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Credo Catholic
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| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1268 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Sep 23rd, 2007 02:55 am |
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| This is a tough decision. My first suggestion is go and sit before the Blessed Sacrament and ponder this for awhile. Maybe take a pad and pen and as you sit there, list the pros and cons, and what you think the consequences and reactions might mean. Then after you've looked all that over for a little bit, put it away and just wait for the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Just be quiet and expectant. I believe you will be able to decide what's the best way to go about this. And it's your decision; not your parents, or your boyfriend, or the priest's, or the forum's. Perhaps Kayla or Elizabeth or some of the other young people here can tell you their story of how they decided it was time to make a move. But I would make the decision itself in front of the Blessed Sacrament. I'm verrrry happy for you that this is taking place!! It would be great if your little brother, who we've decided is going to be a priest(!) could see the confirmation and first communion.
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5079 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Sun Sep 23rd, 2007 01:12 pm |
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Racaela Fultz wrote: So, what do you guys think I should do? What insight do you have? I know a lot of you have gone through similar things.
I've always thought that the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord was a particularly good day to join the Church. In 2008, it's on January 13th.
Jesus certainly already had faith. His baptism was the beginning of this commitment to his public ministry, in the same way that your confirmation and profession of faith will be your commitment to live as a Catholic.
You will be home for Christmas, which will give you a chance to let your parents know about your decision. Best case, they will be able to attend. Worst case, you can tell them and not have to put up with their derision for too long. At the very least, your friends will be there.
You'll just be beginning a new semester, a "new beginning" which is what our Lord's baptism and your profession of faith will indicate. And you'll be able to participate at the Easter Vigil as a Catholic, perhaps even sponsoring someone in RCIA.
All things considered, Racaela, I think the Baptism of the Lord would be a very good day to begin your new life as a Catholic.
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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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JillD
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Visalia, California USA |
| Posts: | 678 |
| First Name: | Jill | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | heathen, EvFree, Messianic, LC-MS, Catholic 2007 |
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Posted: Sun Sep 23rd, 2007 06:55 pm |
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Racaela Fultz wrote:
I'll go to mass either way, but if I convert at Advent, at least I'll be receiving Christ in the Eucharist. So there might be more tension if I convert at Advent, and there might be no real difference.
The Eucharist gives strength. If you are able to receive it, you will be calmer and stronger as you deal with your parents' objections.
That's my thought, anyway.
Jill
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"I praise you, for I am wondrously made. Wonderful are our works! You know me right well; my frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth." Psalm 139
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David W. Emery
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 1790 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Sep 23rd, 2007 07:08 pm |
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You know, Racaela, the first thing that popped into my mind when I read your timing dilemma was: why not do it in January, shortly after your visit with parents and the anti-Catholic backlash, but well before Easter and your friends’ departure? So when Rick suggested the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, it was a done deal. I think his idea is just right.
David
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5079 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Sun Sep 23rd, 2007 08:51 pm |
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As many members as we have within a hundred or so miles of you, it certainly seems that we could arrange to have some of our "family" in the pews to stand with you. Assuming a date of January 13th just for the sake of argument, is anyone interested?
Last edited on Sun Sep 23rd, 2007 09:28 pm by CajunRick
____________________
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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Racaela Fultz
Member
| 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 Sep 23rd, 2007 09:15 pm |
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You guys are so sweet!
I need to find out when my friends leave to go abroad. They're studying abroad next semester, but their school schedules may be different from the one here. So, they may already be gone by mid January, and if they're not, they'll be living at thier homes several hours from here.
And it is a good point that it would be a good idea to be able to take the Eucharist over Christmas break when I'm at home.
But, on the other hand, the idea of doing it at the Baptism of Jesus is beautiful.
So, I'm not sure when yet. I've just posted a letter to my parents telling them of my decision to become Catholic. What I do from here depends in part on their response. And prayer.
I'm looking at either January 13th, or if I do it at Advent, more probable at the moment, it'll be either December 2nd or 9th.
And, I'd love to have whoever can come come be there for this, really I would. I'd love to get to meet you! I go to school in Muncie, Indiana, not far from Indianapolis. And yes, you guys are like another family. Thanks.
Last edited on Sun Sep 23rd, 2007 10:33 pm by Racaela Fultz
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"To be deep in history is to cease to be protestant" - Cardinal Newman
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Kayla
Member
| Joined: | Mon Jul 30th, 2007 |
| Location: | Emmitsburg, Maryland USA |
| Posts: | 364 |
| First Name: | Kayla | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Atheist, kind-of Mormon, Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Sep 23rd, 2007 09:32 pm |
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Wow, Racaela, this is so exciting!
Let me give you something from my personal experience... During my entire conversion process, I was deathly afraid of any type of talk of Catholicism or even religion in general with my parents. I purposedly avoided all such conversation.
After my baptism, receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist has given me so much strength that I've been able to endure conversations I never would have dreamed of talking in. Even when they haven't been the most pleasant, I have had the strength to say what I needed to say and get through all of it.
Most importantly, however, is that you feel yourself prepared to enter into the Church and to receive Holy Communion. I would have killed (figuratively) to be in your position this time last year (I probably knew enough to forgoe the RCIA process, but I was never given that option), but the time spent in preparation for Easter ended up being very fruitful.
I'm praying for you!
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I believe, Lord, help my unbelief.
Jesus, I trust in You!
There's not a lot of job security for us after death. I suppose that's one advantage of being a philosopher. - Peter Kreeft
http://kayla23mount.blogspot.com/
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David W. Emery
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 1790 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Sep 23rd, 2007 10:58 pm |
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Racaela Fultz wrote:If I do it at Advent, more probable at the moment, it'll be either December 2nd or 9th.
I like December 9. It’s the feast day of St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, the Mexican Indian who encountered Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, on his way to Mass. It also happens to be my birthday. (You can choose which reason is best.  )
David
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