Considering Converting (vanity)

[TheStickman]

I'm seriously converting to Catholicism. We've ordered copies of the Catechism and have spoken with the Deacon who runs the RCIA. I'm also aware this is a long road and we've just taken our 1st steps onto the entrance ramp.

With this in mind, I would greatly appreciate a link to a working chat/forum specifically for people in my situation. I've done some googling and keep running across dead sites or java chats with no one everin them. Also, prayers, and any guidance for me and my wife would be appreciated. TIA!

[B Knotts]

Welcome!

I don't know of any forums or chats like that, but one great resource for learning about Catholicism is Catholic Answers.

[undirish01]

You might go to www.chnetwork.org and check out their site (it specializes in helping Protestant pastors "come home").

Also, another good site which has a LOT of people posting is: www.phatmass.com

Good luck, prayers are with.

[Desdemona]

Well, let me say in advance - Welcome Home.

There is a network called the Coming Home Network, which is for people converting. It is accessable via internet.

There is a marvelous book I would recommend, not just for you, but even Catholics who were badly catechized (like me), called This is the Faith by Canon Francis Ripley and available from Tan Books. They have a great website.

The people here are a marvelous resource, too.

[TheStickman]

That's a great site, indeed. I've enjoyed getting a general overview of some of the Church's traditions. So much learning and *unlearning* to do.

[sinkspur]

You bet we'll pray for you! My wife and I run the Catechumenate for our RCIA. I'm not aware of any blogs or chat forums, but will ask this Sunday if any of our folks are aware of any.

[NYer]

Welcome Home!

Marcus Grodi, who hosts EWTN's The Journey Home, maintains an excellent forum.

The purpose of The Coming Home Network International (CHNetwork) is to provide fellowship, encouragement and support for pastors and laymen of other traditions (Protestant, Orthodox, etc..) who are somewhere along the journey or have already converted to the Catholic Church. The CHNetwork is committed to assisting and standing beside all inquirers, serving as a friend and an advocate.

You can link up with their forum at here.

COMING HOME

My prayers go with your and your family on this journey. God bless you all!

[lrslattery]

You may to consider a discussion group called Mother of God which is available on Yahoo Groups. It is completely orthodox and loyal and obedient to the Magisterium.

The web site is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MotherofGod2

I hope this will help you. And 'Welcome home'!

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

May I ask what in particular thing/belief has led you to Catholicism?

Becky

[american colleen]

God bless and I will keep you guys in my prayers.

The Coming Home Network is wonderful and there are tons of resources on that website. Marcus Grodi is a former minister who hosts the television show The Journey Home" on EWTN Monday nights and it repeats a few times during the week - you can find audio of past shows archived there.

Even as a Catholic I found the series "Surprised by Truth" by Patrick Madrid fascinating and very informative. There are three volumes and people you know or have heard of detail their reasons for converting to Catholicism. All of them love and appreciate the faith traditions they came from but eventually (sometimes kicking and screaming) they realized that there was more and the more could only be found in the Catholic Church. Quite a few of them ended up being ostrasized by family and friends because of their conversion.

"The Courage to be Catholic" by George Weigel
"On Being Catholic" by Thomas Howard (convert)
"Living the Catholic Faith" by Bishop Charles Chaput

Are a few of the new publications that I have found easy to read and especially helpful.

[TheStickman]

Good question. Specifically, my wife and I decided we needed to develop/join a support system in preparation for the years after our children (late teens now) are gone. My wife was raised to a certain degree in the Catholic Church though she stopped attending in her early teens as it seems her family lost interest at that time I was raised in a Protestant Church that I left in my early 20's and while I resumed praying regularly not long after my wife and I met I was pretty much anti-church in general.

Okay...now I'll try and answer your question. When I 1st mentioned the idea of needing a support system after the nest empties she was certainly all for the idea. She shared her preference for looking into a Catholic church 1st and since I have no real desire, nor feel any calling to return to the demonination I was once affiliated with we attended a Mass last Sunday and we were both impressed on several levels.

I have to admit to being hesitant at 1st. I still am in some ways. My parents are NOT going to be happy campers and there could be some bad feelings come out of this and who in their right mind ever wants to offend their parents? However, it *feels* right to do this. I've found myself feeling almost a *hunger* to read and absorb as much as possible.

Anyway...did I ever answer your question? I think/hope I did:)

[TheStickman]

Thank you and thanks to everyone who's taken the time to respond as you have. I never imagined nor have I ever experienced something like this (or perhaps I have and had no clue what was going on for various reasons), and I'm hoping this is the norm for folks after one has entered the CHurch as well.

Prior to this, only one person I know of (outside of my parents, of course) who ever expressed they were going to pray for me. I'm at a loss for words, to be honest. Thanks to you all!

[Desdemona]

Max, cut it out. SOmetimes conversion starts with hunger. There's nothing wrong with that. We've given him some other tools. Not only that, not all RCIA programs are bad.

[lrslattery]

You may also want to read the early Church Fathers.

I might also suggest Dave Armstrong's "Biblical Evidence for Catholicism" at http://ic.net/~erasmus/RAZHOME.HTM

[TheStickman]

You are correct, I didn't mention my belief in God, nor the the Teachings of Christ, nor His Virgin Birth, nor his Death, Burial or Ressurection. I didn't mention how thankful-grateful-humbled I feel that God gave his Only Son for our sins.

I kinda figured one wouldn't need to mention his belief in God Almighty when beginning a discussion of converting.

[dangus]

Best "catechism" I can recommend is "The Soul of the Apostolate," except it has many very Catholic terms. (for instance, say, "Apostolate." :) ) It also throws in several quotes in Latin, but there is ususally some English-language repitition of the quote nearby, if you can recognize it. But don't let make you think it's archaic. The issues it deals with are almost bizarrely contemporary.

[Maximilian]

SOmetimes conversion starts with hunger. There's nothing wrong with that.

Yes there is. Making use of the Catholic faith for personal advantage rather than to offer Adoration, Reparation, Thanksgiving and Supplication to God is a perversion of religion's intrinsic nature. Please note that Jesus spent most of His time criticizing this precise error, more than any other.

not all RCIA programs are bad.

That's like saying "Not all bottles of a certain type contain poison." But if you know that a a great majority do, then it would be dangerously imprudent to try drinking from one.