Wanting to convert; help needed

[Linda_Marie]

Thank you for the encouragement, Jim.

I’ll keep everyone updated on the RCIA process. I’m going to call tomorrow.

By the way, I just saw how to pray the rosary (here’s the site.) I just wonder how I’m going to remember all that!

You might find this site a little easier to follow.

theworkofgod.org/Devotns/Rosary/rosary.htm

It also includes links for scripture readings for each Mystery under Meditations.

There are also these online Rosary sites Virtual Rosary and Online Rosary Prayer that lead you through step by step so you don’t have to remember everything.

 

[Seatuck]

Thank you for the encouragement, Jim.

I’ll keep everyone updated on the RCIA process. I’m going to call tomorrow.

By the way, I just saw how to pray the rosary (here’s the site.) I just wonder how I’m going to remember all that!

Don’t worry . You’ll remember the important parts after a while. I’ve been praying the rosary for 16 years and still need one of those pamphlets with the pictures.

If you want to talk to more converts about particular issues you can check out Steve Ray’s Website.There’s many convert stories and you can go into the forum which is full of converts and others either on there way into the church inquiring about the church, some cradles and ok and a few really not liking the church too much.

www.catholic-convert.com

 

[George_C]

You might find this site a little easier to follow.

theworkofgod.org/Devotns/Rosary/rosary.htm

It also includes links for scripture readings for each Mystery under Meditations.

There are also these online Rosary sites Virtual Rosary and Online Rosary Prayer that lead you through step by step so you don’t have to remember everything.

Thank you for the help. I’ve bookmarked the sites.

 

[George_C]

Don’t worry . You’ll remember the important parts after a while. I’ve been praying the rosary for 16 years and still need one of those pamphlets with the pictures.

That made me feel much better.

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/6276/awesomemc4.jpg

You’re awesome!

If you want to talk to more converts about particular issues you can check out Steve Ray’s Website.There’s many convert stories and you can go into the forum which is full of converts and others either on there way into the church inquiring about the church, some cradles and ok and a few really not liking the church too much.

www.catholic-convert.com

Yup. Got that one bookmarked already.

 

[GailMac]

Welcome home! I’m a convert too and crossed the Tiber back in '96 after completing RCIA. I recieved Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil that year along with another woman. Those preparing for Confirmation with us went down to the Cathedral after their classes were complete. It was really nice (big understatement!).

If you have questions about RCIA, I might have a few answers. The first thing I did was call the Rectory and made an appointment. All went well and then I was in RCIA - that easy. Go to Mass too - I did almost daily for the entire time and after Easter went daily. It was wonderful. sigh!

Peace,

Gail

 

[George_C]

Okay… * deep breath * I called a local church called St. John’s. The nice lady explained the basics and another lady named Dee will be contacting me. Apparently they’ll take me at my word concerning my baptism.

 

[George_C]

Welcome home! I’m a convert too and crossed the Tiber back in '96 after completing RCIA. I recieved Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil that year along with another woman. Those preparing for Confirmation with us went down to the Cathedral after their classes were complete. It was really nice (big understatement!).

If you have questions about RCIA, I might have a few answers. The first thing I did was call the Rectory and made an appointment. All went well and then I was in RCIA - that easy. Go to Mass too - I did almost daily for the entire time and after Easter went daily. It was wonderful. sigh!

Peace,

Gail

Thank you for the encouragement and the kind words.

One question: when did you begin confessions?

 

[po18guy]

Okay… * deep breath * I called a local church called St. John’s. The nice lady explained the basics and another lady named Dee will be contacting me. Apparently they’ll take me at my word concerning my baptism.

At some point, likely early in the process, you will speak with the parish priest. He will probably inquire more deeply into the matter of your baptism. If he does not, please mention it to him. I would advise that you accomplish all due diligence in tracing your baptism, as you should honor it if you can. A “new” or “second” baptism would be nice, but your first baptism may very well be honored by the Lord, and should be by you, as well.

Again, the possibility remains that it was not done in the proper form. This means that it will need correction via a proper, trinitarian form baptism. That is fine. I only advise to do a reasonable amount of private investigation into it. That, by itself, can be pretty cool stuff.

Again, all praise and glory to the Lord, Who alone has called you home to His church.

Christ’s peace.

 

[George_C]

At some point, likely early in the process, you will speak with the parish priest. He will probably inquire more deeply into the matter of your baptism. If he does not, please mention it to him. I would advise that you accomplish all due diligence in tracing your baptism, as you should honor it if you can. A “new” or “second” baptism would be nice, but your first baptism may very well be honored by the Lord, and should be by you, as well.

Again, the possibility remains that it was not done in the proper form. This means that it will need correction via a proper, trinitarian form baptism. That is fine. I only advise to do a reasonable amount of private investigation into it. That, by itself, can be pretty cool stuff.

Again, all praise and glory to the Lord, Who alone has called you home to His church.

Christ’s peace.

Thank you.

If there’s a written record of my baptism, I’m not aware of it. It was in the late 1970’s in a First Baptist Church. The building is there. However, I was not a member of that congregation; the church I belonged to only borrowed the building.

Like I said, the lady I spoke to said they’ll take my word for it. I’ll inquire about a conditional baptism, which was previously mentioned here.

 

[Linda_Marie]

Thank you for the encouragement and the kind words.

One question: when did you begin confessions?

After baptism, I guess, it depends on yourself and how long it takes you to commit a mortal sin. Because it is a scary thing, that first time, our tendency is to convince ourselves that we don’t really need it. The Church requires Confession at least once a year for all Catholics.

I advise, and I’m echoing here the advice of my first confessor, to go to Confession at least once a month, whether you have committed a mortal sin or not. It helps us to keep on top of things and not slide into complacency, and to identify the areas in our lives that we have not entirely turned over to Christ.

It is helpful to use an Examination of Conscience guide. Here are a few:
americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0890.asp
theworkofgod.org/Library/examine.htm
mission.liguori.org/newsletters/scrupanon.htm
saintaugustinechurch.org/university/goodconfession.html

I have included the Scrupulous Anonymous site as well because I have a touch of scrupulosity(which regards even the most innocuous things as a sin, like squashing a bug or feeling that your sin is so great, it cannot be forgiven) which is just as bad for your spiritual health as thinking you don’t sin at all.

 

[George_C]

After baptism, I guess, it depends on yourself and how long it takes you to commit a mortal sin. Because it is a scary thing, that first time, our tendency is to convince ourselves that we don’t really need it. The Church requires Confession at least once a year for all Catholics.

I advise, and I’m echoing here the advice of my first confessor, to go to Confession at least once a month, whether you have committed a mortal sin or not. It helps us to keep on top of things and not slide into complacency, and to identify the areas in our lives that we have not entirely turned over to Christ.

It is helpful to use an Examination of Conscience guide. Here are a few:
americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0890.asp
theworkofgod.org/Library/examine.htm
mission.liguori.org/newsletters/scrupanon.htm
saintaugustinechurch.org/university/goodconfession.html

I have included the Scrupulous Anonymous site as well because I have a touch of scrupulosity(which regards even the most innocuous things as a sin, like squashing a bug or feeling that your sin is so great, it cannot be forgiven) which is just as bad for your spiritual health as thinking you don’t sin at all.

Thanks for all that.

The Examination of Conscience page was really helpful.

 

[nicolep]

You will likely be asked to make your first confession a week or two before your first Holy Eucharist as long as your baptism is considered valid. If your baptism ins’t valid, you won’t make your first confession until after your sacraments of initiation.

Congratulations!

 

[George_C]

You will likely be asked to make your first confession a week or two before your first Holy Eucharist as long as your baptism is considered valid. If your baptism ins’t valid, you won’t make your first confession until after your sacraments of initiation.

Congratulations!

Thank you.

 

[GailMac]

Dear George C:

You asked: “One question: when did you begin confessions?”

I went to my First Confession two weeks after my Baptism. I’ve been going pretty regular since then. It was a truely beautiful thing and I got the Pastor, Father (now Monsignor) Close, for my very first Confession! Boy o boy was I nervous! He talked me through it. I was floating on air the whole way home too! I’d made up my mind to keep my brand spankin’ new Baptismal garment as white as the day I’d received it. That was over 12 years ago!

When you attend RCIA, you will be told the standard, you only need to go to Confession when you commit a mortal sin, which is true, but…regular use of the Confessional keeps the little stuff from piling up. My theory is when the little stuff piles up, we are more likely to commit the big stuff, so don’t let the little stuff pile up! It is said much better in Sirach - “…people fall little by little.” I sweat the small stuff! LOL. Besides that I want my prayers for others to have as much punch as possible, so I try to stay clean so that I can obtain graces for others. (to me it is the souls in Purgatory) I very well remember the first time I realized that my own prayers could be used by God Himself to help others. I was floored! It has remained with me ever since. I like the idea that I can help God work in this way - through prayer. I’m not a joiner so it is perfect for me. I never did get the “call” to a particular ministry in the Church, readings, EM, teacher, etc…though I did try several groups. I stopped trying to fit in and my ministry IS prayer. Works for me!

Oh well, this is probably more information then you asked for, sorry. I’m yakky this morning.

Peace,

Gail

 

[George_C]

Dear George C:

You asked: “One question: when did you begin confessions?”

I went to my First Confession two weeks after my Baptism. I’ve been going pretty regular since then. It was a truely beautiful thing and I got the Pastor, Father (now Monsignor) Close, for my very first Confession! Boy o boy was I nervous! He talked me through it. I was floating on air the whole way home too! I’d made up my mind to keep my brand spankin’ new Baptismal garment as white as the day I’d received it. That was over 12 years ago!

When you attend RCIA, you will be told the standard, you only need to go to Confession when you commit a mortal sin, which is true, but…regular use of the Confessional keeps the little stuff from piling up. My theory is when the little stuff piles up, we are more likely to commit the big stuff, so don’t let the little stuff pile up! It is said much better in Sirach - “…people fall little by little.” I sweat the small stuff! LOL. Besides that I want my prayers for others to have as much punch as possible, so I try to stay clean so that I can obtain graces for others. (to me it is the souls in Purgatory) I very well remember the first time I realized that my own prayers could be used by God Himself to help others. I was floored! It has remained with me ever since. I like the idea that I can help God work in this way - through prayer. I’m not a joiner so it is perfect for me. I never did get the “call” to a particular ministry in the Church, readings, EM, teacher, etc…though I did try several groups. I stopped trying to fit in and my ministry IS prayer. Works for me!

Oh well, this is probably more information then you asked for, sorry. I’m yakky this morning.

Peace,

Gail

Actually that was really informative, Gail. Thanks.

Like you, I’m not a joiner. One question, though: what’s “EM?”

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Thank you for the encouragement and the kind words.

One question: when did you begin confessions?

Normally you will make your first confession shortly before you are received into the Church (make a profession of faith, be Confirmed, and receive your First Communion).

 

[Pani_Rose]

I think I’m going to have to. I wish I could remember more.

Thanks for responding.

I received a ‘conditional Baptism’ simply because we had no idea of where the Baptismal records were and I was 8 years old then in another part of the country. So, overall, conditional was truly wonderful Thank you Jesus!

 

[George_C]

Normally you will make your first confession shortly before you are received into the Church (make a profession of faith, be Confirmed, and receive your First Communion).

Thank you.

 

[George_C]

I received a ‘conditional Baptism’ simply because we had no idea of where the Baptismal records were and I was 8 years old then in another part of the country. So, overall, conditional was truly wonderful Thank you Jesus!

Basically your situation and mine are similar.

Thanks for the response.

 

[JimArsenault]

Thank you for the encouragement, Jim.

I’ll keep everyone updated on the RCIA process. I’m going to call tomorrow.

By the way, I just saw how to pray the rosary (here’s the site.) I just wonder how I’m going to remember all that!

Just a suggestion I had a hard time getting myself to start praying the Rosary “procrastinsation or something” But I started doing it along with EWTN “Rosary in the Holy Land” and now it seems to go by too fast the imagery used helps me meditate on the mysteries better. It truely is a wonderful way of praying.
Hope this might be of some help.
Love and Prayers jim