What advice would you give to new Catholics?

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onceagain

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What do you think makes a good Catholic? What would you recommend they do? What would you recommend they read?

I know it’s a very open-ended question, and I’m not being very specific. But I’m trying to get back in touch with my faith and I’m having some trouble doing so. So any advice you ‘experienced’ (don’t want to say older 😃 ) Catholics could hand down, I would really appreciate it.
 
onceagain said:
What do you think makes a good Catholic? What would you recommend they do? What would you recommend they read?

I know it’s a very open-ended question, and I’m not being very specific. But I’m trying to get back in touch with my faith and I’m having some trouble doing so. So any advice you ‘experienced’ (don’t want to say older 😃 ) Catholics could hand down, I would really appreciate it.
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I suggest that they read the CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH or if that is too much try the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
 
I would recommend praying the Rosary and frequenting the Sacraments (Confession and Holy Communion) 🙂
 
There are also many spiritualities within the Church that are meant to help you live out your baptismal vows: Franciscan, Carmelite, Dominican, etc. Also, try reading the writings of the great saints, such as St. Francis de Sales or St. Teresa of Avila.

I would also recommend you pray Morning and Evening Prayer as modified for lay people. One very good one is: Magnificat. It’s a subscription “magazine” that costs about $40.00 per year, but it’s well worth every penny for all the things in it. 🙂
 
In addition to all the recommendations posted, I suggest you to get the “The Catholic Answer Bible”. 👍

This Bible not only has good footnotes and explanations of the Bible verses, it also covers almost all questions to do with Catholic faith with solid answers.

God bless!
 
at our parish we have a ‘neophyte’ program in place to help new Catholics in their first year. Many times we have discovered that they make excellent sponsors and catechists and we incorporate their help in the RCIA and PSR programs at the parish.

On a personal , one-on-one level I try to encourage a deepening prayer life as that has helped me tremendously in my own growth as a member of the Church. I encourage them to listen to Catholic radio and to watch Catholic Television when possible. I try to remember what it feels like to be new in anything and make it MY responsibility to put my hand out whenever possible as I know hands were put out to me.
 
I would encourage a new Catholic to connect with other Catholics–preferable devout Catholics.

My experience is that good Catholic friends are very important for support, encouragement, and growing in the faith.
 
Try not to take in everything at once. There’s a lot to learn and experience as a Catholic, but not all of it suits everyone.

At a minimum:
  • Get more familiar with the Bible from a Catholic perspective. You don’t have to become a scholar (you’re probably better off if you don’t!) but read a little bit each day for meditation and devotional purposes, and try to be studying at least one book or topic of the Bible at any given time. It will bode you well in learning your Faith, defending your Faith, and living your Faith. For some suggestions on how to get started doing this, please visit my webpage at the link below.
  • Don’t try to take on a whole slew of devotions all at once. If you simutaneously try to pray the Rosary, the Divine Mercy, the Liturgy of the Hours. attend daily Mass, read Louis de Montfort, and study the Bible all at one time, you’ll burn out like a meteorite. Take one at a time, and see what suits you and brings you closer to Jesus.
  • Get involved with other Catholics regularly on the parish or other level in at least some small way, be it in a prayer group, helping out at the parish or social justice activity. Even for loners, contact with the rest of the Body of Christ is vital to helping you practice, not just learn, your Faith. Be as generous as you can with your time, treasure, and talent.
  • Try to set aside sometime for real prayer, that is, quiet time with just you and God. This is the hardest things for most Christians to cultivate, but it reaps heavenly rewards of peace and closeness with Our God.
  • Continue to learn about the Faith, but be selective in what you read and listen to, because there’s a lot of non-orthodox teaching trying to pass itself off as Catholic. I recommend starting with good, solid Catholic publishers like Ignatius Books, Emmaus Road, Sophia Publishing, Basilica Books, and some of the newer *OSV *titles. This will get you off to a good start and help you recognize the wheat from the chaff.
Hope that helps. God bless you!
 
I would recommend strongly the newly initiated Catholic continue to attend the mystagogy sessions offered thru RCIA at his parish, or go on to any other adult ed class or bible study. Another good suggestion is to volunteer as a sponsor for someone in RCIA next year, you will go through the process again with a different set of scripture readings, and sit thru the classes again, but you always learn something different second time around. Another alternative would be to volunteer as a catechist aide in your parish CCD, esp. for first communion or confirmation, because helping to teach others is a great way to learn more yourself.

be ready for the “letdown” that inevitably comes after a period of intense preparation for something important, and the rites themselves, and in that time continue to persevere in prayer, Mass and the sacraments.
 
In addition to the advice to complete Mystagogy and sponsor a friend into the Church for next Easter, also make it a point to go to daily Mass at least once or twice a week, and to join up with one week-night activity other than RCIA - Bible Study, Rosary Group, Legion of Mary, CWL/KoC, etc. One thing. Take it slow and easy, one thing at a time.

The most important thing is to get out there with other Catholics, make friends with them, and hear their stories. If someone invites you out for coffee with the gang after Mass or after Bible Study or whatever, forget your excuses and go - and have a wonderful time.
 
I have been Catholic for about two and a half years now. I would say four things.

1. Pray daily. Others have suggested the divine office and the rosary. Both of these are wonderful prayers, and you should pick the one that suits you best. Magnificat is a wonderful magazine for a deepening daily prayer life. Also, try to cultivate a daily ongoing prayer conversation with Jesus, so that you bring him to mind while going about your daily activities.

2. Go to mass at least weekly. Obviously, you have to go on Sundays and holy days. But Mass and Holy Communion are at the center of our Catholic life. Try attending daily mass whenever your schedule permits.

3. Frequent the Sacrament of Confession. The first thing that Jesus said in his ministry was “Do Penance! For the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” In this sacrament, we repent of our sins, receive Christ’s forgiveness, and receive strength to avoid our sins in the future. I go about 3 times per month, and have grown alot in my spiritual walk.

4. Get some good spiritual reading. Try Catholic Answers’ book store or some good Catholic publisher (Ignatius, Sophia Institute, etc). And good spiritual reading includes the Bible too!
 
Get plenty of exercise; eat fresh fruit; and drink 8 quarts of water per day.👍
 
Try this book, I hear it is very good and I plan to get it myself. It is called Living the Mysteries, by Dr Scott Hahn, all his stuff is great. amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1931709122/stpaulcenterf-20/002-0802523-7455220

Also, there is a series fo Books by Amy Welborn called - Prove It! Geared for younger folks, and others. I bought a copy of Prove It-Church, for my 19 year old daughter and along with a LOT of other stuff, she is now back to the Church, and DEEP into the Faith.

She loves the Eucharist and Adoration. Are you aware of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrement? :gopray2:

My prayers are with you.

God Bless,
Bob
 
onceagain said:
What do you think makes a good Catholic? What would you recommend they do? What would you recommend they read?

I know it’s a very open-ended question, and I’m not being very specific. But I’m trying to get back in touch with my faith and I’m having some trouble doing so. So any advice you ‘experienced’ (don’t want to say older 😃 ) Catholics could hand down, I would really appreciate it.
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yes indeed! reading is always good! it helped me much on my road back to the True Church. prayer helps tremendously, and how about meeting with a priest in a church near you?
 
As has been said already, don’t try to take in everything at once.

But do, pray, and go to Confession and Mass.

A good way to jump start the whole thing is to go on a week-end retreat, if you can.

Check with your dioceses to find out if there are any in your area.

Also, be patient. Saints aren’t made over night. It takes a life time, what your’s might be.

Jim
 
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