What Tree is This?

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RebeccaJ said:
Soc, did you receive your first communion?

RCIA is a process, which includes a class for teaching Catholic doctrines. It is designed primarily around bringing Catholic converts into the Church.

My RCIA class last year was comprised of us non-baptized, baptized Christians (Catholic and non-Catholic) who needed to be confirmed, and one woman who was baptized as a child, confirmed as a teen, but didn’t really know her Catholic faith very well so she was sitting in on the classes.

You are in the same spot as that one woman. You don’t need baptism or confirmation but you are seeking to understand your faith better.

So, are you going to Mass? If not, go.

For you to receive the Eucharist you need to go to confession.

Perhaps the best approach for you would be to make an appointment with a Priest (at the parish you plan on attending Mass), tell him what’s up in soc’s life, that you would like to return to the Catholic Church, and that you would like to attend RCIA in order to learn your Catholic faith. You could also do confession then (with the Priest), but that is of course up to you.

I guess what I hope you are getting from this, is that RCIA includes catechesis, so it is a good place for you to be and I recommend it. Just, you wouldn’t be going through the associated rites that are for new converts and those seeking confirmation.

In the meantime, I recommend you pick up “The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults”
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Yes, i was baptized and confirmed Roman Catholic.

Thank you for the info, Rebecca. 🙂
 
maryj said:
Are you sure on this one? Preperation for confirmation is the teaching of the catechism. Any whoo, confession, great recommendation, it’s for the life of the soul, can’t go wrong. There is nothin any priest hasn’t heard before and he will be over joyuous to help you with your confession. Check out Adoration, I think we’ve said that before.
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Then i guess the Catechism classes that my coworker spoke of are something different. Thanks for the suggestions, Mary!

👍
 
mtr01 said:
Hi Socrates,

I’ve never dialogued with you before, but your are in my prayers while on your journey.

Having some experience with your question (and situation) as I am a “revert” (from non-practicing cultural Catholicism), hopefully I can give you an adequate answer.

If I understand correctly, you have received Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation, correct? If so, all that would be required of you is a profession of faith and general confession before being able to receive the Eucharist again. This could be done privately by your parish’s pastor - just make an appointment.

Chances are, however, that since you’ve been “away” for a while, he’ll want you to attend RCIA classes (which is what happened in my case). If so, it is an excellent form of fellowship as well as a good refresher on what makes a Catholic, well Catholic. Another “perk” is that you would most likely be received back into the Church at the Easter Vigil Mass, which is one of the most beautiful Masses of the Liturgical Year, and an experience you will never forget.

As an aside, noting your interest in researching the authority of the Church vs. the authority of the Bible, I thought this link might interest you. It is a 19th century sermon (so a tad polemic :)), but touches on most of the relevant points, and may be a good springboard for more in-depth research.

God Bless you on your journey!
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Thanks MTR.
 
Everyone has been helpful (as always)! Looks like i have some decisions to make. My wife does not know i’m thinking of making a commitment to Roman Catholicism. It won’t be easy to come out of the closet on this one.

A long time ago the Holy Spirit really brought these words of Paul to my attention:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."
(Ephesians 5:25-27)

God makes it so easy to know what to do (just one passage of Scripture sums it all up). The difficult thing is figuring out how to do it. I’ve learned there is a big difference between knowledge and wisdom. I’ve got much knowledge, but i’m not the wisest owl on the limb.

Me loving me is easy: I’d just spring it on her by saying, “Hey, babe, i’m going to Mass today!” There’d be tears, shouts, threats of divorce, maybe a mental breakdown. I’m pretty sure that’s not the most loving way to go about this. What is the best way to love her is an agonizing question for me, personally.

🤷
 
Socrates4Jesus said:
A long time ago the Holy Spirit really brought these words of Paul to my attention:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."

(Ephesians 5:25-27)
God makes it so easy to know what to do (just one passage of Scripture sums it all up). The difficult thing is figuring out how to do it. I’ve learned there is a big difference between knowledge and wisdom. I’ve got much knowledge, but i’m not the wisest owl on the limb.

… What is the best way to love her is an agonizing question for me, personally.

🤷
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I can relate because my wife and I no longer share the Catholic faith. We were married as Catholics, but we were relatively immature in our faith - her moreso, though I didnt realize it at the time. In addtion, she has reason to direct (albeit mistakenly) anger toward the Church. Long story - someone very close to her violated her trust as a child and this person happened to be “model” Catholic - actually had been in seminary at one point. Anyhow, she does not see any need for doctrinal unity, authority or any other “baggage”. The biggest problem is the confusion it causes for the kids.
You need to commit to do what God is calling you to do.
You need to be considerate.
You need to be patient.
You need to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways be mindful of Him and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
This verse is one that will grow near and dear to your heart as it a token for those of us in the situation your in to treasure:
"For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through her believing husband; " 1 Cor 2:17
If God can accomplish this, imagine what He can do for two people who accept Christ as their savior but merely have some “issues” to work out…in time.

I’m also praying for you

Phil
 
Socrates4Jesus said:
Everyone has been helpful (as always)! Looks like i have some decisions to make. My wife does not know i’m thinking of making a commitment to Roman Catholicism. It won’t be easy to come out of the closet on this one.

A long time ago the Holy Spirit really brought these words of Paul to my attention:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."
(Ephesians 5:25-27)

God makes it so easy to know what to do (just one passage of Scripture sums it all up). The difficult thing is figuring out how to do it. I’ve learned there is a big difference between knowledge and wisdom. I’ve got much knowledge, but i’m not the wisest owl on the limb.

Me loving me is easy: I’d just spring it on her by saying, “Hey, babe, i’m going to Mass today!” There’d be tears, shouts, threats of divorce, maybe a mental breakdown. I’m pretty sure that’s not the most loving way to go about this. What is the best way to love her is an agonizing question for me, personally.

🤷
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Hi soc,

The way I see it, you’re not loving yourself more than you’re loving your wife. You’re putting God first and in doing that, you can never go wrong, right?

Trust Him. Saying it and doing it is miles apart sometimes, huh?

Prayers,
Tami
 
Socrates4Jesus said:
Everyone has been helpful (as always)! Looks like i have some decisions to make. **My wife does not know **i’m thinking of making a commitment to Roman Catholicism. It won’t be easy to come out of the closet on this one.

A long time ago the Holy Spirit really brought these words of Paul to my attention:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."(Ephesians 5:25-27)God makes it so easy to know what to do (just one passage of Scripture sums it all up). The difficult thing is figuring out how to do it. I’ve learned there is a big difference between knowledge and wisdom. I’ve got much knowledge, but i’m not the wisest owl on the limb.

Me loving me is easy: I’d just spring it on her by saying, “Hey, babe, i’m going to Mass today!” There’d be tears, shouts, threats of divorce, maybe a mental breakdown. I’m pretty sure that’s not the most loving way to go about this. What is the best way to love her is an agonizing question for me, personally.

🤷
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Ahhhhh now I see the bigger picture
 
Hey again soc,

No one here knows your marriage relationship; only you can know how to best move forward. It may be that you will want to take a slow pace toward outright telling your wife what you are discovering. Perhaps she could accept a statement such as “I’m investigating Catholicism”. Or something like that.

Some suggestions: If you haven’t already, search for the parish you’d like to attend. Find out if there are inquiry classes beginning for RCIA, and see if you can sit in on those. They should be starting those up any time now, it usually begins around this time of year but it varies from parish to parish. Try to learn as much as you can. Make an appointment to speak with a Priest, or, if you think you’re ready to go to confession, just look for the scheduled times for confession, and go then. Attend mass. Look at the schedules, and go when you can.

Take the time to think and pray, and trust that God will lead you and will help prepare your wife at the same time.

And know that we are praying for you too.

God Bless you! :gopray2:
 
Soc,

My only suggestion for creating an atmosphere that is conducive to acceptance by your wife is to be the best husband you can be. Your spiritual growth and holiness as a husband and father will be the well spring for your wife accepting your conversion.

When you do tell her, you can preface everything with how you know you can trust her to stand beside you no matter what happens in your lives. You can then explain that you have been prayerfully studying and that you know in your heart what you must do.

If your wife is not aware that you are studying the Catholic faith and even conversing on a Catholic forum, then maybe you need to let the cat out of the bag.

I would suggest you read or listen to Scott Hahn’s conversion story as well as that of Steve Ray. Their stories might give you some ideas of what you may face and how the problems get resolved.

My prayers are with you.
 
Socrates4Jesus said:
Everyone has been helpful (as always)! Looks like i have some decisions to make. My wife does not know i’m thinking of making a commitment to Roman Catholicism. It won’t be easy to come out of the closet on this one.

A long time ago the Holy Spirit really brought these words of Paul to my attention:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."

(Ephesians 5:25-27)
God makes it so easy to know what to do (just one passage of Scripture sums it all up). The difficult thing is figuring out how to do it. I’ve learned there is a big difference between knowledge and wisdom. I’ve got much knowledge, but** i’m not the wisest owl on the limb.**
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I suppose it all depends on where you stand

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
Socrates4Jesus said:
Thanks MaryJ!

I never attended Catechism classes (i left the Catholic church soon after i was confirmed). Are such classes prerequisites for RCIA?
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Hi Soc,
Nice to see you back on the forum. God bless you on your journey. I cannot add anything more to the excellent advice others have provided, other than my prayers.
 
My prayers are with you also Socrates4Jesus. I will be praying for you very much.
 
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