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Jackie
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| Joined: | Sat May 12th, 2007 |
| Location: | Jersey Shore, New Jersey USA |
| Posts: | 120 |
| First Name: | Jackie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Jun 7th, 2007 11:14 am |
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GoFisher wrote: I think that Christians who are "former" Catholics really did not study their own faith enough to know what The Church teaches
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Your right about this one. I have found that to be true in my circle. Most of my fallen away Catholics friends "think" they knew what the Church taught and will still argue against the church but most, if pressed, will agree they did not get it from the Catechism but just what was told to them egregiously. In addition, they do not believe in the Traditions of the Church or Her Magesterium. Which your quote from Newman is perfect:
"To be deep in history is to cease to be protestant," said Henry Cardinal Newman.
One of my former pastors began ridiculing The Church and her various traditions DURING HIS SERMONS.....
I want to comment on this although, I think it may be well spent in another area. This thread is conversion stories but ....this weekend the pastor at a Bible believing church in my area, where my husband has been attending, based his sermon on Luke 13:14-17 and titled it "TPF 30" tradition proof factor 30. ~ like the spf 15 in sun lotion ~ Anyway, this was against anything that is a man-made tradition. He launched into, baptism, rote prayer, earning God's favor, attendance on the Sabbath and Tradition. He even had the gumption to holler out "God does not care if your children are Baptised". (I am getting a copy of the tape from the service to make sure I am not crazy!)
I did all I could to remain seated. And when I looked around, the heads were bobbing and the Amens were resounding. This is a church who the pastor says was mostly Catholic. Now you may understand why asking Susiedear the question about attending both her Catholic Mass and her husbands Presbytarian service was important to me.
This is off the thread so I cannot go further, or my dear friend here, cajunrick might fuss at me..lol ( keeping us real rick )
Please, please, please....keep moving in the direction of TRUTH. Steeped in the History of the Church. The One True Church.
written in love......Jackie
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GoFisher
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| Joined: | Mon Dec 18th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 111 |
| First Name: | Kathy | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Mth Cng Prs UM sang@RC Ep UM (MDiv) Word-Faith Charismatic-RC |
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Posted: Sat Jun 9th, 2007 03:57 pm |
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 Thanks folks! Thanks for the Amen corner, etc.
Y'all are so bright, my smiley face had to wear shades!
So it is sad to be the only one in my family going to Mass (and before that, the only one going to my other church). It is cool to find out that in my family tree, I do have one or two Catholic SAINTS! Too bad they don't come to the family reunions since they are already celebrating by praying for us and worshipping The Lord in Heaven. I'm doing the same thing here. 
When I read the English translation beside a Latin song we sang during the procession of The Eucharist, I was cheering inside. I mentioned to the priest that if Christians knew the cool doctrinally sound translation of it, they'd all be in the procession. For me, it all goes back to The Eucharist. Thanks to The Holy Spirit and His Word, I get to hear His voice, and feel The Lord's reaction to things, and that is how I learned that I was to be here at this time. I am glad I got to go to the other churches first, especially the one filled with fellow Going-Ye people.  That's a TRINITY of smiles.
____________________
Love, hear + obey God: go fish! (me)
+ The Word became flesh... (St. John 1:14)
Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. (St. Jerome)
+ Follow Me... fishers of men. (St. Matthew quotes The Lord Jesus)
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Kariana
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| Joined: | Thu Jul 12th, 2007 |
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| Posts: | 6 |
| First Name: | Kar | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Born and raised Catholic; married in the Church; left at ... |
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Posted: Sun Jul 29th, 2007 10:05 am |
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Dear Jumpdog,
I feel for you. There must be a lot of us in this situation. My first husband, Larry, although not Catholic, agreed to marry in the church and even attended mass with me most Sundays. When I jumped ship to "find God", he thought I had flipped out. At least the church was comfortable for him, now he didn't know what to expect (isn't that the truth).
Unfortunately, Larry died in 1992. I remarried in 1995 to a man who was a widower. He was raised Baptist, but was also on the non-demoninational route. So we were kindred spirits. Within the last six months I have returned to the Catholic Church. (that is another story) I feel at home. I have not felt this peaceful and fullfilled in a long time. Alan was excited for me at first, but now he is, for lack of a better word, freaked out. He even told me if I had been Catholic, he would not have married me. That hurt.
We are in a tough place - all of us who are going it alone. I want so much to share my journey with him, but he just gets upset. So I am backing off and praying. Occassionally, I mention things to him, but very gingerly. I am finding others to discuss the deep things of our Lord and His Church and there is so much. It is blowing my mind. I have a stack of books three feet high by my bed. I have always been a reader, so that does not bother him. I finally told him this is not about my trying to convert him; it is where God is drawing me. But oh wouldn't it be so wonderful to share the fullness with the one we love. I will pray for you and your wife as I pray for mine.
Karen
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3John4
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| Joined: | Tue Feb 13th, 2007 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 95 |
| First Name: | Dede | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic, Protestant, Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Jul 29th, 2007 11:15 pm |
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Wow, I can't believe I never saw this thread till now. Jumpdog, it's almost bizarre how similar our stories are!
I was raised Catholic, stopped attending when I left home but always considered myself Catholic (?) My husband was never baptized, and had received very little religous education growing up. The priest at my parish was reluctant to marry us after interviewing him, my husband left that meeting feeling "uncomfotable" and we ended up being married in my girlfriend's presbyterian church. When we began searching for our own church home, my husband was again "uncomfortable" with any parish we visited, and since I really didn't get the differences between Catholic and protestant, we ended up in a protestant church where my husband was comfortable. (Geez, when I reread this paragraph it seems hard to believe I even have two brain cells to rub together. Talk about ignoring warning signs!)
We spent 19 years worshipping together until I rejoined the Catholic Church two years ago. My husband said he would investigate Catholicism, but after a few weeks of snarling at the RCIA leaders, he went back to the protestant church, and insisted our four kids go too. Like many others here, I attend mass alone on Saturday, and go to the protestant church on Sunday with the rest of the family, only because I want our children to experience as much family unity and harmony as possible.
I never asked my husband to become Catholic, and I quickly came to realize as he "investigated" Catholicism that he had grown up learning to be anti-Catholic. I work VERY hard never to speak negatively about his faith, and rarely share anything about my own studies or spiritual journey. However, I constantly stumble upon books written by former priests turned fundamentalists, articles like "The Lost Soul of Scott Hahn", and anti-Catholic websites that he has bookmarked. Perhaps most disheartening, one of my teenagers recently told me that whenever my husband is driving somewhere with her or her older brother alone in the car, dh uses the time to vent about his hatred of the Catholic Church. I figured the battle was over two years ago, and I lost, but my sister thinks my husband must still be engaged in some inner battle or he wouldn't be reading this stuff.
Sometimes I find this whole trial overwhelming and exhausting.
Dede
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GoFisher
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| Joined: | Mon Dec 18th, 2006 |
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| Posts: | 111 |
| First Name: | Kathy | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Mth Cng Prs UM sang@RC Ep UM (MDiv) Word-Faith Charismatic-RC |
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Posted: Tue Jul 31st, 2007 11:25 pm |
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Blessings to all. I am writing after reading the recent responses today. This will help you all as they helped me.
Forgive everyone IN ADVANCE and drop all offenses you have against ANYONE and EVERYONE. We pray that we forgive others as The Lord forgave us (in The Lord's Prayer/Our Father). The Lord forgave us from the Cross and said, "Lord forgive them for they know NOT what they do. Humans should love each other and not feel judgmental nor condemnation. Most non-Catholics do NOT KNOW WHY they are not Catholic because they were raised in another belief system.
Paul wrote to Roman Christians saying, how can they hear without a preacher or someone preaching? That includes US TODAY. We are the evangelists to make disciples as The Lord Jesus sent us out to do. We need to know that we believers are the ones Jesus speaks to when he says go ye and make disciples. If we really love others as The Lord loves us, then we will cast out fears of speaking in public and speak The Truth in Love as The Lord says.
GO FISH! Where is your fishing pool? It's wherever you are standing at the moment! Go for it! Be brave. Don't fear the enemy that can only take your body and will never take your SOUL! That's what Jesus and all the first disciples advised us. Hey, that's what the communion of saints is all about (joining in the battle vs. the evil one), isn't it? KEEP LOVING and PRAYING and BELIEVING for the ETERNAL SALVATION AND HEALING OF our loved ones AND our enemies too. HUGS AND BLESSINGS AND SHALOM TO ALL!!!
JOIN ME as I keep trying to FEAR NOT that I am the only Catholic in my family. I just remember the times back in our family tree when there were ONLY CATHOLIC in CHRISTIAN FAMILY, and remember that Jesus FOUNDED JUDIAISM, JEWISH CHRISTIANITY, and THE CHURCH (the original church IS the church). When you don't know about The Eucharist, and The Blessed Sacrament and activities of The Holy Spirit, then you have no reason to believe in Him that way. Keep praying for their ears, eyes, hearts and minds to be open to The Gospel Truth, and for laborers that they will respect and believe to come across their path. YOU pray for my family and I PRAY for your family. That is how The Kingdom of God works. YEAY JESUS!!! Praise The Lord. He can do it when we pray for it and believe it by faith. Let's help each other believe in the long-term faith of our families.
Check out the blessed green scapular website (you can order some and put a ton of names you want to be saved on each one, and that becomes a prayer too).
HOLY WATER: When you enter a blessed church, it is to remind you of your baptism, and that The Holy Spirit of God lives in you. I think it means the same thing when you have a bottle of holy water at home or at a funeral. I've heard you can put holy water on the post and lintels of your doors to bless your house, so I did that recently. Also read up about the Benedict medal (with the Benedictine blessing). A priest told me it "lightens the atmosphere" to have blessed things like this at home.
Remember this verse: "Greater is HE Who Lives in me than he who lives in the world." Also, it helps to avoid watching or hearing unholy things that Jesus would not watch nor listen to since He lives in you, and get them out of your dwelling. I have a pilgrim virgin Mary statue of my house. Since the welcome prayer that the Legion of Mary did mentions WELCOMING Mary into my home, I am treating it as Holy Queen-Mother Mary Herself is visting me, so I am making an effort to play praise music and movies that she would not mind watching.
I also learned in the CCC, that the fruit of The Eucharist includes holiness. YEAY! It is true that I am holier now than I was when I began this process, and am holier now than I was ten years ago too, but even than I was in November. At that time, I actually ASKED MARY to help me be CATHOLIC, since I figured she would know. I think of the apostles as Jewish, since they are. Mary is too. Hee hee. SHALOM y'all. SHALOM means the peace and completeness and wholeness that comes from THE LORD, with nothing missing and nothing broken. SHALOM to you. "GoFisher!"
____________________
Love, hear + obey God: go fish! (me)
+ The Word became flesh... (St. John 1:14)
Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. (St. Jerome)
+ Follow Me... fishers of men. (St. Matthew quotes The Lord Jesus)
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GoFisher
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| Joined: | Mon Dec 18th, 2006 |
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| Posts: | 111 |
| First Name: | Kathy | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Mth Cng Prs UM sang@RC Ep UM (MDiv) Word-Faith Charismatic-RC |
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Posted: Tue Jul 31st, 2007 11:41 pm |
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Remember and pray for these folks:
Folks who are deceived by the enemy (father of lies) will fight The Truth (Father of All).
Just like Jesus, your real brothers and sisters are those who (SHEMA) hear and obey The Word of The Lord.
____________________
Love, hear + obey God: go fish! (me)
+ The Word became flesh... (St. John 1:14)
Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. (St. Jerome)
+ Follow Me... fishers of men. (St. Matthew quotes The Lord Jesus)
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GoFisher
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| Joined: | Mon Dec 18th, 2006 |
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| Posts: | 111 |
| First Name: | Kathy | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Mth Cng Prs UM sang@RC Ep UM (MDiv) Word-Faith Charismatic-RC |
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Posted: Tue Jul 31st, 2007 11:45 pm |
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woops, this short one went in twice also, but will not let me delete it, so i have to just replace the note.  :? have a smile, or two, or three.
Oh, btw, I am so glad Dr. Scott Hahn and his colleagues REFERRED ME TO THIS SITE!
So, this month, in my journey to holiness, I would like to work on NOT GOSSIPPING about my specific former churches or denominations. I was successful during Lent to AVOID calling my former friends, who were not really friends since they were just trying to get me to not join The Original Church that I have found out is The Only Church, since the others are just eccesial bodies that derive their validity from the few elements of Truth they take from The Church. Here is what is VALID about other eccesial bodies that think of themselves as churches and whose Trinitarian-baptized members are part of the invisible Church, The Body of Christ:
worldwide evangelism for SALVATION of souls, MOST of The Bible (but they don't have the whole Bible), Trinitarian baptism, etc.
What is missing in most non-Catholic Christian fellowships: The Eucharist, preaching on The Eucharistic Discourse in John 6, The Pope and apostolic succession, only ONE baptism for the forgiveness of sins, confession and absolution.
What Christian miracle fellowships (that call themselves "full gospel" because of the obvious activities of The Holy Spirit that take place or are expected at that type of fellowship), have that most "traditional" churches of the reformation are now missing: thousands of new salvations in a single meeting, miracles of healing, miracles of signs in nature, tongues and interpretation together, modern style praise and worship to help reach the current generation.
So it intrigued me when I heard the phrase The Church is the "fullness of The Gospel" because that reminds me of including John 6 in the teachings of The Church. So now I still EXPECT MIRACLES, AND GET THEM here too. Thank You Lord Jesus! Hallelujah.
Last edited on Wed Aug 1st, 2007 12:10 am by GoFisher
____________________
Love, hear + obey God: go fish! (me)
+ The Word became flesh... (St. John 1:14)
Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. (St. Jerome)
+ Follow Me... fishers of men. (St. Matthew quotes The Lord Jesus)
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Steven Barrett
Member
| Joined: | Tue Nov 14th, 2006 |
| Location: | Hadley, Massachusetts USA |
| Posts: | 969 |
| First Name: | Steven | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Episcopal communicant, Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Aug 1st, 2007 12:48 pm |
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Newman saw more than his share of incredibly invincible protestant ignorance on display at Oxford. (Unfortunately, he also encountered some of the same from English catholics as well.) Unlike Newman, who never entertained the false notion that because God is an Englishman, therefore .. well, I'll let everyone get the rest of the gist ... many of his fellow English catholics were too busy trying to outpope the pope, Pius the Ninth (No less!).
Newman was perfectly content to deal with working on being a better prest, teacher, and (Catholic) Christian on a day-by-day basis. He was a rare Englishman for his time: He didn't think God wanted him to conquer the world for either Catholic or Protestant Englishmen. (Hell, he saw how "christ-like" the Brits were when it came to dealing with the Irish.)
Not wanting to take anything away from his expert view about Protestantism, history, (especially its damnable English variety), Newman simply settled for what we now have at our disposal.
Why, how nice that it even covers the likes of Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris et al, who - in this day and age - keep wondering if Catholics are truly Christian. These are the same folks who decry the "lack of Christian content" in Tolkein's Lord of the Rings, etc, and praise Tim LaHaye's books for their all-too-apparent "Christian content."
We'll learn more from the sports pages of even America's worst fishwraps than anything coming from LaHaye's keyboard.
"To be even deeper into ignorance . . ." is something I could see Newman adding on to his already famous maxim.
Alas, w/o a family computer at home, I'm at loss for instant access for a tool to vent my rants, raves and craves ( defending the Faith, and dark choclolate!).
Ciao!
____________________
For anybody interested in reading commentary from a Catholic's socially conservative/fiscally liberal viewpoint, go to my new blog at http://www.politicsramble.com/ .
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jumpdog
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| Joined: | Fri Dec 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Charlotte, North Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 27 |
| First Name: | | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Aug 1st, 2007 04:40 pm |
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Dede,
An old song comes to mind (by 10CC.. back in the 70's... yes, I'm that old) "The things we do for love"... like walking in the rain and the snow when there's nowhere to go, and you're feeling like a part of you is dying..." Or, how about "lookin' for love in all the wrong places..."
Somehow, I bought into the lie that I had to compromise my faith in order to be married. I felt that I had to make a choice between the Church and my wife. Part of that lie was my wife's attitude toward the Church, but the lion's share came from my lack of faith and knowledge of the Church. I now realize that I can be Catholic and married to her. I no longer feel that I have to apologize for the Church's rules, regulations, stance on abortion, etc. I now have this intangible confidence that the Church is right, and these guidelines are for my own good (and hers too).
Through my suffering (most of it was self-inflicted), I have learned to trust God. I have also learned that I can take that same suffering (even though it was self-inflicted) and offer it up to God (redemtive suffering). Not only can I offer it for my own benefit, I can offer it for just about anyone (including my wife and kids too). I think that this is one of the greatest "secrets" to being a good Catholic-- being able to accept suffering and turn it into a blessing by trusting God. It's almost like a mother who cleans up after a child without complaint. I'm not perfect, and I still get angry with her. But, I allow alot more stuff to roll off of my back instead of getting angry and fighting back. I can't say that she has changed, but I know that I have.
I long for the day when we will convalidate our marriage and thus be able to again receive the sacraments. However, I know that I am still growing in holiness and in faith despite the lack of grace that comes from faithfully receiving them. I know that it doesn't make sense, but I am thankful that I am not allowed to receive. God has blessed me in other ways because I am being obedient (especially in my prayer life). I absolutely ADORE saying the Rosary! I find peace, joy, and an immense strength whenever I faithfully recite it daily. I even find myself muttering a "Hail Mary" without even realizing it! It's as if my spirit breathes by reciting the Rosary.
Don't give up... God has not and will not ever abandon you.
Peace.
Jumpdog
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Bart Burk
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| Joined: | Fri Aug 3rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Osceola, Indiana USA |
| Posts: | 4 |
| First Name: | Bart Burk | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, now Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Aug 3rd, 2007 11:48 am |
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I have some idea of your situation. I converted about a year and a half ago from Mormonism. My wife is a cradle Catholic who converted to the Mormon Church in her early 20s. I continue to attend the LDS Church with my wife and children in addition to going to Mass every Sunday morning. I think it is important I be with my family at the LDS Church even though I don't take communion or vote or do anything else but attend. I think it helps them to know that I didn't dump them when I dumped the LDS Church.
Last edited on Fri Aug 3rd, 2007 11:53 am by Bart Burk
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5353 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Fri Aug 3rd, 2007 01:52 pm |
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Bart Burk wrote: I converted about a year and a half ago from Mormonism.
Hi, Bart, welcome to the Coming Home Network. We're happy to have you here with us, and welcome home to the Catholic faith as well. Feel free to jump right in and participate in any of our discussions. If you should have any questions we'll do our best to answer them for you honestly.
We don't have a lot of former Mormons but we do have a few, so you're in good company. We're looking forward to reading your faith story when you're ready to share it with us.
Once again, welcome to CHN, and welcome home.
____________________
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
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hekat927
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| Joined: | Tue Aug 7th, 2007 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 3 |
| First Name: | Anna | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Buddhist, C of Christ, New Age, Episcopal, RCIA |
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Posted: Sun Aug 12th, 2007 04:28 am |
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Hi Everyone,
I think that the seeds of Catholicism were planted in my soul the first time I visited an RC church when I was about 8 years old with a playmate. My mother was Buddhist, my father was for a little while, but he hated organized religion (particularly Catholicism), so we never went to church unless my Grandmother visited (she was Baptist). Met and married my high school sweetheart and was baptized in the Church of Christ, but eventually stopped going because all they talked about was money and subservience of women. I tried to take classes with a priest at a local Catholic church, but had to stop because it was causing alot of problems in my marriage, which was already shaky. Tried New Age stuff, wasn't the same. I ended up divorcing anyways and remarried a Calvary Chapel kind of guy. Love him dearly, but missed liturgy. Started going to an Episcopal church, and even went through almost 2 years of a more in-depth program of study of Christianity called Education for Ministry. I really liked the people, and my husband came with me a few times (he loved the jokes that the priest told during the sermons), but he said it was too ritualized. You can imagine how happy he was when I told him that I wanted to become Catholic. When the RCIA coordinator told me that we would both have to get a declaration of nullity for our first marriages, I was very concerned that my husband would freak out. Said a prayer to the Blessed Mother after the meeting with the coordinator, went home and told my husband what we'd have to do. He laughed and asked me if this is what I have to do to join the club, and I said yes. He said that he would do it, thank God and the Blessed Mother! I don't have any illusions that he will end up joining someday, but he does not hold me back, as my first husband did. The RCIA classes look challenging and I know that this will take a long time, especially with the added roadblocks that I have, but I am very happy to have a chance to finally be in the church that I have always longed for.
Anna
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Credo Catholic
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| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1400 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Aug 12th, 2007 02:04 pm |
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| Thank you for your story Anna! Sounds like you have had quite an interesting journey to get this far. We'll be praying that your RCIA experience will go well, and that your husband will continue to at least not stand in your way. Maybe he will go with you a time or two! Miracles do happen.
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BettyBoopToo
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Camas/Washougal, Washington USA |
| Posts: | 538 |
| First Name: | Betty | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Fist Baptist/Calvary Babtist/Secular Confusion/ Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Aug 12th, 2007 03:39 pm |
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Anna
Welcome to the Coming Home Network! We're very pleased to have you with us.
I very happy that you can finally follow your heart and attend RCIA. Your time in RCIA will be well spent and I pray that you enjoy the experience as I did.
God Bless and see you around the forum
Betty
____________________
Patience
"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."
St. John of the Cross
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GoFisher
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| Joined: | Mon Dec 18th, 2006 |
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| Posts: | 111 |
| First Name: | Kathy | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Mth Cng Prs UM sang@RC Ep UM (MDiv) Word-Faith Charismatic-RC |
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Posted: Tue Aug 14th, 2007 10:01 pm |
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HAPPY MARY DAY! Her Assumption feast 15 AUG.
Betty: COOL St. John of the Cross quote! Where did you find it?
Bart: Since God has apparently NOT TOLD you to leave there yet, then you are obviously there for the PURPOSE OF CHRISTIAN EVANGELISM. I found out that, as a FIRST YEAR Catholic, it is easier to be happy at being Catholic when I stop letting my former church members harass/offend/ridicule me (and The Church), and when I do as Jesus suggested (let the dead bury the dead), and as Paul suggested press on toward the mark of the high calling).
Just like Lucifer does, LDS folks think they can become God, but they do not believe that JESUS IS, ALWAYS WAS and ALWAYS WILL BE THE ONLY LORD-GOD THERE IS.
Pray for their blind eyes to be opened and their deaf ears to hear The Truth, and also pray for The Holy Spirit to give you the words that they will be able to understand and agree with The Lord on, and that The Holy Spirit will seep into their bones. Remeber that The Same Spirit that RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD LIVES IN YOU. I pray that The Holy Spirit will help you raise the dead souls of those you meet on your daily walk.
However, I hope and pray that you will EVANGELIZE at the LDS meetings. Maybe they will see how false their man-made religion is. LDS has for their communion, WATER instead of wine! That is not even CLOSE to The Truth. LDS "temple" services on Sunday are a combination of a Jewish synagogue service and a MASONIC temple meeting. The man who INVENTED mormonism (lower case on purpose) had been in several other mainline protestant churches before he disinigrated into inventing his own brand of religion where he was seen as a king who dictated the rules of his club.
I pray that folks will begin to worship The God that CREATED THEM, instead of the gods they create for themselves and others.
Thanks for listening! You can reach folks that I will never meet. GO FOR IT! Go Fish!
You have my prayers and of course those of all saints, including the MISSION SAINTS!
HOLY HUGS TO YOU. BLESSINGS TO YOU AND THROUGH YOU!
GOFISHER!
____________________
Love, hear + obey God: go fish! (me)
+ The Word became flesh... (St. John 1:14)
Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. (St. Jerome)
+ Follow Me... fishers of men. (St. Matthew quotes The Lord Jesus)
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Liz65
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 14th, 2007 |
| Location: | Maryland USA |
| Posts: | 29 |
| First Name: | Liz | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Multiple Protestant denominations, Episcopalian, Anabaptist |
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Posted: Sun Sep 16th, 2007 12:22 pm |
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I see there have been no posts here for a while, but I am fairly new to the forum and this area really speaks to my needs....It is 10:00am Sunday my husband has gone to "our" church for Sunday School and then Church. I may go to Mass at 11:00, but am torn as I did not tell my husband, and he gets furious if I do things without telling him.
We are "older" and met at an Episcopal Church while in college. (I had gone there with my roommate) We were married there after we graduated; me coming from a Baptist Church. Left the Episcopal Church fifteen years ago over the heresy that was and is there, and joined a protestant church. My husband was (and still is) gung-ho into "biblical truth" and the evangelical stuff, but it was not long before I missed the Eucharist. Then several years ago our "very protestant" pastor left and became Catholic...blew every one else away, but I found myself VERY envious Recently I have just stopped going to this church. I try and pray the hours daily and the Rosary, which I find VERY comforting. Last year at this time I mentioned the possibility of attending RCIA at the local parish his response was "That's just plain crazy" So I never brought it up again. RCIA began again this year two weeks ago, but I have not even mentioned it. I have however been doing alot of reading and occasionally I will bring up something that he knows come from my "Catholic ideas" as he calls it. I have always read alot Church Father's Church History etc. St.Ireneaus and St. Anselm, Chesterton, are among my favorites. I have read some of The Summa, and St. John of the Cross and more....
I am retired and have been married over forty years with four wonderful sons now all happily married -- all Christians. When I met my husband those years ago I was in classes at the Catholic church near the university and when he found out I planed to convert to Catholicism he informed me he would not date a Catholic . We had been dating for about four months by then and I had really fallen for this guy (I thought)-- I quit the classes and stuck with the ECUSA.That added the fact that I went to Catholic school for two years and guess what -- the longing to Come Home To Rome has, I guess, been lying dormant. At times I think I will just forget it and keep peace, but I cannot. Full Communion with my Savior is my heart and soul's desire.
My husband rejects apostolic succession, The Eucharist, The Magisterium. teachings about Mary and more that I cannot think of right now. Funny thing is, his brother is Catholic; having converted when he married 30 years ago -- and Jack says he respects his brother and the "fine way he has raised his family" (VERY devout, wonderful Catholic-educated children.)
I love this man deeply and he loves me. We are happy growing older together, and he is my dearest friend -- do I dare mess this up!? Would God call me to this if it can possibly destroy our marriage?
Please pray for us -- I want to read that book When Only One Converts and will try and get it soon. Thanks for "listening" This forum has been a big help!!
Blessings, Liz (I signed as "Betsy" at first, but let's stick with Liz)
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6. Q. Why did God make you?
A. God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him for ever in heaven.
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sewnsew
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 849 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Anglican, Episcopal /Catholic-04/07/07 |
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Posted: Sun Sep 16th, 2007 12:50 pm |
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| I would talk with one of the priests at your church- and then I would feel my husband out on whether attending RCIA classes is more or less threatening than just attending the Mass ( which leaves you in limbo I know at least for a while). Most churches have enough scheduled Masses that you can attend on your own and still attend a protestant church with your husband. That is the way many of us started the transition. Enlist the help of your brother in law... and of course many of us here know the road that you are on. Look into literature out there that is easily readable that debunks some of the more protestant anti Catholic myths- just leave them where they can be read .
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sewnsew
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 849 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Anglican, Episcopal /Catholic-04/07/07 |
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Posted: Sun Sep 16th, 2007 01:46 pm |
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| I would talk with one of the priests at your church- and then I would feel my husband out on whether attending RCIA classes is more or less threatening than just attending the Mass ( which leaves you in limbo i knw at least for a while). Most churches have enough scheduled Masses that you can attend on your own and still attend a protestant church with your husband. That is the way many of us started the transition. Enlist the help of your brother in law... and of course many of us here know the road that you are on. Look into literature out there that is easily readable that debunks some of the more protestant anti Catholic myths- just leave them where they cn be read .
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Liz65
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 14th, 2007 |
| Location: | Maryland USA |
| Posts: | 29 |
| First Name: | Liz | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Multiple Protestant denominations, Episcopalian, Anabaptist |
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Posted: Sun Sep 16th, 2007 02:28 pm |
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Kim,
Thanks so much for your caring, helpful reply. God will provide in His time and His way I know ......... Liz
____________________
6. Q. Why did God make you?
A. God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him for ever in heaven.
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Christine Ann
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | An Hours' Drive From Cincinnati, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 118 |
| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
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Posted: Sun Sep 16th, 2007 07:25 pm |
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Dear Liz,
I sympathize with your concerns about your relationship with your husband. It's very scary to take steps toward the Catholic Church especially when the most important person (your best friend) would be so against the Church. My husband is a "saved" Baptist from his youth and has "absolutely" no interest in being Catholic. He, however, when I told him I wanted to attend RCIA, allowed me to do so. I've been very blessed that he held this attitude. But recently he's become very cold toward my journey into Catholicism. I sometimes am confused, because now he has moved into a very negative stance. I've never had such a disagreement of this serious nature with him before, and it is very uncomfortable for me.
However, I have learned enough at this time about the Church and it's beliefs to know I am meant to become Catholic. I never accepted the idea of "once saved, always saved", there is too much scripture to the contrary. Now I am concerned about his salvation. He has stopped attending the Baptist Church, and is satisfied with that, thinking that he is "saved" anyway. Of course I am praying for his conversion and trusting God with our relationship. I don't think God would have me become Catholic without my husband following me into the Church.
I could never turn back now, and it's been worth every bit of the steps I've made. The Catholic Church is the true Church of our Lord...of that I am convinced and slowly but surely I am coming to learn it's truths. The more I learn the more blessed I am. This is a very spiritually rewarding journey and I've not regretted stepping out in faith. But that's what it took for me: the courage to step out in faith. You won't regret doing it, even if your husband is displeased. At least you have his brother who is Catholic to support you. All of my husband's family are Bible believing , fundamental, independent Baptists and I have no family near me.
I didn't really mean to tell you so much about my journey...I just want to encourage you to do what God is leading you to do and have faith that with time and God's grace your husband will follow. I've had Him do miraculous things in my life and I know this is not too hard for HIM.
In the meantime I am trying to be a "light" for my husband in his darkness. I don't argue with him...just pray. People on this forum have been a tremendous support to me and I know they would be for you, too. After all as the Lord reminded me...he has the "words of life", and I cannot turn away from Him or His Church. I'll be praying for your situation and would love for you to pray for mine.
In His Love,
Christine Ann
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GoFisher
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| Joined: | Mon Dec 18th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 111 |
| First Name: | Kathy | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Mth Cng Prs UM sang@RC Ep UM (MDiv) Word-Faith Charismatic-RC |
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Posted: Mon Sep 17th, 2007 01:37 am |
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Bless you. Go ye by sharing The Gospel Word of Truth that Jesus is The Only Way to The Father as He said.
If we don't then the destruction of non-believers is on our hands (according to Ezekiel 3). If we do share The Truth, then the burden of belief is on their own hands.
The Lord Himself told me to study to see if I was protesting anything, and I found that I wasn't. One step at a time, I became Catholic, or found that I already was, so got confirmed.
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Love, hear + obey God: go fish! (me)
+ The Word became flesh... (St. John 1:14)
Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. (St. Jerome)
+ Follow Me... fishers of men. (St. Matthew quotes The Lord Jesus)
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