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Racaela Fultz
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| Joined: | Sat Aug 4th, 2007 |
| Location: | Indiana USA |
| Posts: | 146 |
| First Name: | Racaela | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Nondenominational, will be Catholic Advent 2007 |
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Posted: Sat Aug 4th, 2007 04:14 pm |
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Back in January I began to date a Catholic young man who attends university with me. My parents were okay with it at the time. I was raised nondenominational, though essentially Baptist in theology, and my mother later informed me that she assumed my young man would see the truth and become protestant. It didn't happen that way.
My young man never pushed me toward the church in any way. He said it didn't matter where we would eventually end up going to church. We decided, though, that on Sundays I would attend his Catholic church and then we would cross the street and attend my fundamentalist church. I figured, like my mother, that he would "see the light."
After going to the Catholic church for several months, I simply stopped attending the fundamentalist church. It just didn't feed me the way the Catholic church did. I was confused, though. I had been taught all sorts of lies about Catholicism, and what I was seeing at St Francis didn't make any sense given what I had always believed about Catholics. I liked it. And that scared me.
Then came the Easter Vigil mass. It was so beautiful! I could hardly believe it, I loved it so much. Surely, surely, I told myself, there must be something wrong with Catholicism - there had to be! I just had to find out what it was and then I would regain my peace.
I told my boyfriend the attraction I was feeling to the Church, and that I was sort of afraid to research and look for answers, because I was afraid of what I would find. I felt, somehow, that I would find Catholicism to be correct, and knew that my family would, well, totally flip out if I decided to convert. My boyfriend advised me not to do any research now, to just wait and not worry about it.
But I couldn't wait. I had to know. I felt an attraction to Catholicism that bewildered me - I had been so anti-Catholic at one point that I had tried to talk an aquaintance out of being Catholic. It hadn't worked, but she hadn't had any good arguments, she just accepted things because the Church said, and we had drifted apart. So, I threw myself into research. I ordered some books and began to read. I read Catholic books, and then Anti-Catholic books. I would find a point made in the Anti-Catholic books, a poitn that made sense to me (such as, Catholics are wrong about purgatory) and then research, reading the Bible and my Catholic books, trying to see for sure. And every issue kept checking out, one after another. I got scared when purgatory made sense, when I realized that I believed it. And then there was Mary - and the rosary. I guess I should have know when I began praying the rosary, and loving it, that I was done for. I suppose, though, that it was when I read the early church fathers that I passed the point of no return, without realizing it. They were Catholic! I was shocked!
My mother, though, said that the Catholic church didn't actually teach the "true gospel." She has a lot of fallen away Catholic friends who are now fundamentalists. They tell her that they never heard the gospel in the Catholic church, and didn't truly know God until leaving it. I couldn't understand that - how could someone go to a church like St Francis and not hear the gospel? My mother told me that St Francis was an exception, and urged me to try some of the Catholic churches in my hometown (I had returned home for the summer), and that I would find that the true gospel wasn't taught. So, with her blessing, I visited three different Catholic churches in the area. Her plan backfired, though. With each Catholic church I attended, I became more and more sure.
After I had attended those three churches, though, I didn't want to distress my mother so I began sneaking out to mass. It was at that point, I think, that I had a realization. It was now July and back in January I had begun dating my boyfriend, but rather than falling in love with him (in addition, actually) I fell in love with the Catholic church. So in love. I suddenly realized that the Catholic church meant more to me than did anything else in my life. I realized how much I wanted it, how I hungered for the Eucharist and longed to be in full communion. What had happened to me? I had been a true daughter of the reformation!
Then there are my parents. My father doesn't say much but is sure that this is all because of my boyfriend. It's not, though. I know it's not. Honestly, if I had to choose between him and the church, the choice would not even be difficult. My mother believes the same thing, and is extremely anti-Catholic. She has been getting her hands on anti-Catholic books from her anti-Catholic friends. In her defense, she has been going through a summary of the Catechism, though I think her intent is to find all the wrong things in it (she's making a list). Also, I was raised in a very close knit, VERY large, homeschool family. I am the oldest and have nearly a dozen younger siblings. My mother has ideas about parental authority that I don't agree with. She says that God will tell her and my father what I am to do, and I should simply obey them whether I understand or not. My parents are truly seeking God, and have raised us to love God, but I have to follow God's call, not what my parents tell me to do or not to do.
I guess, though, it wasn't until last week that I realized I had passed the point of no return. See, I guess God just made it obvious. I attended a week long Conversational Latin Convention - a complete immersion experience. Yes, I'm a nerd. A complete and undashamed nerd. I figured that this convention would give me time away - time to be out of the intense pressure and intense thought, and just be with God and pray. God had other plans. Most of the people there were Latin teaches, professors, and doctoral students, but there were also a few Catholic priests. One of them, a seminarian, named Jonathan, was raised Baptist and converted in college, losing nearly all of his friends because of it. I spent hours talking to him and another convert who used to be presbyterian, and I also had many conversations with several truly devout Cradle Catholics. I felt like God was following me around - tracking me! It was wonderful. I also attended daily mass while there, and loved it wholeheartedly.
I have passed the point of no return, and love the Catholic church and it's doctrines so very dearly. It is the true church - I have done countless hours of research, reading the Bible, the Catechism, the fathers, and come to this conclusion. It's doctrines are true. I have grown so much spiritually. I plan to start RCIA when I get back to school in September.
How I will tell my parents I do not know. Does anyone have any advice? I am twenty years old, but my mother would have me remain under the "umbrella of protection" of my father, and obey what he says. And he believes the Catholic church is wrong, though he has said that if I join it, I won't lose my faith. Thanks dad! Anyway, I haven't told them anything more than that I am researching, and I don't intend to tell them right now, at least, not before I go back to school.
You know, I never realized how complicated and difficult the Christian walk can be, or how wonderful, rich, and fulfilling it can be.
Can you guys give me advice on two things?
First, when should I join the church (I know I want it to be at an Easter Vigil, of course)?
Second, how and when should I tell my parents?
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"To be deep in history is to cease to be protestant" - Cardinal Newman
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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
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| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Sat Aug 4th, 2007 05:21 pm |
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Racaela Fultz wrote: I suppose, though, that it was when I read the early church fathers that I passed the point of no return, without realizing it. They were Catholic! I was shocked!
Racaela, welcome to the Coming Home Network and to the Catholic faith. We're happy to have you here with us, and we welcome you to participate in any way you are comfortable. Feel free to join our discussions, ask questions, etc. We look forward to your participation.
Most of today's great Catholic apologists came to the Church in the same way as Venerable John Cardinal Newman. He was an Anglican priest who converted, and one of his most famous quotes is. "To be steeped in history is to cease to be Protestant." You have also learned the truth of a famous statement by Bishop (now Servant of God) Fulton Sheen: "There are not a hundred people who hate the Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they think the Catholic Church to be." The fact is that if the Church truly taught and believed what most Protestants think, most of us wouldn't be Catholic either.
I am a cradle Catholic so I won't address your other questions. Others here will be more than happy to share their experiences with you. There are several other young people here who are on your same journey and facing the same problems. I wanted to welcome you to our forum and to assure you that we will assist you on your faith journey in any way we can, wherever it might happen to lead.
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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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kimdyuma
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 776 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Anglican, Episcopal /Catholic-04/07/07 |
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Posted: Sat Aug 4th, 2007 07:39 pm |
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How does your family usually break important news to each other? I would choose a time when your parents are fairly relaxed and NOT dealing with any problems with your younger siblings I would tell them that this is not a whim, you have attended other parishes per your mom's request. I would also point out to them that RCIA is not the commitment point- it is a learning and decision period. As you go through RCIA they may start to accept that you will be joining the Church at Easter. I would try to avoid being argumentative. Start looking into apologetics and their materials- leave them at home where your parents can read them if they choose..
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Adopt from your local Humane Society- Please spay or neuter your pets
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CajunRick
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Posted: Sat Aug 4th, 2007 08:31 pm |
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kimdyuma wrote: Start looking into apologetics and their materials- leave them at home where your parents can read them if they choose..
That's an excellent idea, Kim. I would begin with Fr. Mario Romero's Unabridged Christianity. This book is excellent, although not a common part of an apologist's bookshelf. Fr. Romero tackles basic Protestant questions and replies with Catholic teaching. It is highly readable, and it is easy to flip through, find a question, and read the answer.
It's the kind of book that someone who is not interested in the Catholic Church might pick up, open at random, and find enlightenment that just might lead to reading another chapter or two.
It's also highly affordable. It lists for $12.95, but I found it at Amazon for as little as $4.90.
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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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kimdyuma
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 776 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Anglican, Episcopal /Catholic-04/07/07 |
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Posted: Sat Aug 4th, 2007 08:44 pm |
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Rick you tempted me into buying it- by your statement that: "It is highly readable, and it is easy to flip through, find a question, and read the answer.
It's the kind of book that someone who is not interested in the Catholic Church might pick up, open at random, and find enlightenment that just might lead to reading another chapter or two."
Maybe it will be more attractive than anything else I have left around for my familY- though I did catch my 16 y.o. reading the forum- I had gottenup to do something and found him scrolling through.
____________________
Adopt from your local Humane Society- Please spay or neuter your pets
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Racaela Fultz
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| Joined: | Sat Aug 4th, 2007 |
| Location: | Indiana USA |
| Posts: | 146 |
| First Name: | Racaela | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Nondenominational, will be Catholic Advent 2007 |
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Posted: Sat Aug 4th, 2007 09:18 pm |
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Also, I guess I would like to add this question. I just spoke with a priest and he said to remember that though I may see the beauty and riches of the Catholic church, my relationship with my parents is important. I need to weigh that in the equation heavily - is becoming Catholic worth the stress with my family or should I stay protestant to maintain my relationships? That was his question.
I don't think he can understand, though. I mean, how could I spend my life looking at what is the true Church, looking at all the tradition and faith, looking at the sacraments and the unity of the Church, and not enter? How could I spend my life continuing in fractured protestant churches which do not, I believe, teach the whole truth and which each arrogantly uphold their interpretation of the Bible? I just can't do that. I can't. I have just got to enter the church, come what may to my relationships. I'd really like to enter this Easter, but I need to talk to my priest where I go to school about this, and about my situation.
What is your thought on that? If I enter the Church, or rather, when, my parents are going to be very hurt and upset and everyone in the community will know and be talking about it (all my parents' friends are VERY anti-Catholic). But I can't let that make my decision. And I won't. But it's...hard.
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"To be deep in history is to cease to be protestant" - Cardinal Newman
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kimdyuma
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
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| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Anglican, Episcopal /Catholic-04/07/07 |
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Posted: Sat Aug 4th, 2007 10:06 pm |
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| They will settle down though
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CajunRick
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Posted: Sat Aug 4th, 2007 11:20 pm |
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Racaela Fultz wrote: But I can't let that make my decision. And I won't. But it's...hard.
How many of the guys you've dated have met your father's approval? Will you seek his permission to get married? If he's like most fathers I know (and I speak as a father), no guy is ever going to be good enough. I was watching a Disney Channel program tonight called "Hannah Montana" (yes, I watch Disney Channel) and Miley told her dad, "If it was up to you, I'd never have a boyfriend." He answered, "Not never. Just not till I'm dead." My daughter just moved to Chicago and I supported her decision, while silently wanting to nail her shoes to the floor. The night she left, I heard Billy Ray Cyrus' new song to his daughter, "Ready, Set, Don't Go". It is an anthem for every father who's daughter has ever grown up and become independent. I still support her decision, but the tears roll down my cheeks every time I hear the song. And I listen to it a lot. If you haven't heard it yet or seen the video, click on the link above. It will help you to understand your father's thoughts. Above all else, he knows you are growing up, and he is terrified he will lose you.
Your father needs to know that it is the faith he instilled in you that has made you come to this conclusion. He won't believe it now, but later when you demonstrate to him that you are still a person of faith he will become more accepting.
What he has been taught is that a decision to join the Catholic Church is virtually a guarantee that you will go to hell. At the very least, he believes it will be a serious impediment to your salvation. Accept his belief and let him know that if even for a moment you hear anything that you believe is contrary to your Christian faith, you will drop out immediately. Invite him to join you so he can help you spot the errors of Catholicism. The more he knows, the more accepting he will be.
But you must be true to yourself and your Savior. This is a life-changing decision for you, one of the first of many you will make as an adult. Mary was 12-14 when she made the decision to become the Mother of God. You are old enough to decide for yourself, but if there is even a moment's doubt or hesitation in your mind that you are not doing the right thing, wait. You have a long life ahead of you, so there is no reason to hurry.
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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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Credo Catholic
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| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
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| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Aug 5th, 2007 09:55 am |
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Racaela Fultz wrote:
My mother, though, said that the Catholic church didn't actually teach the "true gospel." She has a lot of fallen away Catholic friends who are now fundamentalists. They tell her that they never heard the gospel in the Catholic church, and didn't truly know God until leaving it. I couldn't understand that - how could someone go to a church like St Francis and not hear the gospel? My mother told me that St Francis was an exception, and urged me to try some of the Catholic churches in my hometown (I had returned home for the summer), and that I would find that the true gospel wasn't taught. So, with her blessing, I visited three different Catholic churches in the area. Her plan backfired, though. With each Catholic church I attended, I became more and more sure.
Hi Racaela and welcome to the forum! I also empathize with you and know how distressing it can be to oppose loving parents who think they are doing the right thing for you. They obviously have been exceptional parents to raise such a large family and put so much effort and care into it, even home schooling. I am a big fan of home schooling and have seen very good results from it, but there is one aspect of it that must be considered and that is it is a control issue. Maybe for good reasons (public schools are going down the toilet, bad influences there, poorly trained and misguided teachers, no religious education or tolerance) but control is still a part of it. Now you are trying to make a move out of that control and they are not ready to let you go! I understand that as a parent of a 27 year old who is not making good decisions for himself yet!
Here is my question to your mother and her friends: have they actually sat in mass and listened to the readings, the gospel, the psalms and prayers? How can they say with a straight face that the catholic church doesn't teach the gospel? It teaches nothing but the gospel! If her friends are ex- catholics who never heard the gospel there they must have had ear muffs on their heads. They have found a place that "tickles the ears" as the gospel says, and they must attack what they left behind in order to justify leaving it.
I believe at the age of 20, for a young woman such as yourself who is mature and responsible in every other way, you must make this decision for yourself. You are not the property of your parents, you are the child of God they raised to love Him, and you must follow Him as He calls you. They will come to accept it in time, because you will show them that your new catholic life is one of love and service to the glory of God, following what is taught in the gospels! God bless your journey and God bless your parents for raising such a lovely daughter.
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Racaela Fultz
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| Joined: | Sat Aug 4th, 2007 |
| Location: | Indiana USA |
| Posts: | 146 |
| First Name: | Racaela | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Nondenominational, will be Catholic Advent 2007 |
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Posted: Sun Aug 5th, 2007 07:41 pm |
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Rick, I like what you said about Mary. Actually, I've thought on that before. See, when my mom told me that if God wanted me to do something, he'd tell my parents, and so I should obey them first, trusting that they, as my parents, know God's will for me, well, I thought of Mary. See, Mary was no more than 14, and Gabriel appeared to her and asked her to be the mother of the messiah. Did he appear to her father and mother, and ask them to tell Mary? No. He went straight to her, a 14 year old girl. I have to obey and follow God first, not my parents. That's not to say that my parents don't have a lot of wisdom; they do. But, as an adult, I have to follow God for myself.
And Marsha, yes, homeschooling is a wonderful thing. I will be eturnally greatful for the education - both mental and spiritual - which they so lovingly gave me. But, you are right on about the control issue. I had never seen that aspect of it until this summer. My father had always taught me to ask questions and never be afraid of where the truth may lead, but my mom, this summer, said that she was fine with me asking questions just so I come back to the same conclusions she and my father have, as they are for sure correct. I was shocked by this statement. I have to believe for myself what I feel led to believe, not just believe what they do because they're my parents. And actually, my next-in-age sister has been struggling with the control issue as well, though not in spiritual areas (as her boyfriend is a Baptist, she has no reason to change anything, our parents beliefs simply work for her). She got a tattoo last semester without telling them, and they completely flipped out. But, she has been asserting her independance for longer than I have. I, until this summer, was always the "perfect daughter," doing and believing everything my parents said. Now, things are different. After my sister and I come three brothers, and interestingly, they have admitted to feeling a lot of pressure from my parents, and to feeling that they can never messure up. One of them said that he has simply given up trying. The oldest of them is being a real disappointment to my parents as he lacks the ambition they want him to have and doesn't push himself enough when it comes to athletics and colleges (he's a senior this year). In case anyone wants to know how many siblings I actually have, I'll just say that after the boys come four girls, two more boys, and another girl, who is still a baby. But anyway, my dad is extremely EXTREMELY stressed out right now, and has struggled with depression (without being evaluated), and I think that if he would just let go of the things he can't control, things might be easier for him, life less stressful. But, back to homeschooling, I intend to homeschool my own children someday, but to be careful to let them think and believe as they choose, and to avoid pressuring and guilting them. I guess I'm learning a lot about what not to do from watching my parents right now.
And Rick, I ordered the book you mentioned. I'll leave it on the coffee table when I head of to college in a couple weeks. (I can't wait to get back to college so that I can stop feeling that I am always under attack and can attend mass without feeling like I am sneaking around).
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"To be deep in history is to cease to be protestant" - Cardinal Newman
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susiedear
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| Joined: | Thu Oct 12th, 2006 |
| Location: | Twin Cities, Minnesota USA |
| Posts: | 186 |
| First Name: | Elizabeth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Pentecostal / Evangelical / Catholic! |
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Posted: Mon Aug 6th, 2007 08:43 am |
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Dear Racaela, you followed the same path to conversion that has led many, including me, to the altar of the Holy Catholic Church. I am sorry to read of your struggle with your parents, and I will join you in prayer that their minds will soften and become more open.
Your parents sound like mine! While I didn't grow up Baptist, I did grow up with the "umbrella" metaphor firmly in place and have heard countless times, "You need to learn from the wisdom of my experience," "we know what's best for you," and the ever-favorite, "honor your father and your mother," which means, I guess to some, that honoring must include obeying. I am 48 years old and still hear such talk from my parents.
So when I was officially received this past Easter, I didn't even tell them, though all that was within me wanted to. I knew that such a confession would deepen their hurt and cause needless pain.
I pray for the day when my parents will ask me questions and we can have a real dialog about what led to my conversion, but that hasn't happened and I'm not sure ever will. Still, I will be forever grateful that Christ has led me to His Church and the joys of the sacramental life. We will rejoice with you, Racaela, when you too will be received.
Elizabeth
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But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life. St. Augustine
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brian
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Chicago South Burbs, Illinois USA |
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| First Name: | brian | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | methodist, evangelical, anglican, catholic |
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Posted: Tue Aug 7th, 2007 12:51 pm |
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It really seems to be your decision. It seems this type of question comes up a lot. The issue of whether following God trumps repsecting parents or spouses. I meet people who think that they could never possibly be drawn to a church without their spouse also being drawn or giving consent. Now, I can not say enough that I empathize with this. It seems so heartbreaking. In your case though, I think that if you are over 18 the freedom in the decision is yours. I think you should honor your parents and even obey them when they do not ask you to do things contrary to your conscience. But I do not think that they should be able to keep you from following where you think God wants you to be. It is your decision, and it sounds like you are about as close as you can be to making it. You do have to 'count the cost' and consider how emotionally ready that you are or how willing you are to face the consequences and cause some discomfort for your parents. But Jesus seems to warn us that this sort of thing might happen in the gospels. He also seems to say that we must be willing lose our life to follow Him. In my mind it does not matter if one is married or young adult, they should feel the call of God being greater than the compulsion to please anybody else, once they have discerned what that call is.
Now, this is my opinion. I am not married and have not lived through any of these situations, though I faced some resistance from a few notable people. I do not mean to be insensitive. I am not even saying I am right about this. If I am wrong I would not mind being corrected or shown where I have failed to consider something. I know scripture says to honor your parents, and it says for wives to submit to their husbands. But it also says to take up the cross and follow Him. If one has to ignore one command or break it wouldn't it be better to break the one that does not demand compromising one's spiritual obedience to God? Or would we say that God would not command something that would require one to disregard another command? But what if parents or spouse told you to do something immoral like kill or steal or blaspheme? Would not it be the right thing to do to not obey? Anyway, you are in a sense honoring your parents by doing what God is asking you to do. This shows that hey rasied you to be spiritually discerning and honest, and becoming Catholic does honor them even if they do not acknowledge it because you have grown up to live with the most truth you could find.
Please forgive me though if I am in any way being insensitive. I do not claim to be speaking from a point of defined wisdom on this and in no way judge anybody grapling with the difficulty of these things. This is why we should want to be pretty sure before moving forward. So if you are sure, I would say take the next step. If not, pray and wait. On the one hand you are still very young and God is very patient, on the other hand, none of us knows how much time we have.
peace to you, thanks for the encouraging story.
Brian
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Racaela Fultz
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| Joined: | Sat Aug 4th, 2007 |
| Location: | Indiana USA |
| Posts: | 146 |
| First Name: | Racaela | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Nondenominational, will be Catholic Advent 2007 |
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Posted: Tue Aug 7th, 2007 01:40 pm |
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I return to university in one week, and am lining up a meeting with the priest at the parish there, where I have been attending since January. I'll talk to him and see what he thinks. Hopefully he'll have some good advice.
I plan to start RCIA when it begins this fall, and one of my friends has asked me to become more involved with the Newman Center there (most public universities have Newman Centers which minister to Catholic college students), so I intend to do that with her. Also, I will continue attending mass at the parish there on Sundays, and maybe become involved with the praise team (I play violin and I can sing decently, though NOTHING like my next-in-age sister can).
So, as I do these things, I will remain in prayer, seeking God's will. I'll be walking forward, but I have months ahead to make the final decision. So my thought is, if things keep feeling like they do now, if God keeps pushing me in this direction, then I'll convert. This Easter? We'll see. I'd like to, but like you've said, I need to be sure, especially if this goes against my parents as it does. And so, I have months to determine if I am sure. Easter is, after all, eight months away. Time will tell. But I hate waiting!
So, that's my plan. Now we'll see what God's plan is.
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"To be deep in history is to cease to be protestant" - Cardinal Newman
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Racaela Fultz
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| Joined: | Sat Aug 4th, 2007 |
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| Posts: | 146 |
| First Name: | Racaela | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Nondenominational, will be Catholic Advent 2007 |
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Posted: Wed Aug 8th, 2007 12:16 am |
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I'll be back at school in a week, thank goodness, but it's going to be one of the hardest weeks of my life, I think. I was just ordered to take down some pictures of Jesus, and of Mary holding Jesus (not even a glorified Mary, just an ordinary mother Mary) which I had up on the wall in my room. Apparently my parents don't want me worshiping images. She said I was "defiling her hosue." And, dad informed me that the Catholic Church deleted the second commandment, the one against idols, and I tried to inform him that they didn't, tried to explain that point (as I have heard the argument and know the counter), but he just walked out. I don't want it to sound like I'm complaining. My parents love me and I love them, they have given me a wonderful home situation, etc. I'll make it through this week, I'll just have to bite my tongue a lot and offer it up to Jesus.
Last edited on Wed Aug 8th, 2007 12:18 am by Racaela Fultz
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"To be deep in history is to cease to be protestant" - Cardinal Newman
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CajunRick
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Posted: Wed Aug 8th, 2007 01:25 am |
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Racaela Fultz wrote: Apparently my parents don't want me worshiping images.
That is a reasonable request ... providing, of course, that they have no family pictures in the house or in their wallets either, since we certainly wouldn't want them loving images. 
And remind them that they need to schedule a protest against that statue downtown, and all the pictures in the art gallery, and their TV set. Those are all images, too.
And you'd better burn your yearbooks, and all those pictures and videos of you as a kid, and don't forget their wedding pictures!
Seriously, if a picture of Jesus and his mother is not acceptable, a picture of you and your mother shouldn't be, either.
Last edited on Wed Aug 8th, 2007 01:30 am by CajunRick
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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AggieCatholic
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| Location: | San Antonio, Texas USA |
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| First Name: | Lance | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | United Methodist to Roman Catholic (Anglican Use) |
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Posted: Wed Aug 8th, 2007 09:15 am |
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It's hard, I know. I joined then Church in 2005 while in college and my parents were less than enthusiastic. What I found difficult was knowing I was sort of on my own, as far as family was concerned. I'm the only Catholic on either side, sandwiched between Southern Baptists and United Methodists.
What helped me along the way was the feeling that becoming Catholic was what I was born to do and that God would give me just enough strength to overcome any obstacle I would face, and there were some. Your parents will still love you, you'll just have to find some way to return that love, to let them know you aren't abandoning your faith, but expanding it.
Should you begin the RCIA process this fall, you will most likely be received into the Church this next Easter Vigil. Over the next few months you will be invited to participate in 2 beautiful ceremonies as part of your preparation. One will be a sort of blessing of the senses (eyes, ears, mind, hands and feet). The other will be writing your name in a book during the Mass as a public statement of your intention to join the Church. Know that you are never alone on this journey and that you are now part of a line of men and women that stretches two millennia who have made the choice of seeking a place in Christ's Church.
Know that there are many who are praying for you and will continue to do so as you make this journey. The road can be difficult. But, the prize you seek is nothing less than the Kingdom of Heaven.
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What part of, "Hoc est enim Corpus meum" don't you understand?
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CajunRick
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Posted: Wed Aug 8th, 2007 11:27 am |
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AggieCatholic wrote: Over the next few months you will be invited to participate in 2 beautiful ceremonies as part of your preparation. One will be a sort of blessing of the senses (eyes, ears, mind, hands and feet). The other will be writing your name in a book during the Mass as a public statement of your intention to join the Church.
Actually, both of these rituals should be restricted only to catechumens. Candidates (those previously baptized) do not participate in the Signing of the Senses or the Rite of Election. Candidates may participate in a separate ritual called the Call to Continuing Conversion that accompanies the Rite of Election, but it should not involve signing a book. Only catechumens are supposed to do that.
Some parishes allow candidates to participate in the name of "inclusion" but it is incorrect. Baptized and unbaptized should be clearly differentiated during the Rites.
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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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AggieCatholic
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Posted: Wed Aug 8th, 2007 02:29 pm |
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| Really? Well, shucks, all this time I thought it was the norm. Well, it worked out in the end.
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What part of, "Hoc est enim Corpus meum" don't you understand?
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Racaela Fultz
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| Joined: | Sat Aug 4th, 2007 |
| Location: | Indiana USA |
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| First Name: | Racaela | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Nondenominational, will be Catholic Advent 2007 |
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Posted: Sun Aug 12th, 2007 01:05 pm |
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Okay, so, an update.
Last night my parents and I watched the "Why Satan Wants Your Firstborn" movie, by a fundamentalist preacher. I'm a firstborn, so they see this whole thing as Satan out to get me.
Then we watched "Roman Catholicism." Watching that second movie was without a doubt the HARDEST thing I have EVER done in my life. OH MY GOODNESS, it was awful. The entire thing is packed with half truths twisted into lies! And it's by ex-priests and ex-nuns who came out of the Church and found Jesus. Watching those lies hurt SO MUCH, but the worst part, the absolute worst, was that mom and dad wouldn't listen to ANY explanation - at all.
When the movie was over they basically said, look, as we see it, you're rejecting truth and turning to this. Period. I tried to explain, and was stopped. It hurt so much! Dad said that he feels like our family is part of a wagon train going west, and that he has lost me. He said he spent all summer trying to find me, while the rest of the wagon train was waiting, but he is now going to take the family wagon with the rest of the family and rejoin the wagon train. If I decide to come back, so be it, and they are praying I will. My thoughts were, I feel terrible you feel this way, but if you've decided to just leave me, well, then hopefully I will be allowed to just make my own decisions.
So, why, at the moment, is my heart crying "My soul magnifies the Lord!"? Well, because the evening didn't end there. Later on I came upon mom and dad sitting at the table, mom crying. Come, sit down, they said, we're ready to hear you now. They wanted me to just talk, to share my heart, how I was feeling. I sat down, and I just started pouring things out.
We talked for an hour. I told them that I felt like they were saying I had to believe every point exactly as they or else I was a disappointment. I told them that I feel like they have been guilting me. I told them that I have to decide for myself what to believe. I told them that they needed to stop feeling like they had to control me, to stop hitting themselves over the head with the fact that they couldn't, to stop letting this rob them of peace. And they saw good in what I said - they understood, at least partially.
Dad said, though, that I had turned a hundred eighty degrees on just about every important truth. Mom said I should have been coming to dad with questions all along, and that I'm responsible to obey dad and believe as he does. I told them that I'm accountable to God when I stand before the judgement seat, not to my dad. I told them I have to decide for myself what to believe.
Why hadn't I come to dad with these things, with my questions, mom asked. And then it all came out. Because, dad was guilting me. Because dad refused to listen. Because dad would have just given his view and refused to hear any other opinion. I mentioned the one time I had brought up transubstantiation and he had stated that communion was only symbolic, the Bible said so, and then refused to listen to arguements and simply guilted me for disagreeing with him.
Dad then said that nothing is imporant at all except the gospel message, and that these other things get in the way. I started to say that the Eucharist was the focal point of early church worship, and was shut down IMMEDIATELY. We don't want to hear that stuff, I was told. That view is hosed (meaning completely wrong), said mom.
See, I said, that's what I mean! I got pretty worked up, but I got my point across. You say that I'm believing just because I've chosen to, but I see you guys not believing because you're completely positive your view is right and aren't even willing to look at the evidence! I think I go that across. I asked if I could leave a book with Catholic explanations, and if they'd look at it, and they consented. I think they realized I was right in what I said about how they'd been acting.
What else came out of this? They're going to try not to guilt me, they're going to try to listen and not just shut me down or belittle me, and they're going to try to give this all to God and not let this situation ruin their lives. I feel like this is SO MUCH progress! Therefore, my soul magnifies the Lord! I felt like I was going to explode with gladness! I was in so much prayer that whole time, and Neal prayed the whole time, and I feel like God was working. And you guys were all praying - thank you SO MUCH. It's paid off, I think.
The hard thing is that my parents still use the "if you can't obey your earthly father, you won't be able to obey your heavenly father." Mom said that dad has the spirit and the Bible, and I need to submit. Period. If I'm supposed to be Catholic, mom said, God will lead my dad to that conclusion, to see that there's nothing wrong with Catholicism and to give me his blessing to do it. Mom says I'm "wandering in the world of intellectualism." And all that is SO hard. I disagree with mom - I don't HAVE TO obey my parents, and dad won't ALWAYS know what's best for me. Any suggestions for dealing with this aspect?
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"To be deep in history is to cease to be protestant" - Cardinal Newman
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kimdyuma
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
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Posted: Sun Aug 12th, 2007 02:13 pm |
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| Oh Racaela ( such a pretty name) Go back to school and try to find some patience with them all! Continue with your journey into the Church. As time passes your parents will accept things ( all parent do eventually). They may never be happy about it and they may continue with anti Catholic digs but just try to pray for them and let it slide off your back knowing that you are in the true Church
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