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Michelle1982
Member
| Joined: | Tue Nov 6th, 2007 |
| Location: | California USA |
| Posts: | 23 |
| First Name: | Michelle | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | protestant services at military chapels, Bible, Baptist, Berean, Calvary Chapel, ... |
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Posted: Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 02:44 am |
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So, today was my Rite of Acceptance Day. I know that it seems like I am always complaining on my blogs. I am not. I just don't have too many people who understand. Anyways. So last night, my sponsor and I went to mass, dinner and then I took him to the airport. He was TDY (military- temporary duty) again. I told him that I would not give him a guilt trip for missing today. He is a very good friend of mine.
He asked another one of my friends to step in today for him. Well, to make a long story short. I forgot my cell phone at work yesterday with all my numbers. The building is locked so I can't get it until tomorrow. When they called us up in church today for the acceptance stuff, I did not see my friend. I don't know if she even showed up. So, I had one of the RCIA leaders randomnly fill in. It was not a very joyous moment for me. Then, we went to our very dull. dry RCIA meeting. Then, I went to my usual protestant service. This is the first time, that I passed on protestant communion. This was very hard for me. It started to dawn on me, that my life is started to change a bit. Passing on communion raised a couple eyebrows. Then a couple of my good friends were rude at first to me today. They are irritated at me. They have an inking of my Catholic fascination. I am not sure they know to the extent. Then, I have been looking at traditional Catholocism. I spoke with a priest from the traditional Catholocism. They apparently believe that the pope's seat is empty. But, he gave me some books to read. I don't know. Is it just me, why does this process have to be so emotionally draining?
Last edited on Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 02:46 am by Michelle1982
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"..............From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more." Luke 12:48
"You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." J
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Free
Member
| Joined: | Wed Nov 28th, 2007 |
| Location: | Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 208 |
| First Name: | Jane | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Presbyterian, Gnostic, non-denominational, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 08:05 am |
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As a baptized, well-catechized Protestant, my parish should not have put me through the RCIA class, but that is how they do things. Did I learn anything in the class? No. But was my presence there important? Yes. I and another candidate who shouldn't have had to take the class, were able to answer questions raised by the catechumens that the leaders of RCIA were unable to answer. Also, I learned first-hand how shallow the instruction for catechumens is, at least in our parish. Perhaps in a few years I'll be able to help out in that area. Right now I'm taking instruction in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for 3-6 year olds, teaching them not only that Jesus loves them, but opening up a way for them to fall in love with Jesus. I help out one morning a week at our local parish school with a group of four-year-olds. Honestly, if the adult catechumens could take this class for 3-6 yeaer olds, they would learn what they need to know, and also fall in love with the Church, its sacraments and its traditions.
One thing I told myself as I trudged through the RCIA program is that all things worth having come with a price. Think about babies. Most of the nine months of pregnancy are quite tedious and even uncomfortable, yet we know someday we will hold the baby in our arms. The seven months of instruction leading up to the moment when you will receive Christ in the blessed sacrament, and the two months of instruction afterwards (9 months! Hmmm...) are part of the cost of following Jesus, and when you experience the intimacy with him at the altar, the cost will seem well worth it.
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Esther
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Kansas City, Kansas USA |
| Posts: | 147 |
| First Name: | Esther | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist to Roman Catholic 11/26/06 |
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Posted: Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 09:49 am |
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Michelle1982 wrote: It was not a very joyous moment for me. Then, we went to our very dull. dry RCIA meeting.
Unfortunately, our faith normally is not full of emotions. Sometimes the "dry" moments are went Christ grows us the most. Sometimes, it is God's way of testing us to see if we will be faithful when it is very difficult. It is also a form of suffering we can unite with Jesus. Have you ever heard of the Catholic understanding of suffering? If not, let me know and I will send you some links to read up on. I think it will give you a lot of hope.
Then, I went to my usual protestant service. This is the first time, that I passed on protestant communion. This was very hard for me.
I am sure this was hard, but you did the right thing. But please remember and keep at the front of your mind. The Eucharist is worth the wait.
Passing on communion raised a couple eyebrows. Then a couple of my good friends were rude at first to me today. They are irritated at me. They have an inking of my Catholic fascination. I am not sure they know to the extent.
I was researching the faith for a while and I told one of my friends. Another group of women in my church were sitting and I went to join them. As I sat down they all got up and left and sat else where. I had two girls confront me and try and "save me". I ministered with these women. It really hurt they didn't believe I was saved and had an authentic faith. My bible study that I was very close with drilled me for a couple hours, and now none of them talk to me. At the time I was devastated. Now, I look back and I shrug my shoulder. I give them the benefit of the doubt, maybe they didn't see me or know what to say to me. Regardless today, only 2 years later, it doesn't matter to me. I know I made the right decision. I miss them. But God gave me more friends, deeper understanding of Him, the healing power of confession, union with Him in the Eucharist, Mary, the intercession of the Saints, history, authority, and the list could just go on and on.
Then, I have been looking at traditional Catholicism. I spoke with a priest from the traditional Catholicism. They apparently believe that the pope's seat is empty.
Please please beware on this. They are NOT Catholic. The Pope's seat is not empty. Pope Benedict is a successor of Peter. If you take the authority away from the Catholic Church, it is not longer the Catholic Church. This group of "traditionalist" disagree with what the Vatican II pronounced, but just because they don't agree does not make the Church wrong it makes them like the Protestants.
Keep you head up 
God bless,
Esther
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sewnsew
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 842 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Anglican, Episcopal /Catholic-04/07/07 |
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Posted: Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 12:51 pm |
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| new situations take time- this Sunday I came home and realized that I had come out of the MAss with a deep deep sense of being in the presence of our Lord- I have been going faithfully since Easter. Once the break is made as far as officially being a member of the Catholic Church you will feel less unsettled I think. Your friends may not accept it but just the fact that you have joined the church may make them pressure you less becuase it will be "a done deal"
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Annie
Banned
| Joined: | Wed Feb 14th, 2007 |
| Location: | Columbus, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 731 |
| First Name: | Annie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | nothing, Quaker, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 01:12 pm |
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Michelle1982 wrote: I spoke with a priest from the traditional Catholocism. They apparently believe that the pope's seat is empty. But, he gave me some books to read. I don't know.
Aaaack, sedevacantists, run for your lives (in the other direction). This way of thinking is dangerous to your soul. That is not Catholicism at all but a bunch of grumps who want to change the Church into their own image.
To find your place in the Church, pray and ask around for advice. Look at your particular talents, even if you think they are small. I took way longer to get into the Church and was in despair at several places. Some supportive people at work helped me. You may find help in unexpected places. Always keep your head up, looking, looking. And your ears open, listening, listening. (except to the sedevacantist of course, you can sing Amazing Grace loudly to drown them out).
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Annie
Ora et labora
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Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1382 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 01:21 pm |
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| The issue of poorly done RCIA classes seems to be widespread and I'm wondering, is it strictly a "grassroots" kind of program or is there any regulation or conformity required by the RCC, or the U.S. Bishops. Doesn't it make sense that the church would pay great attention to these classes, where first contact is made for many inquirers. It seems to be hit or miss in a lot of places, and I wonder how many people do drop out because of the lack of energy and spirit. It's true, anything worth having is worth paying a price for, and that price could be attendance every week possible and studying the materials. We've all sat through tedious and boring classes in school in order to earn a diploma. But isn't RCIA where the rubber hits the road as they say? Shouldn't we be putting our best foot forward there, and at least make it interesting? I guess my question to the moderators is, have the bishops given us guidelines and sufficient materials to make this program equal in all places?
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1627 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 05:35 pm |
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Then, I have been looking at traditional Catholocism. I spoke with a priest from the traditional Catholocism. They apparently believe that the pope's seat is empty.
This is not Catholicism at all. It is an extreme schism as well as heresy. To read more about this error of "sedevacantism", see this article by Karl Keating:
"HABEMUS PAPAM"? (This Rock: July/August 1995)
Note: at the time of this article, Gerry Matatics was not yet a sedevacantist, but now he is, by his own admission.
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I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 2000+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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