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gman
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 26th, 2007 |
| Location: | Virginia Beach, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 20 |
| First Name: | Mike | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | nondenominational |
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Posted: Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 04:49 pm |
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I really see the value in the RCIA classes, so don't get me wrong....
I have checked on some nearby parishes, and 2 have their classes Wed evenings, and the other one has classes on Sunday morning.
Either day is bad, my daughter has swim practice on Wed, and I want to reserve Sundays for attending church with my wife at a protestant church. The other problem is that I will be working long hours as a CPA from Jan 1-April 15, so wouldn't be able to attend anyway.
I see RCIA as great for singles or for couples, but when one spouse is converting and the other isn't, I just don't see how it can work out.
6-7 months of weekly meetings when your spouse is holding a grudge against you is not the best thing, especially for a church that doesn't believe in divorce...lol!
Last edited on Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 04:51 pm by gman
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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: Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 04:56 pm |
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| Talk to a priest to see if you can make alternative arrangements. I had the same problem, my activities in the evening are curtailed by bad health problems. One priest said outright I had to go elsewhere but I eventually was able to make other arrangements. It would help if you been active in your faith community for some time and have already learned something about Catholicism.
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Annie
Ora et labora
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1226 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Nominal Methodist / evangelical non-denom / "Bapticostal" / Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 05:05 pm |
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It is possible to be received without necessarily attending RCIA. I did it myself. As I understand it, any priest can receive you into the Church if he feels you are sufficiently educated and ready, and that you believe all that the Church teaches. In my case, I had to read a Catechism by Fr. John A. Hardon (the same person who received me). You should inquire around a bit and talk to any priest (particularly one who is a friend, or friend or a friend, etc.).
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I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 1900+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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gman
Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 26th, 2007 |
| Location: | Virginia Beach, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 20 |
| First Name: | Mike | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | nondenominational |
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Posted: Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 05:15 pm |
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Yeah, I will keep looking. The protestant in me keeps searching around for the right RC church. I have been 4 times, all to different churches...lol Like the last one best, Star of the Sea in Va Beach
But the RCIA instructor emailed me back when I asked her if I had to go through the whole RCIA process, and said yes, that's just the system they have.
I may try to talk to her or the priest in person
Last edited on Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 05:16 pm by gman
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1226 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Nominal Methodist / evangelical non-denom / "Bapticostal" / Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 05:27 pm |
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Looking for a good parish is not the same as a certain widespread Protestant mentality of church-hopping, because it's all the same Church! Unfortunately, the reality of modernist excesses in the Church require us to sometimes drive further than should be necessary, to find a parish that fully adheres to Catholic teaching and proper liturgical practice. If you have options available to you (esp. this is true in large metro areas), there is nothing wrong with that. Other times, you may have to grit your teeth and settle for all that is available to you.
I would add that once you find this kind of parish, that you should commit to it for the long haul and not leave because you may not like the new priest or organist or suchlike. That would be an improper attitude (I say that as a veteran observer of many Protestant "civil wars" involving changing pastors: I always refused to participate in such bickering).
Last edited on Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 05:36 pm by Dave Armstrong
____________________
I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 1900+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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gman
Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 26th, 2007 |
| Location: | Virginia Beach, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 20 |
| First Name: | Mike | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | nondenominational |
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Posted: Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 05:33 pm |
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Yeah, Dave, I understand that and totally agree!
My main thing I have been searching for is the look and feel of the sanctuary, I am not even that concerned about whether I like the priest, believe it or not!
The first two I went to, the sanctuary was too utilitarian looking, not very church-like IMO.
Believe me, once I pick one, I am there for a long time.
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1226 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Nominal Methodist / evangelical non-denom / "Bapticostal" / Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 05:40 pm |
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I think it is a safe generalization that if you find a church where the Tabernacle is front and center and in a place if prominence, then you have found a good parish. If you have to search for the Tabernacle, or if it is off in a broom closet (I exaggerate, but it's not far from the truth in some cases, sadly), then split and never go back.
Also, oftentimes, the presence of traditional statuary and other similar items may be (though not always) an indication of the nature of a particular parish. I once attended a parish at the end of our block that had no kneelers, and we were the only ones kneeling at the consecration. Needless to say, I never went there again.
____________________
I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 1900+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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gman
Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 26th, 2007 |
| Location: | Virginia Beach, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 20 |
| First Name: | Mike | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | nondenominational |
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Posted: Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 05:49 pm |
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I am not 100% sure, but I don't think I have been to any where the tabernacle was visible. But it is possible that I didn't know what to look for to see.
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1226 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Nominal Methodist / evangelical non-denom / "Bapticostal" / Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 07:09 pm |
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Traditionally, and still in many churches today, the Tabernacle was on the altar (right in the center). In most parishes today, that have an altar table in front of the altar proper, and the priest facing the congregation (I.e., in non-Latin masses), it would be behind him and usually a little higher. It's usually gold or ornate in similar fashion, indicating Who is present inside of it.
It might be interesting if you actually inquired of a priest or deacon, where the tabernacle is in their parish, and if it is not front and center (or at least identifiable somewhere in the front of the church and in view, why?
Here is a photograph of a traditional Catholic altar, from St. Mary's church in St. Benedict, Kansas (dedicated in 1894). The Tabernacle is at the center bottom of the photo.
Main altar and tabernacle. The statues on the altar are: St. Monica, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Patrick, St. Anne with St. Mary, St. Joachim, St. Bontiface, St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Isidore.
[source]
Last edited on Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 07:13 pm by Dave Armstrong
____________________
I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 1900+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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JillD
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Visalia, California USA |
| Posts: | 597 |
| First Name: | Jill | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | heathen, EvFree, Messianic, LC-MS, Catholic 2007 |
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Posted: Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 07:47 pm |
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My church is just what you described, Dave, though not nearly as ornate as the picture you've shown. But I feel such peace the moment I walk into Holy Family. The tabernacle, the Lord, is front and center. Angels hover on either side and there are statues of Mary and Joseph, too. The crucifix is clearly visible. I just love the beautiful simplicity of our sanctuary. It does make a difference.
This picture was in our local paper during some sort of celebration.
Attachment: holy family church.jpg (Downloaded 60 times) Last edited on Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 07:50 pm by JillD
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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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mrsbmoo
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 267 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Methodist. RCA, Presbyterian, Holiness, Wesleyan... Catholic as of June ... |
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Posted: Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 09:47 pm |
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My church looks a lot like Jill's but no balcony. Definitely not as ornate as that first picture.
St Joan of Arc, which is some where in your general direction, has a really great priest( one of a couple), Fr Jolie. We visited that parish while visiting the maritime and naval museums on that side of the state and liked it in spite of the rather unadorned sancutary. He also did my daughter's senior retreat at school.
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Becky
Wife of Michael(called Moo) and stay at home mom to 5 daughters between 7 months and 16
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NotCatholic
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| Joined: | Thu Jul 5th, 2007 |
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| Posts: | 79 |
| First Name: | NotCatholic | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Pentecostal,none |
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Posted: Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 10:10 pm |
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Thats a cool picture Dave. Yeah I would just talk with the priest gman I hope it all works out for you.
God Bless!
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The attitude that nature is chaotic and that the artist puts order into it is a very absurd point of view, I think. All that we can hope for is to put some order into ourselves-Willem De Kooning
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1226 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Nominal Methodist / evangelical non-denom / "Bapticostal" / Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Dec 4th, 2007 02:02 pm |
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Hi Jill,
That's a neat way of presenting the Tabernacle. It looks like the ark of the covenant!
____________________
I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 1900+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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