Where did you learn what you know about Catholicism?

[cardenio]

Not school. Catholic schools aren’t very good.

 

[byzmelkite]

cardenio:

Not school. Catholic schools aren’t very good.

I hate to be so negative but my experience with Catholic schools and Universities is that on the whole, they suck. Many are just plain heretical and many of the ones which aren’t are still too shallow and superficial. However, there are some lights out there.

 

[prophetdaniel]

Basics: Catholic school.
History: University (Value-Free).
Theology: Archdiocese.

Couple Points:

1. 
   *]Individual responsibility.
   *]Parents, siblings, friends, and clergy.
   *]Being involved with parish ministries.
   *]If I am going to talk the talk I got to walk the walk.
   *]Credentials and knowledge is crucial.
   *]If you do not appreciate your potential and use the talents, you are not going to develop it.
   *]The Bible.

 

[mari319]

I learned most of what I know at RCIA but I’ve enjoyed continuing to educate myself.

 

[ekim61]

I picked other.

I went to Catholic school for 9 years and this is where I learned most of the basics.

I then left the Catholic church for 25+ years and i got all my Bible education in Protestant churches. At the same time I did extensive self study about the Catholic church and the origins of christian religions. This is how I learned the teachings of the Catholic Church and there meanings and how I eventually made it back to the church.

 

[Tonks40]

I also picked “other.” My mom and dad are GREAT influences in my Catholic faith, and I cling to the traditions that they taught me.

As to the more “learned” aspects of Catholicism, it was through example of others, the sisters at my parish that I was in contact with, my priests, and cathechism. As like many others, I am still learning, finding many of my resources now in the CCC, books, and HERE!

 

[Shari]

I learned and countinue to learn from self study(books) catholic radio programs like Fr. Corapi and Catholic answers. Wonderful priests and my inlaws. Whew a lot of learning. But like I say when I stop learning new things I might as well be dead.

 

[savrx]

I went to a state University for a couple of years and pretty much went down every wrong path there was. I finally realized I was completely miserable in my life and decided to change schools.

Oddly enough, though I was raised Catholic, I chose to attend a Baptist University. And as anyone who lives in the Bible belt can attest to…when you meet a hardcore Baptist, you get 3 questions: 1) What is your name? 2) Where are you from and 3) What church do you go to?

Needless to say, it wasn’t long before question 3 really became an annoyance to me since I didn’t know the faith I was raised in very well. So off I ran, tail between my legs, to the local Catholic bookstore, where I ran headfirst into the likes of Karl Keating, Scott Hahn, Bishop Fulton Sheen, etc. And while I am continually probing the depths of our great faith…I have to say, I actually look forward nowadays to question # 3.

 

[Kristina_P]

Until a few days ago, I would have to have answered, “from an Evangelical pulpit!” Not having been raised Catholic, I can’t say anything about the quality of catechesis in most parishes, but I can say that most of my Catholic friends never bothered to talk to me about their faith or explain their beliefs. For a very long time, I believed things about the Church that were simply untrue. Are most Catholics unaware of this trend? Do they simply not care? Or, are they just wary of being attacked if they bring up the issue of faith?

 

[The_Iambic_Pen]

1. This forum.
2. New Advent.
3. Various apologetics “blogs” (like Jimmy Akin’s).
4. Books I’ve read (Surprised by Truth, volume 1; Pope Fiction; Answer Me This; A Biblical Defense of Catholicism).
5. E-mails with Catholics.

 

[beckyann2597]

My Mother.
I am now listening to EWTN alot and reading more, but my mom was the first teach me the faith.
BTW, her is name is Mary

 

[Catilieth]

I am a Cradle Catholic. I received a very good education in our faith in Catholic Schools in grades 1 to 5, then it all fell apart (all we got after that was “warm fuzzies” and “love” and be nice). But my parents, especially my father, realized what was happening and made sure that all of us (i am the oldest of 8 children) not just learned what the Church taught, but that we also understood the whys and wherefores. He brought me at the tender age of 12 to parish and diocesan meetings where there were some very heated discussions about what was happening within the Church and explained the importance of orthodoxy and our duty to defend the true faith, not a watered down version of it.

Because of my parents and my grandmother’s prayers (she prayed without ceasing…gets you home on time from dates when you know that Nene won’t stop praying the rosary until you are home ), none of the 8 of us have ever fallen away from the faith. While in college, I would often find my sisters at Mass, even though we may not have seen or talked to each other all week.

From there, it was a natural next step to building a library of my own, to continue studying and learning. Those of you just entering the fray have little idea of what wonderful resources are now available (compared to lets say 25 years ago) to those who wish to learn about the Catholic Faith. There were many years when it was a virtual wasteland.

 

[ccinadr]

i learned what I know about Catholicism from the Catechism classes at the Catholic School I attended and also from self study, EWTN, Catholic Answers, and my Spiritual Advisor.


Annie

I learned most of what I know, from my son’s First Communion class teacher. She uses the Baltimore, as it’s so simple to understand, and then elaborates for them, and we the parents. I loved her!