 |
| Author | Post |
|---|
New Hamburger
Member
| Joined: | Tue Jan 15th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 4 |
| First Name: | Mary Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Presbyterian, Baptist, Mennonite Brethren, Anglican |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 17th, 2008 04:16 pm |
|
Hi everyone,
Thanks to each of you for your replies to my RCIA question/ramblings - you guys are quick! I will take a look at the resources you've recommended and see if they can clarify things for me.
At our RCIA meeting yesterday, my friend and I were able to talk constructively about our concerns. It was a good discussion, and as a result our leaders will be seeking a curriculum for us to follow. (Have you any suggestions?). We will not be participating in the next Rite (at the beginning of Lent), because neither of us is ready for that next step. The door remains open for us to be confirmed (I think that's what it's called - the service at Easter), but if we're not ready at Easter, we'll do it another time.
In sharing with the others yesterday I realised a couple of things:
1) I, like many non-Catholics, have a rather deep anti-Catholic streak in me, which needs to be brought to the surface and dealt with. As an example, I get a little twitchy when my kids cross themselves at prayer, and the only reason I can identify for my twitchiness is, 'because it's Catholic'.
2) I still harbour some bitterness at 'The Church' (i.e. the Roman Catholic Church) for coming between/creating a distance between my husband and me. It was 6 years ago that he converted, and although I've come a long way, that day remains for me a very dark day.
3) I think that, rather than fighting & struggling to understand Catholicism, I need to calm down & 'receive' what God gives me.
So there you have it. Once again, any thoughts/insights/recommendations you have would be most welcome...
Mary Beth
p.s. while my name is Mary Elizabeth, my parents would undoubtedly be uncomfortable with there being a perceived Catholic connection. For them, I was named after my grandmothers, who were decidedly Scotch-Presbyterian and definitely not Catholic!
|
|
|
Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 854 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 17th, 2008 05:59 pm |
|
Mary Beth,
You can get a thousand suggestions on books to buy, but for use in your class I highly recommend The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults.
Click here to order.
Also available to accompany this excellent book are the following:
Teacher Guide
Teacher Guide -Click here
Student Study Guide
Student Study Guide -Click here
14 CD Set (Item# 8001817)
14 CDs Set -Click here
Last edited on Thu Jan 17th, 2008 06:11 pm by Intercessor
____________________
"If our charity is arrested by the difficulties encountered in dealing with our neighbor, . . . our relations with our brethren are not regulated by our love of God, but by our love of self." Divine Intimacy p. 781, Fr. Gabriel, O.C.D.
|
|
|
New Hamburger
Member
| Joined: | Tue Jan 15th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 4 |
| First Name: | Mary Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Presbyterian, Baptist, Mennonite Brethren, Anglican |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 17th, 2008 06:19 pm |
|
Thanks. My husband actually ordered it for me a couple of weeks ago. It shouldbe arriving any day now!
|
|
|
Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 854 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 17th, 2008 06:24 pm |
|
1) I, like many non-Catholics, have a rather deep anti-Catholic streak in me, which needs to be brought to the surface and dealt with. As an example, I get a little twitchy when my kids cross themselves at prayer, and the only reason I can identify for my twitchiness is, 'because it's Catholic'.
You are a wise lady, Mary Beth. I addressed this problem in my own heart by keeping EWTN on every waking moment when I was at home. I figured the more times I saw Catholic persons doing Catholic things and speaking about Catholic things, the sooner it would stop seeming foreign to me. I also attended daily Mass and Holy Hour. Spending every possible moment with new Catholic acquaintances is so important as well. My new Catholic friends "saved my neck" many times. Daily participation here on the CHNI Forum is a great tool in that uncomfortable stage of wanting to become a Catholic but not quite feeling like one yet.
2) I still harbour some bitterness at 'The Church' (i.e. the Roman Catholic Church) for coming between/creating a distance between my husband and me. It was 6 years ago that he converted, and although I've come a long way, that day remains for me a very dark day.
For this problem you'll need grace to shed the anger and unforgiveness. I would suggest prayer in front of the exposed Blessed Sacrament. "Jesus, please give me the grace to let go of my anger and resentment. Help me to forgive. Heal me, Lord." I have to pray like that a lot, Mary Beth.
3) I think that, rather than fighting & struggling to understand Catholicism, I need to calm down & 'receive' what God gives me.
Maybe this is one of those Catholic "both/and" situations. You could "fight"
(work hard) to learn all you can but also remember to have quiet times of receiving God's grace.
____________________
"If our charity is arrested by the difficulties encountered in dealing with our neighbor, . . . our relations with our brethren are not regulated by our love of God, but by our love of self." Divine Intimacy p. 781, Fr. Gabriel, O.C.D.
|
|
|
New Hamburger
Member
| Joined: | Tue Jan 15th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 4 |
| First Name: | Mary Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Presbyterian, Baptist, Mennonite Brethren, Anglican |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 17th, 2008 07:52 pm |
|
Thanks you for your insight. I think I have quite a journey ahead of me, although I wouldnt' say I'm "wanting to become a Catholic but not quite feeling like one yet." At this point I'm just trying to understand more. Can you please explain to me what the "exposed Blessed Sacrament" is?
Thanks.
|
|
|
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 |
| Status: |
Online
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 17th, 2008 08:08 pm |
|
A good book in this regard for you might be Thomas Howard's On Being Catholic (only $3.50 for a used copy right now at amazon). He is a marvelous writer (because he was an English professor), a lot like C.S. Lewis.
Another good one is The Catholic Church and Conversion, by G.K. Chesterton (available for reading online), because it talks a lot about that "young convert" sort of feeling. I know that I loved it right after I converted.
Also, my own Conversion and Converts web page might have a few things that could be helpful for you; what you are looking for.
____________________
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/
|
|
|
tedjenczewski
Member
| Joined: | Thu May 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Richmond, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 161 |
| First Name: | Ted | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Presbyterian, Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 17th, 2008 09:15 pm |
|
| May the grace of God be upon you Mary Beth. I have attended a PCA church with my wife and so understand your concerns. Take your time and develop an understanding. Bishop Fulton Sheen said that what most protestants believe about the catholic church is the erroneous teaching of other protestants. I have come to find that statement to be true. May the peace of Christ be with you.
____________________
"...the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth." 1Tim 3, 15
|
|
|
Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 854 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 18th, 2008 01:50 am |
|
Mary Beth, you asked for an explanation of the exposed Blessed Sacrament.
The first item below offers a picture of the consecrated Host (meaning what had been only a wafer before became the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ during a Mass--though it still looks like just a wafer) "exposed"--taken out of the little gold tabernacle where it is usually kept and placed where persons can see it. It is usually "exposed" in a beautiful montrance like the one in this picture.
It will not be at all surprising if you recoil, in the beginning, from this teaching. I used to watch the people on EWTN staring at that exposed Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance and marvel at their stupidity. We come to a belief in the Real Presence of Jesus (in what looks to be only a wafer) by grace.
Perhaps you might begin with just a visit to an Adoration chapel (where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed). Sit in front of it. Look at it. Read the Bible or a selection of Christian writing. Pray. Stay about thirty minutes, if you can. Develop a practice of regular attendance. Soon your own spirit will persuade you of the presence of the Lord. Ask for grace.
Click for picture.
Click for reading material.
Click here if you really want a full explanation of the Blessed Sacrament.Last edited on Fri Jan 18th, 2008 02:04 am by Intercessor
____________________
"If our charity is arrested by the difficulties encountered in dealing with our neighbor, . . . our relations with our brethren are not regulated by our love of God, but by our love of self." Divine Intimacy p. 781, Fr. Gabriel, O.C.D.
|
|
|
pam
Member
| Joined: | Sat Nov 11th, 2006 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 110 |
| First Name: | Pam | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Former Non-denominational Bible Church |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 18th, 2008 02:47 pm |
|
New Hamburger wrote:
1) I, like many non-Catholics, have a rather deep anti-Catholic streak in me, which needs to be brought to the surface and dealt with. As an example, I get a little twitchy when my kids cross themselves at prayer, and the only reason I can identify for my twitchiness is, 'because it's Catholic'.
Hi Mary Beth,
This was part of my experience too. What changed it for me was learning the significance of all these gestures. When I cross myself, I am committing my words, thoughts, and heart to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. When I bow before entering my seat at Mass, I am bowing to the altar and remembering the Sacrifice made for me. I am bowing to the Presence of Jesus Christ, my Savior, in the Tabernacle. (I know I'm supposed to genuflect, but I haven't mastered that yet.) When I use holy water, I am remembering my baptism, the new life I received, and my commitment to live as a child of God.
When I kneel at various times in the Mass, it is in worship and adoration. An explanation I heard once of kneeling after saying "Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest" is that we are falling to our knees in worship. I think of that every time and can't get on my knees fast enough.
The more you learn, the more meaningful everything will be, and you will see and appreciate the beautiful depth of worship. Take your time and enjoy the journey.
|
|
|
CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 4977 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
| Status: |
Online
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 18th, 2008 04:25 pm |
|
New Hamburger wrote: 3) I think that, rather than fighting & struggling to understand Catholicism, I need to calm down & 'receive' what God gives me.
I think it might be wise for you to hear the words of a very wise archbishop, Fulton Sheen: "There are not a hundred people who hate the Catholic Church, but there are thousands who hate what they think the Catholic Church to be."
One of the hardest things for those learning about the Church to accept is that their preconceptions (which came from non-Catholic sources) are simply incorrect. Instead of trying to put the "square pegs" of Catholic teaching into the "round hole" of your Protestant upbringing, you need to simply absorb what is true about the teachings being presented to you. As you say, you need to "calm down and receive" what God is giving you. It may well be your biggest hurdle, but both God and the Church have lots of patience (and so do we).
We'll help you on your journey in any way we can. All you need to do is ask. Remember, the only stupid question is the one that doesn't get asked!
____________________
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
|
|
|
Current time is 07:21 pm | |
|
|
|
|
|
