Why Most Of You (i Think) Are Lucky

[theculturewarrior]

Keep in mind that the Holy Father himself kissed a Koran. Just showing respect for other religions doesn't mean compromising or worshipping false gods. As far as mortal sin goes...I think a Christian of conscience would know whether he was in that state. That's because for a sin to be mortal, it requires full knowledge and full consent. Sometimes I have been in situations where I *didn't* know whether I was in a state of mortal sin. A retired bishop told me, "when in doubt, always receive communion." In other words, if you don't know for certain you are in a state of mortal sin, and you have reflected upon it, you probably are not.

Your conscience is one thing, and your heart is another. Sometimes they work together, but sometimes your heart can make you feel guilty when you are really just obsessing over minor details.

Remember, God loves you, and Jesus didn't come to condemn the world, but to save it. We have a God who is not only our Lord and Savior, but also our Father.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote]Raphael's comment about the status of your faith is a little harsh. I don't think he realized how new in faith you are. Also, you don't have some of the Graces we recieve from the Sacraments, such as Baptism, Confirmation, and Communion.[/quote]

I wasn't trying to be harsh, if I came across that way. My point was not that she didn't have faith. I think anyone in her situation who stands strong must have great and enduring faith. My point was simply that even the slightest compliance to what they want you to do is going to seem like proof to them that you are wrong. I was attempting to bring out the idea that you have to be firm and unrelenting.

[Archbishop 10-K]

I had the luck of being born into a Seventh-day Adventist family, easily the most anti-Catholic denomination/religion in the world. Mind you, this is the denomination that started the idea of 666 being on the Pope's hat, all Catholics are sun-worshippers, Constantine single-handedly destroyed the faith, and that the Catholic Church will one day institute the mark of the Beast: forcing people to go to church on Sunday. How the Church would ever get enough influence to do this, I have no idea.

Edited June 24, 2004 by Archbishop 10-K

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote]Mind you, this is the denomination that started the idea of 666 being on the Pope's hat, all Catholics are sun-worshippers, Constantine single-handedly destroyed the faith, and that the Catholic Church will one day institute the mark of the Beast: forcing people to go to church on Sunday. How the Church would ever get enough influence to do this, I have no idea.[/quote]

Haha...yeah, I've had to debate the 666 thing before...

What I really find funny is that the name "Ellen Gould White" gives the same results!

[justfran]

[quote name='Archbishop 10-K' date='Jun 24 2004, 12:39 PM'] I had the luck of being born into a Seventh-day Adventist family, easily the most anti-Catholic denomination/religion in the world. [/quote]
Dad can join your religion then. When I told him I wanted to be baptised, he pretty much threw himself onto his soapbox, and all i could do was try and find Cantonese words that would help me defend the faith. A lot of things that he said were misconceptions and he out-yells me every single time (in real life I'm as quiet as a mouse and he can be a bit of a foghorn sometimes)
*shrug* Can't stop loving him though. He is my dad, after all.

[quote]I think anyone in her situation who stands strong must have great and enduring faith.[/quote]

You never considered the fact that I was a bit stupid not to say anything about it beforehand to save having to get into that situation. I'm pretty sure that there must have been some Divine Intervention in this, because usually Mum lets me stay home everytime I have THAT monthly thing, and THAT VERY morning was my first day, so i went off and told mum, thinking for sure she'd let me off since she always did every other time. but not now, not when my dad had taken a day off work so we could go as a family. I mean, it was a sure-fire plan, I wasn't making up excuses or anything, and pretty much the whole time I was like..."Whatdo-i-do-what-do-i-do.."

[quote]My point was simply that even the slightest compliance to what they want you to do is going to seem like proof to them that you are wrong. I was attempting to bring out the idea that you have to be firm and unrelenting.[/quote]

Not so unrelenting that you become a fanatic who would turn ppl away, I hope...

[quote]You both stand out to me as true Living Saints.[/quote]
I'm probably the last person who deserves to be a Saint...

Edited June 25, 2004 by justfran

[OwNeD_byGoD]

[quote]15 Promises Made by the Blessed Virgin to St. Dominic and Blessed Alanus



1. To all those who recite my Rosary devoutly, I promise my special protection and very great graces.

2. Those who will persevere in the recitation of my Rosary shall receive some signal grace.

3. The Rosary shall be a very powerful armor against hell; it shall destroy vice, deliver from sin, and shall dispel heresy.

4. The Rosary shall make virtue and good works flourish, and shall obtain for souls the most abundant divine mercies; it shall substitute in hearts love of God for love of the world, elevate them to desire heavenly and eternal goods. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means!

5. Those who trust themselves to me through the Rosary, shall not perish.

6. Those who will recite my Rosary piously, considering its Mysteries, shall not be overwhelmed by misfortune nor die a bad death. The sinner shall be converted; the just shall grow in grace and become worthy of eternal life.

[b]7. Those truly devoted to my Rosary shall not die without the consolations of the Church, or without grace.[/b]

8. Those who will recite my Rosary shall find during their life and at their death the light of God, the fullness of His grace, and shall share in the merits of the blessed.

9. I will deliver very promptly from purgatory the souls devoted to my Rosary.

10. The true children of my Rosary shall enjoy great glory in heaven.

11. What you ask through my Rosary, you shall obtain.

12. Those who propagate my Rosary shall obtain through me aid in all their necessities.

13. I have obtained from my son that all the confreres of the Rosary shall have for their brethren in life and death the saints of heaven.

14. Those who recite my Rosary faithfully are all my beloved children, the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.

15. Devotion to my Rosary is a special sign of predestination.

[/quote]
why i posted it, i dont know...

i felt compelled to post it so maybe someone need it?

[justfran]

yeah i sent you an email asking about where you got something or other remember???

I'm not exactly sure what the Church's exact definition fo true devotion is, but I pray the Rosary not only to talk to God, Jesus and Mary, but also to seek refuge, support, and a pick-me-up. I try and carry it with me all the time - it's kind of reassuring to just hold it, even.

[OwNeD_byGoD]

oh...never got an email but there you go =)

you're very strong.... saint in the making... deng wow...

[justfran]

My parents just don't get what I say to them about the faith....well, not yet anyway...

[justfran]

phatcatholic said this [url="http://phorum.phatmass.com/index.php?showtopic=14271&st=25"]here[/url]

[quote]while "bow down" holds the implication of "worship" in the verses that put forth the commandments, in need not always hold this implication.

--it depends on the context--

in other verses of the bible, individuals "bow down" [b]w/ no intent to worship[/b] (as in, give to something or someone else what belongs solely to God). likewise, when catholics "bow down" before statues of saints or the holy family our intent is not to worship either.

[b]in Lev and Deut, the obvious context is that God does not want his people worshipping anyone or anything other then himself. that is why he says, "do not bown down."[/b] but look at bowing elsewhere in scripture [/quote]

ok...
[b]I had absolutely no intent to worship Buddha, nor did i mean to venerate him or the statue[/b] But I'm not bowing down to the statues again.

Edited June 28, 2004 by justfran

[luciana]

bump

I'll pray for you tonight, justfran.

It's so awesome to see ayoung person strong in their faith. I went to a Catholic tent revival tonight and so some on-fire teens, it was very cool.

God bless, Luciana

Edited June 29, 2004 by luciana

[Jake Huether]

How's things going, justfran?

You have to keep us posted.

My prayers are with you.

[Mickey's_Girl]

Justfran--

I am definitely praying for you. Stay strong! And I agree with the person who mentioned St. Monica...be patient in your prayer for your parents. Remember that they've lived their whole lives without the faith, and it may take them longer to come around. Besides, God knows what is in their hearts, and he knows what needs to happen for them to come to him. He is faithful!

I think the idea of praying when you're in an uncomfortable "is this a sin?" situation, is a good idea. God knows your situation; he is right there with you, no matter where you are! If you cling to him, he will not let you down.

Also, remember: sometimes circumstances look really bad, but God can turn things around for his glory!

Also...it sounds like your parents are quite concerned about your grades. Might I suggest that an improvement in schoolwork would be a good witness to them? It would show them that not only is your new faith [b]not [/b]messing up your studies, but it's actually helping your self-discipline and intellectual rigor! If nothing else, it would give them one less excuse to keep you from pursuing Catholicism.

My prayers go out to you.

MG

[Norseman82]

On a practical note, within a year you will be 18, and you won't need your parents' permission to study the faith. If you are working, I would also advise you to save up your money so you will be in a position to strike out on your own if it comes to that.

[justfran]

No i don't want to think about having to strike out on my own. My dad has personally said he doesn't care what faith I am - he just wants me to live well. And I don't have the money to do that either - I work, but not that often. That's why I don't really want to come on too harshly. I stay firm, I keep praying my Rosary every day, but I won't give in to their stuff. I'm kind of starting to show more of my faith to them, trying to say what I can about it, so they won't be overwhelmed and neither will I.

Edited August 5, 2004 by justfran