Wandering a Linguistic Desert

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Eungang

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(originally posted in the Meet and Greet forum, it was suggested I post this here instead)

Hi Everyone,

I’m a stranger in a strange land, both here in this forum and in real life. I am a US expat currently living in Asia, where English is most definitely not the native language. As such, I have not yet been able to locate a local English-speaking parish.

I signed up here a few years ago, but don’t believe I have ever posted anything. So here I am, saying hi. I am Protestant…ish…but only in the sense that I am not (yet) Catholic. I left the evangelical sect I previously associated with quite awhile ago, gratefully and without reservation I might add. I’m sure it is a story most here have heard before so I won’t bore you to tears.

The circumstances I find myself living in these days are somewhat unique. I am seeking Christ in his Apostolic Church…except there are precious few resources in my native language in which to draw from. I am interested in RCIA but that seems a bit of a stretch as I cannot find one in English and my skill with the native language (Korean) is not up to task yet.

Is there a Counselor or, even better, perhaps a Priest whom frequents this forum who might be willing to spend a few moments talking with me? Can any of you good folks point me to any resources online? I’d be one grateful seeker!

Thanks for reading, God bless!
 
Normally I would jump in with a comment such as “Gee, if only the Church had a universal language” but I feel your discomfort. Sometimes Christianity involves not just words but actions and good example as well. Smile a lot, be friendly, and search the internet for what you are seeking. God bless.
 
ProVobis, thanks for taking a moment to read and reply, much appreciated. God bless.
 
I’m sure you’ve already looked at MassTimes, but if not that would probably be where I would start.

For instance, a search for Busan gives 2 parishes where English masses are available.

Even if there are no English masses near you, perhaps you can attend one of the listed masses in a larger city, and afterward ask the priest if he has any contacts or recommendations for your area.
 
Digitonomy, thanks for your suggestions, and no I hadn’t heard of MassTimes. I have been able to locate English speaking parishes in the bigger cities. I lives nearest to Seoul and Daejeon, both of which have English speaking Catholic communities but are a couple of hours away for me. RCIA in English seems to be the real difficulty. Thanks again!
 

Here are some sites that will help you on line.​

Catechism of the Catholic Church on line.

usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catechism/catechism-of-the-catholic-church/epub/index.cfm

usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catechism/catechism-of-the-catholic-church/epub/OEBPS/44-john.xhtml#john

usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catechism/catechism-of-the-catholic-church/epub/OEBPS/45-vaticani.xhtml#vaticani

scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
Search the Catechesm
ccc.scborromeo.org.master.com/texis/master/search/?sufs=0&q=righteous&s=SS

Baltimore Catechism - short questions and answers

catholicity.com/baltimore-catechism/

Site to answer radom questions about Catholocism

catholicscomehome.org/im-not-catholic/

catholic self study courses

Catechism of St. Pius X
basilica.org/pages/catechism/ccc_toc.htm

Catechism of St. Thomas Aquinas:
catholicprimer.org

Cathechism Vatican.va
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

Catholicism 101
catholic.net/index.php?option=channel&canal=Catholicism 101&id=1&grupo=Church Teaching Q%26A

catholicrefreshercourse.com/

mariancatechist.com/

This site is a nice one to browse around in.

catholicbridge.com/index.php

May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and give you peace.
 
JamalChristophr, thanks so much! I will most certainly try to contact them. God Bless you!
 
I think the thing for you to do would be to find some priest who speaks English well and ask him for private instruction. This is quite permissible as a form of RCIA. It could possibly even be a sister, so long as they are informed enough to transmit the Faith. That’s my idea.

Blessings upon you!
 
fred conty, wow, thanks so much for all that info! I will check them all out! Peace and Blessings, friend.
 
JamalChristophr said:
I think the thing for you to do would be to find some priest who speaks English well and ask him for private instruction. This is quite permissible as a form of RCIA. It could possibly even be a sister, so long as they are informed enough to transmit the Faith. That’s my idea.

Blessings upon you!
Click to expand...
That’s a really good idea. Now that I think about it, I met a Korean Priest about 2 1/2 years ago in a nearby city. Will try to find him again.
 
Eungang said:
RCIA in English seems to be the real difficulty.
Click to expand...
Hmmm… This kind of problem shouldn’t be insurmountable. I have observed the RCIA process in various parishes I’ve attended, but I have not been a participant, so I don’t have intimate knowledge of their procedures. IOW, take what I say with a grain of salt.

It seems to me an English-speaking Catholic could be found to be your sponsor somewhere in your area. You could attend the local parish’s RCIA program, although your participation would naturally be a bit limited by your language abilities. But if you are eager enough, your education in the nuts and bolts of the faith can be had pretty easily by the many online resources listed above, not to mention this site. The biggest challenge I see is spiritual direction/ pastoral care.

If I were bishop that is what I would decree, but there may be rules and other hoops to jump through, or even easier paths that I’m not thinking of… Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will jump in, or even better you’ll be able to contact such a person there.

Anyway, good luck in what sounds like a very exciting time both in general living in a new country and in your journey toward Christ!
 
Eungang said:
(originally posted in the Meet and Greet forum, it was suggested I post this here instead)

Hi Everyone,

I’m a stranger in a strange land, both here in this forum and in real life. I am a US expat currently living in Asia, where English is most definitely not the native language. As such, I have not yet been able to locate a local English-speaking parish.

I signed up here a few years ago, but don’t believe I have ever posted anything. So here I am, saying hi. I am Protestant…ish…but only in the sense that I am not (yet) Catholic. I left the evangelical sect I previously associated with quite awhile ago, gratefully and without reservation I might add. I’m sure it is a story most here have heard before so I won’t bore you to tears.

The circumstances I find myself living in these days are somewhat unique. I am seeking Christ in his Apostolic Church…except there are precious few resources in my native language in which to draw from. I am interested in RCIA but that seems a bit of a stretch as I cannot find one in English and my skill with the native language (Korean) is not up to task yet.

Is there a Counselor or, even better, perhaps a Priest whom frequents this forum who might be willing to spend a few moments talking with me? Can any of you good folks point me to any resources online? I’d be one grateful seeker!

Thanks for reading, God bless!
Click to expand...
If you live in Seoul these two churches have Masses in English so you might try there to see if they have any programs in English.

thecatholicdirectory.com/directory.cfm?fuseaction=display_site_info&siteid=116013

thecatholicdirectory.com/directory.cfm?fuseaction=display_site_info&siteid=116012
 
An update for anyone interested:

Today I was in Seoul and decided on a whim to drop by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Korea. After they got over the initial shock of having a random American show up at their front door, they invited me in for coffee and discussion. Within 15 minutes I was ushered into an office deeper within where a couple of very nice women whom spoke English helped me out by putting me in contact with a Priest who lives not terribly far from me and who speaks English. I spoke with him for about 10 minutes by phone in their office and he was interested in and utterly sympathetic concerning the struggles I’ve been having in finding Catechumen resources in English. It’s all good though, he wants to get together asap to meet and talk. God is providing, I am incredibly grateful.
 
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