We are two classes in and really enjoying ourselves. I was struggling some with a couple of issues, but not anymore. God has blessed me with peace again and I'm beyond thankful.
We have a great team of teachers and the Church has great hospitality. They even offer dinner before classes.
Last night we were given a tour of the Church and taught the symbolism behind it all. We had to crowd into the smaller rooms/areas, but no one minded. My favorite was the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. While standing right next to the red sanctuary lamp, it was a very spiritual experience for me as our teacher explained every object in the room and how anyone can come visit the Chapel anytime for meditation/prayer. You could feel that this was a place of prayer and it was, of course, very moving and beautiful!
I ran into another sure sign I'm growing in this faith. The teacher shared a story after our tour that a convert told him. Before the convert's conversion, he had often been a partaker of Holy communion in his past Church. After his conversion he went to visit his old Church where they had Holy Communion. After Church was dismissed, he watched them dump the crumbs and left overs in the garbage can and was horrified to see that. The teacher said he told them that was when he realized how much the Eucharist fully meant to him.
As soon as I heard the words, garbage can, I winced and felt awful.
I understand what Holy Communion means to my Protestant brothers and sisters in Christ, and I do not think any negativity towards any of them regarding this topic. But what the Eucharist means to Catholics, at one point in this journey, I was wondering if I was understanding it fully, and now I feel sure I am.
I feel awful just typing the words, garbage can.
We have a great team of teachers and the Church has great hospitality. They even offer dinner before classes.
Last night we were given a tour of the Church and taught the symbolism behind it all. We had to crowd into the smaller rooms/areas, but no one minded. My favorite was the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. While standing right next to the red sanctuary lamp, it was a very spiritual experience for me as our teacher explained every object in the room and how anyone can come visit the Chapel anytime for meditation/prayer. You could feel that this was a place of prayer and it was, of course, very moving and beautiful!
I ran into another sure sign I'm growing in this faith. The teacher shared a story after our tour that a convert told him. Before the convert's conversion, he had often been a partaker of Holy communion in his past Church. After his conversion he went to visit his old Church where they had Holy Communion. After Church was dismissed, he watched them dump the crumbs and left overs in the garbage can and was horrified to see that. The teacher said he told them that was when he realized how much the Eucharist fully meant to him.
As soon as I heard the words, garbage can, I winced and felt awful.
I understand what Holy Communion means to my Protestant brothers and sisters in Christ, and I do not think any negativity towards any of them regarding this topic. But what the Eucharist means to Catholics, at one point in this journey, I was wondering if I was understanding it fully, and now I feel sure I am.
I feel awful just typing the words, garbage can.
