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Darlene
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 877 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
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Posted: Tue Feb 6th, 2007 08:33 pm |
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Hello Again,
I have been watching EWTN for a while now. One of the things I am noticing is that many of the people who are on various programs are converts from Protestantism. Also there are some converted Jews and those who convert from Christian cults, such as on the Journey Home episode from last night.
Does it seem to others that there is a re-awakening occurring within the Catholic Church? And one of the things that I have heard said is, "You can take the convert out of Evangelicalism, but you can't take Evangelicalism out of the convert" (or something to that effect) Anyway, it really seems to be true. So many of the excited, "on fire," zealous Catholics are those who are converts or reverts. Even last night on Johnette Benkovic's Abundant Living program, the guest on there said he was thankful for his Fundamentalist friend who spurred him on to know and understand his Catholic faith and to be able to defend it. So it is that I think many converts and reverts are causing this re-kening to occur with the Catholic Church.
What say you?
Darlene
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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BodRod
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 2nd, 2006 |
| Location: | Apple Valley, California USA |
| Posts: | 720 |
| First Name: | Cliff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised an SDA, then Generic Christian, finally at home with ... |
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Posted: Tue Feb 6th, 2007 08:42 pm |
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<<<What say you?>>>
Have you been hanging around Bill R. on Fox? 
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| 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 Feb 6th, 2007 08:47 pm |
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Darlene wrote: What say you?
I don't think I really appreciated life until I almost lost it. I couldn't have appreciated my wife's love if not for the fact that I had lost the love of others. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder."
The Truth of the Catholic faith is more precious for having lost it, or never having had it. That's what keeps me in apologetics and RCIA -- I can experience the thrill of discovering the Truth vicariously without having to lose it myself. It's not as intense an experience, but I'm not willing to give up my faith, even for a short time, in order to experience it personally. Instead, I can rejoice with all of you as you come to the fullness of faith, and for that, I thank you all.
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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
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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: Tue Feb 6th, 2007 09:55 pm |
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| I finally met my priest today and one of the things I brought up was how easily many Catholics are plucked out of the Church by Protestants. He responded that he had said the same thing to his Bishop who replied, "Let them have them. They'll learn how to tithe and follow the teachings of the Bible and then, when sense returns, they'll come back!" It was obviously tongue-in-cheek, but probably has a root of truth to it.
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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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David W. Emery
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 1714 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Feb 6th, 2007 11:12 pm |
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Darlene wrote:One of the things I am noticing is that many of the people who are on various programs are converts from Protestantism.
You are aware that this country was built by immigrants. How apropos that the Church is being reformed from within by “immigrants” of another sort.
You may recall that Pope John Paul II spoke often of a “new springtime” for the Church. This is it. It has been sprouting for the past 20 years and is just now beginning to poke its shoots out of the ground. It won’t be many more years before it is a hardy plant beginning to bud. The flowering may take place after you and I are gone, but it will happen, and there will be fruit aplenty.
This is faith in the destiny of the Church is a good part of why I am active in the CHN apostolate, so it’s really no secret.
David
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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 Feb 6th, 2007 11:36 pm |
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For what it's worth, historically there has been a period of turmoil after every Church council that has lasted approximately 50 years, followed by a period of explosive growth. For 20 years the Church swings in one direction (either too liberal or too conservative), then for 20 years the pendulum swings back the other way, and then in the final 10 years it settles in the middle.
From 1965 to 1985 the Church seemed to lose its way. Abuse cases were rampant, no one knew what to teach, Church law was largely ignored, liturgy was unrecognizable from parish to parish, and catechesis was primarily designed to make the kids "feel good" about themselves.
In the mid 80's a new Code of Canon Law was issued, the Catechism was released, the pope began appointing more conservative bishops, there was a crackdown on abuse and homosexuality in seminaries and rectories, the reform of catechesis was begun, and in general things started to straighten out. From 1985 to 2005 the pendulum swung back the other way, in some cases even a little too far (as in the case of those who wanted to name Mary the "Co-Redemptrix" in the late 90's).
We are now at 42 years after the close of Vatican II, and Pope Benedict has begun the process of settling the remaining issues. He is set to liberalize the rules for the Latin mass, to reemphasize traditional music, and to issue several more decrees that will stablize the post-Vatican II Church where it needs to be, and his quick election to the papacy indicates that he has the support of the Cardinals and the entire Church.
The explosion is ready to begin. Stay tuned, it is an exciting time to be a Catholic!
Last edited on Tue Feb 6th, 2007 11:38 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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Steven Barrett
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Posted: Tue Feb 20th, 2007 02:42 pm |
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Darlene, your perception of EWTN is right on point! While I don't want to appear disrespectful to the American hierarchy, I'd be curious to know why Mother Angelica's television station is so vexing to the leadership here.
Perhaps it's the zeal of the converts, maybe it's their more conservative views, (i.e., many converts happen to be more Roman than "American Catholic") and are less enamored with novelty. (They've had enough in some protestant churches, especially the ECUSA lately!)
Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised that the bishops are embarrassed that the faithful are getting more of the meat and potatoes from EWTN than from their respective diocesan spiritual formation programs. You would think they'd be more publicly grateful. Unfortunately, for the bishops, EWTN isn't afraid to allow their reporters and commentators ask pertinent questions from the side of Catholics who don't have any qualms with expressing loyalty to the Holy Father and the Magisterium.
Converts always add fresh new blood and insight. And that's the way it should be. Remember, Cardinal Newman wasn't welcomed entirely with open arms. Yet, had it not been for Newman, the necessary changes resulting from Vatican II perhaps never would have occured. Nowadays we're in the unsusual position of observing the more liberal bishops and their staff wringing their hands, (along with their flacks in the liberal church media) about all these newcomers who really want the Catholic Church to be, well, Catholic, not some American protestantized mongrel spawned from the excessive and arbritrary changes imposed by these same liberals following Vatican II. That EWTN and its many convert contributors exposes these liberals presently in charge of so many chanceries across the nation, well, let's just say it riles them all the more.
Don't you love it!
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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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Darlene
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 877 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
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Posted: Tue Feb 20th, 2007 06:03 pm |
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 Yes Stephen, I do. And it took a determined, spirit-filled, "on fire", loyal to the Magesterium, Catholic nun, who came out of obscurity to start this network, which has now become a voice for faithful Catholics everywhere.
In this case, I would say, what I have heard many Protestants proclaim, "God sure has a sense of humor!" 
Darlene
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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Saint Wanna Be
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| Joined: | Thu Oct 26th, 2006 |
| Location: | Oxford, Mississippi USA |
| Posts: | 17 |
| First Name: | | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Feb 21st, 2007 08:18 am |
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EWTN is one of the main reasons my wife, son and I are in the Catholic Church. And, after one year, it is still where we get most of our meat. I once told a priest that I and some of my fellow converted protestants want to be more Catholic than the Pope. He looked at me like I was kidding...I am glad that EWTN is a thorn in the side of liberal priest. I am glad that it bothers priest like it does. Maybe this will eventually cause them to understand how hungry we sheep really are. WE NEED GOOD SHEPHERDS! My family and I still don't have a consistent confessor. This is very frustrating. Especially since we are reading St. Faustina's Diary of the Divine Mercy. She emphasizes over and again how important it is to the soul to have a good confessor. The most compelling time of confession I have had was when we visited Mother Angelica's Shrine for Christmas Eve Mass. The priest I confessed to was incredibly serious and and made sure my confession was a "good confession". It makes me want to drive over there once a month, or more. The thing that helps me get through this is the Rosary. Mary is praying for us. Her prayers are perfect and affective. She perfects our prayers to our King. This helps me with anger and impatience and it fills me with hope that God will eventually provide the confessor we so deeply need.
Hail Mary,
Keith
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St.W.B.
In the Eucharist We find Emmanuel
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Annie
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| Joined: | Wed Feb 14th, 2007 |
| Location: | Columbus, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 718 |
| First Name: | Annie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | nothing, Quaker, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Feb 21st, 2007 02:50 pm |
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I can relate to this. My priest is extremely liberal and though he is somewhat useful as a confessor, when push comes to shove (like really bad spiritual things going wrong) I wonder what will happen. I have already stopped trying to use him as a spiritual director.
I got digital cable a few weeks ago for the express purpose of being able to get EWTN. Fortunately, Time-Warner had a deal on so it wasn't too bad. I did get a new TV too, my 16 year old one was about kaput. So God has had me get into the digital age!
One thing I am concerned about with all the adult converts in the church is their bringing the remnants of their Protestant theology with them. I see this sometimes, especially in the area of being judgmental of others. We need to make our catechisms dog-eared with use.
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Annie
Ora et labora
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foundthelight
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| Joined: | Thu Mar 1st, 2007 |
| Location: | Central, New York USA |
| Posts: | 25 |
| First Name: | Willis | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Ex Calvinist/Reformed. Roman Rite Catholic as of 3/22/08! |
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Posted: Thu Mar 1st, 2007 12:18 pm |
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| I am a lifelong Presbyterian (PCUSA) who is converting to the Catholic faith. I too will bring my evangelical zeal to the church. My priest warned me that we are in the most liberal Diocese in the USA. My priest id quite conservative however. Don't worry about Protestant tehology contaminating Catholocism. That is one of the beauties of the Church. It has withstood and rebounded from such attacks many times.
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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 4981 |
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Posted: Thu Mar 1st, 2007 05:05 pm |
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foundthelight wrote: I am a lifelong Presbyterian (PCUSA) who is converting to the Catholic faith. I too will bring my evangelical zeal to the church. My priest warned me that we are in the most liberal Diocese in the USA. My priest id quite conservative however. Don't worry about Protestant tehology contaminating Catholocism. That is one of the beauties of the Church. It has withstood and rebounded from such attacks many times.
Welcome to our forum. We're glad to have you here with us.
The real danger is not from Protestant theology, it is from "cafeteria Catholics" watering down the Church's teachings. The Holy Spirit will prevent contamination, but because God has given us free will, even the Holy Spirit cannot control those who fail to follow the Magisterium.
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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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