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TerminalNewEnglander
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| Joined: | Mon Jan 1st, 2007 |
| Location: | Barrington, Rhode Island USA |
| Posts: | 10 |
| First Name: | Bill | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic; lapsed '72; fringes '82-'87; UCC '94-'03*; revert '04. ... |
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Posted: Thu Mar 22nd, 2007 05:05 pm |
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I was looking for an appropriate place to post a brief response to a CHN Newsletter article. Couldn't find one, so I'm posting this new topic here. Sorry if I missed the correct place.
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The March 2007 edition has a great cover story by Bruce Sullivan. It sounds eerily similar to the Scott Hahn conversion story. And it transpires over a similar timeframe, as well. Which is certainly a good thing, in that it's good to know such things are happening in parallel...especailly to those in Christian leadership positions, because they're probably to most compelling examples for other yet-to-be Catholics. If I could only get my wife down this path! She's promised to accompany me this summer to Fr. Corapi's retreat in Lowell, Mass. Maybe something will click...
Bill
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JillD
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Visalia, California USA |
| Posts: | 600 |
| First Name: | Jill | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | heathen, EvFree, Messianic, LC-MS, Catholic 2007 |
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Posted: Thu Mar 22nd, 2007 06:11 pm |
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You get to go hear Fr. Corapi live???! Oh, I think she'll fall in love with him. His voice alone, like over the radio, is sort of intimidating, but when it gets matched up with his kind face, he makes a wonderful impression. We're listening to his DVD's on the Catechism for a class right now and I'm enjoying them and learning a lot.
Jill
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"The alternative to obedience is to turn the conversation into a cacophony of Christians making it up as they go along." - Fr. Richard John Neuhaus
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TerminalNewEnglander
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| Joined: | Mon Jan 1st, 2007 |
| Location: | Barrington, Rhode Island USA |
| Posts: | 10 |
| First Name: | Bill | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic; lapsed '72; fringes '82-'87; UCC '94-'03*; revert '04. ... |
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Posted: Sun Mar 25th, 2007 01:10 am |
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I just finished my 2nd complete listen to that 48-CD set [if that's what you're referring to]. And I just got it as a Christmas present 3 months ago [it was the only item on my Christmas list], so now you know how I spend my commuting time.
The first time through was rather upsetting at times. Upset with myself, that is. More specifically, so many thoughts came to mind while listening that it became clear to me how far off-track my life had gotten over the years, even though I had been pointed in the proper direction by my devout Catholic parents right from the start.
The second time through was much less upsetting, so I think I heard more. And I feel like I've come away with more clarity regarding what's true and important, and what isn't, than I've ever had before.
I'm especially blown away with the significance of the Adam & Eve story. Of course, I've heard it many times, but now I feel like I understand it. It seems like it's the crux of everything that's happpening in the world these days. i.e Individuals deciding what's good and evil, versus obedience to what's been revealed as universally true.
Bill
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Steven Barrett
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Posted: Wed Mar 28th, 2007 01:22 am |
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Just "maybe"? I have full trust in Fr. Corapi and his friend, the Holy Spirit. 
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For anyone suffering from a mental illness or has a loved one with a mental illness, my book "Lead kindly Light: A Devotional For The Mentally Ill" might be of some help: http://www.lulu.com/ (Use search box at the top of page.)
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Candlemass
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| Joined: | Tue May 1st, 2007 |
| Location: | Hudson, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 453 |
| First Name: | Mark | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, AOG, Baptist, non - denominational, Anglican, CC for life! |
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Posted: Wed May 9th, 2007 01:14 am |
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Steven Barrett wrote: Just "maybe"? I have full trust in Fr. Corapi and his friend, the Holy Spirit.
Me too!
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"For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries."--1st Peter 4:3 NKJV
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3John4
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| Joined: | Tue Feb 13th, 2007 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 76 |
| First Name: | Dede | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic, Protestant, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed May 9th, 2007 03:09 pm |
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Not to rain on anyone's parade, but my husband (a devout Protestant) went with me to see Father Corapi last year. My husband was about as affected as he would have been listening to the Maytag repairman. Just don't get your hopes up unless your wife is open to considering Catholicism already.
On another note, I just bought the 50 CD set mentioned by someone above. I'm almost finished reading through the catechism, which I started January 1, and am about to begin this series. Can't wait!
Dede
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Candlemass
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| First Name: | Mark | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, AOG, Baptist, non - denominational, Anglican, CC for life! |
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Posted: Wed May 9th, 2007 03:24 pm |
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3John4 wrote: Not to rain on anyone's parade, but my husband (a devout Protestant) went with me to see Father Corapi last year. My husband was about as affected as he would have been listening to the Maytag repairman. Just don't get your hopes up unless your wife is open to considering Catholicism already.
On another note, I just bought the 50 CD set mentioned by someone above. I'm almost finished reading through the catechism, which I started January 1, and am about to begin this series. Can't wait!
Dede
The heart must be receptive, ask God to continue to soften his heart towards His Church. 
Last edited on Wed May 9th, 2007 03:25 pm by Candlemass
____________________
"For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries."--1st Peter 4:3 NKJV
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TerminalNewEnglander
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| Joined: | Mon Jan 1st, 2007 |
| Location: | Barrington, Rhode Island USA |
| Posts: | 10 |
| First Name: | Bill | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic; lapsed '72; fringes '82-'87; UCC '94-'03*; revert '04. ... |
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Posted: Sun May 13th, 2007 01:03 am |
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3John4 wrote: Not to rain on anyone's parade, but my husband (a devout Protestant) went with me to see Father Corapi last year. My husband was about as affected as he would have been listening to the Maytag repairman. Just don't get your hopes up unless your wife is open to considering Catholicism already.
On another note, I just bought the 50 CD set mentioned by someone above. I'm almost finished reading through the catechism, which I started January 1, and am about to begin this series. Can't wait!
Dede
On a scale of 1-10 -- 10 being on the verge of conversion, 1 being a bag of cement -- I'd say my wife is about a 2. And I'd say that's up from a 1 over the past couple of years due to my own enthusiasm, and the fact that she occasionally stays in the room for brief periods while I'm watching EWTN. If Fr. Corapi gets her to a 3 I'd be pleased. She has a long track record of paying more attention to someone else saying the same thing I say, so there is reason for some faint hope...for progress, if nothing else.
Fr. Corapi says it himself: The effectiveness of the message is a function of the mode of the receiver [or something like that]. In other words, the listener has to be open to the message, or it doesn't matter who delivers it. And that I should be praying for such receptiveness in her.
I've been through a trying period with a real estate situation the past few months. I've never prayed the rosary so many times in my life. It's a long, multi-faceted story, but one thing I really needed was to either sell a house, or a tenant for the house that would not obstruct the chance to sell the house. I've recently found a tenant so perfect for my needs that it feels like the answer to my prayers. They're even looking into purchasing the house themselves. It's been one of those turn-of-events that has renewed my faith.
I've just finished my 3rd listen to the Fr. Corapi CDs. I think it's time I get down to reading the catechism now. I'm impressed that you've gotten through it. Any suggestions on how I might approach the act of attempting to read through it all?
Last edited on Sun May 13th, 2007 01:06 am by TerminalNewEnglander
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3John4
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| Joined: | Tue Feb 13th, 2007 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 76 |
| First Name: | Dede | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic, Protestant, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon May 14th, 2007 02:30 pm |
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Bill,
Your analogy of 1 being a bag of cement and your wife being at a 2 made me laugh. And I think many of us can probably relate to our spouse listening more thoughtfully when someone else says exactly the same thing we've been saying!
As for reading the catechism, I'd have to say, oddly enough, I found it very compelling, and therefore easy to stick to a reading schedule to complete. Actually, I started with the CHN program to read the bible and the catechism together in a year, but since I've read the bible several times, and never read the catechism, I decided to switch to a different plan. I read the catechism through once,about 8 pages a day. I plan to spend the next two months listening to the Fr. Corapi CDs, and then re-read the catechism at a slower rate. Hopefully, I will finish by the end of the year because I am already developing a plan of study for next year on Mary and the rosary. My dh thinks I am absurdly organized and disciplined, but since discovering that the Catholic Church is so completely different than I came to believe after the 19 years I spent as a Protestant, I am anxious to know as much as I can as fast as I can. I think that is part of why I got through the catechsim so quickly; with every new section I thought, "Wow, if Bob (my dh) would only read this, he would be amazed at how sound and comprehensive the doctrine is!" If I had only understood while growing up, I would NEVER have wandered into Protestantism.
Blessings,
Dede
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TerminalNewEnglander
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| Location: | Barrington, Rhode Island USA |
| Posts: | 10 |
| First Name: | Bill | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic; lapsed '72; fringes '82-'87; UCC '94-'03*; revert '04. ... |
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Posted: Tue May 15th, 2007 02:15 am |
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Dede,
I read the first 8 pages tonight. I've made a couple of false starts in the past, but I going to assume that I will also find it "very compelling"...and just do it.
Thanks for your feedback.
Bill
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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 4981 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Tue May 15th, 2007 10:02 am |
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TerminalNewEnglander wrote: I read the first 8 pages tonight. I've made a couple of false starts in the past, but I going to assume that I will also find it "very compelling"...and just do it.
Bill, if you're talking about reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church, keep in mind that it is intended more as a reference work rather than something to be read from start to finish. That's not to say it can't be done, of course, but it's sort of like reading the encyclopedia.
You might want to look at a couple of alternatives, at least as an introduction.
The first is the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It presents the essential teachings of the Church in a question-and-answer format. It includes references to the Catechism, so in those areas where you have questions or wish to dig a little deeper, you can turn to the full Catechism for further understanding.
The second is the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. It is better written and organized for reading, and includes such things as a section at the end of each chapter that explains the doctrine of the Church. One of the criticisms of the CCC has always been that it does not distinguish the heirarchy of truth between dogma, doctrine, and teaching, and the USCCA has taken that into account. The creation of local catechisms was foreseen and encouraged by Pope John Paul II, and the USCCA has been approved by the Vatican.
I am not trying to minimize the importance of the Catechism in any way. It is and always was intended as a reference from which to create other materials. The USCCA is exactly the type of catechetical material intended to be drawn from the Catechism and is a "better read" and certainly a better textbook. It includes much more detail on Catholic saints, Catholic practices, and explanations of issues in language that is more easily understood by American Protestants.
Meanwhile, the Catechism of the Catholic Church remains the definitive reference and especially when combined with the Companion to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (along with scripture, of course) , is the definitive Christian resource.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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3John4
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| First Name: | Dede | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic, Protestant, Catholic |
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Posted: Tue May 15th, 2007 10:35 am |
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Oh sure, now ya tell me!
Actually, Father Corapi was the first one I heard suggest reading the CCC (at a conference last year), and then when CHN came out with the pamplhlet to read the bible and CCC together in a year, I thought I'd give it a whirl. However, I think I will definitely look at the links you've given above to use as I go through a second reading after I finish the Faher Corapi CDs.
You are always an amazing resource, Rick!
Dede
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CajunRick
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Posted: Tue May 15th, 2007 10:41 am |
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3John4 wrote: I thought I'd give it a whirl. However, I think I will definitely look at the links you've given above to use as I go through a second reading after I finish the Faher Corapi CDs.
I'm reading the USCCA now, and I think it is much better suited to reading, especially for those who were not raised Catholic. The USCCA takes on issues that the Catechism doesn't tackle such as differences in Catholic and Protestant teaching.
BTW, the USCCA was just released late last year, so it was not an option prior to that time.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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3John4
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| First Name: | Dede | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic, Protestant, Catholic |
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Posted: Tue May 15th, 2007 10:53 am |
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Okay, I went ahead and ordered it, and was really pleased to see there's a study guide to accompany it. I often find those helpful. (I'm a nerd at heart.)
I WAS raised Catholic, but I swear I must have been in la-la land most of the time because I sure am learning a lot now!
Dede
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TerminalNewEnglander
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Posted: Wed Dec 5th, 2007 06:30 am |
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| I lost my momentum regarding this reading effort, but recently bought the Compendium.
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Free
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| Joined: | Wed Nov 28th, 2007 |
| Location: | Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 109 |
| First Name: | Jane | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Presbyterian, Gnostic, non-demoninational, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Dec 5th, 2007 11:05 am |
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I read the whole Catechism as a Protestant and became Catholic as a result! I bought it when three of my friends had converted or were planning to convert to the Catholic faith. I wanted to show them what was wrong with Catholicism, and to keep the last one from converting. My word! The very opposite happened! The Holy Spirit showed me underlying prejudices I had, and family inculcated anti-Catholicism. That was in the first 50 pages. Then, after confessing those sins, the Holy Spirit beautifully and gracefully brought light into my soul. For each question that I had about Catholic "oddities" such as purgatory, relics, and the Pope, the Holy Spirit faithfully brought an answer to me. One of these days I will post my whole story, but I had to jump in here to say how reading the Catechism brought me into Christ's Church! I read it in April 2006, and by that fall entered RCIA, and was received into the Church on April 7, 2007.
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Annie
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Posted: Wed Dec 5th, 2007 11:19 am |
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| wow, Jane, pretty much the same thing happened to me.
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Annie
Ora et labora
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TerminalNewEnglander
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Posted: Wed Dec 5th, 2007 11:27 am |
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| Cool...just the type of pep talk I was looking for!
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kimdyuma
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Posted: Wed Dec 5th, 2007 08:21 pm |
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CajunRick wrote: I'm reading the USCCA now, and I think it is much better suited to reading, especially for those who were not raised Catholic. The USCCA takes on issues that the Catechism doesn't tackle such as differences in Catholic and Protestant teaching.
BTW, the USCCA was just released late last year, so it was not an option prior to that time.
It is definitely more of a "reading book" I tend to use the traditional catechism book as a reference but read the USCCA. I had put it on hold to read some apologetics and so forth but am picking it up again
____________________
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