Recovering Protestant

[Medic_Mark]

My name is Mark and I am a recovering protestant.

I became a Christian about 8 years ago and entered the Baptist church. Eventually I entered seminary and had planned to serve God as a Baptist minister.

A series of events, grief, and fear, led me to flee the Church and God. So I’ve been wallowing in sin for the last two or three years. I’ve tried to forget God, but he is always on my mind. I simply cannot.

Anyway, Catholicism was my hobby horse as a protestant (big surprise, eh?). I was a staunch anti-catholic, all you folks were idolaters and hell bound. But there were incessant twinges in me that caused me pause and made me ask, “Am I actually right?”

The past week I’ve made the decision to stop fleeing God. I’ve met with a priest, he offered me confession, and I’ve attended mass a lot and spent much time in prayer.

I’ve decided to become Catholic because, though protestant arguments can make sense, I think it is somewhat harder to accept than just to embrace the plain statement, “This is my body…”

That said, I’ve still got questions and I’ve still got twinges of good old Baptist ideology in me. In makes me nervous to say the rosary and I feel twinges of doubt about the real presence. I think that it will be simply a matter of spiritual discipline.

I’ve a meeting with an RCIA director next Monday, but I am concerned I may not be able to regularly attend it due to its time and my work schedule.

Anyone else have the same feelings?

 

[Catholic1954]

The Holy Spirit is calling you into the Catholic Church. Welcome Home!

 

[Edward_H]

Welcome Mark,

Sounds like a confluence of events have brought you to the Catholic Church, imagine that!

Take it all in stride, one can not fit the entire Church in one’s head or heart. We fit into His Church. We are part of the Body of Christ.

 

[sweetashoney]

Mark, there are lots of good books out there that could help you. I’d strongly recommend Scott Hahn’s Lamb’s Supper to help you with the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Karl Keating’s Catholicism and Fundamentalism is a good introduction to the counter arguments against anti-Catholicism. He’s very blunt so it doesn’t read as ecumenically as some might like, but it’s packed full of information. Another would be Frank Sheed’s Theology and Sanity to get a fuller understanding of WHY Catholics believe the things we believe as far as theology is concerned. Also, start tuning in to EWTN. Marcus Grodi’s show Journey Home could be especially useful for you, but there are many others with apologetic themes.

God bless!

 

[Barbkw]

Mark,

I listen to most every “Journey Home” program on EWTN. Marcus’ program is also available on EWTN youtube:

“I’ve still got questions and I’ve still got twinges of good old Baptist ideology in me. In makes me nervous to say the rosary and I feel twinges of doubt about the real presence.”

youtube.com/user/EWTN#p/u/266/gWCTH3V0WIk

youtube.com/watch?v=fDFL7Z8VZr8&feature=player_embedded#!

youtube.com/user/EWTN#p/u/266/gWCTH3V0WIk

chnetwork.org/Journey%20Home.html

From what I’ve gained from his show, most converts have those “nervous twinges” for quite a while.

 

[floresco]

I became a Christian about 8 years ago and entered the Baptist church. Eventually I entered seminary and had planned to serve God as a Baptist minister.

Welcome, Mark. Many years ago I attended an Evangelical Fundamentalist Bible college. Like you I was exposed to a great deal of anti-Catholic teaching. Becoming Catholic was a big adjustment for me in many ways. But there isn’t any rush. Be patient and let the process take as long as it needs.

 

[jmcrae]

That said, I’ve still got questions and I’ve still got twinges of good old Baptist ideology in me. In makes me nervous to say the rosary and I feel twinges of doubt about the real presence. I think that it will be simply a matter of spiritual discipline.

I’ve a meeting with an RCIA director next Monday, but I am concerned I may not be able to regularly attend it due to its time and my work schedule.

Just do your best, make sure to come to Sunday Mass each week, and ask for homework for the days you have to miss.

Anyone else have the same feelings?

You remind me of myself, actually - about ten years ago, give or take a week or two.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

Welcome!

It will probably take a while until you feel fully Catholic. It is like a culture shock of sorts. Take it easy, read a lot, don’t be dicouraged by your old baptist impulses.
The titles suggested and EWTN are very good. I would also suggest ‘Catholicism for dummies’. It explains things nicely and in a clear way.

 

[Medic_Mark]

Mark, there are lots of good books out there that could help you. I’d strongly recommend Scott Hahn’s Lamb’s Supper to help you with the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
God bless!

A few years ago in seminary, I read Hahn’s work Hail, Holy Queen and wrote a 15 page paper arguing against Marian doctrine. I lost the paper when my computer crashed on me, but I do remember that I enjoyed reading Hahn. I’ll have to go see if I can find a copy of the book you reccomend.

Welcome, Mark. Many years ago I attended an Evangelical Fundamentalist Bible college. Like you I was exposed to a great deal of anti-Catholic teaching. Becoming Catholic was a big adjustment for me in many ways. But there isn’t any rush. Be patient and let the process take as long as it needs.

Patience is not one of my strong suits, but you’re right. I’ve got all the time the Lord allows.

Welcome!

It will probably take a while until you feel fully Catholic. It is like a culture shock of sorts. Take it easy, read a lot, don’t be dicouraged by your old baptist impulses.
The titles suggested and EWTN are very good. I would also suggest ‘Catholicism for dummies’. It explains things nicely and in a clear way.

I actually own that one. I’ll have to dust it off and give it a good read through. It has been a long time.

Just do your best, make sure to come to Sunday Mass each week, and ask for homework for the days you have to miss.

You remind me of myself, actually - about ten years ago, give or take a week or two.

Is it possible to substitute daily mass with Sunday mass? I work third shift and during the week, morning mass is extremely convenient because I can simply go directly from work without the horror of sleeping a couple hours and then waking myself up.

 

[jmcrae]

Is it possible to substitute daily mass with Sunday mass? I work third shift and during the week, morning mass is extremely convenient because I can simply go directly from work without the horror of sleeping a couple hours and then waking myself up.

No, but if you have a good reason why you can’t make it to any of the weekend Masses, beginning after 4:00 on Saturday and running until midnight on Sunday, then you can get a priest’s permission to be excused. (Any Mass at any Catholic Church between those times is considered “Sunday Mass” which is our obligation for Sundays.)

I would strongly recommend going to Sunday Mass as much as you can, even if you are excused, because this is where we receive our essential spiritual formation.

If it’s just a matter of not being able to come on Sunday morning, consider attending the Saturday evening Mass, or any of the Sunday afternoon and evening Masses. If you live in a relatively large city, you should be able to find a Mass time on Sundays that works for you - remember, Catholics have been doing shift-work for more than 200 years, so we’ve figured it out, and there should be a Mass that fits you somewhere.

 

[jj_nycguy]

Prayer, fasting, penance, Mass and daily visits to the Blessed Sacrament… and it will all make sense.

Welcome home!

 

[Barbkw]

The Catholic Holy Day of Obligation is either at the Saturday evening Mass (that normally starts at 5 or 5:30 p.m.)

Or, the Sunday Mass, most Churchs have either two or three services - 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11:00 a.m.

In our city, the Newman Center (at the college) has a Sunday Mass in the evening.

Monday through Friday, there is a short daily Mass normally before work at 7 a.m. but you can also find a short noon Mass. The Mon-Fri Masses are no obligatory and they do not fulfill the Sat. evening / Sunday obligation.

 

[Medic_Mark]

The Catholic Holy Day of Obligation is either at the Saturday evening Mass (that normally starts at 5 or 5:30 p.m.)

The church I presently go to has a 5pm Saturday Mass. I am able to make that one, no doubt!

There is a Church in my city called St. Martin of Tours. The doors are open 24 hours and they have an adoration chapel. I often go there at night, pray and sit. How I wish there was a 3am Mass or an open confessional.

 

[Incomplete]

There is a Church in my city called St. Martin of Tours. The doors are open 24 hours and they have an adoration chapel. I often go there at night, pray and sit. How I wish there was a 3am Mass or an open confessional.

Welcome home!

I love the chapel at night. I am hoping you enjoy your time at night in your chapel as much as I do in mine. Though I don’t have the kind of schedule you do, 3 a.m. Mass sounds beautiful to me.

 

[Michael_C]

Welcome home Mark!!

 

[At_Trent]

The church I presently go to has a 5pm Saturday Mass. I am able to make that one, no doubt!

There is a Church in my city called St. Martin of Tours. The doors are open 24 hours and they have an adoration chapel. I often go there at night, pray and sit. How I wish there was a 3am Mass or an open confessional.

Hi neighbor

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Ever met Fr Charles pictured below ?

 

[At_Trent]

…In makes me nervous to say the rosary and I feel twinges of doubt about the real presence. …

Anyone else have the same feelings?

A Basilian monk did

therealpresence.org/eucharst/mir/lanciano.html

 

[Medic_Mark]

Hi neighbor

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z256/hwjennings1/religion/jaccks264.jpg

Ever met Fr Charles pictured below ?

You can’t be serious, haha. Small world. I almost went to their 7:15 Mass today but succumbed to both illness and sleepiness.

I do want to see the Latin Mass some time. I’ve not yet had the pleasure. And I’ve also not yet had the pleasure of meeting the good Father Charles, either.

A Basilian monk did

therealpresence.org/eucharst/mir/lanciano.html

Good to know that I am not alone!

Welcome home Mark!!

Why thank you. Glad to be here.

I feel like we should have a good old fashioned Baptist potluck now.

 

[jmcrae]

You can’t be serious, haha. Small world. I almost went to their 7:15 Mass today but succumbed to both illness and sleepiness.

I do want to see the Latin Mass some time. I’ve not yet had the pleasure. And I’ve also not yet had the pleasure of meeting the good Father Charles, either.

Good to know that I am not alone!

Why thank you. Glad to be here.

I feel like we should have a good old fashioned Baptist potluck now.

I’ll bring the jelly salad.

 

[At_Trent]

You can’t be serious, haha. Small world. I almost went to their 7:15 Mass today but succumbed to both illness and sleepiness.

I do want to see the Latin Mass some time. I’ve not yet had the pleasure. And I’ve also not yet had the pleasure of meeting the good Father Charles, either.

Tuesday and Thursday, that early Mass is the Traditional Latin Mass at St Martins. . So, tomorrow would be an option. Also, Fr Charles also prays the TLM at the Chapel over at Kindred Hospital, 1313 Saint Anthony Pl, right there at Barret and Broadway at 7 am on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Second floor entrance to the Chapel.

I haven’t been to Mass there for that Mass, but that is what I’ve been told. Fr Charles does pray the TLM at that Chapel for Midnight Mass Christmas