Trying to learn more about the Catholic Faith.

[nea1]

I grew up in church, we either attended a non-denominational church or most recently I have been attending and joined a Methodist church in my hometown. A few months ago I moved to finish college and one of my closest new friends is a very devout catholic, i have always had several Catholic friends but have never really known a lot about it. I am trying to learn more so that I can better understand where my friend is coming from when we discuss his faith. Any resources or information would be greatly appreciated! I want to better understand for my own benefit as well as being more adept at discussions with all of my Catholic friends.

 

[wardrandolph]

Hello and welcome.I would recommend the following web sites.Its all free and no one will be knocking on your door. www.usccb.org. Click on Catechism. www.amm.org. This is Catholic Home Study. Also www.ewtn.com. This is Catholic television.May our Heavenly Father bless you.

 

[Idontgetit]

I grew up in church, we either attended a non-denominational church or most recently I have been attending and joined a Methodist church in my hometown. A few months ago I moved to finish college and one of my closest new friends is a very devout catholic, i have always had several Catholic friends but have never really known a lot about it. I am trying to learn more so that I can better understand where my friend is coming from when we discuss his faith. Any resources or information would be greatly appreciated! I want to better understand for my own benefit as well as being more adept at discussions with all of my Catholic friends.

My advice you will hear alot of tripe spewed out about both sides, from the “true believers” ™. Personally I thing the Catechism of the Catholic Church is a good start, ewtn, and this site are also good resources for the CC. I think good sites for the other side can be found on the web as well. My advice is to also discuss your questions with your friend or his priest. Most priests I have met are quite balanced in their approach. Do try to avoid the fundie nutcases that fester on College campuses, they are not balanced, they are just plain silly.

 

[Yerusalyim]

Start asking questions, but don’t accept the answer unless we give you biblical and or Catechims references.

 

[vocatio]

Hello and welcome.I would recommend the following web sites.Its all free and no one will be knocking on your door. www.usccb.org. Click on Catechism. www.amm.org. This is Catholic Home Study. Also www.ewtn.com. This is Catholic television.May our Heavenly Father bless you.

BIG DITTO

Nea1, I’d recommend staying off these boards, especially until after you’ve take an RICA class and read the Catechism. You will get lots of wrong advice. You need to learn from the horses mouth. My dad used to tell me to kiss the horse for him…my wife Never knew what he meant. Anyway at the risk of sounding like my day…learn straight from the horses mouth. Remember the saying…“the road to hell is paved with good intentions”… keep that in mind as you listen to well meaning people. Read the Catechism, buy it for $22 or just go the the USCCB website given already. If you come to this website, stay on www.catholic.com not the forums. I personally believe this forum is way over the top, too permisible for non-Catholics and restraining for truth at times by well meaning moderators trying to keep holy wars from breaking out. The teaching of the church gets distorted by arguments and cutting off. You can NOT be free to say things clearly at times, depending on the moderator. Not to slam the moderators, but there is very little room for personality and thus a lot gets distorted unintentionally. You need the start with milk and honey before trying to eat steak.

 

[justinthemartyr]

Go to your local Catholic bookstore and grab a little red booklet “handbook for todays catholic” or buy it online by googling it.

It was my initial help given to me by a friend of mine and got me over the hump in 15 minutes of readin on many topics(heaven, hell, purgatory etc…

Then I read in two days(4.5 hrs) Rome Sweet Home by Scott and Kimberly Hahn, presbyterian minister and wife converts. amazing!

peace to you, on your journey.

 

[kalt]

Go to your local Catholic bookstore and grab a little red booklet “handbook for todays catholic” or buy it online by googling it.

It was my initial help given to me by a friend of mine and got me over the hump in 15 minutes of readin on many topics(heaven, hell, purgatory etc…

Then I read in two days(4.5 hrs) Rome Sweet Home by Scott and Kimberly Hahn, presbyterian minister and wife converts. amazing!

peace to you, on your journey.

I like the books you suggested. They’re easy to read and aren’t too much for someone who is just starting to learn about Catholicism.

The CCC is more comprehensive, but it’s not meant to be read cover-to-cover, and you have to have an idea of what you want to know before using it. Looking up “Mary”, for example, will send you to oodles of references in the CCC. It’s too much for someone who might not know what questions to ask.

There are 2 other basic books that I think are good.

“The Essential Catholic Handbook” This has a glossary and has references to the Catechism of the CC.

“Catholic Questions - Catholic Answers” by Fr Kenneth Ryan
This one has answers to common questions on Confression, Purgatory, Mary, the Sacraments, the Pope, etc.

 

[ibkc]

I found Catholicism for Dummies to be an excellent, easily digestible first introduction. The Catechism can be daunting for an absolute beginner.

You need the start with milk and honey before trying to eat steak.

Please don’t talk like a Mormon. The Catholic Church has nothing to hide. I do agree that reading the forums can be confusing for someone with no knowledge whatsoever.

 

[tmango]

You have received a lot of good advice. I agree that EWTN would be a great help in understanding the catholic faith. Fr Corapi has a series on EWTN about the Catechism of the Catholic Faith. He is a straight forward, in your face truth, kind of priest that I find very inspiring. You can go to the EWTN website www.ewtn.com and look for radio stations in your area if you are unable to view it on cable.

This site isn’t the best place to learn the catholic faith. It is more of a discussion board about individual opinions, some of which can be very misleading. You should be strong in your faith before you start perusing these different threads about the faith.

I would suggest prayer. Pray for the grace to understand the faith. Become open to this grace and seek knowledge regarding this faith. Perhaps a visit with a priest or church group to discuss the catholic faith.

May you find what you are looking for. God Bless.

 

[steve_b]

Hello and welcome.I would recommend the following web sites.Its all free and no one will be knocking on your door. www.usccb.org. Click on Catechism. www.amm.org. This is Catholic Home Study. Also www.ewtn.com. This is Catholic television.May our Heavenly Father bless you.

Re: the Catechism, I find the search engine for the CCC real handy.
scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

The usccb site has a search function in the Catechism section but it is not specific to the Catechism only

 

[steve_b]

I am trying to learn more so that I can better understand where my friend is coming from when we discuss his faith. Any resources or information would be greatly appreciated! I want to better understand for my own benefit as well as being more adept at discussions with all of my Catholic friends.

Here is a search engine to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
scborromeo.org/ccc.htm I like it for quick references to answers for terms, doctrines etc when conversing and explaining what I believe. It can also correct misconceptions quickly and authoritatively.