What I Love About the Catholic Church

[twopekinguys]

Okay, I am confused? Are you a practicing Catholic now wtih Protestant tendencies still lurking inside?

LOL, no, there are two of us sharing one screen name.

One is Methodist, one is Catholic, but we are very very like minded on many things.
(it’s in the profile…)

 

[manini]

I love this thread.
I love the Mass
I love receiving Jesus in communion
and being one with Him.

 

[Byzantine_Wolf]

I know we spend a lot debating other faiths, but what do we like about the Catholic Church?

Fulton Sheen. Q.E.D.

 

[Mike2010]

The Orthodox also get to receive Jesus Himself in the Eucharist. Their Sacraments are valid. Pray for unity between Catholics and Orthodox.

Very true!

 

[Jay53]

I love the Sacraments, particularly the Eucharist and Reconciliation.

 

[SirThomasMore]

I love the Sacraments, particularly the Eucharist and Reconciliation.

I agree!

 

[AngloCatholic1]

Everyone has raised so many good points, and I whole-heartedly embrace them all. However, I’m a convert to Catholicism from Anglicanism…so, with THAT in mind, I have to say that the foremost thing I LOVE about the Catholic Church is AUTHORITY. When I was in RCIA I was AMAZED at the CLEAR, STRAIGHTFORWARD ANSWERS I got to controversial questions. Furthermore, these answers were all backed up with straight-forward interpretations of scripture coupled with Apostolic tradition. You simply NO NOT get this in the Anglican churches…there’s NO central authority to which all can turn to on important issues…just a collection of fanciful opinions. For the life of me, I just don’t know how Christians can be comfortable in churches like that! It’s like growing up in a household where the parents NEVER give you clear answers about proper behaviour, about right and wrong. The children suffer needlessly, stumbling and blundering their way through life; making, unmaking and remaking the rules as they go along. So sad.

 

[RoryMcKenzie56]

There are soooo many things, it is almost impossible to know where to start.

I am a semi convert (if thats possible), in as much as I was baptized Catholic as an infant, but never catechized.

My grandfather was a Presbyterian minister, and I have attended a variety of chuches at different times in my life. Pick one, and I’ve probably been to at least one worship service.

In addition to the things that have already been stated, like the Eucharist, tradition, history, universality, for me, it had to be the “straight forwardness”.

When I went through RCIA, I was the guy in the middle of the class, that always had a question, or statement, or experience that would prove the Catholic Church wrong. Unforturnately, or actually fortuantely in my case, it was me that was proven wrong.

There wasn’t a question that wasn’t answered, or a definitive statement given, including documentation. Just like the Bible, the Church has been an “Open Book”, with nothing to hide.

It was truly coming home for me. That was Easter Vigil 1995. I have remained with the RCIA program in our parish, and became the Lay Director of the program in 2000.

Hey two peking guys. My wife and our four little ones came in the very same night in 1995! Congratulations! A wonderful day and one we have never regretted. I love that the Church has made its impression on all four of our children too, who are now grown. Thanks to God they are either married to a good Catholic girl, marrying a good Catholic guy in the Spring, singing the Latin Mass in an elite Catholic choir, or going to seminary in the Fall. And soon Mom and Dad will be back to where we were in 1982, a twosome, except now we are Catholics too.

Rory

 

[twopekinguys]

Hey two peking guys. My wife and our four little ones came in the very same night in 1995! Congratulations! A wonderful day and one we have never regretted. I love that the Church has made its impression on all four of our children too, who are now grown. Thanks to God they are either married to a good Catholic girl, marrying a good Catholic guy in the Spring, singing the Latin Mass in an elite Catholic choir, or going to seminary in the Fall. And soon Mom and Dad will be back to where we were in 1982, a twosome, except now we are Catholics too.

Rory

Great!!

My joining the Church, helped bring my dad back to the fold, and helped my mom ease up on us Catholics…LOL

Many times we think it is just us converting, when in actuality, we are helping others at the same time.

 

[Justin1982]

I love being part of the Body of Christ.
I love the tradition in both forms of mass though I have found a deep respect for the EF mass and how it transcends centuries of celebration in the same form.
I love the reverence of the mass and how it is the daily embodiment of Jesus’ Sacrifice for all of mankind.
I could go on for a while though those are the bigger points that come to mind.

 

[fhansen]

I love what most everyone else said- and that LOVE is placed as the supreme virtue and supreme value, even if we Catholics don’t always live it out so well as we know we should.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I definitely don’t go to the Catholic Church for the coffee hour!

 

[Catherine_D]

I definitely don’t go to the Catholic Church for the coffee hour!

Of course not! It has to be for the doughnuts!

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I’m joking. In my entire diocese there isn’t a coffee hour or any fellowship afterward for that matter (except the occasional Palm Sunday pancake deal). Fellowship at coffee hour is very Anglican. Bolting into the parking lot and going home here is very Catholic!

Of course not! It has to be for the doughnuts!

 

[stormy99]

I love the holy water inside the door.

I love the feeling of peace waiting for Mass to begin and the bells that signal it’s beginning.’’

Looking at the Crucifix and praying to open my heart and mind to what I will hear.

The fact that all Catholics are hearing the same readings everywhere in the world makes me feel part of a huge family of faith.
, a
The rich tradition, the prayers, the Profession of Faith, all these are precious to me.

The Fathers and Deacons who guided me through RCIA answering all our questions all the time.

Going to Mass with my husband and adult son…together.

My confirmation Saint, St. Catherine of Siena. I love her and read The Dialogue.

The Catechism which strengthens my Faith.

I truly love the Holy Spirit who speaks to us when are ready to listen.

Communion…

Most of all I love Jesus for saving us from our sins and God his Father for his love for us by giving us his Son.

stormy

 

[lax16]

Hey two peking guys. My wife and our four little ones came in the very same night in 1995! Congratulations! A wonderful day and one we have never regretted. I love that the Church has made its impression on all four of our children too, who are now grown. Thanks to God they are either married to a good Catholic girl, marrying a good Catholic guy in the Spring, singing the Latin Mass in an elite Catholic choir, or going to seminary in the Fall. And soon Mom and Dad will be back to where we were in 1982, a twosome, except now we are Catholics too.

Rory

Job well done, Mom and Dad! We should all pray that our children turn out as well as yours.:tiphat:

I love that no matter what question I have about the Catholic Church and Her Teachings I will find an answer. In fact, I always fall into an abyss of answers.

I love that God had such a wonderful plan and that Jesus is so perfect and loving. I love that there/are were Saints that were willing to die spreading the Gospel.

I love that St. Patrick spread the Good News to Ireland. I love that St. Francis showed us how to live in obedience even when the Church was/is in turmoil. I love that we are the Original Church.

I love that Jesus left us a road map to Heaven called the Catholic Church…:heaven:

Thanks be to God that I am Catholic.

 

[Lutheranteach]

I love the holy water inside the door.

I love the feeling of peace waiting for Mass to begin and the bells that signal it’s beginning.’’ got that

Looking at the Crucifix and praying to open my heart and mind to what I will hear.got that

The fact that all Catholics are hearing the same readings everywhere in the world makes me feel part of a huge family of faith. got that
, a
The rich tradition, the prayers, the Profession of Faith, all these are precious to me.got that

The Fathers and Deacons who guided me through RCIA answering all our questions all the time.

Going to Mass with my husband and adult son…together.

My confirmation Saint, St. Catherine of Siena. I love her and read The Dialogue.

The Catechism which strengthens my Faith.got that

I truly love the Holy Spirit who speaks to us when are ready to listen.got that

Communion…got that

Most of all I love Jesus for saving us from our sins and God his Father for his love for us by giving us his Son.yep

stormy

 

[lax16]

Lutheranteach - You “got that” from the Catholics!

 

[TikiTokiguy]

I’m not Catholic but I want to join the Church. I’ve been going to Mass all summer long. I’m signed up for RCIA.

What I love about the Church - just off the top of my head:

1. Where I live there are Catholic food banks, plus a health center for people who can’t afford to see a doctor. Plus free tutors for kids and the young and older adults.
2. There’s a federal prison not too far from me and they execute some prisoners. The nuns from a local womens Catholic collage make presents like blankets and such for the men on death row. Now that takes somebody really big to do that. To be a friend to those who did evil and have no friends or perhaps don’t deserve friends. Being a friend to those with no friends - that is a Christian.
3. I’m not against gay marriage but if you are going to be against it then at least be against divorce too and the Catholic church is. They just don’t say marriage is special, they treat it special. They don’t make a mockery out of marriage. I respect their position on this issue.
4. Abortion and death penalty. So many Christians seem to say they are against abortion but also for the death penalty. That does not make sense to me. Would Jesus sentence someone to death? I just can’t see that. So if you are going to march to end abortion then
   march to end the death penalty too. And the church is against the death penalty. I highly respect that stance. The Church talks the talk and walks the walk.
5. The Church loves one and all and recognizes we are all sinners. It recognizes life is tough with hardships and often sad. Sin weighs us down the church knows this.
6. There are no hoops to jump through in this church. Sure, there are no hoops in Protestant churches either. But it’s just so nice to be accepted in the Catholic church the way I am, shortcomings and all. I don’t have to tithe a certain amount. I don’t have to get married. I don’t have to have kids. I don’t have to do these things to get to Heaven.
7. The Mass is art. It’s beautiful.
8. The Church seems to encourage education and is not always telling members to not look into its history. Really, Catholic history IS history. You can’t really hide it. Still, they don’t go around with hushed up secrets.
9. It is the worlds oldest church and all other Christian churches seem to sprang from it. It’s the mother church.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I happen to think the death penalty is a great idea; problem is, I live in California. We have a death penalty but never actually use it But I think it’s about time we started!

I’m not Catholic but I want to join the Church. I’ve been going to Mass all summer long. I’m signed up for RCIA.

What I love about the Church - just off the top of my head:

1. Where I live there are Catholic food banks, plus a health center for people who can’t afford to see a doctor. Plus free tutors for kids and the young and older adults.
2. There’s a federal prison not too far from me and they execute some prisoners. The nuns from a local womens Catholic collage make presents like blankets and such for the men on death row. Now that takes somebody really big to do that. To be a friend to those who did evil and have no friends or perhaps don’t deserve friends. Being a friend to those with no friends - that is a Christian.
3. I’m not against gay marriage but if you are going to be against it then at least be against divorce too and the Catholic church is. They just don’t say marriage is special, they treat it special. They don’t make a mockery out of marriage. I respect their position on this issue.
4. Abortion and death penalty. So many Christians seem to say they are against abortion but also for the death penalty. That does not make sense to me. Would Jesus sentence someone to death? I just can’t see that. So if you are going to march to end abortion then
   march to end the death penalty too. And the church is against the death penalty. I highly respect that stance. The Church talks the talk and walks the walk.
5. The Church loves one and all and recognizes we are all sinners. It recognizes life is tough with hardships and often sad. Sin weighs us down the church knows this.
6. There are no hoops to jump through in this church. Sure, there are no hoops in Protestant churches either. But it’s just so nice to be accepted in the Catholic church the way I am, shortcomings and all. I don’t have to tithe a certain amount. I don’t have to get married. I don’t have to have kids. I don’t have to do these things to get to Heaven.
7. The Mass is art. It’s beautiful.
8. The Church seems to encourage education and is not always telling members to not look into its history. Really, Catholic history IS history. You can’t really hide it. Still, they don’t go around with hushed up secrets.
9. It is the worlds oldest church and all other Christian churches seem to sprang from it. It’s the mother church.