Want to become Catholic - raised Church of Christ fell away

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paulocau

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Hi, I’m probably in the wrong spot, but…
I was raised in the Protestant Church of Christ. I went to church and studied the bible, went to bible camp etc. but more or less fell away. I always believed, but didn’t practice. I went off and became a semi-famous musician, (although a record I made had a decidedly Christian msg). I lived for myself and for pleasure and knowledge etc. I ended up addicted to drugs, my 2 brothers were killed in a carcrash, my partner asphyxiated on our couch…things have been rough.
I’ve been feeling a huge calling to God and Christ, the last few years. Upon much thought and reflection I’ve been driven to believing the Catholic Church is the true church. Because of what Jesus said to Peter. Because upon actually looking into the truth of what I was taught about Catholicism, I found what I had been taught to be erroneous, at best, straight up deception, at worst. Because the Catholic Church is being denigrated beyond belief, and that would never happen were it not the truth, right?.. Plus I asked God to reveal the truth to me and played Bible roulette and boy, did he show me the truth.
So, I’ve been going to Mass at my local parrish, for a few months. The people are nice, the Mass is beautiful. I’m really enjoying it. I’m praying and trying my best to take up my cross and love others more than myself, (especially those who seemingly, don’t deserve it…yes I know they deserve it more than me.) and am reading the Bible, pretty much, every day.
I’ve rang the office and the Presbytery and expressed my interest and desire to become initiated into the Catholic Faith.
Okay, here’s the issue… Nobody has called me back with any information. I was told Father would. I approached Father at the end of Mass and said I would like to make an appointment regarding joining the Church. Since then, I only get looks of disdain from him. Seriously, you would think I was there to burn the place to the ground by the way he looks at me. Granted, I have long hair, (that I tie into a tight bun) and wear “band T-Shirts”, but that is all I own… And I do believe I was told, “come as you are”. Infact, that was the very first Hymn that was sung, at my first Mass.
I’m concerned… What happens if I… I dunno…Die! before I can get baptised, confess and take Communion? I’ve looked into it and can see that it is pretty much done at Easter. Is that right? And why would they just ignore me and look at me with disdain? I think God has said “just keep going”, but I am worried… Trust me, people die suddenly… And then what?
Okay, people can tell me how stupid I am, now.
Thanks. God Bless.
Paul
 
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Hey, welcome to the Church. I’m deeply sorry for all the trouble you have been through. Even if you were wearing some sort of objectionable shirt, the priest should have at least called you back. Either he has been busy (which is always a possibility) or he just doesn’t want to deal with you (which is absolutely horrible). Hopefully it is the former and I would ring him up again and remind him. Priests can be incredibly busy. If the priest still hasn’t got back to you by then, maybe try another parish. There should be another one around.

But, don’t worry about dying before your Baptism. As long as you are actively working towards it, God understands. In Catholic theology its something called Baptism of Desire. It substitutes for baptism if you die and haven’t gotten to the “real deal” yet. So you are good.

But keep up the good fight. Don’t feel discouraged by your experiences so far. The Devil always puts up roadblocks to incoming converts. Don’t let one bad apple spoil the Church for you.
 
How long has it been?

Priests are oftentimes very busy, and he might not have gotten to it yet.

However, if you feel like it’s been long enough, call the church again perhaps

God bless and welcome home!
 
Congratulations on overcoming the many obstacles placed in your life. Continue going to Mass and keep praying.

Is there another parish near you? If so, you can call them about starting RCIA. If you want to stay in the parish where you are attending, keep at it. Call to make an appointment with the priest until you get one. It will be worth it.

Welcome home!
 
Horton said:
Congratulations on overcoming the many obstacles placed in your life. Continue going to Mass and keep praying.

Is there another parish near you? If so, you can call them about starting RCIA. If you want to stay in the parish where you are attending, keep at it. Call to make an appointment with the priest until you get one. It will be worth it.

Welcome home!
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Horton makes a good point; is there another church near you? And if there is a Catholic college or university, that might be worth the trip? Sometimes a priest in a parish is overworked and can seem disinterested.
As to your attire, I might suggest you drop by a local Goodwill store, (or maybe even better, a St.Vincent de Paul outlet )and pick up a nice shirt (dress, casual, golf, whatever) and wear it when you meet the priest again. You might be right about the impression your clothes make (not that it should matter - but people are people if you know what I mean), and you can get a decent shirt for fifty cents. ( I donate to ST.Vincent de Paul) and have gifted them with many an article of clothing in great shape that would cost 20 bucks on the outside.
Anyway, congrats on your desire to find a home in the RCC. Have faith and persevere. Prayer said for your intention.
Good luck!
 
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Dear Paul, I hear you loud and clear. I found the same lack of pastoral care in half a dozen parishes in my diocese. I recommend you call the church office and make an appointment to talk to the priest. Do not be sidetracked by the secretary, or whoever answers the phone. Do not hang up until you have an appointment. Do not go in and fill out paperwork or be signed up for a class before you have talked to the priest. If this doesn’t work, try another parish. Or like I did, try an Eastern Catholic parish. They are few and far between but have better pastoral care. Welcome home.
 
paulocau said:
Since then, I only get looks of disdain from him. Seriously, you would think I was there to burn the place to the ground by the way he looks at me. Granted, I have long hair, (that I tie into a tight bun) and wear “band T-Shirts”, but that is all I own…
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I can appreciate the fact that you are hard on your luck. If you need help, there are Catholic social services available in almost every town. Hot meal, decent clothes, drug rehab, help getting a job.

Its just a fact that if you don’t dress like a serious person, its a lot more difficult to be taken as such. But there is help available, and you should see that you take advantage. That’s what its there for.
 
Hey Paul.Praying it all works out,and soon.Welcome home 🙂
 
Thankyou to everyone for their comments/answers. They are appreciated, so very much.
It has been about 3 months… A little over. I absolutely see that it shouldn’t be easy to just jump in and I have considered that, perhaps, Father is watching me. To see if I do indeed show up and show that I’m serious, no matter what. Which I undoubtedly am.

I did go to a Salvation Army Store, here, in Perth, Aus, and bought myself a dress shirt, which I have worn the last 2 weeks. I am planning on cutting off my hair as I read in my Bible that long hair on a man is disgraceful. I have no problem with that or anything that I am required to do, by God. I stopped marijuana when I started going to Mass, which was the last vestige of my drug use. Not because I necessarily thought it was wrong, but I believed that using it, definitely, showed a lack of Faith… I used it for medical issues, not pleasure, but I was prepared to show God that I know He can cure me of those issues and He has. Also I read about having nothing to do with things that demons are concerned with and that clinched it for me… plus “obeying the Law”.

Thankyou everyone for welcoming me. Thankyou for your (name removed by moderator)ut, it is a relief to know that God is accepting of me, though I’ve not yet taken my “vows” and been baptised/confessed/communion. Since my “reconciliation”, (such as it is, thus far), I have experienced a joy that I have never felt before. I have also experienced A LOT of hurdles and roadblocks, but none that could ever change my mind about the Lord and I was expecting them, anyway. Again, God said to me “just keep on going. feel the pain and love me anyway…regardless.”

Praise be to God and to His Son, Lord Jesus Christ.
God bless you all. Have a beautiful Advent and Christmas.
 
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Parish admin can be very hit and miss and I’m sorry there seems to be a culture of judging people on their appearance. You might be better at a different parish however you do often have to be quite pushy with the admin side.

Well done on your journey and I hope things soon fall into place.
 
The Church of Christ, at least the group we call that in the US, normally baptizes. So were you never baptized? If you were the Catholic Church should recognize that baptism it done correctly, which the Church of Christ generally would.

If you haven’t been baptized in case of true emergency anyone can baptize you. So, if you have a heart attack and are being rushed to the hospital the medics could baptize you. They need to do it properly of course, which isn’t really hard.

As others say the desire to be baptized or enter the Church counts for something. Until that day pray to God for forgiveness, make acts of contrition, and work on living a holy life.
 
Speaking as a parish secretary, we love to see new faces and welcome people from all walks of life. Sure, humans have good days and bad days, but, those of us who give our lives to work for the Church tend to be on the “WELCOME HOME” side of things.

I would advise to call on Tuesday - Thursday. Monday and Friday are CRAZY days in parish offices. Check for a website or facebook page, email is the best way to contact a parish that has an updated online presence, phone is best for those with a website that has not been updated since 1845. 🙂
 
paulocau said:
Since my “reconciliation”, (such as it is, thus far), I have experienced a joy that I have never felt before. I have also experienced A LOT of hurdles and roadblocks, but none that could ever change my mind about the Lord and I was expecting them, anyway. Again, God said to me “just keep on going. feel the pain and love me anyway…regardless.”
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Alas, this is very true. God has guided me all my life, in and out of different churches, parishes, to learn. What I have learned is that I trust no one. No one but God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit. There are many who call themselves sons of God but they do not know the Father, Son or the Holy Spirit. They know traditions, reiterate memorized prayers, go to church, but know not God.
 
I wasn’t ever baptised, no. It didn’t come up until I was in my early 20’s and , (this may sound odd…but) I didn’t want to disrespect God by being baptised when I knew I wasn’t trying to live a righteous life and I just didn’t feel right about it.
 
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There is another Parish, but… It is the same Priest! Reading everyone’s comments has me feeling much better about it all. I can see I’m not in an abnormal situation. If Father is waiting to see if I’m in it for the long haul, that is fine. That it isn’t easy to just jump in, is fine, also, and I understand.
I can see I just need to remain dedicated and know God will take care of it all.

Peace be with you all.
 
Suggest calling and signing up for the RCIA program. Each parish should have RCIA.

They may vary slightly from one parish to another.

Call the Cathedral office and ask if the Cathedral has an RCIA … may be more comprehensive and they may also be able to point you to a Catholic library or Catholic book store.

Check also the diocesan newspaper which should have mentions of various seminars … would help getting more background. There should be copies of the diocesan newspaper in a pile in the vestibule of your parish church.

Each parish seems to have one unique “speciality” or another. Some may be big on music or on art … one even published a book on their magnificent stained glass windows that some unknown person a hundred years ago sponsored. Anyway, you may find a parish whose “speciality” is more in tune with your own interests.

One parish has an annual sponsorship of The Shroud of Turin … which I found amazing.

One parish had a music director who turned out to be a famous composer in real life. [I lost track of him. Then out of nowhere, he turned up as Chief of Air Force Chaplains.]

One non-Catholic hanging out fellow liked playing drums. He inquired about maybe playing … helping out with the parish band. Years later he spoke about it. Because one thing led to another. And HE ENDED UP BECOMING A CATHOLIC PRIEST !!!

You just never know the path that God has planned for you.

Start attending weekly or daily Mass … just sit in the back and observe.
 
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Thanks. That is what I’m doing. I’ve also ordered some Prayer books and books on becoming Catholic and the RCIA. I’ve started a course on studying The Bible run by a gentleman who msg’d me, from here.

I really am feeling a lot better. I got hold of a bunch of Catholic Prayers, including The Prayer for All Things to Attain Salvation, The Apostle’s Creed and Prayers for Spiritual Communion.

It is all part of the journey, I’d say and God will lead me where I’m supposed to be. I am eternally grateful for everyone’s (name removed by moderator)ut. It has been invaluable.
God Bless, Peace be with you, all.
 
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