Just a question . . .

[Garuda]

I have a question that self-study has not answered. It's a bit of a funny question, but looking back at my life I need to know: "What happened?" i don;t clearly recall my childhood well, but I was raised Catholic and would like to know more about some of the things I did. A little about myself:

As an infant, I was baptised by a Catholic priest in Philadephia (sorry can't remember that!) and consequently I took "CCD" classes when I was around eight/nine years old. These classes were in Boston at a Catholic church.

Some questions arise from what I said so far - what were the CCD classes I took? I have tried looking up the term, but have found only very deep answers. I do remember that we "studied" (I was very young, of course) about God, Jesus, etc. and I do recall what I now recognize as Catholic doctrine being taught (i.e. the Eucharist, who the "brand new Pope" was [JPII] etc). Did that make me a Catholic, and could I have walked away from the Church at that point? It can be very confusing . . .

I do recall that I was given a "first communion" by the Children's Priest (an elaborate affair) and I was asked questions about things. I was then allowed to stand up in front of the church every week and accept communion, and even drink wine (do you all still do that? It blew my mind).

So, it's a silly question, but I would like to know more about what all that was about, I am not sure that even is a question, but I am continuing to examine myself, and I would like to hear from anyone who can clarify what all that was about. My research is a little rough, so I am going to the source. Thank you for any assistance one can provide. I will do my best to shed a little light on anything else that I can.

 

[FullyMT]

what were the CCD classes I took? I have tried looking up the term, but have found only very deep answers. I do remember that we "studied" (I was very young, of course) about God, Jesus, etc. and I do recall what I now recognize as Catholic doctrine being taught (i.e. the Eucharist, who the "brand new Pope" was [JPII] etc).

They're religious education classes to help you understand the Catholic Faith better and prepare you for the reception of the sacraments of Initiation (First Communion and Confirmation).

Did that make me a Catholic, and could I have walked away from the Church at that point?

Being baptized makes you Catholic. You can walk away at any point in your faith journey.

I do recall that I was given a "first communion" by the Children's Priest (an elaborate affair) and I was asked questions about things. I was then allowed to stand up in front of the church every week and accept communion, and even drink wine (do you all still do that? It blew my mind).

We believe that the bread and wine, after consecration, becomes the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. What you drank was no longer wine, but Jesus Christ Himself. And yes, we still drink from the Cup.
Hope that helped ya a bit!

 

[Acceptance]

Hi Ivan

Your post is very interesting. When did you stop "practicing" Catholicism? Do you belong to any church now? And what rekindled your interest in learning about your childhood? I think it's great

I too remember thinking "woah, we drink wine??!" But really it was/is a tiny sip that's diluted with holy water and probably has an alcohol content lower than your average cough syrup.

 

[ukok]

Ivan, welcome to OBOB

God Bless.

 

[Garuda]

Hi Ivan

Your post is very interesting. When did you stop "practicing" Catholicism? Do you belong to any church now? And what rekindled your interest in learning about your childhood? I think it's great

I too remember thinking "woah, we drink wine??!" But really it was/is a tiny sip that's diluted with holy water and probably has an alcohol content lower than your average cough syrup.

I am not sure when I did, frankly. At some point I did. (all of the males in my family have a hard time remembering earlier things, my wife, OTH, can recall when she was two. Go figure.)

What rekindled, hmmm, nothing in particular, except I do belive that 'the unexamined life is not worth living'. Also, I am interested in all theology and a deeper understanding of christianity so it naturally follows that I am curious as to what Catholics believe practice. It just is a little funny to me that I went through all that and can;t quite recall it or what it means. Natural to me to want to fill in the blanks there. Not sure if that leads to anything per se, it just is

Yeah the wine thing freaked me out as a kid, but it was dilute and what not. I just believe that real wine was available way back on the 0's and I can;t understand why some churches are serving Welch's now

And, after being a devout atheist since my teen's I am attending Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale now. Thanks for your response!

 

[Garuda]

They're religious education classes to help you understand the Catholic Faith better and prepare you for the reception of the sacraments of Initiation (First Communion and Confirmation).

Being baptized makes you Catholic. You can walk away at any point in your faith journey.
We believe that the bread and wine, after consecration, becomes the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. What you drank was no longer wine, but Jesus Christ Himself. And yes, we still drink from the Cup.
Hope that helped ya a bit!

Sure - thanks

 

[Garuda]

Ivan, welcome to OBOB

God Bless.

thanks