Recommendations for someone just starting

[mathematoons]

I just met someone yesterday at confession. He went to confession at the recommendation of his Catholic AA sponsor. He asked me what is involved. I took the opportunity to evangelize, and while he doesn’t know enough to decide whether or not to be a Catholic, he wants to learn as much as he can. He believes in God and prayer, and that’s about it. He knows next to nothing about Christianity.

After confession, I told him the basics about Jesus, recommended The Case for Christ, the Bible (I told him to read the Gospels first), and the Luke E. Hart series of booklets (at the Knights of Columbus website–those are the booklets I wish I could have found when I was new at being Catholic), and exchanged phone numbers with him. I told him that I’ve become a much better person as a result of having become Catholic (which everyone who knows me says I have), and he’s definitely interested in similar results for himself.

Can anyone recommend any other resources for him?

 

[Trishie]

It sounds like you did very well and were a great blessing to him in his search. God bless you for that, and him also.

Do you feel it make sense for you to recommend the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is available in full online? In this way he can study and unravel the official teachings of the Church and refer to it as needed.

For instance, if he types in “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Confession”…

scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a4.htm

 

[Jim_Dandy]

I just met someone yesterday at confession. He went to confession at the recommendation of his Catholic AA sponsor. He asked me what is involved. I took the opportunity to evangelize, and while he doesn’t know enough to decide whether or not to be a Catholic, he wants to learn as much as he can. He believes in God and prayer, and that’s about it. He knows next to nothing about Christianity.

After confession, I told him the basics about Jesus, recommended The Case for Christ, the Bible (I told him to read the Gospels first), and the Luke E. Hart series of booklets (at the Knights of Columbus website–those are the booklets I wish I could have found when I was new at being Catholic), and exchanged phone numbers with him. I told him that I’ve become a much better person as a result of having become Catholic (which everyone who knows me says I have), and he’s definitely interested in similar results for himself.

Can anyone recommend any other resources for him?

I hope his Catholic AA sponsor advised this person to tell the priest he is not Catholic and that he was following one of the 12 steps by making his “confession.” Or that you did.

 

[Tietjen]

I hope his Catholic AA sponsor advised this person to tell the priest he is not Catholic and that he was following one of the 12 steps by making his “confession.” Or that you did.

I was hoping the same.

 

[Immaculata90]

If the person is interested in learning more, I would encourage him to speak with a priest about where he has been and where he wants to go with his life (maybe in the “confession”-esque thing as he cannot receive the Sacrament at this time…). After discussing it with the priest and you talking to him more, if you feel that it is right, I would recommend that he join an RCIA class. While it is a large commitment to make, it does not bind that person to join the Church at Easter, but puts them on an excellent track to learn all about the Church AND helps them enter if he feels the Lord is calling him to.

As far as a book, in addition to all the other ones listed (which are great btw!) I would also recommend a book by Peter Kreeft entitled Catholic Christianity. My friend who is teaching RCIA considered using this, but didn’t choose it because it is all text without pictures, but it is simply laid out and goes through the Catechism and explains things. It’s really good to read the Catechism, but sometimes it can be a little dry because it is not like a chapter book to be picked up and read seamlessly, but a resource to learn about topics one at a time. Peter Kreeft actually has a bunch of books that I have heard are all excellent from a priest.

Praise the Lord that you two ran into each other! The Lord is so good!

 

[mathematoons]

If the person is interested in learning more, I would encourage him to speak with a priest about where he has been and where he wants to go with his life (maybe in the “confession”-esque thing as he cannot receive the Sacrament at this time…). After discussing it with the priest and you talking to him more, if you feel that it is right, I would recommend that he join an RCIA class. While it is a large commitment to make, it does not bind that person to join the Church at Easter, but puts them on an excellent track to learn all about the Church AND helps them enter if he feels the Lord is calling him to.

Yes, this is what I did.

As far as a book, in addition to all the other ones listed (which are great btw!) I would also recommend a book by Peter Kreeft entitled Catholic Christianity… Peter Kreeft actually has a bunch of books that I have heard are all excellent from a priest.

Yes, Peter Kreeft is the best Catholic writer I’ve come across.

Praise the Lord that you two ran into each other! The Lord is so good!

Yes, I “just happened” to be praying the stations when he opened the door and asked me if I had a moment…

 

[mcrow]

You did well, my friend. I would also mention RCIA so that he knows there’s next step if he is more curious.