Catholic apologetics

Jason,

I was baptized into the Catholic Church a little over a year ago, so I can understand the questions you may have and the growth you are undergoing. It has lead me to love Christ and my brothers and sisters in him more every day. There are many here who are much better equipped to answer your questions, but feel free to ask me any you may have.

Some revelations will test the way you perceive things. You will no longer see only yourself in anything. Faith in Christ isn't just about a personal relationship with Him, it is about your place in His family, and a family has fathers and mothers...as much it may be hard to take sometimes. Ask questions, and HAVE FAITH. Our Lord will answer all questions asked by a sincere heart. Remember, as hard as it may be to take things sometimes, there is freedom that comes from submission to Christ.

Most of all, welcome to the road home!

May God bless you in all abundance,

Neal

To Hoonbaba:

Welcome, Brother!

Speaking from personal experience, I would say that everything you learn from now on will only reinforce what the Holy Spirit has led you to at this point. At least, that is the way it worked for me!

Two books I highly recommend:
What Catholics Really Believe, by Karl Keating, and
Catholic and Christian, by Alan Schreck.

Whether you make the final step towards the Catholic Church, they would be a wonderful addition to your home library, for personal research purposes. They both are well-written, easy to understand, and small enough so as to not be intimidating.

If you are interested, we can also recommend some terrific books by people who have made the same journey you are considering.

May God bless you in your efforts!!


Peace be with you,
~VOW

I am a Baptist myself but found this site interesting. Let me know what you think, Hoonbaba and all.

http://www.bringyou.to/apolonio/a20.htm

Oh Hoonbaba!

The Scott Hahn books (especially "Rome Sweet Home") and David Currie's book are EXCELLENT!

The BODY of Christ is made up of all believers, and when we come together to worship, we are gathering as a family. Plus, the center of Mass is the Eucharistic Celebration, the table where we all gather to receive Jesus. When the believers take the Body and Blood of Christ within them, we all then share a commonality, a true "blood" relationship. We are the Children of God.

It's wonderful!



Peace be with you,
~VOW

Sure. Here are a few for you to read over, my friend.

1 Corinthians 4:15
For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the
gospel.

Philippians 2
22  But Timothy's worth you know, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

1 Thessalonians 2
10   You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our behavior to you believers; for you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

1 Timothy 1:2
To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Titus 1:4
To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Revelation 12
1   And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars;
she was with child and she cried out in her pangs of birth, in anguish for delivery....17   Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus.

I've got to go now, the computer lab is closing, but God bless, Jason.

Neal

You may find these sites helpful in answering questions:


http://ic.net/~erasmus/RAZINDEX.HTM

www.scripturecatholic.com

http://a2z.org/acts/

www.newadvent.org

www.cin.org/users/jgallegos/contents.htm

www.zenit.org/english/

www.e3mil.com

www.catholic.com

www.catholic.net:80

www.electriciti.com/~answers

www.envoymagazine.com

I think all of the links work; if not, some of the other sites have cross-links you can surf on to reach them.

Thank you both for those sites, too. I cut and pasted them where I would have a list handy.

Neal

This isn't really a Catholic apologetics link, but it is all the same very interesting (It's a site dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe). You can find it at http://www.sancta.org. Before exploring the site, it probably wouldn't hurt to read this first:

http://www.sancta.org/nican.html

Pax

The Blessed Juan Diego is supposed to be Canonized this year.

Dear Hoonbaba,

I have been a Catholic all of my life.(I'm 44) Let me tell you that it keeps getting better and better. Just when I think I have discovered it all, I realize that I have not even scratched the surface of the Catholic faith. It is said that the Catholic faith is shallow enough for a mouse to wade in it and deep enough for an elephant to swim in it.

The most exciting and awe inspiring aspect of being a Catholic, is receiving the Most Holy Eucharist. We believe that we are receiving the actual Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is nothing on earth that can compare to this most sublime experience!!!!!!!!!!!

A prayerful reading of John 6, the Discourse on the Bread of Life, is recommended. Jesus told us that His Flesh is real food and His Blood is real drink. People turned away because these teachings were hard to accept. But Jusus did not call them back to say that He was talking figuritively. No, He repeated Himself, "I solemnly assure you, if you do not eat my Flesh and Drink My Blood, you have no life in you." He then turned to His apostles and asked, "Will you leave me also?" To this they replied, "To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."

The Catholic Church has two natures. The human nature is imperfect. Humans will err, sin and make mistakes. Even the recent scandals will actually strengthen the Church like the chaff being sifted from the wheat. But the Divine nature of the Catholic Church is perfect. She is the spotless bride of Christ.

The Catholic Church is a direct connection to the Almighty. The Eucharist is the very center of our faith and worship. The Church truly has the words of eternal life.

You are in my thoughts and prayers. May our Lord hold you in the palm on His hand and may the Holy Spirit guide your every step.

In Christ, Patrick