Questions from a returning Catholic

[C2M2C]

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.

1- My mom lights candles at church for my brother who died 2 years ago, what’s the significance?

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.

3- As a Mormon when we take the sacrament (bread & water) each week at church we are supposed to contemplate Christ and be in remembrance of him. It is also good practice to ponder over our actions that week and repent accordingly. At that time I am usually asking to be able to remember the things that I have done that may require repentance so I can “come clean”. I imagine that there are many things that I have missed or over looked over the years and I am wondering does Christs atonement (that’s what Mormons call it) cover all of the things that we miss or are we expected to clean it all up on a regular basis?

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.

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.

That does it for now- we’ll be back

 

[C2M2C]

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?

 

[Pax]

C2M2C,

Welcom home and to Catholic Answers Forums. I will pray for you in your walk. You have many questions and all deserve in depth answers. I will give you summary statements because that is all that time and space allow.

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.

1- My mom lights candles at church for my brother who died 2 years ago, what’s the significance?

The lighting of the candle is associated with prayer and sacrifice, and the light of the candle represents the light of Christ. The prayer and sacrifice are offered for the repose of the soul of the deceased loved one. It is something we do on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

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.

You can start with these articles:
catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0109sbs.asp
catholic.com/thisrock/2006/0604fea2.asp

You can also go to the following website that lists some books:
catholicfreeshipping.com/cfs_mass.html

3- As a Mormon when we take the sacrament (bread & water) each week at church we are supposed to contemplate Christ and be in remembrance of him. It is also good practice to ponder over our actions that week and repent accordingly. At that time I am usually asking to be able to remember the things that I have done that may require repentance so I can “come clean”. I imagine that there are many things that I have missed or over looked over the years and I am wondering does Christs atonement (that’s what Mormons call it) cover all of the things that we miss or are we expected to clean it all up on a regular basis?

Catholics would say both. We must repent and confess our sins regularly. Our minor sins are forgiven us and we make a non-specific confession acknowledging our sins at the beginning of mass. It is subsequent to this that we receive the Eucharist at mass.

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.

Scripture indicates that men and women do not take each other in marriage in heaven. In Matthew 22:30, Jesus says, “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.”

This does not mean that all relationships are cut off. It merely means that the glories of heaven so far exceed the glories of our present relationships that we will not be engaged in relationships in the same ways that we are now. They will actually be better and far beyond our present comprehension. Human terms and experience will simply no longer be of much interest to us. Heaven will make such things appear as weak shadows in the transforming light that God provides in heaven.

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 do not share a past Mormon history and experience so I cannot add anything from that perspective. I would say, however, that converts all have prior religious histories that can present both helps and challenges.

May the Lord bless you and your family.

That does it for now- we’ll be back

 

[Tantum_ergo]

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.

1- My mom lights candles at church for my brother who died 2 years ago, what’s the significance? It is a pious custom. The light symbolizes our belief in the light of Christ, who has gone before us in death, and whose resurrection we hope to share.

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. It’s a long read but here is a link to the GIRM (General Instructions for the Rite of Mass) usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml and it is right from the site of the US Catholic bishops.

3- As a Mormon when we take the sacrament (bread & water) each week at church we are supposed to contemplate Christ and be in remembrance of him. It is also good practice to ponder over our actions that week and repent accordingly. At that time I am usually asking to be able to remember the things that I have done that may require repentance so I can “come clean”. I imagine that there are many things that I have missed or over looked over the years and I am wondering does Christs atonement (that’s what Mormons call it) cover all of the things that we miss or are we expected to clean it all up on a regular basis? You’ll probably discuss this at RCIA. You were already baptized; a nonbaptized person coming into the Church and being baptized will have complete remission of all sins committed until the time of baptism; sins committed afterward are confessed to the priest. Most likely you will make a ‘General Confession’ where you give your most intelligent guess as to the number of nature of all sins through your life and ‘any mortal sins which you may have forgotten’. Thereafter, Catholics are obligated to go to confession at least once a year; if one is guilty of mortal sin one goes to confession as quickly as possible, not forgetting to try to make a perfect act of contrition until one can get to confession. So yes, you will examine your conscience for sin and ‘take care of it on a regular basis.’ This is one of the Church’s greatest gifts.

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. You will not ‘lose the relationship’. Your brothers and parents will not cease to be your brothers and parents. You and your wife will not ‘lose’ the love you have had. But you will no longer live as husband and wife because the main purpose for husband and wife was the procreation of children. There will no more procreation in heaven. But there will be something better. . .'eye has not seen, nor ear has heard, what God has ready for those who love him."

Do you remember that your marriage vows actually included the phrase, “till death do us part?” (That is why a widow or widower can ‘marry again’ by God’s laws; the marriage has ‘ended’ with death.) But of course, the love of the spouses goes on. You and your wife will still love each other, care for each other, even have the bond of children, grandchildren, etc. who will also love and recognize you . . .but there will be new ‘roles’ to play. Since there is no further need of children there is no further need of marriage but that doesn’t mean you and your wife will never love each other the way you do now. You will. There won’t be something called ‘marriage’ in heaven, but you’ll have something better. Trust me.

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.

That does it for now- we’ll be back

 

[Pax]

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?

There is certainly a plan of salvation. There is also a lot of mystery associated with God’s plan because no one has ever known the mind of the Lord[1 Cor 2:16]

It can reasonably be stated that God examined all of the possibilities in creating man, and that in his wisdom he created man and all things according to His divine plan. This means that His plan grants to man the “image and likeness” of God. It also means that God knew that man would fall, but that He “allowed” it because of the greater work and glory of redemption.

We are here because God is the essence of love. Moreover, His love is creative in nature and outcome. God’s love is shared with mankind and the angels. Creatures that are created by God are, in their nature, inferior to God. The distance between God’s creatures and God is enormous, yet he loves us anyway and he wishes to be in relationship with us.

Our current lives are a test and a preparation for eternity with God. We can accept God and His merciful work of love and redemption or we can choose ourselves. That is why we are here. Our purpose is to be in relationship with God in this life so that we can be in a permanent and eternal relationship with him in heaven.

 

[JRKH]

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.

1- My mom lights candles at church for my brother who died 2 years ago, what’s the significance?

You have already received some good answers on this so I will only echo them. The Candles are really only a ritualistic object rather than a sacramental one. It is an “outward sign” of our inner devotion and prayer.
Here is a more general article on Candles that you might find interesting.

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.

See Articles previously posted.

3- As a Mormon when we take the sacrament (bread & water) each week at church we are supposed to contemplate Christ and be in remembrance of him. It is also good practice to ponder over our actions that week and repent accordingly. At that time I am usually asking to be able to remember the things that I have done that may require repentance so I can “come clean”. I imagine that there are many things that I have missed or over looked over the years and I am wondering does Christs atonement (that’s what Mormons call it) cover all of the things that we miss or are we expected to clean it all up on a regular basis?

I would say that anything we honestly miss is forgiven in a general absolution. Of course if we later remember something (Especially something serious) we should confess it as soon as we can. As for Christ’s atonement covering things, yes it covers all, but we must remember that we are to wed are life and sufferings to Christ so that we live and suffer with him.

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.

It’s very difficult to “explain heaven”.
My sense is that most people (myself included) tend to think of it too much in earthly terms.
Those in heaven are in the presence of Pure ultimate Power and Pure Ultimate Good, and Pure Ultimate Love embodied in our Father and all the Saints around them.
They have no need of such earthly trappings as family, friendships, food, reproduction or any of the other trappings of life on earth.
Rather we will be so joined together with our fellow Saints and the Holy Host that each soul will be more intimately attached to each other than anything we could concieve on earth. Once we reach heaven, our jobs as parents will be finished. We will not be parents, but rather all be children of the one God in Heaven. Thus all men and women will be Brothers in Christ, whether we are parents, children, aunts uncles, or whatever while on earth.
Of course, if one gets to heaven and wishes for their marriage to continue, I’m sure our dear Lord could accomodate them.
Hope some of this helps.

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.

That does it for now- we’ll be back

Be patient with her, there is a lot to absorb. God be with you.

Peace
James

 

[JRKH]

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?

Since I am totally unaquainted with what the Mormon idea of a “Plan of Salvation” is I’m not sure how to approach this.
God’s plans are beyond our full comprehension.
Man was created with a Free will. Adam and Eve used that Free will to disobey God and thus the fall occurred. Have you ever told a child not to do something and known in your heart that they would probably do it anyway? Did you plan the disobedience, or did the Child excersize his free will in disobeying you? Jesus came to restore us to God. This He did through the Cross and Resurection. However we still have free will and it is up to us whether we accept this redemption.
We are here to do our best to implement the 2 great commandments. Love God and Love neighbor. To do this we are called out of the world to Live Holy Lives in Christ.

Peace
James

 

[FCEGM]

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.

C2 and Mrs. C2 - although from the title you will see the book is directed especially at an Evangelical audience, the book Evangelical Is Not Enough by Thomas Howard gives an excellent presentation on the Mass and the rituals and symbolism involved.

Another very helpful book on the Mass would be Scott Hahn’s The Lamb’s Supper.

 

[RebeccaJ]

1- My mom lights candles at church for my brother who died 2 years ago, what’s the significance?

You have received good answers on this one. I will only add that as others come into a church to pray, they see the candles lit and pray for those intentions as well as their own.

3- As a Mormon when we take the sacrament (bread & water) each week at church we are supposed to contemplate Christ and be in remembrance of him. It is also good practice to ponder over our actions that week and repent accordingly. At that time I am usually asking to be able to remember the things that I have done that may require repentance so I can “come clean”. I imagine that there are many things that I have missed or over looked over the years and I am wondering does Christs atonement (that’s what Mormons call it) cover all of the things that we miss or are we expected to clean it all up on a regular basis?

This is the process of Reconciliation. First you search your own conscience and then you go to confession, where the priest is acting for Christ, who forgives your sins. How often you go to confession is up to you.

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.

Let me put it this way. If you look at our Marian devotions, they are entirely based on the fact that we believe that Jesus’ Mother is in a special relationship with her Son, still, today. That of: Mother.

We see the Holy Family, at the birth of Jesus. Escaping to Egypt. Finding they had left their Son behind and going to find Him teaching in the Temple. These were actions of a FAMILY.

Later, it is Mary who prompts Jesus to perform the first miracle we see recorded, that of turning the water to wine. She is there at the foot of the Cross, mourning the death of her Son.

As Catholics, we believe that she was assumed into heaven, and is eternally there, as close to her Son in death as she was in life. And so we ask her to pray for us on our behalf.

If this is not an indication of what we believe about family in heaven, I don’t know what is.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, our Mother, teach us to believe, to hope, to love with you. Show us the way to His Kingdom! Star of the Sea, shine upon us and guide us on our way!

 

[C2M2C]

Rebecca,

You’ll get this… my wife and I were just commenting on how after going to 7:30 Mass there is an awful lot of day left as opposed to 9, 10, 11, 12, 1, or even 2:00 sacrament

 

[C2M2C]

Since I am totally unaquainted with what the Mormon idea of a “Plan of Salvation” is I’m not sure how to approach this.
God’s plans are beyond our full comprehension.
Man was created with a Free will. Adam and Eve used that Free will to disobey God and thus the fall occurred. Have you ever told a child not to do something and known in your heart that they would probably do it anyway? Did you plan the disobedience, or did the Child excersize his free will in disobeying you? Jesus came to restore us to God. This He did through the Cross and Resurection. However we still have free will and it is up to us whether we accept this redemption.
We are here to do our best to implement the 2 great commandments. Love God and Love neighbor. To do this we are called out of the world to Live Holy Lives in Christ.

Peace
James

Since the beginning events happened about 4000 years ago, what do we know about what happened before then? I assume God was doing other things. Do we have any details about what? Those familiar with Mormonism are obviously aware that they teach that God created “worlds without end”. Just wondering what Catholics believe… all those years of CCD and I don’t remember a thing:shrug:

 

[C2M2C]

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?

 

[JRKH]

Since the beginning events happened about 4000 years ago, what do we know about what happened before then? I assume God was doing other things. Do we have any details about what? Those familiar with Mormonism are obviously aware that they teach that God created “worlds without end”. Just wondering what Catholics believe… all those years of CCD and I don’t remember a thing:shrug:

Unfortunately I may not be the best person to answer this question for you. After much study and meditation on these things I have determined that we have enough to deal with in just living a Holy Life Today without worrying about what God was doing 4010 years ago.
I do not mean to be flip about this. It is just that we get so tied up with trying to figure out these unsolvable puzzles that we can miss the absolutely Vital task of Living our Faith in earnest Holiness. Whatever God did “In the Beginning”, or how long it took, or what methods or tools He used are of little consequence to our task of reflecting Christ to the World.
God’s Plan for Salvation, as delivered to us as an “Action Item”, is to believe in Him, Trust In Him and His Church, and to spread the Gospel of God’s Love through our Lives and Actions.
Regardless of God’s Actions in the distant past, I know what I must do now, and that is the mission and vocation that I must concentrate on.

As to the “Worlds without end” issue, we believe that the correct statement is singular, “World without End”.

Peace
James

 

[C2M2C]

Unfortunately I may not be the best person to answer this question for you. After much study and meditation on these things I have determined that we have enough to deal with in just living a Holy Life Today without worrying about what God was doing 4010 years ago.
I do not mean to be flip about this. It is just that we get so tied up with trying to figure out these unsolvable puzzles that we can miss the absolutely Vital task of Living our Faith in earnest Holiness. Whatever God did “In the Beginning”, or how long it took, or what methods or tools He used are of little consequence to our task of reflecting Christ to the World.
God’s Plan for Salvation, as delivered to us as an “Action Item”, is to believe in Him, Trust In Him and His Church, and to spread the Gospel of God’s Love through our Lives and Actions.
Regardless of God’s Actions in the distant past, I know what I must do now, and that is the mission and vocation that I must concentrate on.

As to the “Worlds without end” issue, we believe that the correct statement is singular, “World without End”.

Peace
James

Understood. Mormonism has an answer to everything so after 18 years of getting said answers I am naturally looking for the Catholic “answer”.

 

[JMJ_coder]

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?

The Scriptures weren’t originally written in English - they were written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Thus, they need to be translated into English. The different ‘versions’ are just different translations.

 

[C2M2C]

The Scriptures weren’t originally written in English - they were written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Thus, they need to be translated into English. The different ‘versions’ are just different translations.

So what are the differences? Why are the translations different? How to know which one to follow?

 

[C2M2C]

So now lets talk about Christ’s return. Aside from what we read in Revelation about signs and the unknown time what will happen when he gets here?

Also, if I remember correctly those in Heaven will be spirits. So when we are resurrected will our bodies be reunited with our bodies or will it be a spiritual resurrection? Then what happens between then and our final destination(heaven or hell)?

 

[RebeccaJ]

Rebecca,

You’ll get this… my wife and I were just commenting on how after going to 7:30 Mass there is an awful lot of day left as opposed to 9, 10, 11, 12, 1, or even 2:00 sacrament

no kidding.

 

[JMJ_coder]

So what are the differences? Why are the translations different? How to know which one to follow?

The basic difference is in the approach to translating. The two major approaches are dynamic equivalence and formal equivalence. In dynamic equivalence, the translator attempts to convey what the text means (at least what they ‘think’ it means). In formal equivalence, they try for a more word-for-word literal translation.

In dynamic equivalence, they can attempt to make it read like a common modern piece of literature, to the point of it being a mere paraphrase of Scriptures. Also, there is always the risk of the translators personal (and quite possibly erroneous) interpretation being translated into Scriptures.

In formal equivalence, the major problem is that things such as idioms and grammar don’t translate well. The language can sometimes be choppy and unnatural.

For Catholics, there are three generally acceptable translations. The first is the New American Bible - this is the translation you hear every Sunday (well, almost - the Lectionary is slightly modified). The second is the Revised Standard Version - Catholic Edition. This is considered the best Catholic translation to use for study - and a goodly number of Scripture scholars use this version. It is probably the best modern translation out there (in my opinion - though it still could be improved upon). The third is the Douay-Rheims. This has been the standard Catholic translation since the Council of Trent through around the time of the Second Vatican Council. It uses a good deal of old and archaic language that can make it a little hard for us modern Americans to understand (but it can be beautifully poetic in places - i.e., Psalms).

 

[RebeccaJ]

So now lets talk about Christ’s return. Aside from what we read in Revelation about signs and the unknown time what will happen when he gets here?

hmmm, Mormons interpret Revelations in a very 19th century fashion. So, speaking of Bibles, I recommend that you read Revelations here, in the New American Bible. And especially read the footnotes.

The New American Bible (NAB) is a Catholic “teaching”. You can read the introduction to learn the process that was used to translate it from the original documents.