Why didn't I know about the Catholic Church?

[KimberlyAnn0218]

. Once I began to look into it, it was like an avalanche.

Amen! Former United Methodist here I converted 17 years ago, didn’t really begn to truely practice until 6 months ago. Duh! This is a great experience!

 

[mcrow]

Perhaps I didn’t hear much about the Catholic Church because I live in a more rural area. Catholics are definetely in the minority.

As for more outreach from the Church, I’ve been thinking about the Apostles. Jesus sent them out to the ends of the earth. They didn’t wait for people to come to them. I understand that in the scriptures Jesus did say that those who come to him a drawn by the Father, but are we not to play a part in that?

I know all about that! I grew up in small town and there is only one Catholic church within 30 miles of the place.

Northern Minnesota is all Germans and Scandanavians, so it’s heavy Lutheran territory.

 

[Holly3278]

Maybe nobody told you? I was in the hospital recently and spent a lot of time talking about the Catholic Church and living the Faith. I needed to do so for my own sake but I also knew I’d be evangelizing by doing so as well.

 

[Monte_RCMS]

We had an Apologetics Class at our parish, and several Protestants, including me and my husband, attended. I’m not sure if we were the only converts out of that class. But it was a great class, taught by an ex-Protestant, and not only did the Protestants learn a lot, but so did the Catholics.

This is a great idea!

 

[Monte_RCMS]

There are a lot of cheap ways to market. As you mention, Facebook is one. Local perishes can do more to be a part of the local county and state fairs. A booth at most county fairs are either free or very cheap.

Perhaps, signs outside the church about the RCIA classes starting soon. Even better, have either a priest or knowledgable lay person do a “Catholicism for the Curious” group once per quarter. It’s not RCIA, but just for those who want to know about a basic overview and might be interested in converting. They could hand out RCIA info afterword for those interested. This sort of thing could be advertised for nothing in the community activies flyer most towns have.

There are tons of ways to do it very cheap, they do not need to do commercials or anything like that.

The idea for a “Catholicism for the Curious” is an excellent idea!

One of the places where I worked … a couple of blocks away, the Catholic parish church did that. About 30 people would show up; half Catholics, half just interested non-Catholics. Some of the Catholics had not been Confirmed. Everyone had a good time. The Catholics were available to be sponsors for those interested in formally entering the Church. The meetings were both at lunch hour and after work, around 5pm. No attendance taken. Just a schedule of topics and you could stop in for the instructional sessions. Informal. Not a focus on “squishy” stuff … like “God’s love” … but more along the lines of sacraments, history, teachings, bible, saints, organization, …

The whole group was actually a joyous collection of events. The pastor arranged for Confirmations as needed. Some folks had other issues which he was able to help address.

That was a long time ago, but once in a while, I run into one of the priests on another assignment and we all look back with appreciation to those classes and the folks we encountered there.

I’ll never forget one discussion … one of the Catholic participants had taken taken some religion courses at a non-Catholic “institute”/ seminary … and referred to them as “neo-pagan”, which was kind of an interesting take.

The whole thing was very helpful, low-key, and very enjoyable.

 

[InternetWoman]

Even though I’ve been a practicing Christian my whole life, until this past year, I knew very little about the Catholic Church. How is it that I’ve gone so long without hearing more about Catholicism?

And thus is born the “Catholics Come Home” advertising campaign. It is being rolled out in various cities. It started in my home town (Phoenix) and has spread every year. You can go to their web site www.catholicscomehome.org. They have some GREAT advertisements!

There are two or three generations of Catholics that were never taught anything about the faith. This was during the post Vatican II “just love everyone” era. We let such folks into our RCIA program, it does wonders for them, but if that’s not possible start reading on your own. “Catholicism for Dummies” is a great place to start.

 

[Wandering_Home]

I have found, as a new convert, that I get little frustrated in main stream stores (i.e. book stores and Christian based) in the offerings there are primarily or exclusively protestant. You have to hunt and peck for Catholic books and items, if any at all are offered. I was doing some shopping for mothers day for some things for my Catholic mother and at my local Lifeway Christian store they looked at me like I had lobsters coming out of my ears when I asked if they had any Catholic items. I finally found one store that sold some Catholic items like rosaries and first communion items. I have had to do most of it online - which online there is a plethora of resources for Catholics, which I think this website and forum is one of the best.

While my local parishes offer these items, and that I prefer to acquire books and such from them, their shops are not usually open when I can go there.

So in everyday life where I am located it is heavy on the Protestant side for the “right there in front of you” things and information. If you make the effort there is so much out there to find on Catholicism.

 

[mark_a]

Even though I’ve been a practicing Christian my whole life, until this past year, I knew very little about the Catholic Church. How is it that I’ve gone so long without hearing more about Catholicism?

I find it rather refreshing that you weren’t being filled with lies about the Catholic Church at the churches you had been attending.

I don’t know that the Catholic Church should participate in the decidedly Protestant practice of “stealing” folks from other denominations. The Catholic Church will always be here for folks to graduate or study their way into.

 

[choliks]

I think the answer is simple. It was mentioned in one of the posts earlier. YOU are the advertisement. Living out your faith with love is stronger than neon lights and tarpaulin billboards. Responding to God’s call of love is greater than fancy and flashy tv ads. Besides, not advertising, i believe, is a sign of humility.

 

[novusCatholic]

I think the answer is simple. It was mentioned in one of the posts earlier. YOU are the advertisement. Living out your faith with love is stronger than neon lights and tarpaulin billboards. Responding to God’s call of love is greater than fancy and flashy tv ads. Besides, not advertising, i believe, is a sign of humility.

I’m finding it hard to be humble. I feel like I’ve found something wonderful, and I want to share it.

I agree that we should put our best efforts into living our lives in a way that will be a good witness to the faith. People notice, I think.

 

[novusCatholic]

I find it rather refreshing that you weren’t being filled with lies about the Catholic Church at the churches you had been attending.

I grew up in a Bible based type church that loved God and preached the cross. I will always be thankful for them. I can’t recall anyone ever speaking about Catholicism, but I did have some negative preconceptions about the Catholic Church. I don’t know why. Perhaps it was simply a result of our society?

I don’t know that the Catholic Church should participate in the decidedly Protestant practice of “stealing” folks from other denominations.

That’s one of the things that I appreciate about the Catholc faith. The one, true, and original church. No need to bounce around between denominations.

 

[Monte_RCMS]

Another thought: there were two types of pastors … the monastics and the builders.

The builders put up churches, schools, convents, rectories and other facilities. They were very extraverted and vigorous.

The monastics were more into prayer and meditation. More introverted. Pretty much low key sort of men.

And there was always a push-pull between the two types.

Once the “immigrant” church was built-up … the monastics took over.

And the builders and the immigrant church/ parishes brought their culture with them from Europe. They didn’t need to do any evangelization.

In the inner cities, often there was a parish church on every block.

After the original few generations moved to the suburbs, those inner city parishes wilted because the “replacement” residents were not evangelized to “join” the local Catholic parishes.

The suburban parishes were more blended … but still were folks who had moved from the cities and brought the basic Catholic traditions and cultures with them.

There just is no “tradition” of evangelizing “outsiders” in a formal “bureaucratic” sense.

Prior to the start of the program of RCIA, there were large numbers of converts who were brought in on an informal basis by the builder/pastors. RCIA was more rigorous and formal and took a whole year. There is a tendency to just ignore the way the builder/pastors brought in so many converts.

I’m also wondering if the “demise” of the Holy Name Societies was a factor. Prior to “Vatican II”, each parish had a men’s group, called the Holy Name Society that had monthly meetings and received Holy Communion together and then went for breakfast together … at which there would be spiritual talks. Kind of a mini-retreat. These groups got a lot done for the parish. [This was in addition to the Knights of Columbus.] At some point, the Holy Name Society at most parishes just disappeared. [The womens’ groups continued on … the Rosary Altar Societies.] I always wondered why the Holy Name Societies went away.

There were a lot of “strange things” that took place at the time of Vatican II.

Religious education went away. The “plan” was to basically do away with educating the children and make it up with adult education. So the kids were turned loose with NOTHING [some pastors complained to me about that … education is based on a “spiral” with continuously increasing sophistication … the old Baltimore Catechism comes in several editions for different age groups …] but the adult education aspect simply never materialized.

One of my friends said that Catholics were forced to learn their faith “by osmosis”.

Priests were forbidden to teach from the pulpit at Mass, although a few “snuck in” lessons here and there … integrating the life of the saint-of-the-day with the Gospel reading.

What a mess!

And to fill that void is what led Karl Keating to start Catholic Answers.

There is a book out, by Halleck … about how the training and teaching of the laity deteriorated. Can’t think of the name of the book off hand. I have a copy of it around here. Even Catholics with only a grade-school education could explain the basics of the faith … but after “the changes”, Catholic laity had been completely dumbed-down.

The excellent book about the deterioration in teaching of the Catholic faith following Vatican II is “Witness to Permanence” by Paul H. Hallett … Ignatius Press. Published in 1987. Hallett, not Halleck.

 

[zipperc98]

This is an excellent question!

I have been essentially asking myself this same question for some time!

I did not grow up with any one religion. I had a small handful of Catholic friends: one was very lax and didn’t seem to believe in the church, the other was very strong in the faith, but was overwhelming in all he shared. I had a friend who was baptist, and I frequently went to youth activities with her. I also had a friend who was Mormon. In HS I actually visited all these churches. I went to Baptist activities…a lot of fun, and that sort of emotional feeling I got in worship the few times I went. I went to dances and church with my mormon friend…I felt a sort of reverence at that church. As for the Catholic church, I went a handful of times to church with my female friend, though I always found it strange and I really never asked about the faith, and she didn’t talk about it. I even sang in the choir for Christmas mass one year.

Well, long story a bit longer…I kept coming back around to the Mormons. It often felt right, and in college I started taking missionary discussions after meeting my future husband, and ultimately was baptised. I lived that faith for 10 years, even in moments of doubt I lived faithfully.

It wasn’t until more than 2 years ago, that male friend of mine from HS showed up and we started talking…at the time I was struggling in my faith and I wanted an outsiders perspective. He had some knowledge of the mormon faith, but ultimately he gave me few answers, simply shared a few things he believed, and ultimately pointed me to a CCC. The more I prayed, the more I read, the more I was even further confused about the faith I had lived for 10 years…And I found truth in the Catholic faith! Well, after a lot of struggles at home, putting off my investigation into the Catholic faith, I started attending RCIA last fall. And, well, here I now am, a new member of the Catholic church.

I have asked in frustration many times, trying to understand why I couldn’t have learned about the Catholic faith first? I truly believe had I studied it first, in earnest, I wouldn’t have wanted to join any other faith. Perhaps God had reasons, I may never know (in this life). At times I feel like so much time was wasted! At other moments, I sometimes feel like my years in Mormonism prepared me to the Catholic church (sounds wierd I know, but the aspects of conversion were like a smaller scale of what I experienced while becoming Catholic).

This may not quite answer your same question though…coming from a faith originally that sends missionaries everywhere to evangelize, even has tv commercials now, and overall makes their faith known publically…I have always wondered why the CC doesn’t do more in this sense? But, obviously others have answered this already for you.

I am truly a believer in being an example of your faith. Ultimately it was the example of my one faithful Catholic friend that allowed me to finally seek the truth. That was also part of it: I didn’t really try looking. I latched onto one thing that seemed so completely true to me, I didn’t bother to look outside that choice. Only 2 1/2 years ago when I was open to more did it happen.

Perhaps it truly is a combination of things?

I do know I’m so absolutely happy and grateful to have found where I TRULY belong. I have never felt quite so at home.

 

[anodos]

Valid question.

And the founding of Catholic Answers was Karl Keating’s response.

:clapping: Thank you Karl Keating! :clapping:
This is the first useful, apologetic site I found, and I come here several times a week! I also wonder why I “never knew” about the Catholic Church before. I often find information on this site, as well as in the CCC, that I used to wish was true of Christianity, but didn’t think likely.

 

[Della]

:clapping: Thank you Karl Keating! :clapping:
This is the first useful, apologetic site I found, and I come here several times a week! I also wonder why I “never knew” about the Catholic Church before. I often find information on this site, as well as in the CCC, that I used to wish was true of Christianity, but didn’t think likely.

You have something in common with G. K. Chesterton, then. He too wished Christianity was more than he believed it was and found it in the Catholic Church. He reasoned his way into finding the Church–no doubt led by the Holy Spirit.

 

[phoage]

This is an excellent question!

I have been essentially asking myself this same question for some time!

I did not grow up with any one religion. I had a small handful of Catholic friends: one was very lax and didn’t seem to believe in the church, the other was very strong in the faith, but was overwhelming in all he shared. I had a friend who was baptist, and I frequently went to youth activities with her. I also had a friend who was Mormon. In HS I actually visited all these churches. I went to Baptist activities…a lot of fun, and that sort of emotional feeling I got in worship the few times I went. I went to dances and church with my mormon friend…I felt a sort of reverence at that church. As for the Catholic church, I went a handful of times to church with my female friend, though I always found it strange and I really never asked about the faith, and she didn’t talk about it. I even sang in the choir for Christmas mass one year.

Well, long story a bit longer…I kept coming back around to the Mormons. It often felt right, and in college I started taking missionary discussions after meeting my future husband, and ultimately was baptised. I lived that faith for 10 years, even in moments of doubt I lived faithfully.

It wasn’t until more than 2 years ago, that male friend of mine from HS showed up and we started talking…at the time I was struggling in my faith and I wanted an outsiders perspective. He had some knowledge of the mormon faith, but ultimately he gave me few answers, simply shared a few things he believed, and ultimately pointed me to a CCC. The more I prayed, the more I read, the more I was even further confused about the faith I had lived for 10 years…And I found truth in the Catholic faith! Well, after a lot of struggles at home, putting off my investigation into the Catholic faith, I started attending RCIA last fall. And, well, here I now am, a new member of the Catholic church.

I have asked in frustration many times, trying to understand why I couldn’t have learned about the Catholic faith first? I truly believe had I studied it first, in earnest, I wouldn’t have wanted to join any other faith. Perhaps God had reasons, I may never know (in this life). At times I feel like so much time was wasted! At other moments, I sometimes feel like my years in Mormonism prepared me to the Catholic church (sounds wierd I know, but the aspects of conversion were like a smaller scale of what I experienced while becoming Catholic).

This may not quite answer your same question though…coming from a faith originally that sends missionaries everywhere to evangelize, even has tv commercials now, and overall makes their faith known publically…I have always wondered why the CC doesn’t do more in this sense? But, obviously others have answered this already for you.

I am truly a believer in being an example of your faith. Ultimately it was the example of my one faithful Catholic friend that allowed me to finally seek the truth. That was also part of it: I didn’t really try looking. I latched onto one thing that seemed so completely true to me, I didn’t bother to look outside that choice. Only 2 1/2 years ago when I was open to more did it happen.

Perhaps it truly is a combination of things?

I do know I’m so absolutely happy and grateful to have found where I TRULY belong. I have never felt quite so at home.

zipperc98: I love you. I am a revert, a Catholic you was born in the Church and fell away and came back. I also spent years with Mormons. The part that got me was that Quote (fro John?) that says that if you doubt anything, pray about it and the Lord will tell you if it is true.

After several years of no answer, I realized 2 things. It doesn’t say what the Lord will do it it is not true and the Lord works in his tome, not ours.

I eventually got my answer and it is not Mormon. I don’t know why God took so long but I imagine he had his reasons and Hey, I learned alot.

Welcome the the true Church of Christ, of Saints for today and tomorrow and yesterday.

Patrick

 

[Edward_H]

This might have already been said.

Plain and simple: because we were not holy enough. We were not overflowing with the Holy Simple.

 

[vsedriver]

I have found, as a new convert, that I get little frustrated in main stream stores (i.e. book stores and Christian based) in the offerings there are primarily or exclusively protestant. You have to hunt and peck for Catholic books and items, if any at all are offered. I was doing some shopping for mothers day for some things for my Catholic mother and at my local Lifeway Christian store they looked at me like I had lobsters coming out of my ears when I asked if they had any Catholic items.

this happened to me as well. I was very offended and the sales staff seemed shocked to think that a Catholic would purchase anything in a ‘Christian’ store. But we don’t have a Catholic store except a small gift shop in the Catholic High School one town away.

I was also upset that the one item I did buy, adhesive tabs for my Bible left out the Deuterocanonical books. The least they could have done was added the tabs so people can leave them out if they want.

 

[Bussi]

Being that I am cradle Catholic and have always remained Catholic, I would like to throw out some of my own thoughts as to why non-Catholics don’t hear much about the Catholic Church. Yes, there is the fact that there seems to have been a lack of “advertising” on the part of the Church as an institution but that has been changing because of organizations, e. g., Catholic Answers (Karl Keating), and EWTN.com (Mother Angelica) and even way back in the 1950’s TV, “Life Is Worth Living,” (Archbishop Sheen) that had higher ratings than the Milton Berle Show that was on a the same time

I had only 4 years of the Baltimore Catechism, was Confirmed before I was 13 years old, and there were no CCD progams back then. If it wasn’t for the two wonderful thoroughly orthodox priests at the Newman Center when in college, one of whom introduced me to St. Thomas Aquinas, I might have gone off the track. that was what set me on a lifetime of learning about the Church and our Catholic Faith (I am well into my eighth decade of life).

My personal opinion is that there are many Catholics who have been either poorly catechized or have simply not bothered to continue to learn about the treasures we have in the Church and as a consequence cannot explain our faith, let alone defend it.
Catholic is obligated to be an “evangelist” by the way we fully live our every day truly Christian Catholic life so that non-Catholics see it and maybe the thought might come into their mind: “I want that!” It’s a form of preaching without words like St. Francis of Assissi promoted, But then, every Catholic should be able to express what they believe in response to someone that says: “I want that!” On the other hand, if the Catholic is unable to do that, then they should make an effort to put that person in contact with someone that is able to.

May the peace, Love and Joy of the risen Lord be always with you,

Bussi

 

[novusCatholic]

My personal opinion is that there are many Catholics who have been either poorly catechized or have simply not bothered to continue to learn about the treasures we have in the Church and as a consequence cannot explain our faith, let alone defend it.
Catholic is obligated to be an “evangelist” by the way we fully live our every day truly Christian Catholic life so that non-Catholics see it and maybe the thought might come into their mind: “I want that!” It’s a form of preaching without words like St. Francis of Assissi promoted, But then, every Catholic should be able to express what they believe in response to someone that says: “I want that!” On the other hand, if the Catholic is unable to do that, then they should make an effort to put that person in contact with someone that is able to.

I have talked to Catholics who unfortunately don’t seem to know much about the faith or the history of the church. Some, who had converted, even had the impression that there is a different sets of rules for those who are not cradle Catholics.

I understand your thoughts on people being poorly catechized. I just went through RCIA. To be honest, most of what I’ve learned was on my own. There just wasn’t much “meat” in the curriculum.

I also agree that we should consider ourselves evangelists and be good witnesses.