Neysa..................... -- Catholic Friends Forum

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Date Posted: 18:16:00 08/11/07 Sat
Author: Barb
Author Host/IP: clgrtnt6-port-177.dial.telus.net / 161.184.50.177
Subject: Neysa.....................
In reply to: Neysa 's message, "Follow up" on 12:57:55 08/11/07 Sat

I don't think it is a sin to have had such thoughts. We are human beings and we cannot help but to think "what if" or wonder about how it is for others. There is no shame in that. I think we question things to the very last day of our lives. As long as we think we have made the right choices with our lives as a whole, we should not feel like sinners. You did not sin...you only "thought and wondered," and you are only human and it is a human trait to think and wonder. It is an intelligent thing to do! You cannot turn off your mind or not see the world around you. You know who you are and how you stand and that is what is important at the end of the day.

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[> [> [> Thanks Barb........ -- Neysa, 21:12:40 08/11/07 Sat [1] (user-2inikd6.dialup.mindspring.com/165.121.81.166)

You also have to understand the thinking behind the very old time Catholics. This priest I went to confession to that would have been in 1977 or 1978, was old already. He was born and raised in the Ukraine. He was a priest, like his father, grandfather all the way back. (Ukrainian Catholic priests in Ukraine are allowed to marry). Infact, he fled the Ukraine when the Nazi's invaded his country.

He was from the old ways, very narrow minded ways. You don't even question about being a Catholic, and ask about other religions, it was considered a sin.

Example of narrow minded ways: My mother's friend who is in her late 70's, told me a story about her aunt. It was around 1917, and her aunt was 15 years old. Her aunt was Catholic. Her aunt was seen talking to a Protestant boy on the street corner by a neighbor. The neighbor told the girls mother. When the girl got home, her mother beat her because she was seen in public talking to a Protestant.

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[> [> [> [> I agree with Barb -- Joan, 04:00:23 08/12/07 Sun [1] (ip68-0-253-131.ri.ri.cox.net/68.0.253.131)

Only and idiot would never think. Of course people look at other religions with curiosity. That's natural.

I think the world (even the US) is very different than it was in the beginning of the 20th century. Especially in the U.S., it's expected that you'll think about your religion.

In the past if you were born Catholic, you were expected to stay Catholic. I think that most people don't take that as guaranteed now.

What's really sad is that many Catholics leave the faith over the propoganda that's spread by the anti-Catholics. There are many Catholic who are against this or that doctrine, and leave the CC over it, without ever realizing that what they think they know about the doctrine isn't true!

If they do know what the doctrine actually is, they don't know the reason is is what it is. So they beleive what's told to them by anti-Catholics. That's why I asked if you had studied the problematic doctrines. Sometimes that doctrine isn't as difficult to accept if you understand the reason behind it.

Anyway, I posted this to say that I agree 100% with Barb. If you hadn't thought about your religion, I'd think you were a little soft in the brain.

You say that you are Catholic out of habit, but your responses show me that you have thought a great deal about your religion. You said that remaining Catholic was drilled into your head, but you also said that you don't get the feeling of God's presence in other churches. I beleive that that's what keeps you Catholic--your sense that *your* decision to be Catholic is right. You sense the fullness of the faith in the Eucharist. :-)

I want to apologize again for sounding like I was challenging your faith. I will never, never, never use a :-) again to try to make a joke of something that could be taken to be mean if the :-) weren't there. 20 lashes for me. :-) Oops, I did it again. lol

Joan

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[> [> [> [> [> I think............ -- Barb, 10:29:31 08/12/07 Sun [1] (clgrtnt3-port-187.dial.telus.net/161.184.44.187)

that when we step outside of our own church/temple and go to a service or 3 in another, then we begin to realize and appreciate the fullness of faith in others too. If one does not get the feeling of God's presence in other churches/temples
it is only because one has not allowed him/herself to experience what it is like for others where and how they pray. I have been to Catholic masses, other churches and synagogues, and I have learned that each has it's own truth I honour and appreciate that in all of them. One must not be closed minded...ever! If we do that, have alternate experiences, and we are still absolute in our own faith, then God's will be done! If our truth is in our own church/temple...then you have made the right choice for ourselves. :-)

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[> [> [> [> [> [> Barb.................... -- Neysa, 10:53:01 08/12/07 Sun [1] (user-2inik89.dialup.mindspring.com/165.121.81.9)

when I stated that I didn't feel God's presence in the Protestant Churches that I was in. I didn't mean that there was a coldness there. Infact, they were warm ,lovely services.

I meant in the "Catholic" way of the presence of God. In a Catholic Church there is a consecrated host in the tabernacle in every Catholic Church. There is a lit red votive candle, which means that the real presence of God,is there, I really feel God's presence when I walk into a Catholic Church.

The feeling one gets in the transubstantiaton during the Mass, is so powerful, and beautiful.

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> I did realize what you meant, Neysa.............. -- Barb, 12:18:28 08/12/07 Sun [1] (clgrtnt4-port-28.dial.telus.net/161.184.46.28)

and I appreciate that, and I believe totally in what you were saying. I was just adding another dimension to it. Putting a different spin on it sort of thing. In Synagogues there is the "Torah" and it is kept in a Holy place and taken out for services, which is powerful and beautiful too. :-)

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Barb, I was in a synagogue once...... -- Neysa, 13:40:19 08/12/07 Sun [1] (user-2inik0v.dialup.mindspring.com/165.121.80.31)

when I was 8 years old, but not for a service. Every Saturday morning I went for ballet lessons at the Trinity Lutheran Church in my hometown. The synagogue was a few doors down from the Lutheran Church. As we were walking past the synagogue we noticed that the doors were open. So, my mom and I walked in. Inside, was a gentleman that was a regular customer at my families restaurant. He was very kind, and gave my mom and I a tour.

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Neysa............ -- Barb, 08:16:45 08/13/07 Mon [1] (clgrtnt6-port-3.dial.telus.net/161.184.50.3)

Did you find your "tour" of the Synagogue a little awesome, in a wondering way? When I enter a Church I get such a feeling. It is bigger than I and unknown to me. You must know what I mean.

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Yes Barb, I did !!! -- Neysa, 22:14:09 08/14/07 Tue [1] (user-38lcibm.dialup.mindspring.com/209.86.73.118)

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[> [> [> [> [> [> Re: I think............ -- Joan, 15:39:37 08/12/07 Sun [1] (ip68-0-253-131.ri.ri.cox.net/68.0.253.131)

To echo what Neysa said, we were talking about the Eucharist. If you don't believe in it, you probably wouldn't feel anything "special" at a Catholic Mass. But if you do believe it, no other communion service compares.

It's not that we think other services have nothing going for them, it's that we beleive in the Eucharist as the real body and blood of Christ. When we go to another Christian church, we enjoy the readings and the sermon, but there is always that missing thing, the Eucharist.

The Eucharist, unlike in other Christian services, is the center of the Mass. Acutally it is the Mass. :-)

I think others don't always realize how important the Eucharist is. In other denominaitons, communion is a symbol. To Catholics, the Eucharist is in reality the body and blood of Christ. When the priest says "The body of Christ", he means it. When we say "Amen" in response, we mean it. :-)

The Eucharist isn't just another way of having a symbolic communion, so when we say that we don't feel God's presence, that's what we're talking about.

It's really not a bad thing to say, because no other Christian denomination claims that their communion is the actual body and blood of Christ. I'm not denying that they have the real presence in their communion, while they claim they do. They say they don't, and they claim that the Catholic Church also doesn't either. So it's really not a bad thing for a Catholic to say that they miss the feeling of God in the Eucharist when they visit other churches. It's the truth--even according to the other denominations. Of course, like I said, they don't think the Eucharist is the real body and blood either, so they probably think we're just nuts. :-)

Joan

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[> [> [> [> [> Joan..................Happy Birthday...... -- Neysa, 10:59:43 08/12/07 Sun [1] (user-2inik89.dialup.mindspring.com/165.121.81.9)

Thanks for the apology. I really appreciate it. Is today your birthday ? I thought I read a post somewhere that you said you were born on August 12th, and your sister a year later on August 13th.

If it is your birthday today. I want to wish you a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!! I hope it is WONDERFUL !!!

Neysa

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[> [> [> [> [> [> Happy, happy birthday, Joan! Are you 21......again? :-).......... -- Barb, 12:20:09 08/12/07 Sun [1] (clgrtnt4-port-28.dial.telus.net/161.184.46.28)

Celebrate well....and your sister, tomorrow. Will you be in touch to wish one another a happy day? :-)

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[> [> [> [> [> [> Thank-you! -- Joan, 15:41:38 08/12/07 Sun [1] (ip68-0-253-131.ri.ri.cox.net/68.0.253.131)

You guys have good memories. :-)

Bob and I went to a flea market near the beach today. Then we watched "Munich". It's a very good movie. Depressing though.

I'll call my sister tomorrow.

Joan

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> Belated Happy Birthday Joan... -- Lynn, 12:13:29 08/15/07 Wed [1] (ip72-193-232-42.lv.lv.cox.net/72.193.232.42)

hope you had a great day!

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