructor at RCIA last Thursday held up a bible in class and said that he really liked this “version”.
How many are there, what are the differences, and why?
As an addendum to the discussion on Bible Versions, just make sure that any Bible you get has the “imprimatur” in it. You should find this on the copyright page in the front of the Bible. It means that the version has been reviewed and approved by the Church.

Peace
James
 
The New American Bible is used on the Vatican web site. So my suggestion would be if you have questions regarding the different publications, use what the vatican offers as a basis until you have become familier with others and can compare and understand them. The doctrines are all the same regardless.
 
The New American Bible is used on the Vatican web site. So my suggestion would be if you have questions regarding the different publications, use what the vatican offers as a basis until you have become familier with others and can compare and understand them. The doctrines are all the same regardless.
That is true. Of course if a person is use to the KJV, they may find the Duoay-Rheims (sp?) to be a nice fit for the language etc.

Peace
James
 
From the time of our death, until the Last Judgment, only our souls will be in heaven, purgatory, or hell (assuming of course that we don’t live until the Last Judgment). At the Last Judgment, our bodies will be resurrected and reunited with our souls, and we will have a glorified body.
JMJ,
Purgatory always makes me think God can’t make up his mind about you. What passage in the Bible teaches the doctrine of Purgatory? Are you referring to the rewards a person will receive when they get to heaven?
When a person repents of their sins , the Lord forgives you. 🙂

God bless,
jean8
 
JMJ,
Purgatory always makes me think God can’t make up his mind about you. What passage in the Bible teaches the doctrine of Purgatory? Are you referring to the rewards a person will receive when they get to heaven?
When a person repents of their sins , the Lord forgives you. 🙂
God bless, jean8
Hi Jean!

It sounds like you know very little about Purgatory. It’s probably best to say nothing until you have at least educated yourself just a little bit - doncha think? Read this from the Library section at the top of the page:

catholic.com/library/Purgatory.asp

Sudden and unexpected death might not allow for repenting of all sins in this life. Just as a thought experiment, what do you think happens to the sins of those who die suddenly and unexpectedly - before they have an opportunity to repent?
Here are your choices:

A) They are not forgiven because they were not repented of.

B) They are forgiven even if they arent repented of - we dont really need to repent to be forgiven!

C) There is a form of repentence which can occur after death and that is how they are forgiven.

Please be sure to include some irrefutable bible verses to support whatever your position happens to be…
 
It seems like you have gotten a lot of good answers already, so I won’t go into the deeper theological questions you asked so much. But as a convert myself, I htought maybe I could help a little…
2- Where can I get a good description of what the significance is of the rituals/process of Mass? We are getting to it in two weeks in RCIA but my wife would like to know now if we are planning on going to Mass for the next two weeks.
I used the book The How to Mass Book by Dubriel. It is published by Our Sunday Visitor. There are many others out there for both adults and children. Do take care that the book you choose presents the from of the Mass you actually are attending. (If you are attending the ordinary reformed liturgy, sometimes called the Novus Ordo, you wouldn’t benefit as much from a book about the Tridentine Latin Mass.) It’s also good to look for the Imprimatur, indicating it is in keeping with Catholic doctrine.
5- Mass has been very comfortable for me because I’ve been there, however for my wife it’s been a little overwhelming. She has enjoyed RCIA but other than that she’s not as up to speed as I am so hearing from other Mormons that have joined the Catholic church would be (and has been) helpful. So she and I are very interested in hearing more stories from Mormons. If you would like to share please either respond here or PM us.
I spent some time in the Mormon Church while wandering about in search of the truth. However, I was not raised Mormon and my association was relatively short lived. I had pretty much left all Christian faith behind by the time I found God in the Catholic Church, so I am not sure how much my story will help your wife. At least, I suppose, I have a decent understanding of Mormon teachings.

My conversion began with an encounter with Christ in a Eucharistic Adoration chapel. For whatever reason, in one of my life’s darkest hours and at the moment I had the least faith, I ended up there sitting respectfully next to a friend who was insisting on praying for my husband, who was in ICU at the time. God chose that moment to, metaphorically speaking, hit me upside the head with a two by four. (It pretty much flattened me.) For whatever reason, I can’t explain how or why, I simply came to know with every fiber of my being that He was there in that chapel. I have since learned that this sort of supernaturally revealed private knowledge is called a locution. As illogical as it was, I couldn’t shake this certain knowledge. Having found Him present in the Eucharist, the doctrine of which I didn’t yet have a clue about, I could turn no where else but the Catholic Church. I was received into the Church through RCIA the next Easter.

The visiting teachers from the local Mormon ward still contact me fairly regularly. I have not lied to them-- I told her up front that I was now Catholic and had no intention of leaving the Catholic Church. However, I also told her she was welcome to continue coming to my home. She checks on me from time to time, and I still have a number of friends in the ward that I count dear. One thing the Mormons definitely seem to have down is true charity. I have seen it in action many a time.

I would suggest to your wife just what the Mormon missionaries once suggested to me–ask God in your heart of hearts to reveal the truth to you. Perhaps it won’t be so dramatic as it was for me (for your sake, I certainly hope it isn’t–it was a pretty frightening moment in my life). But if you persist in faith praying and trying to discern the truth with the help of the Holy Spirit, He will not abandon you.

Peace & God bless!
 
Does anyone have a good source on the changes that JS made to the KJB and how it now compares to Catholic bibles or even the original text of the KJB?
 
Been out for awhile. This place got to be a little too addicting so I had to take a break;)

My wife and I have been going to RCIA and she says that she understands that she is in the right place but she is expecting a light bulb to turn on. Although I’m sure that’s possible, I doubt that is the type of answer to her prayers that she will get.

What I’m looking for is what to tell her. Paul & Rebecca, I assume you will have excellent insight and advice.

I’ll look forward to hearing from any or all of you.

Thanks
 
Does anyone have a good source on the changes that JS made to the KJB and how it now compares to Catholic bibles or even the original text of the KJB?
I’d like to follow up on this as well. I submitted this about two months ago and didn’t get a response.

Anyone?
 
Mormonism teach that there is a “Plan of Salvation”. What do Catholics believe? What is the plan? Was the fall of Adam planned? If not then what was the plan? Why are we here?
At the top of the page, you’ll see a link for a little booklet from Catholic Answers entitled, “Pillar of fire, Pillar of truth”.

I think CA will send you a free copy if you request it.
 
I’d like to follow up on this as well. I submitted this about two months ago and didn’t get a response.

Anyone?
Didn’t the Tanners or Deckers write some good books on this several years ago?

You should be able to find them by a Google search or by checking Amazon.
 
Since I have not read the entire thread, I may be repeating this
information. There have been converts and reverts from Mormanism on “The Journey Home” check out the website for
past programs on the website for the show
%between%
Also check out chnetwork.org
I know that one of the converts was a Priest whose story was very
interesting.
 
C2M2C, my lightbulb, after I converted from Southern Baptist to Catholic, was at Eucharisitc Adoration. If you and your wife have not made Eucharistic Adoration a part of your daily or weekly prayer life, let me recommend it to you. Eucharistic Adoration allows me to slow down and let jesus “breathe” on me.
In His service,
Stan
 
Hi Jean!

It sounds like you know very little about Purgatory. It’s probably best to say nothing until you have at least educated yourself just a little bit - doncha think? Read this from the Library section at the top of the page:

catholic.com/library/Purgatory.asp

Sudden and unexpected death might not allow for repenting of all sins in this life. Just as a thought experiment, what do you think happens to the sins of those who die suddenly and unexpectedly - before they have an opportunity to repent?
Here are your choices:

A) They are not forgiven because they were not repented of.

B) They are forgiven even if they arent repented of - we dont really need to repent to be forgiven!

C) There is a form of repentence which can occur after death and that is how they are forgiven.

Please be sure to include some irrefutable bible verses to support whatever your position happens to be…
How about 1Cor.3:14-15 “If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15, if it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping the flames.”
do you have additional passges to add to this teaching?

God bless,
jean8

I just found the other letter on Purgatory. I’ll read it later. 🙂
 
For anyone who didn’t read my first thread; in short order I am a Catholic who at 18 converted to Mormonism and now 18 years later am contemplating a return to Catholicism. I am 4 weeks into RCIA (with my temple married wife) and just returned from my second week of mass in 18 years. My earlier thread was closed due to getting off topic (Mormons & Catholics not getting along:) ) The thread was started so my wife and I could ask questions which I would like to now get started again.

(Snip)

4- I have asked this before but need some elaboration. Marriage for time and all eternity- I am having a hard time (as is my wife) imagining a Heaven where we don’t have the relationships that we have now. i.e my family. Help me understand the nature of Heaven because to be honest thinking that I will not be married to my wife and have the parent relationship with my kids (or parents and brother for that matter) is quite a let down.
C2M2C,
I am reading a wonderful Book Called “The Fullfillment of All Desire” which is, “a guidebook for the journey to God…” In it I ran across a passage, From God through St. Catherine of Sienna. I wish to point out that St Catherine of Sienna is, not only a saint, but is also a Doctor of the Church.
The Following passage is an exerpt from Her book,“Dialoge”, so called because it is written as a dialoge between herself and God. It involves certain revelations God made to her as to the true state of reality, heaven and hell. I discovered that this is also recorded on THIS WEBSITE.

I am posting it here as it pertains directly to your concern vis-a-vis eternal marriage and other relationships.
Because they have lived in love of Me and of the neighbor, united together with the general love, and the particular, which, moreover, both proceed from the same love. And they rejoice and exult, participating in each other’s good with the affection of love, besides the universal good that they enjoy altogether. And they rejoice and exult with the angels with whom they are placed, according to their diverse and various virtues in the world, being all bound in the bonds of love. And they have a special participation with those whom they closely loved with particular affection in the world, with which affection they grew in grace, increasing virtue, and the one was the occasion to the other of manifesting the glory and praise of My name, in themselves and in their neighbor; and, in the life everlasting, they have not lost their love, but have it still, participating closely, with more abundance, the one with the other, their love being added to the universal good, and I would not that you should think that they have this particular good, of which I have told you, for themselves alone, for it is not so, but it is shared by all the proved citizens, My beloved sons, and all the angels—for, when the soul arrives at eternal life, all participate in the good of that soul, and the soul in their good.
In addition the Dialoge goes on to say that those in heaven do not lose their special relationships with those still on earth.
And their desires forever cry out to Me, for the salvation of the whole world. And because their life ended in the love of the neighbor, they have not left it behind, but, with it, they will pass through the Door, My only-begotten Son in the way that I will relate to you. So you see that in those bonds of love in which they finished their life, they go on and remain eternally. They are conformed so entirely to My will, that they cannot desire except what I desire, because their free-will is bound in the bond of love, in such a way that, time failing them, and, dying in a state of grace, they cannot sin any more. And their will is so united with Mine, that a father or a mother seeing their son, or a son seeing his father or his mother in Hell, do not trouble themselves, and even are contented to see them punished as My enemies. Wherefore in nothing do they disagree with Me, and their desires are all satisfied. The desire of the blessed is to see My honor in you wayfarers, who are pilgrims, forever running on towards the term of death. In their desire for My honor, they desire your salvation, and always pray to Me for you, which desire is fulfilled by Me, when you ignorant ones do not resist My mercy.
I hope this will be of some help and comfort to you.

Peace
James
 
I would like to commend both you and your wife on making the decision to come home. May God bless your journey.

I would like to add a little something concerning Mass. You mentioned using your time at your service to contemplate Jesus and to ask for forgiveness and wondered how Catholics do their “house cleaning.”

I would strongly recommend you get Scott Hahn’s book, The Lambs Supper. It changed my understanding of the Mass - profoundly.

The Mass is a time where heaven meets the earth! Prior to Mass beginning, we usually take time to pray, to prepare ourselves to enter into that Holy Sacrifice. We think about our past week and barring any mortal sin, we ask for mercy and forgiveness and we also enter into Thanksgiving for the sacrifice that Jesus made for us.

During the Penitential Rite at the beginning of Mass, that’s were we ask for forgiveness for things we have done and things we have not done and we again ask for mercy.

The Mass does not forgive motal sins but will forgive venial sins. If anyone is aware of mortal sin, that person should not receive the Eucharist until they have confessed that mortal sin in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Any venial sins are forgiven and you may receive the Eucharist.

After reception of the Eucharist, prayers of thanksgiving, praise and worship are appropriate. We also take this time to pray that Christ will fill our hearts with His presence and enable us to be more aware of other’s needs and that we may be Christ to others.
We also pray that we may be more able to live as Christ intended us to live.

The Mass is the summit of our Catholic faith. We are present at the foot of the cross at Christ’s sacrifice (that’s why it’s more than just a remembrance). We are present at the wedding feast (Rev.) and we get to live that perpetual sacrifice everyday for eternity! The entirety of our Catholic faith is in the Mass.
 
C2M2C,
I am reading a wonderful Book Called “The Fullfillment of All Desire” which is, “a guidebook for the journey to God…” In it I ran across a passage, From God through St. Catherine of Sienna. I wish to point out that St Catherine of Sienna is, not only a saint, but is also a Doctor of the Church.
The Following passage is an exerpt from Her book,“Dialoge”, so called because it is written as a dialoge between herself and God. It involves certain revelations God made to her as to the true state of reality, heaven and hell. I discovered that this is also recorded on THIS WEBSITE.

I am posting it here as it pertains directly to your concern vis-a-vis eternal marriage and other relationships.

In addition the Dialoge goes on to say that those in heaven do not lose their special relationships with those still on earth.

I hope this will be of some help and comfort to you.

Peace
James
I read it. by Scott Haun.

jean8
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top