Joan, what attracts me to Catholicism...... -- Catholic Friends Forum

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Date Posted: 10:16:58 08/11/07 Sat
Author: Neysa
Author Host/IP: user-38lci7f.dialup.mindspring.com / 209.86.72.239
Subject:

Joan, what attracts me to Catholicism......
In reply to: Joan 's message, "Is the Bible the only source of authority?" on 03:45:17 08/08/07 Wed

first and formost is the Mass. I've always loved the Mass, and loved going to Mass. I haven't gone in a while to Mass, because with my mom's Alzheimer's, she cannot go anymore. I now take care of my mom 24/7.

I always think when I am at Mass, I am so blessed and very lucky to have been born a Catholic. There is nothing as beautiful as the Mass. When I am there I can really feel the presence of God.

I also feel blessed for having been brought up in both the Eastern and Western rite of the Catholic Church. Just like Pope John Paul II, said the Catholic Church is made up of two lungs (East and the West).

My upbringing was very Catholic. We were a very devout Catholic Family. Church every Sunday, and holy days, Catholic school education, etc....

Both my parents came from large families. As did my dad's parents. All my relatives were Catholic, and the majority of the people in my neighborhood.

My parents were very involved in the church. There were always priests and nuns at our home.

No one in the family ever left the Catholic Church.

I have been to Protestant services. In Brownies (Girl Scouts) the troop I belonged to was sponsored by a Protestant Church. Once a year I attended services there with my parents when they had Girl Scout Sunday.

In collge I once attended an Assembly of God Church, service because my friend didn't have anyone to go with that Sunday.

I once also attended an Anglican service in England.

I am typical of many cradle Catholics, plus what the Catholic Church calls ( Cafeteria Catholic) which means I pick and choose what I like, but still stay Catholic. That was stated on a program on EWTN.

If you notice on EWTN, a lot of the people on there are either converts to Catholism, or left the Catholic Church for some other denomination. Now, have returned to the Catholic Church.

I also feel that at birth I was given the gift of Catholicism. I was given an emergency baptism a few minutes after I was born by: Fr. Hubert Kealy.

I never, ever, not even once, thought about leaving the Catholic Church. I never will! I am proud to say that I am Catholic.

I will say this : I was very angry and hurt by your statement. To put it mildly down right insulted! To say that you don't think I'm Catholic and to ask if I am thinking about joining another denomination was down right hurtful.

Joan, I didn't get to meet Pope John Paul II, twice by not being considered a good Catholic. Let alone to be invited to attend a private Mass in his chapel. My pastor and the Archbishop, had to state that I was a good Catholic. (No, I didn't give some large donation to the chuch)

It took me almost two years in order to make the right connections at the Vatican in order to present my children's book to His Holiness. Once, inside the walls of the Vatican, it is not a very friendly place. It is enough to make you scratch your head and really question about being Catholic. I never met such horrible and rude bishops,and monsignors in my life. After all that I am still Catholic.

I will always remain a Catholic, I can NEVER leave!!!

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[> [> Re: Joan, what attracts me to Catholicism...... -- Joan, 11:13:30 08/11/07 Sat [1] (ip68-0-253-131.ri.ri.cox.net/68.0.253.131)

Have you studied the doctrines that you disagree with? I used to disagree w/ a few things, but after studying them, I see the wisdom of the teaching.

I'm sorry that you felt insulted by my question. It wasn't meant to challenge your cathlocity.

Is there something other than the Mass that attracts you to the faith? (I realize that that is the center.)

The time I spent in the Methodist church was socially great, but the Methodist church lacked a lot of what I believed. First, and most important, they don't have a Mass--transubstantaion of the bread and wine. Their service doesn't compare, theologically, to the Catholic liturgy.

But I also missed the communion of saints. Without the authority of apostolic succession, how was I supposed to accept the M's teachings. So I accepted what matched the CC and questioned the rest.

There were other Catholic things I missed, but you get the idea. Once I found a parish that had a "nice" priest, I was much happier.

But that's the kind of thing I was asking you about--what you are drawn to about the CC. I asked because you don't believe in many of the teachings that have been brought up here.

And I asked about your leaving the church for another denomination, because that's what many "cafeteria catholics" do after a while. They find a church that doens't teach the doctrines that are hard for them to accept.

I'm really sorry that you took it as an attack (I think it came across that way. ) I added the :-) to indicate that the statement wasn't to be taken literally or seriously, but obvioulsy I should have phrased it differently.

I know that many Catholics don't accept some of the doctrines, so I was wondering what draws you to the faith. As adults, we constantly reaffirm our faith. We're not here because our parents brought us to church as children. We're here because we choose to be here. We were confirmed as young adults, and we renew every Easter at Mass. We recite the creed every week at Mass. We have the Eucharist at Mass, saying "Amen". So that's why I asked what draws (continues to draw) you to the faith. I don't think any adult is a Catholic simply out of habit.

Joan

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[> [> [> Joan,................... -- Neysa, 12:37:59 08/11/07 Sat [1] (user-38lciiq.dialup.mindspring.com/209.86.74.90)

I guess I am an adult who is Catholic simply out of habit. I know a lot of other people who are that way as well.

Deep down when I really think about it, I was brought up that you are Catholic...you MUST remain a Catholic.

When I was in 4th or 5th grade. I had a friend who was Baptist, who moved into my neighborhood, which was very Catholic. One day at recess I said to a classmate, that I was going to turn Baptist. I didn't see the nun, standing near us. Sister, heard what I said. I never saw anyone become so enraged. She looked like she could spit fire. She came up into my face, and said you are Catholic and Catholic you are to remain. She even was going to send me over to the priest.

I never questioned doctrine and said well I believe this and I don't believe that. Well, there is more that I don't believe in so I'll leave the Catholic Church. Those nuns still have a hold on my psyche. I would feel so guilty if I left the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church is like a magnet it has its hold on me. As I said I attended Protestant services. I didn't feel the presence of God and the warm peaceful feeling I get from the Mass.

Even though I attended Protestant services, and was brought up to respect other religions. I am going to be very honest here. My parents would have disowned me if I left the Catholic Church!

As I mentioned my mom is Eastern Catholic, and my dad ( deceased) Western (Latin rite) Catholic. Although it was wonderful being brought up in both. It also presented a problem. You cannot belong to both. Meaning, I could not belong to a Latin Rite and an Eastern Rite Church, it is not allowed. I had to choose. Having two different rites within my Catholic upbrining at times was confusing enough.

I know I didn't answer your question. That is simply because I cannot. I never delved deeply into doctines, etc... For me it is simply I believe what I believe in Catholicism even without studying it in depth. Baptism made me a Catholic, and Catholic I remain. I know that is a very poor;vague statement. I almost sound like my uneducated great grandparents when I make such a statement. It is also fear and even perhaps superstition that holds me so tightly to the Catholic Church. It really holds me. The superstition part....I can still see my second grade teacher Sister Theodora, standing in front of the class saying : "children you were given the greatest gift, you were baptized Catholic. To leave the Catholic Church is a mortal sin. Children we all know that if you die with a mortal sin you are going to hell."

As an educated person, I do not believe in this statement. However, the part about leaving the Catholic Church, makes me tremble. That second grade nun and all the nuns that I had in my twelve years who preached the same statement, planted it into my mind. Even, if I would study the doctrines in depth and still come out not in agreement with them. I still would remain a Catholic.

Lastly, I didn't know that :-) meant not to be taken literally or seriously.

Neysa

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[> [> [> [> Re: Joan,................... -- Joan, 03:41:11 08/12/07 Sun [1] (ip68-0-253-131.ri.ri.cox.net/68.0.253.131)

"Lastly, I didn't know that :-) meant not to be taken literally or seriously."

I use it that way, but I'm beginning to think that no one else sees it that way. And since we can't hear each other speaking, so you can't hear that I'm not serious, I'll have to change the way I write.

Joan

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