Struggling with conversion

[judes]

It’s almost time for me to start R.C.I.A. However, I recently found out that the parish where I was going to attend and was signed up and everything is having their classes at a time that does not work with my class schedule (I’m in college). Since then I’ve been visiting other parishes, but so far none work with my schedule (I have several evening classes that I absolutely cannot change). One parish I contacted is not even having an R.C.I.A. class this year because I was the only person who had expressed interest.

This is particularly discouraging because I am suddenly having all sorts of doubts and wondering if I should go through with it at all. I still believe in God but I feel that God despises me and doesn’t want me to convert because He doesn’t want me to be saved. I have a neurotic personality, I think, and I struggle frequently with the fear that I am going to be damned and that God hates me. I don’t know where that is coming from or what to do about it - has anyone else experienced such fears?

I basically know no Catholics (almost no Christians at all), and my family isn’t particularly happy about my converting. I also have two chronic conditions that both recently worsened and although they’re not life-threatening or anything, I am in pain all the time. I’m only twenty and I don’t know why this is happening to me. I pray all the time, pray the rosary every day, but I feel as if I have no support anymore, either from other people or from Jesus, in converting to Catholicism. I am so unhappy.

I’m sorry for this rather dismal, neurotic post, but I just need some kind of support, as I feel very alone in this.

HELLO STUDENT. My name is jude i am irish and i am catholic, married,… 44 years old. there is old saying its not how you start in life its how you finish.Iknow this to be true because when i was your age i didnt really think i would see 30 years old.Alot of changes have taken place in me since then and i am very happy with myself and my lot two day. couple years ago i wanted to get a foster son of mine baptised he was 3 years old and autistic I belived that the local church would have jumped for joy when i ask them to perform a baptisim on my son. This was not the case and i was very surprize and anoyed. well my son was baptised and let me try and explain to you how it affected him getting the job done. One of the only places were he could be still in himself and not afriad outside of our house was in mass, so we use to take quite off then to mid week morning mass. AFTER HE WAS BAPTISE HE BECAME A NORMAL CATHOLIC BOY HE GETTS BOARD WITH MASS…I used to when i was your age put a picture of the image of the scared hearth of jesus in my mind and ignore everything else that was going on. this image allowed me to put one foot in front of the other each day as i walked true my life. Be kind to yourself Student. And remember its par for course to be blocked from receiving a Sacrament. …jude

 

[puzzleannie]

I have the same problems. I work nights and won’t be able to attend RCIA very much. It leaves me with the feeling that RCIA is stupid and preventing many people from becoming members. I often think that is why the numbers in church membership is slowing down drastically because people don’t want to go classes every week for 9 months. Most of us have lives and can’t do it. That said, I will be trying my very best to make as many as I can.

In this town a sincere candidate can find an RCIA class that meets every night of the week, Saturday or Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and several weekday mornings. I suspect in many towns this is true.

All catechumens will probably be expected, in addition to a formal class, to attend a particular Sunday Mass and be dismissed for the session with the Scripture, “Breaking open the Word”. Just because one parish does not have a “program” that conforms to your schedule, or to your expectations, does not mean RCIA is stupid. It just means you have not yet found the place God means you to be, and you are to keep looking. Sincerity is the key here, if you keep seeking Christ, he will find you.

Welcome home to all seekers, no matter how long it takes you to reach the front door and enter!

I repeat my previous advise, when you call parishes speak directly to the pastor and request a personal meeting. Do not deal with secretaries who have nothing to go by except a printed schedule.

 

[dnar]

In this town a sincere candidate can find an RCIA class that meets every night of the week, Saturday or Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and several weekday mornings. I suspect in many towns this is true.

All catechumens will probably be expected, in addition to a formal class, to attend a particular Sunday Mass and be dismissed for the session with the Scripture, “Breaking open the Word”. Just because one parish does not have a “program” that conforms to your schedule, or to your expectations, does not mean RCIA is stupid. It just means you have not yet found the place God means you to be, and you are to keep looking. Sincerity is the key here, if you keep seeking Christ, he will find you.

Welcome home to all seekers, no matter how long it takes you to reach the front door and enter!

I repeat my previous advise, when you call parishes speak directly to the pastor and request a personal meeting. Do not deal with secretaries who have nothing to go by except a printed schedule.

I am a sincere seeker. I am also an already baptized Christian for 14 years. I have been instructed in the faith all of my life.I have met with two different priests. The only two Catholic churches in this area for over 40 miles. One meets on Tuesday nights and the other on Thursdays. They never meet on Sunday or a weekend, which would not matter because I work those as well. There are no options on joining the Church for some people. It was a just a quick opinion I formed of RCIA is all, is that is was stupid to make me take these classes because I want to be Catholic. I am not going to seek information, I want to join, its as simple as that.

 

[Irishmom2]

Dnar,

I am sorry that you are having such a hard time finding an RCIA class that fits into your schedule. As posted earlier, have you asked at your parish to speak with someone about getting a class arranged that will fit your circumstances? You will not know unless you ask.

Incidentally, the Catholic church is not really something to be “joined” like a club membership. Yes, there are classes involved if one is interested in becoming Catholic. Nine months of classes once a week is hardly too much for what you would be receiving in return.

 

[dnar]

Dnar,

I am sorry that you are having such a hard time finding an RCIA class that fits into your schedule. As posted earlier, have you asked at your parish to speak with someone about getting a class arranged that will fit your circumstances? You will not know unless you ask.

Incidentally, the Catholic church is not really something to be “joined” like a club membership. Yes, there are classes involved if one is interested in becoming Catholic. Nine months of classes once a week is hardly too much for what you would be receiving in return.

By joining, I mean ‘becoming Catholic.’ I know its not a club. And yes, I have tried everything. All I do is goto mass every Sunday morning. Although I will never be able to receive Communion, due to limitations set here on Earth. I do not think God will hold one accountable however because they can’t make it to a weekly class. As long as I firmly believe and proclaim all that the Catholic church teaches to be true and attend Mass and confess my sins and try to live the best I possibly can, well thats all I can do. I just have to say spiritual acts of communion every Sunday, and tell God, I desire to receive you Lord but your Church has classes that its hard to attend.

 

[JRKH]

By joining, I mean ‘becoming Catholic.’ I know its not a club. And yes, I have tried everything. All I do is goto mass every Sunday morning. Although I will never be able to receive Communion, due to limitations set here on Earth. I do not think God will hold one accountable however because they can’t make it to a weekly class. As long as I firmly believe and proclaim all that the Catholic church teaches to be true and attend Mass and confess my sins and try to live the best I possibly can, well thats all I can do. I just have to say spiritual acts of communion every Sunday, and tell God, I desire to receive you Lord but your Church has classes that its hard to attend.

I would encourage you to continue your journey and someday be recieved fully into the Church so that you may recieve communion.
I may be mistaken about this but I think that a priest may waive the RCIA class requirements after meeting with a person and determining that they already properly understand the teachings of the Church. Something you might want to investigate. If the priest feels there are any areas you are weak in you could then “bone up” on them and meet with the priest again.

Something to think about.

Peace
James

 

[Student09]

I often think that is why the numbers in church membership is slowing down drastically because people don’t want to go classes every week for 9 months. Most of us have lives and can’t do it. That said, I will be trying my very best to make as many as I can.

I think it’s good that the Church demands some commitment from people who want to enter it; once you are Catholic you are required to attend mass at least once a week and confession at least once a year (right?), and that alone is a significant commitment, so it seems important that there should be a test of one’s commitment beforehand. Just so long as they make it possible to meet the R.C.I.A. commitment regardless of what your schedule is, the way they make it possible to go to mass by having several masses on Sunday.

I think the reason church membership is slowing down because our society is becoming increasingly secular and self-centered. The idea of making personal sacrifices willingly is becoming increasingly foreign to us. I don’t pretend to like it more than anyone else, it’s hard. I think my family thinks I’m crazy for doing this because I talk about how hard it is, and why would you do something that’s hard when you don’t have to? But that’s what God did for us in becoming human and letting Himself be tortured to death.

Looking at it that way, I have absolutely no right to complain.

Dnar, I hope you find an arrangement that works for you.

 

[John_Russell_Jr]

My dear friend, If you find trials, suffering and obstacles in this world it means God loves you a great deal. It shows He has favoured you and if you persevere you’ll get a high place in heaven. Thank God for your trials. Try reading the below. It may help. God bless you. John

This spoke straight to the depths of my heart and soul when I read it. Hope you like it.Jesus speaking with St Gema Galgani. My patron.

Jesus once said to me: “Do you know, daughter, for what reason I send crosses to souls dear to me? I desire to possess their souls, entirely, and for this I surround them with crosses, and I enclose them in sufferings and tribulation, that they may not escape from my hands; and for this I scatter thorns, that souls may fasten their affections upon no one, but find all content in Me alone. My daughter, if you do not feel the cross it cannot be called a cross. Be sure that under the cross you will not be lost. The demon has no strength against those souls who for My love groan under the cross. 0 My daughter, how many would have abandoned Me if they had not been crucified. The cross is a gift too precious, and from it come many virtues."
I prayed then to Jesus that He would not concede to me any grace except that of loving Him very much, and Jesus said: “Oh soul dear to me, if you truly love Me, behold My chalice; you can drink it to the last drop. On this chalice I have placed My lips, and I want you to drink it.” I told Jesus to do with me as He would. And then He said to me: "I have sent this cross to you, you do not appreciate it; rather it is contrary to your desire, but the more it is contrary, the more it is like Mine. Would it not seem to you a dreadful thing to see a father in the midst of sorrow and the children enjoying themselves? When I shall be your Spouse of blood, I will come to you, but crucified; show your love to me as I have shown it toward you, and do you know how? By suffering, pains, and crosses without number. You ought, therefore, to consider yourself honored, if I lead you on paths hard and painful; if I permit that you be tor*mented by the demon, that the world despise you, that persons most dear to you afflict you, and with daily martyrdom, I permit your soul to be purified and tested. And you, daughter, think only of practicing great virtue; run in the path of the Divine Will, humbled, assured, that if I hold you to the cross, I love you.”

May His Majesty, our Divine King, touch your heart and console you in your trials ))

 

[Student09]

Thank you for posting that, John.

 

[BigRedpg51]

First of all…God does not hate you. God does not ‘hate’ – period! God is love.

Second…the problem is not with you, but with those parishes that cannot accommodate your conversion journey – even to a partial degree. There is a lot of that going around – inflexibility.

Third…you are being ‘called’ to the one true Church instituted by Jesus Christ, Himself. Don’t give up. Keep on praying your Rosary (Mother Mary NEVER turns a deaf ear to our prayers!). God will eventually open the doors for you. Be patient.

Forth…we’re all a bit ‘neurotic’ from time to time. Don’t let it bother you.

Fifth…I will pray for you and your conversion journey, as will the others on this blog.

 

[Orchanian]

For you philosophy majors, read Peter Kreeft. He’s a philosophy teacher at Boston College and a faithful Catholic. He’s written a series of books with Socratic themes (Jesus and Socrates, The Unaborted Socrates, and more). He’s written apologetics books that are classics. He’s written about prayer and heaven. His style is very easy to read, and his love for God is so prevalent. You can download free MP3 talks from his web site PeterKreeft.com (I think - may be .org). He will give you the other side of the atheist argument - and you need that to come out of a philosophy program with a stronger faith than when you entered.

 

[ML561]

I am a convert and still–after more than 25 years in the Catholic Church–sometimes struggle with doubt and confusion. Do not despair. The Lord did not lead you this far to abandon you. Even the saints had times of confusion and spiritual dryness. Please believe that you are on the right path and I will pray for you. May God bless you and grant you peace. Conversion is not an easy task but if you persevere the rewards will be great. .

 

[ccolley2]

Public college, I’m guessing? You’re not alone.

It wasn’t that great anyway. I don’t want to offend anyone, but the churches I’ve been visiting have become quite stale. Most of the sermons are really personal anecdotes that offer a cryptic message. Nothing that they say helps with the real issue at hand: entering into religious dialogue w/others so that we can all try to be on the same page about our metaphysics. (Maybe I just picked bad churches)

***And I got involved in the best (or worst) possible major - Philosophy. I’ve been on an apologetic search for defenses of the faith, ***yet each question is only answered by more questions. I’d like to go back to the conversion process, but I want reason to believe that what I’m doing is right. I don’t want to convert on a hunch. We only have one life, right? (Assuming that reincarnation is a false view)

-KrazyKaiju

P.S God doesn’t hate you. That isn’t part of His nature.

Not sure what you mean by “so we all can be on the same page about our metaphysics” did you mean interfaith dialog? I would suggest that you learn about and be absolutely certain that you believe in everything that the Church teaches before embarking on an apologetics Mission to others.

I would suggest that you go to www.biblechristiansociety.com and download some of John Martignoni’s talks. He is a great Catholic apologist and has a whole set of apologetics tapes that can also be used for personal study.

You can also go to www.vatican.va and read the Catechism of the Catholic Church online.
Another source is the San Juan Catholic Seminars series on Beginning Apologetics.

Sometimes you have to go searching for good preaching. For an excellent reflection on the Sunday’s readings go to www.thesacredpage.com.

Welcome to the Catholic Church - where we are all sinners on our way to (hopefully) become saints.

Peace of Christ,

CC