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sewnsew
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 885 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Anglican, Episcopal /Catholic-04/07/07 |
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Posted: Tue Apr 1st, 2008 01:02 am |
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This has been said in posts before but it doesn't hurt to mention it again since we have just past the Easter Vigil- don't be upset if you feel out of place for these next few months- you are out of RCIA with it;s suppost and have been absorbed into the parish but haven't had the time to put down really deep taproots yet unless of course you have kids in Catholic ecuation. But this time next year you will no longer feel like you have a post it note on your forehead saying "I really don't belong here" 
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1869 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Thu Apr 3rd, 2008 07:32 pm |
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If ya feel like a nut once in a while c'mon in here where many others feel the same way! We can all feel nutty and weird together and then somehow we'll all feel right at home again.
Pretty soon the Church will be more appealing to you than even a chocolate candy bar. 
____________________
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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Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1479 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Apr 3rd, 2008 11:40 pm |
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On the 15th of this month, I will have been a catholic for two full years, and I'm just now feeling like a real one and not an imposter!  You will get more comfortable as time goes on, promise.  One Sunday you will sit through mass and it will be time to go and you will realize you knew nearly all the words  , and you will recognize and speak to several people as you leave!
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Kayla
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| Joined: | Mon Jul 30th, 2007 |
| Location: | Emmitsburg, Maryland USA |
| Posts: | 369 |
| First Name: | Kayla | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Atheist, kind-of Mormon, Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Apr 3rd, 2008 11:52 pm |
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It's kind of funny... here at school, nobody knows that I'm a convert (save for the people that have spoken to me at great lengths), so I feel quite "at home", quite normal-- quite Catholic.
Back at home, though, I still feel like a newbie. Granted, I haven't been there much to begin feeling at home and what have you... At any rate, I'm hoping it starts to wear off there as well.
____________________
I believe, Lord, help my unbelief.
Jesus, I trust in You!
There's not a lot of job security for us after death. I suppose that's one advantage of being a philosopher. - Peter Kreeft
http://kayla23mount.blogspot.com/
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5457 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Fri Apr 4th, 2008 12:59 am |
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kimdyuma wrote: But this time next year you will no longer feel like you have a post it note on your forehead saying "I really don't belong here"
I still feel that way from time to time, depending on where I am. I find myself not quite sure how to go to communion, or improperly dressed, etc. I remember a vacation in Gulfport, MS, where we had researched mass times and gotten maps, etc. When we got there, there was a note on the door that said mass was at the KC home, but with no address and directions! We finally found it (I'm quite determined not to miss mass!) but arrived a few minutes late, and the priest literally stopped the mass so everyone could watch us walk in! That's OK, 'cause they were having a barbecue and we got a free lunch after mass.
It was a little weird in Haiti when everyone jumped up at the Offertory and started dancing, and a bunch of little old ladies ran to grab me to dance with them!
And visiting a Byzantine Catholic parish was a unique and wonderful experience.
I hope I will always have the opportunity to feel like I don't belong from time to time. It's a wake-up call to know that I am a stranger and a family member at the same time, even (almost) 57 years after my baptism. May it never become routine!
____________________
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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Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1320 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Apr 4th, 2008 01:54 am |
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Credo Catholic wrote:
On the 15th of this month, I will have been a catholic for two full years, and I'm just now feeling like a real one and not an imposter! You will get more comfortable as time goes on, promise. One Sunday you will sit through mass and it will be time to go and you will realize you knew nearly all the words , and you will recognize and speak to several people as you leave!
Ah, Marsha. I have thought of you several times in the last few days, picturing you in that Baptist Book Store, wearing a crucifix. You're a brave lady, girl!
I was reminded of my experience when I reported to my Catholic parish for church directory pictures. The young man (around 20) handling the sales for portraits was so sweet and polite but seemed terribly uncomfortable. I learned he was the son of a Baptist minister (and probably couldn't wait to get out of that Catholic place!). Imagine his reaction when I shared that I also had been a Baptist PK but had recently become a Catholic.
We have a Family Christian Bookstore here that has slowly been adding and increasing Catholic merchandise. It's about time somebody did. So glad I can order things on the Internet, but it would be fabulous to have a local Catholic book store.
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"He who will persevere unto the end is not he who will never fall, but he who after every fall will humble himself and rise again, relying on the infinite strength of God." Divine Intimacy, p. 885 Father Gabriel, O.C.D.
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january tuesday
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| Joined: | Fri Apr 4th, 2008 |
| Location: | Irvine, CA |
| Posts: | 51 |
| First Name: | Karli | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Evangelical Free, Baptist, Roman Catholic (2008) |
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Posted: Fri Apr 4th, 2008 05:18 am |
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I think one of the great things about RCIA is that you come in knowing at least a handful of people. I've only been Catholic for... 2 weeks now? but I feel really at home at my parish because I have spent a year getting to know several team members and other converts and their sponsors. At first I felt like RCIA was a bit strange, and I didn't know why I needed to take this long class and do all this stuff to join the Church, but now I get it, being Catholic is so much about being part of the community and through RCIA you enter the Church with so much knowledge, but also deep connections with others
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"Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7
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Intercessor
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| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1320 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Apr 4th, 2008 06:38 am |
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Karli, welcome to the forum! It sounds as if you are off to a great start!
Spring has truly arrived in Kentucky.
Have you still got snow there?
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"He who will persevere unto the end is not he who will never fall, but he who after every fall will humble himself and rise again, relying on the infinite strength of God." Divine Intimacy, p. 885 Father Gabriel, O.C.D.
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january tuesday
Member
| Joined: | Fri Apr 4th, 2008 |
| Location: | Irvine, CA |
| Posts: | 51 |
| First Name: | Karli | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Evangelical Free, Baptist, Roman Catholic (2008) |
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Posted: Fri Apr 4th, 2008 03:29 pm |
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Yeah, we still have a little snow, we actually got something like 7 more inches on Monday, but it's been warm enough the last few days to melt most of it. It snowed a lot on Easter too, I thought it was sort of neat to see on the day of my baptism that everything was covered in fresh white snow
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"Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1869 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Fri Apr 4th, 2008 06:53 pm |
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Welcome to the forum and welcome home to the Church, Karli!
It was a little weird in Haiti when everyone jumped up at the Offertory and started dancing, and a bunch of little old ladies ran to grab me to dance with them!
!!! Hey, when we visited Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Isle in 2004 (it's gorgeous up there!), we camped near a Cajun town (I think the name was Cheticamp) and I went to a Cajun concert one night (my family stayed in camp). I got up to dance (mostly just "stamping feet"). The funny thing was that this lady I was sorta dancing "with" (i.e., next to) wasn't Cajun or even a local: she lived about 20 miles from where I am in Michigan.
Thought you'd get a kick out of that story . . .
____________________
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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abbycat
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jan 17th, 2008 |
| Location: | Maryland USA |
| Posts: | 158 |
| First Name: | abby | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Non-Denomational Charismatic, Lutheran |
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Posted: Sun Apr 6th, 2008 04:06 pm |
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Hey Dave ..... Cheticamp is absolutely right! My entire maternal family is from Cape North, Cape Breton Island, N.S. and I've been around the Cabot Trail many times.
abby
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True Image
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| Joined: | Mon Apr 7th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 78 |
| First Name: | Anne | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Lifelong devout cradle Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Apr 7th, 2008 08:04 pm |
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kimdyuma wrote: This has been said in posts before but it doesn't hurt to mention it again since we have just past the Easter Vigil- don't be upset if you feel out of place for these next few months- you are out of RCIA with it;s suppost and have been absorbed into the parish but haven't had the time to put down really deep taproots yet unless of course you have kids in Catholic ecuation. But this time next year you will no longer feel like you have a post it note on your forehead saying "I really don't belong here"
How can we help our new brothers & sisters in Christ feel welcome on this side of the Tiber? What can I do at the parish level? What can the parish do?
My parish is large (about 15,000 people), 10 Masses (Saturday evening and Sunday) and 4 priests. We had 35 people baptized on Easter vigil plus about the same number fully received into communion with the Church. I don't know any of them, but that doesn't absolve me of my responsibility to reach out to them.
Anne
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
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| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Mon Apr 7th, 2008 09:25 pm |
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Hey Dave ..... Cheticamp is absolutely right! My entire maternal family is from Cape North, Cape Breton Island, N.S. and I've been around the Cabot Trail many times.
Hi Abby,
Cool! I'm actually half-Canadian myself, but my dad was from Essex, just 16 miles over the border from Detroit. We loved our trip to Nova Scotia. We had a fabulous time. We hiked way up onto a high spot and it was a gorgeous sunny day, and we could see miles of ocean and whales jumping out of the water. I think the rocky coast easily matches or is better than California's, that we drove two years ago.
It's far, though! It's about as far from Detroit as the Rocky Mountains are. This year we are planning on going to the Canadian Rockies for the first time. Can't wait!
____________________
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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foundthelight
Member
| Joined: | Thu Mar 1st, 2007 |
| Location: | Central, New York USA |
| Posts: | 34 |
| First Name: | Willis | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Ex Calvinist/Reformed. Roman Rite Catholic as of 3/22/08! |
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Posted: Tue Apr 8th, 2008 11:16 am |
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I think I feel differently than most new Catholics. I did a lot of research and studying before I attended my first mass. I already knew that I wanted to be in communion with Rome. My first Sunday mass I sat next to a couple my age who looked pleasant and asked for help with the missalette. It turned out that she was a cradle Catholic and he was in RCIA! She immediately volunteered him to be my sponser when I went through RCIA. Which he gladly did.
Our parish is relatively small, between the Vigil and Sunday masses we get about 300 people. Delhi is a small college town which helps our congregation to be very diverse. Everyone is friendly and supportive here. When I attended mass in Las Vegas last month (I was there for the funeral of my SIL  ) the parish was huge. They put on nine masses to fit everyone in. I am so happy I attend a small parish!
I feel totally at home.
Willis
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cyanheaven
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| Joined: | Tue Apr 8th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 74 |
| First Name: | Callie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist/ Bapticostal/ Baptist/ "BaptoCatholic" |
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Posted: Tue Apr 8th, 2008 05:54 pm |
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Hi Marsha,
When I saw a reply to you about you working in a Baptist Bookstore while wearing a crusifix I had to join this forum and let you know who I am. Currently I work at a Baptist Church and am considering conversion. I am even wanting to go into ministry and until a few days ago thought that entirely impossible as a female Catholic. But having met a female Catholic minister through a retreat center I am forced to no longer consider that to be a roadblock.
I haven't decided yet if im going to convert, im reopening the conversation with God though and I just wanted to let you know that you gave me encouragement. If i convert I will still be working at this church for another year before I leave for seminary (if my plans happen on my schedule that is ).
In Christ,
Callie
Btw I'm jealous of the greenery you see every day.
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
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| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Tue Apr 8th, 2008 06:20 pm |
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A warm welcome to the forum, Callie.  Take off your coat and stay awhile! 
____________________
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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Didi
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| Joined: | Mon Mar 3rd, 2008 |
| Location: | Oregon USA |
| Posts: | 212 |
| First Name: | Didi | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic; almost left; Now an On-Fire Catholic! |
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Posted: Tue Apr 8th, 2008 06:30 pm |
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True Image wrote: How can we help our new brothers & sisters in Christ feel welcome on this side of the Tiber? What can I do at the parish level? What can the parish do?
Such an important thing to do! A couple years back when I was a sponsor, we had one RCIA session where the people from different ministries came and gave a brief overview of their ministry and invited the candidates to choose something that spoke to their heart and really emphasized the need to become involved and active. It was great.
I think it's important to keep asking and inviting them as well, and also to keep checking in with them so they don't feel like they have been thrown in without a paddle! Our RCIA class became pretty close, and I still ask quite often how they are doing with their faith walk and if they're active in anything or invite them to some event.
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sewnsew
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
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| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Anglican, Episcopal /Catholic-04/07/07 |
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Posted: Tue Apr 8th, 2008 07:05 pm |
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But having met a female Catholic minister through a retreat center I am forced to no longer consider that to be a roadblock.
I know we have Eucaristic Ministers that are women but I didn't think that they went to Seminary
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cyanheaven
Member
| Joined: | Tue Apr 8th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 74 |
| First Name: | Callie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist/ Bapticostal/ Baptist/ "BaptoCatholic" |
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Posted: Tue Apr 8th, 2008 07:11 pm |
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| The minister I met was actually a Youth and Young Adult Minister who led all of the youth retreats that would come. I am not talking about a Eurcaristic Minister as in the mass but an a minister that is on staff along side the Deacons and the Preists and Administrative Staff. The Catholic Church started to impliment this 20-30 years ago to help the ailing number of priests in the field.
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Ave_Girl
Moderator
| Joined: | Wed Nov 7th, 2007 |
| Location: | Ohio USA |
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| First Name: | Mary Clare | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Apr 8th, 2008 07:12 pm |
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| Welcome to the forum Callie! Glad that you're here.
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Coming Home Network Staff
740-450-1175 ext 105
maryp@chnetwork.org
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Steven Barrett
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| Joined: | Tue Nov 14th, 2006 |
| Location: | Hadley, Massachusetts USA |
| Posts: | 1185 |
| First Name: | Steven | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Episcopal communicant, Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Apr 14th, 2008 02:30 am |
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Welcome to the Forum Callie. You must be an intrepid woman to be wearing a Crucifix in a Southern Baptist bookstore.
It never amazed me to see so many evangelicals flocking to see a Tridentine Hollywood Catholic's Passion of the Christ. On the other hand it never fails to amaze me that so many of them still blanche upon seeing the suffering Jesus on the Cross of Salvation and telling me they'd never see the film again, or couldn't.
Get ready for the Kulturshok! and the "car talk" of religious chat rooms. Lots of laughs to relieve our pangs from the heartaches of a bumpy ride to our Lord's garage. But don't be afraid; not all of us are like myself. Most of us in the forum have all their faculties still teaching upstairs.
Glad to have you.  Steven
____________________
"This Old House's" motto is "Measure twice, cut once." My new motto is THINK at least twice or thrice, then you only have to write once, and maybe apologize nonce.
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Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1479 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Apr 14th, 2008 03:51 am |
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Callie, I'm sorry I didn't answer your post sooner! My E-mail notifications don't work right and I didn't see it until tonight. I'm so glad you were prompted to join the forum. You will read a lot of stories that you will recognize as similar to your own, and we love to get questions!
The funny thing about that Baptist bookstore is, I used to shop there when I was a Baptist! Now I shop at the Catholic bookstore and the ladies who work there are so dear and helpful. And I'm sure the people who work in the Baptist bookstore are friendly and kind to protestants.
I hope your seminary plans work out. Will you be joining the church first? I hope the staff of the church where you work won't give you a hard time and try to make you think you've made a wrong decision. Just keep reading here and letting us know how you're doing. God bless
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cyanheaven
Member
| Joined: | Tue Apr 8th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 74 |
| First Name: | Callie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist/ Bapticostal/ Baptist/ "BaptoCatholic" |
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Posted: Mon Apr 14th, 2008 02:43 pm |
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Credo Catholic wrote: I hope your seminary plans work out. Will you be joining the church first? I hope the staff of the church where you work won't give you a hard time and try to make you think you've made a wrong decision. Just keep reading here and letting us know how you're doing. God bless
Well that is definatly one of the decisions I am having to make and pray through. Being a member is a requirement for my current job position since i represent one of the ministers and he also happens to be the most old school of those on staff. For me to keep my job I would honestly have to keep it a secret. They already know i have heavy liturgical leanings as well as a strong interest in Christian history and symbolism, since I studied the stuff as an undergrad. However the idea of lieing by ommission isn't exactly my favorite. I had been planning on staying here for 2 more years so we will see.
Last year when i was attending a weekday mass at a local parish I caught the attention of a Deacon there, who gave me his card and a copy of Vatican 2. Last Friday I called him and was surprised to find that he remembered me clearly from our last (and only) conversation last March. When we spoke about meeting he made a point to offer that we start meeting kinda regularly if I wanted. This was very encouraging.
We will see how it goes. I'm still not completely sure this is the route I am to go. It's a decision that will change the entire course of my life so I kinda want to take things slowly.
Callie
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cyanheaven
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Posted: Mon Apr 14th, 2008 02:51 pm |
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Steven Barrett wrote:
Welcome to the Forum Callie. You must be an intrepid woman to be wearing a Crucifix in a Southern Baptist bookstore.
I think i got mistaken for Credo Catholic, I work at a Baptist Church right now though... no crucifix but i do sneak images that go well with the Church Calandar on our worship slides when i get the chance.
Steven Barrett wrote:
Get ready for the Kulturshok! and the "car talk" of religious chat rooms.
For the most part I know what is going on, since alot of my studies as an undergrad were Christian history and lit courses I spent time knee deep in Catholic and Anglican poetry.
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
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Posted: Tue Apr 15th, 2008 05:32 pm |
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cyanheaven wrote: I'm still not completely sure this is the route I am to go. It's a decision that will change the entire course of my life so I kinda want to take things slowly.
CCallie, this is definitely a wise decision. Becoming Catholic (in our opinion) is an irrevocable choice, with a definite effect on your eternal salvation, so it is not a decision that should be taken lightly. As you know, God is eternally patient, but he will guide you across the Tiber when the time is right.
"Love is patient" ... seems I read that in a good book somewhere!
____________________
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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cyanheaven
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| Joined: | Tue Apr 8th, 2008 |
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