Posted on 07/29/2007 11:43:02 AM PDT by CatholicTim
Thanks for your encouranging words. God bless you.
I work in showbiz, and enjoy parading around as a “papist.”
Beneath the carapace of every cynic beats the heart of a true romantic!
I think you have read some bad history. You need to find some unbiased accounts of the Inquisition and the Crusades.
All of us are sinners, even Popes. There have been very few bad Popes and the bad Popes never taught heresy. That is the point. The Church is Holy becuase it belongs to Christ. The Church is Holy because it’s teachings are Holy.
The Church is for sinners. We all need forgivenss and redemption.
Don’t reject Christ because of Judas!
It's great being Catholic -- from one Tiber-swimmer to another!
I had a spiritual rebirth when I accepted Christ as my savior at 12 years old. Even today, I don’t reject that convsion experience.
However, I offically “born again” when I was baptized with water and the in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I was 14 years old.
The funny thing is that Nazarenes do not believe in baptismal regeneration. However, it was one of the most moving spiritual experiences in my life and I knew in my heart it something was going on.
I have had many spiritual rebirths as an adult. I experience conversion of heart all the time.
For me, Matt. 16-18, although only one of many reasons, was the kicker. Jesus telling Peter that he, Peter, would be the rock upon which the church would be built, and that the gates of hell would not prevail against that church pretty much says all that needs be said.
Arguments that the Catholic Church became apostate when ....(take your pick), are saying that the word of Jesus in Matt. 16-18 are not to be believed. I choose to believe Jesus, not the come-lately re-interpretations!
“And there you have it!”
Perhaps that is why th emperor Constantine, and others, did not officially become a Christian till near death lest they commit two sins and be lost. Remember, the SHEPHERD OF HERMAS said one sin after baptism was OK.
Please stick around the Religion Forum; we need you....
I enrolled in the RCIA program at our church in the fall of 2002. This is the program for non-Catholics to learn the faith and eventually join if they liked what they heard. Unfortunately, the nun that ran our program was worthless as far as helping me with my issues. She was a radical feminist, yet a sweet lady but couldn’t defend anything from scripture. Also, her theologically liberal orientation rubbed me the wrong way. She would say things like Catholics don’t believe all of the events in the Gospels really happened. I wanted to get scriptural support for Catholic teachings on Mary and the Pope and instead I received a continuous stream of negative views on the papacy and how the church was unfair to women. Like many Catholics I have since met from her generation (she is in her 60s), she is actually a “Protestant” inside the Church. Today I tell people to read the Catechism and take what they hear in RCIA programs with a grain of salt. I started RCIA in September and by Christmas I was ready to quit.
This unfortunately is a very common complaint.
bookmarked for later
Yeah!
Swam the Tiber in 1993. It just gets better.
On account of personal conversation with my priest I managed to duck RCIA. But last year I sponsored somebody at our Dominican Parish, so I had to go. We've got an awesome crop of orthodox and pious Dominicans (Alleluia and Deo Gratias!) so it was a great class.
I have a spare, rather cheesy, miraculous medal. Freepmail me your snail addy and I'll send it along.
So make it a good one, huh?
My own personal image of the development of doctrine is not so much linear but more like the condensation/gathering of matter after the big bang. The Church knew Baptism was a big deal. The Church knew that sin after Baptism was one thing, while sin before Baptism was another. But it took a while for the details to be worked out in a process of asking, what does God mean and what do we mean by this {where "this"- Baptism or Eucharist or ordination or ""Jesus is the Son of God", etc.) and what are the behavioral consequences?
Yeah I get offended (and, uh, distracted) when "June is busting out all over", in the pew in front of me. But I decided I'm just glad they're at Mass at all. It makes it more likely that Jesus will sneak up on 'em and hit 'em upside the haid!
BTW, you could definitely teach an RCIA class!
Yes. Please. We could use all the help we can get. If you want RCIA to improve for people in the future, we will need orthodox Catholics willing to answer the call of Christ, since many have been gifted to teach. If only liberal Catholics answer the call, then that is what will be taught at RCIA.
Regards
Yes, please follow the advice of jo kus.
You are certainly qualified to be very involved in RCIA and there is no better way to be of service to the Church at this time in your life.
I thank the Lord for your crossing the Tiber. Every new convert like you will be a foundational stone of a new and wonderful springtime in the Church. I also think that in doing RCIA service you can be a catalyst for bringing back the lazy and indifferent Catholic.
It’s always so great to witness the renewal of minds and hearts.
Makes me wonder how many converts are out there in spite of RCIA rather than because of it!...
...I understand your concern on this matter, but my RCIA was quite positive, providing me with an excellent means of relating to the existing body of parishioners and those who came into the Church with me. I was so impressed I now work on the RCIA team doing whatever I can do to further the Church’s mission, and actually find it more rewarding than my own conversion.
That’s very good news — and good for you for helping!
I have been a sponsor. I asked to join the RCIA team but our Pro-Choice (yes—i’m talking about abortion) nun that runs the program doesn’t want orthodox Catholics on her team.
I think you have read some bad history. You need to find some unbiased accounts of the Inquisition and the Crusades...
...unfortunatly, as you’ll find out as you continue on in this FR Catholic forum, there are some abysmally informed people out there just itching to get their licks in against ‘the Papists’...from the outright bigots, like the individual who continuously links to some of the most vicious Catholic bashing screeds you can imagine, to the downright stupid, like the guy who accused me of being a recruiter of boys for deviant priests after I objected to every single priest being linked by association to the sex scandals...get ready for some excessive vitriol as you continue to proclaim your faith, for there is no lack of it here on FR...
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