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Valerie
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| Joined: | Mon Mar 19th, 2007 |
| Location: | Sacramento, California USA |
| Posts: | 12 |
| First Name: | Valerie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | LDS |
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Posted: Mon Mar 19th, 2007 09:40 pm |
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Hi! I am new to this group and don't know exactly where to begin. I saw a topic about a study group/RCIA class. I didn't know they had them apart from formal RCIA classes. How can I find one in my area? I don't want to wait until September to start RCIA. I am very, very interested in the Catholic church and listen to EWTN and Catholic Radio all the time. I am too timid to go to Mass alone, although I recently attended a Funeral Mass and found it fascinating. Oh, I live in Sacramento.
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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5080 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Mon Mar 19th, 2007 09:55 pm |
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Valerie wrote: Hi! I am new to this group and don't know exactly where to begin. I saw a topic about a study group/RCIA class. I didn't know they had them apart from formal RCIA classes. How can I find one in my area? I don't want to wait until September to start RCIA. I am very, very interested in the Catholic church and listen to EWTN and Catholic Radio all the time. I am too timid to go to Mass alone, although I recently attended a Funeral Mass and found it fascinating. Oh, I live in Sacramento.
Hi, Valerie, welcome to CHN. We're glad to have you here with us. Please feel free to ask us any questions and we'll do our best to answer them for you.
If you are already baptized, many large parishes will not make you wait until RCIA begins in the fall.
I would suggest that you call your nearest parish church and ask to speak to the priest or RCIA coordinator. Explain that you feel too timid to attend mass alone, and ask if you can meet with someone who will then accompany you to mass. They will introduce you to someone who is willing to do exactly that. They will do their best to make you comfortable attending mass, which is our central worship.
If you do not find your local parish satisfactory, or if it does not offer you enough options, contact a very large parish or the cathedral parish of your church (the phone number is 916.444.3071; email is blessed@cathedralsacramento.org; web site is http://www.cathedralsacramento.org) and ask them what kind of classes they offer for candidates for full communion to the Church. Tell them you'd like to start as soon as possible. You can also call the diocese at 916.733.0100 and ask for the RCIA office, and ask them where you can find programs that will not require you to wait until next Easter to join the Church.
We don't have any users who have identified themselves as being from Sacramento, but maybe someone will agree to meet with you and help you on your journey. We'll do our best to help you on your path to the Catholic faith. Thanks for joining with us. We're looking forward to hearing your faith story when you are comfortable sharing it with us.
____________________
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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Valerie
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| Joined: | Mon Mar 19th, 2007 |
| Location: | Sacramento, California USA |
| Posts: | 12 |
| First Name: | Valerie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | LDS |
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Posted: Mon Mar 19th, 2007 10:31 pm |
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| Thank you SO much. God Bless You.
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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: Wed Mar 21st, 2007 10:54 pm |
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Dear Valerie, I remember feeling exactly the same when I went to my first Mass. People genuflecting, crossing themselves, sitting, standing, kneeling, standing again, kneeling again -- very different from a Protestant point of view! Yet the reverence was unmistakable, and although something special was happening before my very eyes that I did not yet understand, I knew that I had to find out what it was. If you've read Rome Sweet Home or any of the Surprised By Truth books, you'll know that many converts felt the same after attending Mass the first time. They weren't sure what they were seeing, but they knew that what they were seeing is good.
Have you listened to any of the CDs by Fr. Larry Richards? He has one called "The Mass Explained" that is excellent. His website is thereasonforourhope.org (I wish I were savvy enough to include the link in my post!). Listening to that CD will help you understand what is happening at the Mass and the Scriptural precedent behind it.
I hope that you will find a parish where you can feel comfortable and where love for God and others is demonstrated. Once you find that place, it will draw you back like a magnet week after week. May God guide you as you continue to seek Him.
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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CajunRick
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Posted: Wed Mar 21st, 2007 11:32 pm |
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susiedear wrote: His website is thereasonforourhope.org (I wish I were savvy enough to include the link in my post!).
Actually, if you put the www in front of it, the system will automatically hyperlink it:
http://www.thereasonforourhope.org
(I typed www-dot-thereasonforourhope-dot-org. The system added the http-colon-double slash and converted it into a hyperlink by itself.)
____________________
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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beachmoss
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Simpsonville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 270 |
| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Wed Mar 21st, 2007 11:40 pm |
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Valerie,
I first really fell in love with the Church when I vacationed in California. From the moment I stepped into the Mission San Diego I knew that I must do something when I returned home.
My suggestion is that if you are too timid to go to mass then be a tourist at a historical church. I think you will probably see people praying and you'll get a feeling of what it's all about.
I'm sorry that I'm not that familiar with the Sacramento area. Is there a Spanish mission nearby that you could visit? One day I hope to get back and go to the 17 I've missed!
Oh, and welcome to the forum! And best wishes on your journey!
Beth
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BettyBoopToo
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Camas/Washougal, Washington USA |
| Posts: | 538 |
| First Name: | Betty | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Fist Baptist/Calvary Babtist/Secular Confusion/ Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Mar 22nd, 2007 12:20 am |
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Valerie:
So nice to meet you! Your going to love the Forum.
I thought I'd ditto Elizabeths wonderful recomendation on the Father Larry Richards Tapes/CD's. I think I can find the link for you to order them for free or for a small donation.
I listened to them all several times, I still on occasion listen to the one on confession, Expecially if I'm feeling distracted. Hope you enjoy.
http://www.catholicity.com/cds/
I also have read all the books she recommended and here is a link for them.
The other two books may be available here at the CHNetwork shopping too, I'd try here first and if they don't have them then maybe try the EWTN site.
http://www.chresources.com/products.php?cat=8 At this link you can find a book by Marcis Grodi called Journey's home. I've read this book. It has some very great conversion stories, It reminded me somewhat of the Surprised by Truth books by Madrid.
Rome Sweet Home/Scott Hahn http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/shop.axd/Search?keywords=Rome+Sweet+Home&x=14&y=5
Also the series by Patrick Madrid are all wonderful conversion stories: This link is to the first one, You can find the other two at the same order site on the EWTN site. http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/SURPRISED+BY+TRUTH/keywords=Madrid/page_no=2/edp_no=3358/shop.axd/ProductDetails
I pray you'll find some book here that sparks your interest.
God Bless
Betty
____________________
Patience
"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."
St. John of the Cross
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Valerie
Member
| Joined: | Mon Mar 19th, 2007 |
| Location: | Sacramento, California USA |
| Posts: | 12 |
| First Name: | Valerie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | LDS |
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Posted: Thu Mar 22nd, 2007 01:29 am |
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Dear Betty,
Thank you for the info. I have read Hahn's book and really enjoyed it. I am reading Stephen K. Ray's "Upon this Rock" and am fascinated with it. I go to Catholic.com often and have bought a ton of books. I am reading 2 volumes on the Early Chruch Fathers/History. The Mormon Church teaches that there was an apostacy soon after Jesus was crucified. I am trying to figure out just when they(the Mormons) thought that was. I heard something on John Martinogni's program the other day that just blew me away. Catholics didn't ADD books to the Bible, Protestants REMOVED books from the Bible. I'd never thought of it that way, but it is true. I am so enjoying my reading and learning. I like the way the St. Ignatius Catholic Study Bible goes verse by verse thur the Bible and explains Greek/Latin/Hebrew words, etc. It is an exciting journey!
Valerie
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Darlene
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 868 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
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Posted: Fri Mar 23rd, 2007 03:09 pm |
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Valerie wrote: Dear Betty,
Thank you for the info. I have read Hahn's book and really enjoyed it. I am reading Stephen K. Ray's "Upon this Rock" and am fascinated with it. I go to Catholic.com often and have bought a ton of books. I am reading 2 volumes on the Early Chruch Fathers/History. The Mormon Church teaches that there was an apostacy soon after Jesus was crucified. I am trying to figure out just when they(the Mormons) thought that was. I heard something on John Martinogni's program the other day that just blew me away. Catholics didn't ADD books to the Bible, Protestants REMOVED books from the Bible. I'd never thought of it that way, but it is true. I am so enjoying my reading and learning. I like the way the St. Ignatius Catholic Study Bible goes verse by verse thur the Bible and explains Greek/Latin/Hebrew words, etc. It is an exciting journey!
Valerie
Welcome to our forum, Valerie. You will love it here! I do, and I as of yet, have not become a Catholic. But I'm on my way! I know, isn't it surprising to find out that the Protesters removed books from the Bible. And if Luther had his way, the Protestant Bible would not have the Book of St. James or Revelation! BTW, the St. Ignatius Catholic Study Bible that you have been reading, what version is it? Is it a Revised Standard Version? Where did you buy this bible, online or in a Catholic bookstore? I am looking for a good version of the Catholic Bible (not NAB, don't care for it).
God Bless You on your journey of faith.
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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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
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Posted: Fri Mar 23rd, 2007 03:35 pm |
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Darlene wrote: BTW, the St. Ignatius Catholic Study Bible that you have been reading, what version is it? Is it a Revised Standard Version? Where did you buy this bible, online or in a Catholic bookstore? I am looking for a good version of the Catholic Bible (not NAB, don't care for it).
The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible is a work in progress which Scott Hahn and others are writing based on the RSV. Most of the New Testament is complete, and the individual volumes sell for $9.95 each. You can read more about it here. This is a link to the volume on the Gospel of Matthew, but it contains links to the other available volumes.
If you're interested in a Catholic bible other than the NAB, Ignatius Press publishes both the original RSV-CE (Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition) and the brand new RSV-CE2 (Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition) which includes updated language but is otherwise identical to the original. You'll find the original RSV-CE edition here, and the new RSV-CE2 edition here.
These are not study bibles, however. But they are good, basic bibles, faithfully translated, and without inclusive language. The "rumor" is that the RSV-CE2 will be the approved version for the liturgy in English when the Lectionary is revised in the next decade or so.
____________________
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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CajunRick
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Posted: Fri Mar 23rd, 2007 03:41 pm |
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cajunrick wrote: If you are already baptized, many large parishes will not make you wait until RCIA begins in the fall.
Valerie, I may have unintentionally given you some incorrect information, without even knowing I was doing it.
You identified yourself as LDS. I had not noticed that the first time. Mormon "baptism" is not recognized by the Catholic Church as valid, since Mormons do not accept Christian theology of the Trinity. As I'm sure you know, Mormons do not accept the Divinity of Christ in the same way Christians do. So if you were not baptized in another Christian faith prior to your joining the LDS, you would be considered a catechumen (unbaptized person) coming into the Catholic Church, and so would be expected to go through the full process, joining the Church at the Easter Vigil in 2008.
Some large parishes still have multiple RCIA classes during the year, so it's still possible for you to get involved sooner if the bishop of your diocese permits it.
____________________
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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Valerie
Member
| Joined: | Mon Mar 19th, 2007 |
| Location: | Sacramento, California USA |
| Posts: | 12 |
| First Name: | Valerie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | LDS |
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Posted: Fri Mar 23rd, 2007 04:15 pm |
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Hi! I was out running around this morning and found your nice email when I got home. I am reading the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition. It has commentary, notes and study questions. It is great. On my way home I stopped by St. Rose's Church and found that they have an adoration chapel! I think there are 4 of them in the greater Sacramento area. St. Rose's is about a mile from my home. I think that is cool.
Valerie
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BettyBoopToo
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Camas/Washougal, Washington USA |
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| First Name: | Betty | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Fist Baptist/Calvary Babtist/Secular Confusion/ Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Apr 1st, 2007 10:49 pm |
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Valerie wrote: Dear Betty,
Thank you for the info. I have read Hahn's book and really enjoyed it. I am reading Stephen K. Ray's "Upon this Rock" and am fascinated with it. I go to Catholic.com often and have bought a ton of books. I am reading 2 volumes on the Early Chruch Fathers/History. The Mormon Church teaches that there was an apostacy soon after Jesus was crucified. I am trying to figure out just when they(the Mormons) thought that was. I heard something on John Martinogni's program the other day that just blew me away. Catholics didn't ADD books to the Bible, Protestants REMOVED books from the Bible. I'd never thought of it that way, but it is true. I am so enjoying my reading and learning. I like the way the St. Ignatius Catholic Study Bible goes verse by verse thur the Bible and explains Greek/Latin/Hebrew words, etc. It is an exciting journey!
Valerie
Valerie:
I'm so happy you've found such great books to read. One of my sisters was a mormon for many years, I've heard of the Great Apostacy, but don't know when they say it offically happened.
I was shocked as you were when I discovered the history of scripture. I'd always been taught that the RCC added seven books to, I was a little frustrated at the folks I trusted that taught me such things. I just think they taught me what other's had taught them, It only takes a small amount of study of the history of the christian church to figure out that this is completely impossible.
I remember making all these amazing discoveries, I thought that I'd opened doors that noone else had, I have to laugh at myself now. I'd share some new discovery with a Catholic friend, Here I was just elated with what I'd found and the Catholic friend would just stare at me. I imagine now they must of been thinking, what I was just then learning was so obvious.
God Bless you on your journey, I have a ton of links to web-sites that I used for learning. I'd be happy to share.
Betty
____________________
Patience
"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."
St. John of the Cross
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Valerie
Member
| Joined: | Mon Mar 19th, 2007 |
| Location: | Sacramento, California USA |
| Posts: | 12 |
| First Name: | Valerie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | LDS |
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Posted: Sun Apr 1st, 2007 11:24 pm |
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Thank you Betty for your encouragement. I would appreciate any websites you might have. I was trying to find a list of when exactly the books of the NT were written and the dates of the early Church Fathers and guess what--I found them on an atheist site. They had two lists--the NT and Timeline of Early Christianity: 6 BCE to 500 CE. Some interesting info. I am trying, I guess, to pinpoint exactly when this so-called 'great apostasy' occured. Thanx again for your email.
Valerie
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mrbill
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| Joined: | Wed Dec 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Deltona, Florida USA |
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| First Name: | Bill | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic- Baptist- Returned Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Apr 1st, 2007 11:38 pm |
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| A very interesting and imformative website I found a while back is http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/ It includes all of the books of the new testament, the complete texts of many of the Early Church Fathers writings, and a lot of unusual texts (including gnostic books if you are curious). The only commentaries are from historians and the translators that give their opinions on the author and date for the book. Its a great way to read the entire text for free!
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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
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Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2007 12:22 am |
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Valerie wrote: I am trying, I guess, to pinpoint exactly when this so-called 'great apostasy' occured. Thanx again for your email.
According to this site, it occurred immediately upon the death/disappearance of the last apostle. (They claim John "disappeared" into imprisonment on the island of Patmos around 75AD.) As one reads down the list of "history" many of the "facts" are blatantly wrong, and others are correct but misinterpreted. Some of the claims are ludicrous. For example, the claim that the Council of Nicea was invalid because the bishop of Rome was not present, while at the same time denying the authority of the bishops!
____________________
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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CajunRick
Network Helper
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Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2007 04:34 pm |
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Valerie, I was just checking the schedule for The Journey Home, the EWTN program affiliated with CHN. On April 16, 2007, the guest will be Tatyana Orlova, a former Mormon. The program airs on EWTN at 8 p.m. ET, and is repeated at 1 a.m., so that would be 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. PT. It runs a few more times during the week, but of course it's only live on the first airing.
If you have any questions you would like to ask, you can email them to journeyhome@ewtn.com or call the 800 number they'll give out on the air during the program.
____________________
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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Valerie
Member
| Joined: | Mon Mar 19th, 2007 |
| Location: | Sacramento, California USA |
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| First Name: | Valerie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | LDS |
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Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2007 04:51 pm |
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Thanx Rick, I usually try and watch JH, but will be sure to catch it tonight.
Valerie
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CajunRick
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Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2007 05:02 pm |
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Valerie wrote: Thanx Rick, I usually try and watch JH, but will be sure to catch it tonight.
I'm sure tonight's program will be interesting, but the program with the former Mormon is in two weeks, on April 16th.
____________________
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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Ali
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| Joined: | Sat Jan 6th, 2007 |
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| First Name: | Ali | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | JW, finally fully Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 09:08 am |
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Hi Valerie,
Are we on the same Cath. Cat. email list??? I remember posting to you a while back, then forgot your name to follow up with {extremely embarrassed} I'm sorry! Trust me, I won't forget it now, lol.
I hope you're liking it here and enjoying your journey 
All my best,
Ali
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