Becoming Catholic

[Stormy]

I have a small secret to tell you. Now don't spread this around. It could cause me a lot of problems out on the forums.

I long to be Catholic.

But in my heart I am having problems agreeing with much of her doctrine. I am also upset with the way she has handled herself in both past and recent times. So I am confused then at why I feel the Church calling to me? There are so many road blocks in my path.

My questions are ...

Do you who are Catholic feel one with the Church?
Do you truly agree with all the doctrine?

If you answer yes to these questions...

How do I get from here to there?

If you answer no to these questions...

How have you found the peace, amidst the doubt, to fully worship in your Church?

 

[I can eat 50 eggs]

wow, bold statement there stormy.

I'm a psuedo Catholic, and can understand why you are drawn to it.

As far as doctorine, that's what's drawing me, is I agree with more and more of there beliefs all the time. There are no doctrines (that I'm aware of at least) that I DON'T believe in, just some that are hard for me to grasp/understand/believe.

Which ones do you struggle with?

As far as how she handles herself, I don't really have a problem, the world is one messed up place, and bad things are bound to happen. I think that the church has been rocked more than her fair share, becase Satan puts special effort into attacking it.

 

[Stormy]

eggs: I appreciate your answer. It is what I need. Even now I am crying feeling that I am somehow allowing myself to be more and making God to be less by not coming to his Church.

I do not wish to discuss individual doctrine. I do not wish to debate. I would like suggestions on reading material that may instead help me to accept and understand. Please do not tell me to talk to a Priest. I am not to that point and would feel foolish. See... again it is about me.

 

[BeanMak]

I can recommend a book by Mark Shea- "By What Authority- an Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition"

It is a very good read, and goes through scripture, and history to explain how and why Sacred Tradition is central in divine revelation.

 

[I can eat 50 eggs]

hmm, for a good book, try "Rome Sweet Home" or is it "Home sweet Rome" by Scott Hahn. WHile it BRIEFLY covers some of the doctrine, it's more about his experience from being a protestant minister convinced the church was the anti-christ, to being a Catholic. It would probably be very good.

if you are interested in more of the doctrinal issues, try "catholocism and fundamentalism" by Karl KEating. It has a chapter on each of the major differences, and is very well written.

If there is one doctorine that you just can't get over, try "_______ is not enough" by Robert Sungenis. he has written several on the major dividing points (sola scriptura, sola fide, the Lord's supper) but these are NOT light reading.

I have all of those books, if you would like to borrow them, let me know and I'll ship them to you.

I understand your reluctance for debate, especially in the open forum. If you need support, or have questions, feel free to email or PM me, It would be great help for me to have someone to talk about some of my struggles to.

 

[Stormy]

Originally posted by BeanMak
I can recommend a book by Mark Shea- "By What Authority- an Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition"

It is a very good read, and goes through scripture, and history to explain how and why Sacred Tradition is central in divine revelation.

Where would I find such a book?

 

[Stormy]

Another silly question. Is it wrong to buy myself a rosary? I want one.

It is strange but somehow I feel lost without it. I have never had one.

Nothing about this makes sense to me.

 

[I can eat 50 eggs]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...104-9743560-9463903?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

amazon has it. If theres a good Catholic bookstore around, they probably will be able to order it for you. Barnes and noble's could as well.

 

[Stormy]

Originally posted by I can eat 50 eggs
hmm, for a good book, try "Rome Sweet Home" or is it "Home sweet Rome" by Scott Hahn. WHile it BRIEFLY covers some of the doctrine, it's more about his experience from being a protestant minister convinced the church was the anti-christ, to being a Catholic. It would probably be very good.

if you are interested in more of the doctrinal issues, try "catholocism and fundamentalism" by Karl KEating. It has a chapter on each of the major differences, and is very well written.

If there is one doctorine that you just can't get over, try "_______ is not enough" by Robert Sungenis. he has written several on the major dividing points (sola scriptura, sola fide, the Lord's supper) but these are NOT light reading.

I have all of those books, if you would like to borrow them, let me know and I'll ship them to you.

I understand your reluctance for debate, especially in the open forum. If you need support, or have questions, feel free to email or PM me, It would be great help for me to have someone to talk about some of my struggles to.

Would a public library have such books? I think I will make a trip to see what I can find. When I am researching I digest books. I speed read. I think my pockets would empty before my mind would fill.

 

[I can eat 50 eggs]

most likely, if you can't find it, let me know, I'll mail them.

 

[Bruno]

I am also looking for a church to attend. I am looking at many different ones. Some I have tried were: Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Non-denominational, Presbyterian, Presbyterian reformed, and Southern Baptist. I am looking for one where I can truly feel the work of the Holy Spirit. The Southern Baptist has so far proven true to me numerous times. How I came to this conclusion? I pray a few days before attending church about some question I want answered. At the Baptist mass, I received answers EVERY TIME. And I am not talking vague answers, but clear and reassuring.

Now, I am not saying that Southern Baptist is the "True denomination". What I mean is that I know with certainty that that particular church had the same Holy Spirit as the one that resides inside me. I think that in any denomination one will find both good and corrupt seeds if they look hard enough, Catholic included.

My conclusion is that it is not the denomination that matters, but the people. Once someone is Born Again, the Holy Spirit will guide them to a church, or churches that are right for that particular individual.

 

[I can eat 50 eggs]

LOL!
sorry, "baptist mass" cracked me up.
don't say that when you go to a baptist church, they'd run you out on a rail!

 

[devoted]

Stormy,

[[[I have a small secret to tell you. Now don't spread this around. It could cause me a lot of problems out on the forums.

I long to be Catholic.

But in my heart I am having problems agreeing with much of her doctrine. I am also upset with the way she has handled herself in both past and recent times. So I am confused then at why I feel the Church calling to me? There are so many road blocks in my path.]]]

Try to realize that Christ has left his Church in the hands of sinful men, yes but he also gave her the holy spirit to protect her from error in the matter of passing down the fullness of faith, this is why we say the church is infallible and why the pope speaks infallible on her behalf. Jesus also promises that the gates of hell will not prevail so no matter what we (ones on the inside of the Church) do to screw up our church we can’t. The gates of hell will not prevail against her. In the protestant sects this is not a reality, if it were then there wouldn’t be so many divisions and different teachings among them. This is not saying that Christ does not love our protestant brethren because he does and he is with them in his own way but outside of his church they are not protected from teaching error.

For a Catholic, our faith is not in the priests or bishops or even the pope, it is in Jesus Christ and the 12 apostles that handed us down his Church. Regardless of all the mistakes (and serious sins) the men running the church have done, the philosophy of our faith is not non valid or changed in any way, this does not make it a false religion or anything she teaches untrue. Christ is just as heart broken as you are over the way man has abused his authority and power that was given them by Jesus, all the more reason why we need the faithful to remain in the church standing by our lord, praying for our priests, bishops, and religious.

[[[My questions are ...

Do you who are Catholic feel one with the Church?]]]

Absolutely.

[[[Do you truly agree with all the doctrine?]]]

Absolutely, but try to understand that accepting and understanding are not the same. I accept what she teaches even if I don’t understand why she teaches it I pray for light from the spirit of truth and usually I come to understand that the church is right in all that she teaches.

[[[If you answer yes to these questions...

How do I get from here to there?]]]

Prayer, seeking God’s guidance and maybe making an appointment to speak with a priest from your parish so he can answer any question you may have. There is also RCIA (convert classes) that one does not have to commit to converting in order to attend and learn the faith. Read the CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church) you can do a search for the CCC online and read it from there.

Can I ask you what attracts you the Church?

 

[devoted]

Originally posted by Bruno
I am also looking for a church to attend. I am looking at many different ones. Some I have tried were: Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Non-denominational, Presbyterian, Presbyterian reformed, and Southern Baptist. I am looking for one where I can truly feel the work of the Holy Spirit. The Southern Baptist has so far proven true to me numerous times. How I came to this conclusion? I pray a few days before attending church about some question I want answered. At the Baptist mass, I received answers EVERY TIME. And I am not talking vague answers, but clear and reassuring.

Now, I am not saying that Southern Baptist is the "True denomination". What I mean is that I know with certainty that that particular church had the same Holy Spirit as the one that resides inside me. I think that in any denomination one will find both good and corrupt seeds if they look hard enough, Catholic included.

My conclusion is that it is not the denomination that matters, but the people. Once someone is Born Again, the Holy Spirit will guide them to a church, or churches that are right for that particular individual.

 Bruno,

This is really sad that you have to Church hop like that because you are not finding truth in its fullness. Please learn what the Catholic Church really teaches and is about, give your "mother" (church) another chance. It is only in her you will find the fullness of faith and truth. Our Faith is not put in the men of the church but in Christ. We do not have the authority to pick and choose what doctrine is best for us or what doctrine is true. There is only one truth and that is Jesus Christ but only in the Catholic Church will one find the true and full complete truth taught about him. Don't make the mistake of finding a Church based on what you want to believe is true rather than what actually is true. Truth is objective and not subjective to what we want it or need it to be. "People do not hate Catholicism, they hate what they think Catholicism is."

 

[Stormy]

Can I ask you what attracts you the Church?

I guess God.

For it is not coming from me. I instead am feeling drawn to the Church.

Believe me I have not come willingly. I have been kicking and screaming all the way.

But I am growing weary of the fight. I feel that it is time for me to listen and begin to understand.

This is a very emotional decision for me.

I have a long way to go. At times I feel like I can not step into the Church until I get it all together. I would not wish to defile her with my mistrust. Then at other times I think that only within her walls will I find answers and peace.

 

[devoted]

Originally posted by Stormy
Another silly question. Is it wrong to buy myself a rosary? I want one.

It is strange but somehow I feel lost without it. I have never had one.

Nothing about this makes sense to me.

If you begin to pray the rosary, your life will change and your journey will be easier. It is more than okay to pray the rosary; you do not have to be a Catholic to pray. Many conversions have come about this way.

 

[devoted]

Originally posted by Stormy
I guess God.

For it is not coming from me. I instead am feeling drawn to the Church.

Believe me I have not come willingly. I have been kicking and screaming all the way.

But I am growing weary of the fight. I feel that it is time for me to listen and begin to understand.

This is a very emotional decision for me.

I have a long way to go. At times I feel like I can not step into the Church until I get it all together. I would not wish to defile her with my mistrust. Then at other times I think that only within her walls will I find answers and peace.

 

Yes, it is the work of the Holy spirit.

 

[devoted]

PS. Stormy,

I will be praying for you..you to, Bruno.

 

[Stormy]

Originally posted by devoted
PS. Stormy,

I will be praying for you..you to, Bruno.

Thank you. Maybe that is what I need most from all of you.

 

[I can eat 50 eggs]

Stormy, you really need to read "rome Sweet Home" by Scott Hahn. You are going through exactly what the book describes, being dragged, kicking and screaming, towards home.

(oh yeah, his final conversion happened because he started praying the rosary.)