[kenth]

My wife is Catholic. I am planning on converting (brought up Methodist, but drifted away from Him for too long.) We lived in SW North Carolina a few years back, and had a small statue of St. Francis in our yard. We held a garage sale one day and almost without exception, everyone who came by made snide or denigrating comments about us worshiping idols or Mary/The Pope instead of Jesus. Some stopped by just to do that. The garage sale must have finally given them the opening and nerve to do so. I have a cousin whose entire devotion to spreading her faith is fueled by her animosity toward Catholics. Oh well.

The theater here isn't going to presell tickets, just put them on sale an hour before each showing. I hope I get there early enough on Wed. to get our tickets for the first showing. I don't think I could possibly eat anything during the movie. I'll probably grab a soda, but from just the scenes we saw last night, and knowing He went through the real thing and worse for me had me broken up.

[formerDem]

Thanks for a thought-provoking post.

[Theophilus]

...everyone who came by made snide or denigrating comments about us worshiping idols...

Well, when they prechance meet St. Francis, Mary, a Pope or two and, I hope, YOU in heaven someday. Won't they be surprised. Even if any of us are doctrinally correct, our hearts almost certainly don't agree with our heads. They should have said: "May God grant you and me a measure of the blessings and sanctification he bestowed up St. Francis, Good Morning Brother!"

[BobS]

It's OK. I am also Catholic and faulty. I will tell you what I do when my heart is troubled. I drive 110 miles north on the 101 freeway to get to Mission Santa Barbara. Just a few steps away from my truck and all my problems no longer exist. Walk down the hundreds of years old paths and see everything is so green and healthy. Sit down and watch the birds and little animals do their thing. A visiting monk may sit down for a talk between his studies. I found a small part of Heaven there:)

[pbear8]

We lived in SW North Carolina a few years back, and had a small statue of St. Francis in our yard. We held a garage sale one day and almost without exception, everyone who came by made snide or denigrating comments about us worshiping idols or Mary/The Pope instead of Jesus. Some stopped by just to do that. The garage sale must have finally given them the opening and nerve to do so. I have a cousin whose entire devotion to spreading her faith is fueled by her animosity toward Catholics.

Very sorry that you and your wife had this experience. Just goes to show that every group has its silly members.

Many years ago I was walking with a Jewish friend of mine who apropos of nothing spouted the most horrible anti-Christian limerick that I had ever heard (no one has topped it 20 years hence). All groups have members of whom they cannot be proud.

BTW, welcome to the Church we are very happy to have you in our wonderful 2000 year old home. Blessed be Jesus, Blessed be His Holy Name.