Well, things have changed in the past week and I will not be going to South Korea. I am okay with this. God never said to understand Him but only to trust Him. My road to becoming Catholic is…difficult? My parents are A/G and have decided that I am an adult and need to do what I need to do. There are plenty of things that I don’t understand and just don’t get about Catholicism yet I am still drawn. I’m not sure why I am but I am just the same. I don’t understand purgatory, adoration of Mary, or prayer to the saints. Not that I necessarily disagree but that I just don’t understand. The other issue is work. I work on Sundays-usually the morning shift and occasionally on Saturday nights. Would I be sinning if I had to miss one or both? Right now, I’m trying to go to the daily Mass services although I’m not sure what I can or can’t do at the moment-correction I know I can’t take Communion. I also don’t understand the real presence. This is perhaps since I’ve been raised Baptist first then A/G(Assembly of God). I’ve talked with my pastor’s wife about it since she converted from Catholicism. Our stories are exactly the opposite-she converted because she wasn’t taught the Word of God and I’m wanting to convert because I’m tired of all the division amongst Protestants. I understand that there are divisions within the Catholic Church but it still remains the Catholic Church regardless. Any prayers would be appreciated.
Thanks,
K
Whatever your think your reasons are for wanting to become Catholic, I believe the base reason is that God has called you to the Church and you are listening.
As a convert who went through the RCIA “process’ I think I understand your questions and concern. My first question was “why does it take so long.” After a few weeks I understood. The Church wants you to come into the Church of your on free will and the Church wants you to understand what being Catholic means. Unlike some protestant churches the Catholic Church does not conduct alter calls.
You say “I don’t understand purgatory, adoration of Mary, or prayer to the saints. Not that I necessarily disagree but that I just don’t understand.” Your questions are typical and they will be answered.
My rather dog-eared copy of The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults states “For the most part the plan of catechesis [for those previously baptized] corresponds to the one laid down for catechumensthe unbaptized}” In our parish, the overwhelming majority of those people coming in to the RCIA program come from another Christian tradition, all with questions and concerns. Your questions get answered but it takes time to get, understand, and accept the answers. This is the main reason why, in our parish, we take the baptized on essentially the same journey as the un-baptized. They both need the catechesis. And sometime those from other Christian traditions bring with them more questions than the unbaptized because of what they may have been previously told about Catholics.
Regarding the Bible; I’ve never read the Bible as much before converting as I do now. There are plenty of opportunities to study the Bible…what it says, what it means, and even how to read the Bible. We hear at least three readings from the Bible every Sunday at Mass. It takes three years but the entire New Testament is presented to us in the three year cycle. The Church seems to have had a problem with teaching in the last 30 or 40 years but that is truly being corrected so maybe that’s why the pastor’s wife didn’t fully understand her Catholic roots.
As far as work conflicting with Mass. That’s why most parishes have several Masses; if you can’t get to one then you can go to another. There’s also weekday Masses. No it’s not a sin to miss Mass if you have a really good reason but it is a sin if you just decide you’re not going to attend because you don’t feel like it. I hate missing Mass but sometimes there isn’t another choice.
Come to RCIA and make the journey. It is a wondrous journey of discovery, enlightenment, and faith. Even though the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults as set forth in the published version is mainly geared to the un-baptized, it recognizes the needs of the baptized.
PS: Did I tell you that I’m on the parish RCIA team and have been for several years? Keep in mind that it is wonderful the Catholic Church in its unity still has room for diversity of opinion.
