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thequeen
Guest
I am from Vincennes Indiana which is part of the Evansville Diocese But I live in Texas now.and I am also one of those traditional Catholics.
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JillianRose
Guest
Like I said before, I have No idea there was other types of Catholic Churches. I knew there were different religious orders. I am talking about conservative Catholic meaning a conservative life style. (Maybe even more in Political terms. Sorry) I need a place to find answers when questions arise since I have a Priest at my church that will not make the time for me. I am not looking to leave my church. I just don’t want to wait until my friends finally want to Love God. I feel my religious knowledge is not based on them but me. I need a deeper understanding of the Church and Bible.
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Bartolome_Casas
Guest
(1) Thank God for those friends. Keep them. But don’t argue with them. Believe it or not, you can learn a lot about the Catholic Faith from learning about their Dutch Reform Faith. Why? For one thing, there is an ENORMOUS overlap between the two Faiths. But, don’t start or get pulled into arguments with them. Just thank God for them. Don’t try to convert them, and don’t let them convert you. Just enjoy their friendship. Really and truly learn the Faith from them, if they can teach you. They have a lot to teach your, perhaps. But don’t leave the Catholic Church. Don’t even think about it.
I am good friends with a Jehovah’s Witness. He’s always trying to convert me. I’ll never convert. I’ve told him so. Yet, he HAS showed me many things in the Bible, and I HAVE learned a lot from him. Strange as it may seem, he has made me a better Catholic. You may think I have have a duty to convert him to the Catholic Faith. Well, I have gently pointed things out in his religion that don’t make sense to me. He’s give me answers that didn’t seem adequate to me. But I don’t do that anymore. We are still friends. He still teaches me little lessons from the Bible once in while. I listen. I thank him. I think the fact that I never convert but remain friendly to him is the best “evangelization” I could ever do with a Jehovah’s Witness (they are highly “programmed” to resist conversion).
(2) Here a big truth, in my opinion: Whatever problems, weakness, shortcomings that may exist in Catholic parishes or Catholic diocese EXIST IN ALL THE PROTESTANT, REFORM & EVANGELICAL congregations too! Sometimes from the outside it may seem like “Wow, those people over there really have their act together!” Ah! What a misperception! The insiders “over there” know better.
(3) Forgive my bluntness, but maybe you should quit looking for someone else to teach you the Catholic Faith. It is ALL there in written words for free on vatican.va and in the Holy Bible. Just dig in. Teach yourself! It really isn’t so hard. But so what if it is. Maybe the way of God isn’t for those who demand everything to be easy! Oh. That sounded mean. I don’t mean to be mean. Go to your nearest Opus Dei study center that has meetings for women and for men. THEY will teach you a lot.
Personally, I’ve learned a LOT by reading the writings of Pope Benedict/Joseph Ratzinger.
I do understand that you want a sense of community and fellowship with likeminded Catholics. But I just urge you to be willing and able to “go it alone” if need be, and to above all keep and deepen your fellowship with Jesus Christ. Everyone else will just disappoint unless you have a real thing with Jesus.
But, though I “pontificate,” I really am no authority. Trust God to guide you!
Best wishes!
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newprestonpete
Guest
I am a 42 yo male and share your concerns. I am married and we have a 4yo, 2 yo and a baby boy on the way. I want to raise my kids to believe in and love god. I am the only one of six siblings who still is faithful to the church.Thank you so much. It is very scary world we live in. I just want Catholics to know that they can always come home. We have a huge congregation at our church. Like 600 families. Yet when the Priest offers Bible Studies we get about 20. I am not “cool” among alot of the other Catholics my age at my church because they like to drink. I like to go to the Church Bible Studies and participate in events at Church. Sadly I can’t get anyone to go. I feel out of place with them. I just want to raise my Children to be devote Catholics. I am afraid that like so many, they too, will leave the faith. Out of 5 siblings I am the only one still catholic. They have become atheist along with my parents. I don’t know how this has happened. I think the secular world has gotten to them. I feel so alone. Thank you for welcoming me here.
Just recently, this week, I realized that I was the one responsible for teaching my children the faith, and that it is a huge responsibility.
I am going to volunteer to teach the faith in our parish. I am not sure whether it be RCIA or CCD. God has not led me through that fork in the road yet.
I guess my overall point is that by getting involved you can turn the whole thing around.
My .02 cents
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Jordan719
Guest
Feel the same way.
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Cat
Guest
(post shortened by Cat for the sake of word count)
I agree with everything in Bartolome Casas’ excellent post except what I have quoted above. There are many Christians, both Catholic and non-Catholic, who do a fantastic job of raising their children, and make no serious mistakes in their child-rearing. Yet, sadly, some children choose to rebel and leave their faith behind.
There is a very informative thread over in the family lift section by Arkansas Mom about a child who did this when he turned 18 and found a girlfriend. The thread has been closed (I believe because it got so long), and there is a sequel thread that is still open. This mother and her husband appear to have done everything right while raising their children, but this son chose to leave the Church anyway.
Because I am a convert to Catholicism from evangelical Protestantism, I personally know lots and lots of Protestants whose children have utterly abandoned their faith, and live without attending church or being involved in any kind of organized or private religion.
And now I know lots of Catholics who have had this happen in their family. In fact, almost every Catholic family I know has a “wayward” family member, usually a child. This is true among the Traditional (Latin Mass) and more modern (OF Mass) Catholic families that I know. I honestly don’t think that the Mass form is a deterrent to children who make a decision to leave their Church and faith.
I’m not saying this to discourage the OP, but rather, to prepare her. It happens, and it’s not necessarily her fault. Children are individuals with their own personality and faults, and as they grow up, many of them make a decision that their parents’ religion is not their religion.
I worry that when parents assume that raising their children a certain way, and especially those who assume that a certain “church” type will rebel-proof their children, that they are setting themselves up for bitter disappointment. This is the kind of thing that can cause the PARENTS to abandon their faith, as they can get angry with God and their church over the “failure” to protect their children from the world’s influences.
Don’t do this. Don’t walk away from God and the Church just because your child leaves. Just accept that children are individuals. Keep praying without ceasing and keep reminding the Lord to honor His promise in Proverbs 22:6.
Other than this, I agree with everything in Bartolome Casas’s excellent post!
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Cat
Guest
From reading through the OP’s posts, I think that she is looking more for politically conservative Catholic friends and acquaintances rather than Traditional Latin Mass Catholic friends and acquaintances.
My suggestion for the OP is to check out the local Republican organization in her area. Yes, she will meet many non-Catholics, but she will also find the Catholics in her area who are politically conservative. She’ll be able to establish a network of friends who share the same politically-conservative vision and values as her family.
It ought to be easy enough to find the local Republican organization, as the Presidential elections are happening this fall, and the political parties will be very active during the summer at county fairs, parades, festivals, and any other place that will allow them to set up a table and pass out their literature.
The OP could also check out the local Tea Party organization. I’m not sure how many Catholics are part of this organization, but I know that there are Catholics in my parish who are active in the Tea Party, so surely there will be a few Catholics in the OPs area who are Tea Partiers. These people are very politically conservative.
Finally, the OP could try the local Libertarian organization, but unfortunately, it seems (at least in the experiences that my husband and I have had) that many who are Libertarian become Libertarian mainly because they support smoking pot and taking drugs, and they really aren’t the least bit conservative at all, nor do they believe in smaller government. Many of them want all taxes abolished, too, even the ones that the Constitution has specifically mandated. So the OP might have trouble finding Libertarians who are also Catholics, and who are truly conservative. But it might be worth a try.
Best wishes to the OP. I can see why she is frustrated around so many liberals.
My suggestion for the OP is to check out the local Republican organization in her area. Yes, she will meet many non-Catholics, but she will also find the Catholics in her area who are politically conservative. She’ll be able to establish a network of friends who share the same politically-conservative vision and values as her family.
It ought to be easy enough to find the local Republican organization, as the Presidential elections are happening this fall, and the political parties will be very active during the summer at county fairs, parades, festivals, and any other place that will allow them to set up a table and pass out their literature.
The OP could also check out the local Tea Party organization. I’m not sure how many Catholics are part of this organization, but I know that there are Catholics in my parish who are active in the Tea Party, so surely there will be a few Catholics in the OPs area who are Tea Partiers. These people are very politically conservative.
Finally, the OP could try the local Libertarian organization, but unfortunately, it seems (at least in the experiences that my husband and I have had) that many who are Libertarian become Libertarian mainly because they support smoking pot and taking drugs, and they really aren’t the least bit conservative at all, nor do they believe in smaller government. Many of them want all taxes abolished, too, even the ones that the Constitution has specifically mandated. So the OP might have trouble finding Libertarians who are also Catholics, and who are truly conservative. But it might be worth a try.
Best wishes to the OP. I can see why she is frustrated around so many liberals.
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tskrobacz
Guest
You may eventually discover that to be truly Catholic is to be neither conservative or liberal in the political sense. Also remember that the Church and the Bible are not God, but simply guideposts. You, yourself, must walk your faith journey.
What we know about God is important, but we we do with what we know about God is even more important. Too often people think it is necessary that we all see God the same way (which is impossible anyway), but what is really necessary is that we all follow God according to what God tells us.
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Portrait
Guest
Dear JillianRose,
Cordial greetings and a very good day.
Given the Laodicean times in which our lot is sadly cast, it comes as no big surprise that you are finding it difficult to find thoroughgoing Catholics with whom you can enjoy fellowship and converse with on spiritual matters. You have my sympathies, as I am in the very same boat myself here in the UK. Nominal religion seems to be the order of the day and so many putative Catholics have adopted a hand in hand with world type of religious profession that makes little or no demand upon them in terms of sanctity and separation from the godless world. Talk of the pursuit of holiness and you are are likely to be branded a ‘Puritan’. In this sort of ‘lukewarm’ climate is it any wonder that some have defected from the faith and that the ones who remain within the fold are ignorant of bible, tradition and Catechism?
Alas, dear sister, there are those within our Church who seem intent or re-interpreting official teaching or looking for ways out of not having to live up to the arduous demands of the faith. No, not everything was perfect in the good old days, but at least you did not have the widespread turmoil, division and worldliness that we witness today. The strength of the Church in the past was its discipline and prayer life and Catholicism was about self-denial and penance. There was a more rigorist approach to our most holy religion and people did not ask themselves what was the minimum amount they could believe or how much of the world’s delights they could hold on to, and still be considered good Catholics. This, undeniably, made the Church strong and whilst some might have hated the Church, at least it did offer a radical Christian counter-culture and many secretly admired it for its uncompromising stance.
Please rest assured that I will remember you in prayer later today and ask that you will be lead to other Catholics who are passionate about their religion, as you evidently are, dear sister. There are still plenty of good solid people about who take their religion seriously and who fully understand that the whole course of this life is a state of probation.
There is, dear sister, a crisis within the Church. Secularism within its borders and wide loss of faith, resulting from poor catechesis and warped liberal and feminists thinking, are the chief causes of the sickness.
God bless you.
Warmest good wishes,
Portrait
Pax:tiphat:
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jeannetherese
Guest
The O.P. reference to “diffiulties finding Catholics who know what the Catechism says” led me to recommmend FSSP parishes as sources of solid catechesis. To some extent, there may be a correlation politically. (Consistency on pro-life approaches to abortion euthenasia, the traditional definition of marriage, strong support for religous freedom come to mind).
At my non-FSSP parish, I spent over 20 years assisting before hearing the word sin in a sermon. It was refreshing to hear our new priest helping us to remember that we are recovering sinners who struggle daily to live according to the Word of the Lord and share a common need for support and forgiveness.
During the same period, there was never a reference to abortion until the Crosswalk group requested permission to speak once a year about four years ago. The Nicene Creed was rarely used (the Apostle’s Creed regularly substituted). It was possible for a child to spend 20 years in church, go off to college, and not have learned the Ncene Creed, unless it was taught in the confirmation class. It is no wonder that Catholics become confused about what the Church teaches, or that parents wish to place themselves and their children where they will be exposed to sound catechesis.
That is why I suggested the FSSP parishes. At ours, catechesis is a way of life. Our bulletin asks that we pray for our parish seminarians (yep-vocations to the priesthood are being discerned and supported in this parish) and that we pray for the closure of Planned Parenthood. Our priest speaks out in favor of religous freedom and traditional marriage and the congregation understands why these issues are important. Families come to church an hour early for additional instructon and to pray the rosary.
While some children from any parish or family may fall away from the faith for a time, if they have been exposed to sound catechesis in their childhood, they will be cognizant of what they are missing. I Pray that this will facilitate reversion to the Church. For those with poor catechesis, I fear there is greater risk that when they look again for Our Lord, they may think that ‘any church will doequally.’-consider that fact that so many fewer Catholics are aware of the Real Presence. They may end up in a church which does not offer the fullness of the faith.
As a parent, if my FSSP parish had been in existence when my children were growing up and I had the benefit of experience, I would not think twice about registering at our FSSP parish at large. I think that the catechesis they would receive would ‘stack the odds’ in favor of their souls over what was available locally during their childhood. And, to me, our souls are the bottom line.
I do pray for the new priests in our local parish who are laboring very hard to re-educate their community. We are so blessed with their arrival. They really have their work cut out for them explaining to their congregation that the Church does take stands on issues that some things are wrong, and that our goal is salvation. We have people threatening to leave over the church’s stand on traditional marriage who have never heard a sermon on vocation or chastity. Our need for catechesis is immense. May the OP find community that will support and strengthen her faith and that of her children.
At my non-FSSP parish, I spent over 20 years assisting before hearing the word sin in a sermon. It was refreshing to hear our new priest helping us to remember that we are recovering sinners who struggle daily to live according to the Word of the Lord and share a common need for support and forgiveness.
During the same period, there was never a reference to abortion until the Crosswalk group requested permission to speak once a year about four years ago. The Nicene Creed was rarely used (the Apostle’s Creed regularly substituted). It was possible for a child to spend 20 years in church, go off to college, and not have learned the Ncene Creed, unless it was taught in the confirmation class. It is no wonder that Catholics become confused about what the Church teaches, or that parents wish to place themselves and their children where they will be exposed to sound catechesis.
That is why I suggested the FSSP parishes. At ours, catechesis is a way of life. Our bulletin asks that we pray for our parish seminarians (yep-vocations to the priesthood are being discerned and supported in this parish) and that we pray for the closure of Planned Parenthood. Our priest speaks out in favor of religous freedom and traditional marriage and the congregation understands why these issues are important. Families come to church an hour early for additional instructon and to pray the rosary.
While some children from any parish or family may fall away from the faith for a time, if they have been exposed to sound catechesis in their childhood, they will be cognizant of what they are missing. I Pray that this will facilitate reversion to the Church. For those with poor catechesis, I fear there is greater risk that when they look again for Our Lord, they may think that ‘any church will doequally.’-consider that fact that so many fewer Catholics are aware of the Real Presence. They may end up in a church which does not offer the fullness of the faith.
As a parent, if my FSSP parish had been in existence when my children were growing up and I had the benefit of experience, I would not think twice about registering at our FSSP parish at large. I think that the catechesis they would receive would ‘stack the odds’ in favor of their souls over what was available locally during their childhood. And, to me, our souls are the bottom line.
I do pray for the new priests in our local parish who are laboring very hard to re-educate their community. We are so blessed with their arrival. They really have their work cut out for them explaining to their congregation that the Church does take stands on issues that some things are wrong, and that our goal is salvation. We have people threatening to leave over the church’s stand on traditional marriage who have never heard a sermon on vocation or chastity. Our need for catechesis is immense. May the OP find community that will support and strengthen her faith and that of her children.
D
Diana_Catherine
Guest
I understand where you are coming from. Sometimes it seems very hard to find conservative traditional Catholics but I know and believe they are there and your desire to find them is probably a gift from God because that is where he is leading you.
Do you know of any Catholic homeschooling groups or moms. It is not a guarantee but you can find many conservative Catholics there, who are working hard to teach their children the faith. (not that those who don’t homeschool aren’t working hard at it too. I have done both.)
I can relate to that also. Your zeal and love for the Catholic church will rub off on your children and even if it doesn’t seem like they are listening, they are and they will remember your teaching. There is no guarantee that they will stay in the Church. There is a lot of influence our there in the world to pull them away. I get frightened for my family also. Keep in prayer for them. and constantly teach it to them. Make being Catholic your lifestyle. There are many resources out there that show a lot of ways to teach your family many of the rich traditions of the faith that have been lost.
Here is just one I liked using:
amazon.com/Book-Feasts-Seasons-Joanna-Bogle/dp/0852442173
Jillian, I agree only a little with what Bartolome says here, I would keep your friends but I would be cautious about learning the Catholic faith from another denomination. I tried that once, swearing I would never leave the church and not too long afterwards, I did. I still have my protestant friends but I have come to the point of not talking religion at all with them because as you stated, they try to convert from the Catholic church or if we do talk religion, they will make a comment that is very obvious it goes against Catholic teaching and I, as you probably do too, I want Catholic friends who are going to help influence my children to stay in the faith, not bring about confusion to them. As I said, keep your friends but pray for conservative Catholic friends. You will find many here and God will lead you. He obviously put the desire in your heart.
As I said I am in the same situation, wanting conservative traditional Catholic friends. Pray every day. If you can make it to daily mass that would be great to offer for your family. Pray the rosary and novenas, God is leading you and it is wonderful to hear of such a strong desire to raise your family Catholic.
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maryjk
Guest
The OP might was to try, if there is one, the local home school group.
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Lupe_Lu
Guest
Really well said. Excellent post. Thank you.
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JillianRose
Guest
One more note. I don’t believe I should teach my children “just at home” because I want my child to be taught Christ as long as they are awake. AND I want them to be taught by fellow brothers and sisters in Christ - because of like-mindedness. In a round about way, if you are teaching your children “just at home” you are telling them that it is ok to talk about faith “just at home” and it has no place in the outside world. I want my kids to be mentally trained to talk about Christ everywhere. Home, school, church and eventually outside the “bubble”. That is what the Great commission is about. Its also why I thought I spend 7000 a year for my two kids to go to Catholic School. I want them to be prepared. This world is only getting worse unfortunately. I know if they fall from the faith at least I did my Job and thats the Job as a parent I am responsible for. I just want to make sure I am careful teaching my children our faith. These are the Children that GOD has entrusted me with. I want to learn more so I can teach them correctly. I spent too many years ashamed and not knowing what it meant to be Catholic. Now I am having an awakening. It feels good. What better way to spend my days then to read the Catechism and Bible while my children are at school or at nite. Better then the junk on TV!! 
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Diana_Catherine
Guest
I understand what you mean. It is important for us to know our faith so we can share it with our kids. We can’t do that if we don’t know it. Sometimes it can be good to learn it together.One more note. I don’t believe I should teach my children “just at home” because I want my child to be taught Christ as long as they are awake. AND I want them to be taught by fellow brothers and sisters in Christ - because of like-mindedness. In a round about way, if you are teaching your children “just at home” you are telling them that it is ok to talk about faith “just at home” and it has no place in the outside world. I want my kids to be mentally trained to talk about Christ everywhere. Home, school, church and eventually outside the “bubble”. That is what the Great commission is about. Its also why I thought I spend 7000 a year for my two kids to go to Catholic School. I want them to be prepared. This world is only getting worse unfortunately. I know if they fall from the faith at least I did my Job and thats the Job as a parent I am responsible for. I just want to make sure I am careful teaching my children our faith. These are the Children that GOD has entrusted me with. I want to learn more so I can teach them correctly. I spent too many years ashamed and not knowing what it meant to be Catholic. Now I am having an awakening. It feels good. What better way to spend my days then to read the Catechism and Bible while my children are at school or at nite. Better then the junk on TV!!
My family is in a Catholic school now also and it is great. It is a very good school. I am very impressed with the amount of faith essentials they are putting into these kids.
One thing about homeschooling. I did that also. It is not for everyone, so if it is not your choice that is okay but I did want to put a plug in for homeschoolers and that is they are out there spreading the faith. They are involved in many outside activities that give them many opportunities to see how to use their faith in the world. In our homeschool community we were involved in ministries every school year and during the summer and with multiple families, so there is plenty of teaching the faith and talking about the faith in the outside world when teaching your kids at home but as I said that is not a choice everyone has to make. The main thing is to remember that parents are the primary educators of their children.
“Since parents have conferred life on their children, they have a most solemn obligation to educate their offspring. Hence, parents must be acknowledged as the first and foremost educators of their children. Their role as educators is so decisive that scarcely anything can compensate for their failure in it. For it devolves on parents to create a family atmosphere so animated with love and reverence for God and others that a well-rounded personal and social development will be fostered among children. Hence, the family is the first school of those social virtues which every society needs.”–Gravissimum Educationis (one of the documents of the Second Vatican Council)
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Mrs_Sally
Guest
What do you mean by “they like to drink”? If you are talking about going out to bars or clubs as the exclusive entertainment, than I agree. If you mean even having wine or beer with dinner or at a party in someone’s home (not drinking to get drunk), then that is acceptable behavior. (And very Catholic.Thank you so much. It is very scary world we live in. I just want Catholics to know that they can always come home. We have a huge congregation at our church. Like 600 families. Yet when the Priest offers Bible Studies we get about 20. I am not “cool” among alot of the other Catholics my age at my church because they like to drink. I like to go to the Church Bible Studies and participate in events at Church. Sadly I can’t get anyone to go. I feel out of place with them. I just want to raise my Children to be devote Catholics. I am afraid that like so many, they too, will leave the faith. Out of 5 siblings I am the only one still catholic. They have become atheist along with my parents. I don’t know how this has happened. I think the secular world has gotten to them. I feel so alone. Thank you for welcoming me here.
)Even at my church of 5000 familes, we don’t get enormous crowds for Bible studies or other regular commitments. Young families have a lot going on, often they can make a one night event or maybe a monthly series, but aren’t able to commit to a weekly Bible study.
Does your parish or diocese offer an NFP class? That’s a good place to find other young couples who are serious about their faith. Or offer to be an RCIA sponsor for another couple. Try starting with just one or two other couples to have dinner at your home complete with kiddies running around. Ask them to each invite one other family and build your network that way.
God bless you as you search for like-minded friends.
M
Mrs_Sally
Guest
What does this mean? How does it work out in real life? Are you making appointments, catching him after Mass, calling the rectory? It may be best to collect up a few questions and make an appointment rather than trying to catch him after Mass.But do your homework first, so that you aren’t asking him questions that are easily answered from the CCC or USCCB website. On the other hand don’t expect him to entertain endless hypotheticals. That’s what these forums are for.
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JillianRose
Guest
They like to hang out at a bar. They eat and drink a lot. They also talk about other moms. I feel out of place. I am friendly but I don’t want to be associated with that. As a devoted servant of the lord I feel it is sinful to say you are too busy for the LORD. I would never want God to be to busy for me. I teach my children that God and our faith is first. Everything else is second. GOD has been great to us.What do you mean by “they like to drink”? If you are talking about going out to bars or clubs as the exclusive entertainment, than I agree. If you mean even having wine or beer with dinner or at a party in someone’s home (not drinking to get drunk), then that is acceptable behavior. (And very Catholic.
Even at my church of 5000 familes, we don’t get enormous crowds for Bible studies or other regular commitments. Young families have a lot going on, often they can make a one night event or maybe a monthly series, but aren’t able to commit to a weekly Bible study.
Does your parish or diocese offer an NFP class? That’s a good place to find other young couples who are serious about their faith. Or offer to be an RCIA sponsor for another couple. Try starting with just one or two other couples to have dinner at your home complete with kiddies running around. Ask them to each invite one other family and build your network that way
God bless you as you search for like-minded friends.
- Status