Things A Newbie Should Know?

[brightsadness]

All prayers are good. All advice not so.

[scardella]

You do not always know what's going on "behind the scenes". Often an issue is far more complicated (pastorally at least) than it appears to be.

[Ziggamafu]

[quote name='scardella' date='16 February 2010 - 02:05 PM' timestamp='1266347147' post='2057951']
You do not always know what's going on "behind the scenes". Often an issue is far more complicated (pastorally at least) than it appears to be.
[/quote]

Yes.

[unloud]

[quote name='penguin31' date='15 February 2010 - 08:34 PM' timestamp='1266287658' post='2057740']
As someone just beginning the process of conversion and still relatively new to Catholicism in general, is there any advice you could offer a newbie? Little things that a person might not pick up on without experience or even big things that just bear repeating, it's all of interest.
[/quote]

Last year I was confirmed into The Catholic Church after a lifetime of self-inflicted strife. I have a couple of tips for you for your journey:


[b]1) Prepare for a lifetime of discovery.[/b]
Although coming to The Church is a wonderous occasion, its breadth and its depth of knowledge, love, and hope will never cease to be expansive in front of you. If you learn to embrace the fact that The Church is a living Church and only Christ can comprehend it fully, it will help you to recognize the beauty in Gods plan.
[b]2) Unless you question every aspect of your faith, you will have a faith that is hollow. [i]Question everything[/i][/b]
The purpose of me emphasizing this is because so many people come to the Church and allow themselves to ignore their misgivings with The Church until those misgivings fester into a much greater disdain for Her beauty...I would know, I did it. Be not afraid; God in His infinite Truth can take your questioning, and in learning more through your questions you will not only begin to understand The Church more, but you will begin to come closer to the heart of God... Just understand that not all questions are answered at the pace in which we desire them to be; some stay unanswered until the last day.
[b]3) The people that make The Church are not perfect, but Christ is.[/b]
Christ made His Church knowing that, like all things mankind rules, it would not be perfect. Yet He still created Her because He knew that in Her inperfection She would compliment His perfection. Therefore, in all the things that you learn, seek Christ first. If you do not find Him at the center, seek Him elsewhere. Do not go to Mass to meet new people; Do not go to confession to find solutions to your problems; do not seek anything in The Church or in your life that does not focus on Christ. He is the [b]only[/b] way, truth, and light. All others are because of Him.
[b]4) Don't let yourself get frustrated. We are all human.[/b]
Even though I say all of these things I would be a liar if I acted like I am able to do them all. This is not a journey to be the best person in the world; that seat is taken. However, we strengthen our humanity by embracing God's divinity whenever possible. If you desire that, then God will be there for you, and so will His Church. :-)



If you ever need anything, let me know.





-Jacob

Edited February 16, 2010 by unloud

[laetitia crucis]

[quote]- You've slipped out an Amen after the Pledge of Allegiance.[/quote]

I just did that two days ago.

---

I don't really have anything to add just because everyone has already given such great advice and tips.

However, I can give you my prayers.

[Marie-Therese]

[quote name='unloud' date='16 February 2010 - 04:14 PM' timestamp='1266354840' post='2058005']
Last year I was confirmed into The Catholic Church after a lifetime of self-inflicted strife. I have a couple of tips for you for your journey:


[b]1) Prepare for a lifetime of discovery.[/b]
Although coming to The Church is a wonderous occasion, its breadth and its depth of knowledge, love, and hope will never cease to be expansive in front of you. If you learn to embrace the fact that The Church is a living Church and only Christ can comprehend it fully, it will help you to recognize the beauty in Gods plan.
[b]2) Unless you question every aspect of your faith, you will have a faith that is hollow. [i]Question everything[/i][/b]
The purpose of me emphasizing this is because so many people come to the Church and allow themselves to ignore their misgivings with The Church until those misgivings fester into a much greater disdain for Her beauty...I would know, I did it. Be not afraid; God in His infinite Truth can take your questioning, and in learning more through your questions you will not only begin to understand The Church more, but you will begin to come closer to the heart of God... Just understand that not all questions are answered at the pace in which we desire them to be; some stay unanswered until the last day.
[b]3) The people that make The Church are not perfect, but Christ is.[/b]
Christ made His Church knowing that, like all things mankind rules, it would not be perfect. Yet He still created Her because He knew that in Her inperfection She would compliment His perfection. Therefore, in all the things that you learn, seek Christ first. If you do not find Him at the center, seek Him elsewhere. Do not go to Mass to meet new people; Do not go to confession to find solutions to your problems; do not seek anything in The Church or in your life that does not focus on Christ. He is the [b]only[/b] way, truth, and light. All others are because of Him.
[b]4) Don't let yourself get frustrated. We are all human.[/b]
Even though I say all of these things I would be a liar if I acted like I am able to do them all. This is not a journey to be the best person in the world; that seat is taken. However, we strengthen our humanity by embracing God's divinity whenever possible. If you desire that, then God will be there for you, and so will His Church. :-)



If you ever need anything, let me know.





-Jacob
[/quote]


Beautiful post Jacob.

Even though I am generally reluctant to offer advice on devotions, since they are generally quite personal, and the Holy Spirit will attract you to certain things specifically, I always tell people to pray the Rosary. As often as possible. It opens up a beautiful closeness to the Gospel and keeps you thinking about prayer. The Rosary is one of the primary reasons that brought me home to the Catholic Church.

[iggy]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' date='16 February 2010 - 10:08 AM' timestamp='1266332915' post='2057854']
- Your knees are more calloused than your feet.
[/quote]

I think people's right thumbs and the crook of their right index fingers are more calloused than their knees or feet.

[penguin31]

Thanks for the advice, both in regards to the beginning of this long trip into Catholocism as well as a bit of help regarding PM as well. Maybe the advice will not only benefit me but someone else curious as well.

Thanks, everyone. If I think of any specific questions I'll be sure to ask.

Edited February 17, 2010 by penguin31