 |
| Author | Post |
|---|
BriarRose
Member
| Joined: | Fri Jul 20th, 2007 |
| Location: | New Jersey USA |
| Posts: | 29 |
| First Name: | BriarRose | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | LCMS;RCIA student&Candidate for conversion |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 20th, 2007 07:23 am |
|
Hi everyone--I just joined a few minutes ago, and was glad to find out about having to reset the cookie for here right away, so it only took me a few minutes to finally sign in. I am determined to convert to Catholicism, this time around--I've chickened out of finishing the RCIA classes so often, it isn't funny--but, I am convinced the the Lord has been slowly and steadily gently pulling me towards converting to the Roman Catholic Church for years--I am a Lutheran right now--
--but, 36+ years ago I married a Roman Catholic, yet that still wasn't a strong enough 'connection' to the Catholic Church to help me over so very many learned 'fear hurdles', so to speak--but, now, I am sure it is finally my time to break out of this fear trap, and worry trap, and try trusting the Lord for all of this, and move myself forward---finally!--
--so, basically, I am here to learn, and interact with others on here, and even hopefully exchange friendly words with others as well--I am very glad to be here!
Briar
____________________
The Blessed Mother said to Bernadette during the 16th Apparition, at Massabieille, on 3/25/1858: "Que Soy Era Immaculada Conceptiou."
Pax Christi,
Briar
|
|
|
CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5253 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 20th, 2007 08:40 am |
|
BriarRose wrote: Hi everyone--
Hi, BriarRose. Welcome to the Coming Home Network. We're happy to have you here with us, and we'll do our best to help you on your faith journey, wherever it might lead. Feel free to jump in on our discussions, and we'll do our best to answer any questions you might have.
Welcome aboard!
____________________
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
|
|
|
Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1333 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 20th, 2007 01:34 pm |
|
| Welcome BriarRose! We are so glad to hear from you and will encourage you on your journey. There are other former Lutherans here who can share their experiences with you too. God bless
|
|
|
BriarRose
Member
| Joined: | Fri Jul 20th, 2007 |
| Location: | New Jersey USA |
| Posts: | 29 |
| First Name: | BriarRose | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | LCMS;RCIA student&Candidate for conversion |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 20th, 2007 11:31 pm |
|
Thank you both so very much for the very nice welcome! And, I will be calling Sr. Marie, at our local Parish, by Monday at the latest, so I can enroll in their RCIA classes which begin this Sept., more than likely--unless they begin sooner than that--and, then, I plan to begin attending Mass at the Parish Church beginning either tomorrow afternoon, or Sunday morning--so, I feel so very good about finally being able to move forward with converting, now that so very many of my awful doubts and fears are finally behind me--
--it's been a very long journey here, but I am so grateful to the Lord for being able to help me through everything, over the years--or, I doubt seriously if I'd ever been able to overcome those fears, so I could be here at all!
I wasn't sure about saying anything about this right away, but last July 17th, our son, Bobby, was killed in Afghanistan, as he was fighting with the 10th Mountain Division--and, this last year has truly been one, long nightmarish time of it for my husband, and myself, as well as for Bobby's young wife and his 2 daughters--the military has honored our son, 'every way from Sunday', so to speak, by naming buildings and classrooms after him, both here in the U.S., as well as over in Afghanistan--and, we couldn't be more proud of Bobby if we tried to be--and, I have every confidence that he is with the Lord, and so I don't have that type of concern about his eternal welfare--
--and, we adore, and love his young widow, and his two daughters[our granddaughters] so very much--and, I honestly am convinced that the Lord has been able to steer me back towards conversion to the Catholic faith, through all that has happened during this last year--not intensely but quietly, and steadily--because, He knows my heart, but also knows what I've been 'up against' in my life, so He knows exactly how to brooch this entire subject of conversion with me--and, for that, I will be eternally grateful to Him!
So, thanks, again, and I hope I will be around here alot in the near future, since I do have so very much to learn!
Briar
____________________
The Blessed Mother said to Bernadette during the 16th Apparition, at Massabieille, on 3/25/1858: "Que Soy Era Immaculada Conceptiou."
Pax Christi,
Briar
|
|
|
Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1333 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 20th, 2007 11:38 pm |
|
| Briar, I am so sorry for the loss of your son. I know you are proud of the service he gave to our country and it helps you so much to have grandchildren to see grow up and you can tell them about how he was. You can always talk about what's on your mind here. I hope your visit to mass works out well for you. Let us know! By the way, is your husband still attending mass? Many of us here are on the journey without our spouses. Last edited on Fri Jul 20th, 2007 11:58 pm by Credo Catholic
|
|
|
Lisa
Member
| Joined: | Tue Jul 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Kennerdell, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 41 |
| First Name: | Lisa | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Lifefime Roman Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 21st, 2007 12:50 am |
|
Hi and Welcome Briar!
I too am kinda new here, but I am really enjoying getting to know folks and learning more as I continue my wonderful, lifelong journey! Believe me, it doesn't end, it continues to blossom - Thankfully! I know that a journey is twice as nice when travelled together with friends!
I am sorry for your loss - deeply sorry, and I shall keep you and your family in my prayers. I have a son in the military, an airman in the Navy serving in the Persian Gulf. My heart breaks for you and your family. But know that we are ALL so very proud of your son. I am and will be eternally grateful for your sacrifice and will pray for you and your family. I believe your son is safe and secure in the loving arms of our Lord, and will keep him in my prayers always.
HUGS to you
Lisa
____________________
Don't be afraid to try something new! Professionals built the Titanic, and Amateur built the ARK!
|
|
|
BriarRose
Member
| Joined: | Fri Jul 20th, 2007 |
| Location: | New Jersey USA |
| Posts: | 29 |
| First Name: | BriarRose | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | LCMS;RCIA student&Candidate for conversion |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 21st, 2007 06:47 am |
|
Thank you both so very much for saying what you did about our son, and his sacrificing his life for our country, while fighting over there--I just watched a program last evening, on EWTN, in which Bishop Fulton J. Sheen spoke about the love and sympathy of a soldier towards those whose country he finds himself in, no matter the reason he is there--and, I cried through some of the program, thinking about Bobby, and how much he loved helping others, and how close he'd been to the men he fought with over there--
--and, how his love for them is the reason that he went out first, before his men did, and is why the taliban were able to hit him with that rocket, which spared his men--Bobby was their only fatality that day, all thanks to the fact that he did what he did, to try and keep his men as safe as possible, during that ambush by the taliban--and, I couldn't have felt more affection for the late Bishop, [whom I'd always admired anyway], if I'd tried, after hearing all that he had to say about our soldiers that way!
And, unfortunately, for me--my husband is a 'non-practicing' Catholic, and always has been so long as I've known him--and, we will have been married 37 years next month! So, this journey is one that I've been on with the Lord, by myself, all of these years, as He's slowly but steadily lead me closer and closer to converting to Catholicism--it's been very hard for me, for several reasons--not the least of which has truly been due to my belonging to the Lutheran Church, and the fact that my godparents, whom I love so very much, are my aunt and uncle--and, I knew how my uncle viewed the Catholic Church!
However, not long after Bobby's death, out of the blue, my aunt says to me--"Well you know, you could just go ahead and join the Catholic Church, if you wanted to."--which literally surprised me half to death to hear her say that--it had been the LAST thing I'd expected to hear her ever say! So, I sort of viewed that as though, maybe, somehow, the Lord was behind that comment by her, because otherwise her saying that was about as strange an occurance as I've come across in awhile!! It so confused me, too--since, how they would feel about things, if I did convert, was one of the larger of my personal 'obsticles', or hurdles, that I had to overcome, and had stood in the way of my converting, that I'd had!!
So, it makes me sad, but my dear hubby will more than likely not be joining me at Mass this weekend--however, I never give up hope, and I never stop praying for him! And, both of our boys had been christened in the Catholic Church shortly after they were born--and, our younger son, Tommy, and his wife have now begun going back to Mass, with their two daughters[we have 4 beautiful granddaughters, altogether!]--so, all of that really helps me, and comforts me, when I think about it all.
Thank you both again!
Briar
____________________
The Blessed Mother said to Bernadette during the 16th Apparition, at Massabieille, on 3/25/1858: "Que Soy Era Immaculada Conceptiou."
Pax Christi,
Briar
|
|
|
susiedear
Member
| Joined: | Thu Oct 12th, 2006 |
| Location: | Twin Cities, Minnesota USA |
| Posts: | 186 |
| First Name: | Elizabeth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Pentecostal / Evangelical / Catholic! |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 21st, 2007 11:10 am |
|
Dear Briar, what a fabulous name you have! Welcome to this great forum. I am confident that you will discover that this is a great place for information and conversation. It's so great that you are on your way home!
I am deeply sorry for your great loss. Please accept my thanks for your son's service to our country, to help ensure our safety and freedom. We owe all our military a great debt of gratitude.
I'll pray that your conversion will spark something in your husband to make his latent faith come alive. How great that would be! There are so many riches and wonders waiting for you both to discover within this glorious Church. We will rejoice with you on the day of your Confirmation and beyond!
Elizabeth
____________________
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
|
|
|
Lisa
Member
| Joined: | Tue Jul 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Kennerdell, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 41 |
| First Name: | Lisa | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Lifefime Roman Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 22nd, 2007 01:53 am |
|
Hi again, Briar
I too went to Mass alone for a short while, and although my husband eventually decided to eventually join me and the boys, during the time without him I took great comfort in the "two shall become one" part of our wedding vows taken over 25 years ago. I know this thought wasn't really "sanctioned" by the Catholic Church, but I felt that my prayers for him were also in some sort of way connected with him as well. I pray your husband comes to join you soon - it is always nicer to pray hand in hand. But, until then, take great comfort in the fact that Our Lady is gently leading him along too. Trust Mary and most of all trust Jesus. Our Lady won't rest until all her children are united as one into her Beloved Son!
Hugs!
Lisa
____________________
Don't be afraid to try something new! Professionals built the Titanic, and Amateur built the ARK!
|
|
|
BriarRose
Member
| Joined: | Fri Jul 20th, 2007 |
| Location: | New Jersey USA |
| Posts: | 29 |
| First Name: | BriarRose | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | LCMS;RCIA student&Candidate for conversion |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2007 03:10 am |
|
Thank you both, Elizabeth and Lisa--and, thank you for your warm welcome to me, Elizabeth. And, yes, I am hopeful that, through my conversion, and attendance at Mass, that my dear husband of nearly 37 years will eventually be drawn back to the Church--
--and, I am growing to love the Blessed Virgin Mary more, and more, each day--I spent nearly all afternoon reading through the articles about her 3 years of apparitions at Zeitun, Egypt, and I completely enjoyed everything I read, and learned!
Years ago, I'd tried to believe that the apparitions, approved by the Church, were truly real--but, each time I'd try believing that, the old, and some new, Protestant fears would finally overwhelm any trust I was beginning to build up in them--but, I continually kept feeling drawn back, to read more about them--then, the awful fear would raise it's ugly head again, and that fear would cause me to erase all of the links I'd collected, and throw away everything I'd printed out from the websites--and, that went on, over and over again, for the last 8 years, or so--
--it was awful--but, I am so very grateful to God, for His, and the Lord's mother's, persistence, since I am thinking that God must have some reason as to why He continually drew me back to learn more about her time after time, and about her appearances all over the world, as I believe He has done.
In fact, about 2 years ago, I took this 'huge leap' of faith, and joined the Association of the Miraculous Medal, and I bought medals for those I love, and two rosaries for my neice and her fiancee, for their wedding, and so on and on--I loved it all--even though, way in the back of my mind, this terrible nagging fear, which kept on leading to doubt as to whether the medal actually was 'miraculous', as well as this terrible, deep-down fear, that the Protestant fears of everyone being led astray through believing in things like that, were founded in truth, continued to plague me--
--but, I sent one of the medals, that had been blessed at the Association/Shrine, to a Catholic convert friend of mine, and she told me that, as soon as she put in around her neck, she felt love flood through her from God, and she said she had never felt so very loved in her life--and, she had been having so many finacial and personal problems, which is why I had sent her the medal--but, when she told me about what happened, it truly helped me alot, too--since, I totally believed her! It also helped that, shortly after that, she landed a brand new job, that came 'out of the blue', and she had almost given up trying to find any decent employment, right before that!
But, within a year, my son, Bobby was killed in Afghanistan--and, even though he had died a complete hero that day, with is actions serving to save the lives of all of his men--and, in my deep, deep grief over losing him, I completely believe that God gave me Isaiah 57:1 to totally comfort me as to why He called Bobby home to be with Him as He did--I still found myself turning away from even thinking about converting any longer, and began trying to forget about the miraculous medal, and all things Catholic--it wasn't because I thought the medal had failed my son, or us, and it wasn't anything directly having to do with the Catholic faith--but, when he was killed that way, it immediately sent me back to the Protestant world, back to the Lutheran Church, mainly, I think, because it was familiar, and comforting for that reason, alone.
Yet, my contentment with the Protestant world didn't last all that long, thanks be to God. And, it wasn't long before I began to feel the old familiar 'inner tug and pull', that again, led me back towards Catholicism--altogether, though, adding up all the years that I completely believe that the Lord has been steadily leading me towards the Catholic faith[looking back over everything I've been through, beginning with 2 extremely odd things that occurred back in early 1968], it's taken Him almost a grand total of 40 years--and, when I realized that the other day, I was completely amazed!
It will be a complete total of 40 years from the day I was baptized into the Lutheran Church, this next May 19, too--right around the time I am hoping to be confirmed into the Catholic faith--now, that astounds me, completely! And, believe me, it has been one very looooong, very-very-difficult-at-times, painstaking journey that the Lord has led me on, too--and, He had His work cut out for Him, since He had to help me over some very major 'fear barriers', some of which my beloved Lutheran uncle had helped instill in me, due to his distrust and hatred of Catholicism. He had realized that, for some unexplainable reason, a love for Catholicism had sprung up in my heart[directly due to those 2 incidents that occurred just before he talked me into taking the Lutheran catechism classes, so I could join his Church--my mom didn't take us to any Church at all, so we actually were 'nothing'], and my uncle so feared that it would be my downfall--eternal downfall--if I became a Catholic--which is why he used fear to try and keep me away from the Church!
So, I'll not go into things any further right now, since this faith-journey of mine would take about 40 years to tell about, as well--however, I talked to Sister Marie, at our local Parish, The Queen of the Apostles RC Church, and she will be discussing my enrollment into her RCIA classes, right after 11 am Mass, this coming Sunday--so, I am extremely excited about that! And, when I told her that, for some reason, I felt a desire to attend Mass at Queen of the Apostles, rather than at the two slightly nearer-to-us Parishes of St. James, and Corpus Christi--
[I've attended Mass at both St James and Corpus Christi, which are fine Churches, but even though I have never attended Mass at Queen of the Apostles, my heart already feels right at home, just thinking about going there]
--anyway, when I told Sister Marie that I wanted to attend Queen of the Apostles instead of either of the other two, I could hear from her voice how much pleasure she took at hearing that--and, it made me smile, that she had so enjoyed my telling her that, too!
Ok, before this gets miles longer, I'd better go--God's blessings, and TTYL!
____________________
The Blessed Mother said to Bernadette during the 16th Apparition, at Massabieille, on 3/25/1858: "Que Soy Era Immaculada Conceptiou."
Pax Christi,
Briar
|
|
|
beachmoss
Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Simpsonville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 276 |
| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2007 03:23 am |
|
BriarRose,
Welcome to the forum! I love your user name. Best wishes on your journey! It sounds as if Sleeping Beauty will soon awaken at home!
Beth
|
|
|
BriarRose
Member
| Joined: | Fri Jul 20th, 2007 |
| Location: | New Jersey USA |
| Posts: | 29 |
| First Name: | BriarRose | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | LCMS;RCIA student&Candidate for conversion |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2007 04:59 am |
|
Hi Beth! Thank you for your nice welcome! And, you recognized who Briar Rose is--you are one of the only people I have 'met', who has let me know, that they know that, too. And, thank you for saying that, about 'Sleeping Beauty' finally awakening 'at home'--that has such a good ring to it!
I am here right now, making a few changes in my profile, by adding in the quote, by the Blessed Mother, to St. Bernadette--"Que Soy Era Immaculada Conceptiou."--while doing that, I was reading the best account of what happened at Massabieille, between our Blessed Lady and St. Bernadette, that I've ever come across, at Catholic.org, and I've read a few others, elsewhere on the web, before. I've always wanted to name St. Bernadette as my patron saint--she came directly to my mind many years ago, when I found out that I was going to be able to choose my own patron saint, and I still feel the same way about her, now.
Especially due to the fact that, the other day, I began wondering if maybe I shouldn't choose St. Ann, the Blessed Mother's mother, to be my patron saint--and, as I contemplated making the switch, for some reason I felt as though I wasn't to do that--the thought of doing that just did not 'feel right'[that's very hard to put into words]--so, as I again began thinking about St. Bernadette as being my patron saint, inside I felt just fine about that, and that 'uneasy' feeling left--so, St. Bernadette it will be.
Thank you, again, Beth.
____________________
The Blessed Mother said to Bernadette during the 16th Apparition, at Massabieille, on 3/25/1858: "Que Soy Era Immaculada Conceptiou."
Pax Christi,
Briar
|
|
|
Prodigal Daughter
Member
| Joined: | Wed Nov 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 201 |
| First Name: | Deborah/PD | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptized Catholic, received First Communion, left during Confirmation year. ... |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2007 10:11 am |
|
Dear Briar,
I have been so drawn in by your post and all of your responses here. First of all I want to tell you how very sorry I am about the loss of your son. Even what little you have said about the circumstances surrounding his death has caused me to feel such pride in him and all of our fallen military heros.
I also love the detailed and heart felt descriptions of your journey of faith. It is so good for the rest of us "converts" to hear how others have struggled to accept the Marian doctrines and beliefs of the CC.
I too have had to grow in my relationship with Mary and am still growing. I have found this summer as I stay home and take care of my family that I am going to her often for prayer and comfort. She is our model as wives and mothers, a woman of sorrows and familiar with much suffering.
I am sure you will also find comfort in the CC's teaching on offering your suffering if you haven't already. That has been such a blessing to me in my journey and is really what drew me in the first place.
God bless you sister. Welcome to the forum and welcome home!
____________________
"Man should tremble, the world should vibrate, all Heaven should be deeply moved when the Son of God appears on the altar in the hands of the priest."
St. Francis of Assisi
|
|
|
deaconrich
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jul 26th, 2007 |
| Location: | Frankfort, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1 |
| First Name: | Deacon Bob | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Society of Friends, Methodist, Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2007 03:54 pm |
|
I have just arrived as a new member of this forum. I am not to wordy or classy but, I do have a desire to communicate and discuss issues involing the Christian Faith.
I look forward to many good posts and comments.
Peace and all good things
____________________
Deacon Bob
|
|
|
CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5253 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2007 04:20 pm |
|
deaconrich wrote: I look forward to many good posts and comments.
And we look forward to your active participation. We just love to share our Christian faith, and you can be a great resource to many who seek to understand the Catholic flavor of Christianity more fully. We're happy to welcome you to the Coming Home Network, and we look forward to hearing your faith story when you're ready to share it with us.
Perhaps you could join us in Chat some Wednesday night? I know a lot of our chatters would enjoy meeting you "face to face" for a Q&A.
Welcome again to CHN, and welcome home.
____________________
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
|
|
|
Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1333 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 12:57 am |
|
| Hi Deaconrich, and welcome! Whatever your style of writing, you will find people here who look forward to hearing from you. God bless
|
|
|
BriarRose
Member
| Joined: | Fri Jul 20th, 2007 |
| Location: | New Jersey USA |
| Posts: | 29 |
| First Name: | BriarRose | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | LCMS;RCIA student&Candidate for conversion |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 05:10 am |
|
Thank you so very much, Deborah, for your warm welcome to the board, and for what you said concerning the loss of our son in Afghanistan last year--it's been such an extremely long, hard year for my husband and myself, and I am just learning to trust the Lord for our wellbeing day by day, now--without Christ, I definitely believe that life, for me, wouldn't even be possible at all, any longer--but, with time, and help from the Lord, I am so sure we both will be fine, and able to successfully go on with our lives, with His blessings, and help.
And, speaking of the Blessed Mother--I having been posting on this one particular 'religious' message board, elsewhere on the net, for a long time now, and during the last couple of years, as I've witnessed so much outrageous speech against Catholics, as they are accused of 'worshipping' Mary--then, with my attempts at defending both the Catholics on the board, as well as the Lord's mother--I really have come under some vicious personal verbal attacks from those who simply hate 'all things Catholic'--but, it led to something happening yesterday, that, thankfully, ended by being humorous, instead of heartbreaking--
--a short while ago, I had left that other board, but went back, and had to choose a new forum name--so, kidding around, I chose "Alias Mary Poppins"--it was kind of a joke, because of the way so many of the more vicious posters, once they'd leave the board, would come back under some new name, yet not identify themselves to the rest of us--so, I made some comment about there being more 'aliases' being used on that board, than there were 'real identities', by now--
--and, this young Protestant minister, who really is so very nice, and so patient, and at whose forum I posted on occassion, told me that his wife's favorite movie is "Mary Poppins"--so, I thought that was great--but, he wanted to discuss my wanting to convert to Catholicism, and he began quizzing me on why I had so defended Mary--
--well, after all that I'd experienced, of a bad nature, from those other Protestants on the other board, I was really not looking to 'get into it' with this wonderful, young minister--but, I tried to explain as best as I could, how I viewed those people's hatefulness towards Catholics, and how they had used the Lord's mother to try and hurt the Catholics, but while doing so, they inadvertently had managed to literally drag Mary's name through the mud--and, just remembering, and speaking, about that fact really upsets me, especially because it's still occurs on that board, even now--
--however, the young minister, I don't think, really realized just how badly I'd been verbally accosted by those other 'Christians', all over defending the Lord's mother--so, yesterday, when I went to read his reply to me, this is how he started the note, to me, off--"Well, Miss. Practically-Perfect-in-Every-way...."--and, immediately, I thought he was making fun of me, by mocking me, or something--so, I tried my best not to speak angrily to him, in my note back to him, but I just told him that, at the very end of his note to me, he told me to let go of any fear of being insulted, or verbally attacked by others--yet, he, himself, had just insulted me, by calling me "Miss. Practically-Perfect-in-Every-Way"--so, he shouldn't wonder why I keep my guard up while speaking to other Protestants!!!
Unfortunately--I had totally forgotten, that, in the movie, "Mary Poppins", Dick Van Dyke says that about her--that she is "Practically-Perfect-in-Every-Way"--and, the young minister told me that that's why he'd said that to me, just kidding around--uh-oh! So, I spent the last hour or so, over at his forum, writing out my apology, as well as trying the best that I could, to answer his collection of questions concerning the Lord's mother!!!
I finally had to tell him, though, that he was asking all of those questions of someone--namely me--who hadn't even gone through more than 1 entire RCIA class in my entire life--so, what I'd been able to learn about Catholicism, and the Church's teachings, was basically what I'd been able to 'absorb' over the years, as well as what I'd recently been able to learn from watching EWTN!
So, at least I hope that he and I, and the rest of the posters on his board, who are also nice, can all stay friends in spite of our differences concerning our paths of faith within Christianity. However--I don't believe that it's going to make him very happy, once I tell him that I do, completely, believe in the Lord's actual presence within the Eucharist--
--I brought that up with some other Protestants awhile back, and let's just say that, they didn't take to my saying that, with very much 'kindness'--to put in nicely--not to mention how the word 'cannibal' was thrown around by them, as well--and the term 'cracker', as well, with them accusing me of believing that the Lord would ever house Himself in one--what a nightmare that was, to go through with them!
And, thank you for welcoming me 'home'--because that's how I am beginning to feel towards the Catholic Church--like it's truly home, and that is such a wonderful feeling to have, for me--and, I literally drink up just about every program on EWTN that I can watch, now, too--even the ones for children, in the late afternoon--which made me laugh--here I am nearing 58, yet everything the childrens' teacher, who is a Nun/Sister, was saying to them, was actually helping me learn a few good things--the subject she was teaching them was how to develop Godly virtues---which is actually something I know nothing about how to do, and that surprised me, as well!--so, I was really enjoying her program, today!
God's blessings, Deborah, and thank you, again.
____________________
The Blessed Mother said to Bernadette during the 16th Apparition, at Massabieille, on 3/25/1858: "Que Soy Era Immaculada Conceptiou."
Pax Christi,
Briar
|
|
|
JasPax
Member
| Joined: | Wed Nov 22nd, 2006 |
| Location: | North Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 230 |
| First Name: | James | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Episcopal to Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 08:33 am |
|
Dear BriarRose,
This old veteran would like to thank you for Bobby's service and sacrifice for us and also thank you for your sacrifice.
Regarding the "protestant" boards you mentioned. It's just my opinion, but I don't think you need to subject yourself to such abuse. To me, those who spew out such hate are just irrelevant, and best ignored. They are enjoying their ignorance and will not be convinced of the Truth if it hits them in their face. At least not now.
There is an old gospel song that goes, "We'll understand it, all bye and bye."
Until then, Let's just let God deal with them.
God's Blessings,
____________________
James
"Abide in me, and I in you..." John 15:4
"He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him." John 6:56
RSV-2CE
|
|
|
Prodigal Daughter
Member
| Joined: | Wed Nov 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 201 |
| First Name: | Deborah/PD | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptized Catholic, received First Communion, left during Confirmation year. ... |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 09:57 am |
|
Dear Briar,
I admire you for going into the fray like that. I often go to http://www.crossdaily.com and create a room called "Catholic Chat" Sometimes people come in who are angry. In general I ignore them becasue like JasPax said, there is no convincing them of the truth and they aren't interested. I always meet one or two very kind people when I am in there though and often have oportunities to dispel the myths perpetrated by the angry ones.
I often think of the experience as being in the "Lion's Den." Except this Lion's Den has cubs in it and I voluntarily enter rather than get thrown in. The angry lions (or angry dogs I like to call them) are filled with lies and misconceptions about the CC. They spend their lives spewing this information to any and all who will listen. In the chat, they feel it is their job to "protect" others from the "eeeeeeeevil Catholics" who come in and try to deceive others. They come into the Catholic Chat, spew their venom and I tell them that the room is not for debate. Eventually they leave and I continue to chat with the cubs. The cubs you see are people like I was. They are curious about the CC. They see that it has beauty and possibly truth, and they are open to discovering it. The problem is that they have been "kept safe" so long by the angry lions that they haven't been free to explore.
The angry lions can't hurt us. They can say all they want but they are like the general in "Mars Attacks." They get smaller and smaller with every rant until they finally disappear. We have the fullness of the truth and unless we shout it from the rooftops and go into the places where the angry lions are, others may not hear and come home to CC.
Last edited on Fri Jul 27th, 2007 11:15 am by Prodigal Daughter
____________________
"Man should tremble, the world should vibrate, all Heaven should be deeply moved when the Son of God appears on the altar in the hands of the priest."
St. Francis of Assisi
|
|
|
BriarRose
Member
| Joined: | Fri Jul 20th, 2007 |
| Location: | New Jersey USA |
| Posts: | 29 |
| First Name: | BriarRose | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | LCMS;RCIA student&Candidate for conversion |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 10:54 am |
|
Hi James, and thank you so very much for what you said concerning our son's sacrifice, and our own now that we've lost him from our earthly lives--and, I can hardly wait until we are all reunited, once we are all together with the Lord, at God's appointed time--until then, we will always miss him, more than I can ever say--just to hear his cheerful, "HI, mom!", is something I pine for constantly these days--I am so very grateful to the Lord for all that He did for all of us as a family, and for our son most of all.
And, as to those types of 'religious' boards, and their abusive posters, who honestly do nothing but verbally bring everyone down with their foul words, and accusations--I couldn't agree with you more, at this point in time--awhile back, I thought perhaps what I could say to them, and how I might manage to refute even the outright, outrageous lies they told, could be used by the Lord, for some good purpose--
--and, I still think He was able to use what posters, such as myself, said in defense of the truth, and in defense of the Lord's people--I had many posters write me to tell me so, and say that they were grateful to us, as well as helped by alot of what we said, to those profane individuals--however, at this point in my life, I think what you said is more than true--their abuse, now, hurts me more than I can almost deal with, at times, and I am really getting so very weary of trying to struggle any longer with them, now. I am quite sure the Lord is very capable of finding someone else to 'fill in', to help those people, if that is what He wishes to do!
Thank you, again, James, so very much.
God's blessings
____________________
The Blessed Mother said to Bernadette during the 16th Apparition, at Massabieille, on 3/25/1858: "Que Soy Era Immaculada Conceptiou."
Pax Christi,
Briar
|
|
|
BriarRose
Member
| Joined: | Fri Jul 20th, 2007 |
| Location: | New Jersey USA |
| Posts: | 29 |
| First Name: | BriarRose | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | LCMS;RCIA student&Candidate for conversion |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 27th, 2007 11:24 am |
| | |
