Seeking some guidance from Catholics

  • Thread starter Thread starter KyCountry
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KyCountry said:
That is an extremely valid quote. I have not ever thought of it at that particular angle. Thank you for sharing. I definately will be attending a mass next week.
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Hi neighbor ! What part of the state are you in ?
 
stevusmagnus said:
Make sure you find a good one. There are many “liberal” parishes and Masses lurking around where you may wonder if you are back in a Protestant church. Candy coated homilies are their forte.

Here are some signs of a solid Catholic church:

Tabernacle centered behind the altar.
Crucifix prominently displayed.
Statues, especially one of Mary.
No “rock band” equipment set up in the choir area.

If you see a bare cross, a “risifix”, felt banners, or a drum set…RUN.

As for the morality of homosexual acts or the death penalty it doesn’t matter what we lay Catholics think. That is the beauty of the Catholic Church. Christ gave the keys to Peter. All you have to do is look what the Church has OFFICIALLY said on these matters for guidance. You don’t have to wonder and it’s not a majority vote. The Truth, like God, is objective and does not change.
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Thank you for the insight. I was unaware of this. I hope there is a traditional church around my area. From what I can find, there is only 4 within reasonable distant.
At_Trent said:
Hi neighbor ! What part of the state are you in ?
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I am in Lexington. What about you?
 
stevusmagnus said:
Make sure you find a good one. There are many “liberal” parishes and Masses lurking around where you may wonder if you are back in a Protestant church. Candy coated homilies are their forte.

Here are some signs of a solid Catholic church:

Tabernacle centered behind the altar.
Crucifix prominently displayed.
Statues, especially one of Mary.
No “rock band” equipment set up in the choir area.

If you see a bare cross, a “risifix”, felt banners, or a drum set…RUN.

As for the morality of homosexual acts or the death penalty it doesn’t matter what we lay Catholics think. That is the beauty of the Catholic Church. Christ gave the keys to Peter. All you have to do is look what the Church has OFFICIALLY said on these matters for guidance. You don’t have to wonder and it’s not a majority vote. The Truth, like God, is objective and does not change.
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Not all drum sets are bad - we have two choir areas - our teen choir area only gets used one mass a week - and that is for the Life Teen mass and it is still reverent- it is not the instrument it is how it is played. The rest of it is pretty good. Also look and see if they offer a Liturgy of the Hours -if they do they are probably a more conservative bunch.
 
Hello all.
KyCountry
I love to see the Holy Spirit at work.
May the Holy Spirit guide you

jesus g
 
Dear KyCountry,

Just dropping in to say hello and welcome! 🙂

Intriguingly, I spent last night working on a fine art photograph called “Kentucky Country” … I visited the Lexington area several years ago on vacation and love it.

:blessyou:

~~ the phoenix, also known as CountryDreaming
 
Thanks again for all the support, guys. I am very much looking forward to this journey!
 
Greetings Kycountry. You are in my prayers.

Were you able to visit the parish that At Trent suggested?

FSSP priests are very orthodox and reverent and I’m sure you will get good instruction from them if you sit down and talk with one. God bless you on your journey, and keep us updated when you can. 🙂
 
stevusmagnus said:
Make sure you find a good one. There are many “liberal” parishes and Masses lurking around where you may wonder if you are back in a Protestant church. Candy coated homilies are their forte.

Here are some signs of a solid Catholic church:

Tabernacle centered behind the altar.
Crucifix prominently displayed.
Statues, especially one of Mary.
No “rock band” equipment set up in the choir area.

If you see a bare cross, a “risifix”, felt banners, or a drum set…RUN.

As for the morality of homosexual acts or the death penalty it doesn’t matter what we lay Catholics think. That is the beauty of the Catholic Church. Christ gave the keys to Peter. All you have to do is look what the Church has OFFICIALLY said on these matters for guidance. You don’t have to wonder and it’s not a majority vote. The Truth, like God, is objective and does not change.
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Dear Ky - Welcome! Please know that what one person surmises is “holy” is only an opinion. I have been to mass at a FSSP parish that although “traditional”, was horrible, dry and left you feeling empty. On the other hand, I have been to plain o’l regular parish masses that are much more revrant:rolleyes: (even though there were drums in the corner!). In the REAL Catholic world, at the parish level, you will find a home. The posts I read on this forum (especially) have little or no relationship to what happens in everyday parish life.
Most of the arguments and discussions here are about theology and Church dogma. Parish life is that of community, helping each other and loving Christ.
 
There used to be a prayer featured at the top of the messageboard, I think attributed to St. Elizabeth Seton, which you might find helpful.

‘If I am right, Thy grace impart within the right to stay.
If I am wrong, oh teach my heart to find the better way’.

God bless you. What the previous poster said about ordinary Parish life being not like you might read about in the Trad. forum is quite right. We are a mixed bunch, but trying to muddle along and show that we love God as best we can.

If you are confident enough to approach someone at Mass and explain you are new, you will be welcomed and helped, I’m sure. Don’t be put-off if. otherwise, you are left to your own devices, though - sometimes we are afraid of intruding by approaching people who seem new, but might just want to be left alone.

I am a convert too, with the same difficulties you have expressed. so will remember you in my prayers tonight.
 
Book Recommendation: “Evangelical is Not Enough” (think the author name is Thomas).
 
KyCountry said:
Hello guys…

I am in my early 20’s and for the last several months, I have been seriously investingating theology of denominations. My father grew up Lutheran and my mother, Southern Baptist. They decided to raise my siblings and I as modern Christian. (Whatever Christian denomination associates themselves as just, ‘Christians.’ However, at an early age, I opted to attend a Baptist Church, to invoke more of a ‘traditional’ sense of religion. (I felt the Christian church my parents attended was too modern for me to grow spiritually).

So, I have no reached a road block. I haven’t attended church in a few months; not because of a lack of faith, but moreso a confusion on denominational believes. My main disagreement with the Baptist church is the existance of the devil. I have always been extremely interested in exorcism and demonology and have read countless books on spiritual warfare. I believe this is alive and well and there has been an extreme increase in such warfare because of technology and other factors. And I believe many modern Protestants candy-coat sermons and I always get the feeling that they are trying to get me to believe in somewhat of a karma… Where If I believe in God, good things will always happen in the physical world… Which is obviously false.

I also disagree with many Protestant faiths on the issue of divorce and contraception. I don’t believe a civil court has the authority to end the sanctity of marriage, nor do I agree in contraception… “God will open and close the womb.”

However, some of the things I have trouble with in the Catholic faith is the issue of homosexuality. Because of my upbringing in Kentucky, I have been instilled with the narrow-minded views of everyone here. I have always been taught homosexuality is a choice and in most ways, agree with that. The reason I have trouble with it, is that if God created everyone in his image and created marriage and such, how could he create homosexual people?

I also believe in the death penalty and I know this can be argued with Scripture in both ways. I just don’t believe people that harmful to society should exist in it.

I also don’t know how I feel about viewing the Pope as such an authority.

I have seriously been debating convertiting to Catholicism and would like a Catholic to enlighten me on some of these issues and more ways Catholicism differs from these other denominations. I would also like to be held accountable for my views on the denomination… If I am falsely viewing any Catholic belief, I would like to know.

Thanks guys.
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The best way to explore the Catholic faith is to join an RCIA program at a local Catholic Church. Just call a Catholic Church near you and tell them that you are interested in exploring The Catholic Faith. Let them know that you are not sure about becoming Catholic just yet, but would like to go to RCIA to explore it.
 
KY Country, from what you said in your original post, it doesn’t sound like you would have too much trouble with Catholic doctrine. However, since you only mentioned a few, and you are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, you might want to consider a Catholic catechism. Also, I noticed many bible references from others, be sure that you use a Catholic one since there are some differences between the Catholic bible and other Christian bibles. In the meantime, good luck with your study of the Catholic faith.
 
KyCountry said:
Thank you for the insight. I was unaware of this. I hope there is a traditional church around my area. From what I can find, there is only 4 within reasonable distant.

I am in Lexington. What about you?
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KyCountry, if you’re in Lexington, why not try the Latin Mass and speak with the priest?
lexingtonlatinmass.org
 
At_Trent said:
Louisville, but a Cats fan 😉

Here is a good place to attend Mass down that way.

St. Peter’s House (diocese: Lexington)
177 St. Ann Drive
Lexington KY 40502

fssp.org/en/presentation.htm

In full communion and as traditional/reverent as you will find 🙂
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AtTrent, I live in Lexington and have NEVER heard of “St. Peter’s House”. The Latin Mass Community (now called “Regina Pacis Chaplaincy”) holds Mass at St Peters church on Barr Street downtown. I think the address you posted might be the residence of the FSSP priest who says the Latin Mass. St. Ann’s drive is a residential street and there is no church there.
 
MarineGuy said:
AtTrent, I live in Lexington and have NEVER heard of “St. Peter’s House”. The Latin Mass Community (now called “Regina Pacis Chaplaincy”) holds Mass at St Peters church on Barr Street downtown. I think the address you posted might be the residence of the FSSP priest who says the Latin Mass. St. Ann’s drive is a residential street and there is no church there.
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You are correct. The address on St. Ann street is the home address of the Priest.
 
Posting anyone’s address is a serious violation of CAF rules. I deleted a few posts for this reason.

For the future, if you wish to suggest a parish or chapel and are unsure of the address, simply give the name of the church and the diocese. With that information, anyone can call the chancery of that diocese and get the address.

Thank You.
 
Ignatius said:
The best way to explore the Catholic faith is to join an RCIA program at a local Catholic Church. Just call a Catholic Church near you and tell them that you are interested in exploring The Catholic Faith. Let them know that you are not sure about becoming Catholic just yet, but would like to go to RCIA to explore it.
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I agree, I have seen others in different denominations do exactly this and it was a Blessing to be sure. Matter of fact their interest level went through the roof and was without a doubt a wonder to behold.
 
Thanks for all the support, guys. I’ve got to a few different parishes in the last month and have actually started RCIA.
 
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