Bow Down

[phatcatholic]

PD,

sorry, maybe i missed it, but i still don't understand why u can't join a parish. is it b/c u don't have a valid baptism? or b/c ur family isn't catholic?

let me know (i'm interested for some reason )

nick

[Paladin D]

PD,

sorry, maybe i missed it, but i still don't understand why u can't join a parish. is it b/c u don't have a valid baptism? or b/c ur family isn't catholic?

let me know (i'm interested for some reason  )

nick

I want to go through an RCIA program (yet I read somewhere that those who are already Christian, should not go to RCIA), and attend a parish.

My mother sees it as unnecessary for me to join a parish, and doesn't want me to at the time. And since she's the boss of the family, I'm pretty much screwed.

Note: My parents are legally Catholic, and so is my older brother. My younger brother isn't though.

[cmotherofpirl]

RCIA can be good or bad depending on the quality of the instruction.

Many Catholics have fallen into the protestant I don't need a church, just a relationship error.

[Jake Huether]

Dude, Ironmonk... I love ya man, you are correct in everything that you say. But you MUST "round the edges" a bit. You've really been rippin' into people lately. Some rightly so, I imagine. But for crying out loud, this is Bro we're talking about. He's one of the MOST Catholic non-Catholics there are (and not to mention pretty darn Catholic even form some of the Catholics I know).

I didn't find his question offensive. And when he said "un-biblical" it was fully understood that he didn't mean it in the sense that you took it.

For the sake of Truth, keep posting the same content that you are. But for the sake of charity, please change the tone.

Oh, and as I'm reading the catachism I haven't found anything yet that is anti-biblical. Many things that are "un-biblical", but drats, so are the pews in our Baptist Church, so I can't get you there. 

Bro was actually being VERY complimentary toward the Catechism. It does contain quite a few things that can't be found in the Bible. They support the Bible, but they aren't actually IN the Bible (Like much of the Marian doctrine, and explicative things). But, most protestants won't even crack it open without thinking they will be damned. His point is WELL taken. Yet, you rip into him like a winter storm in Colorado. I wouldn't be surprised if you totally turned him OFF to the Catechism.

Bro is one of the most understanding and patient people on this phorum.

Iron, seriously, please consider the way you present your material.

God bless.

[phatcatholic]

PD,

ohh ok, i didn't realize u were that young.

maaaan, i say join anyway. do you go to a church regularly on sunday? if you did, then she wouldn't even have to know that you became an official member. hmm....do u have to be 18 to join a church as an individual, separate from your family? if not, then i would go for it. i mean, i'm down w/ "honor ur father and mother" and i see how you may be disinclined to be that seemingly coercive, but u have to think, what reeeally is more honorable to ur mother: not going to church/participating in a church or going to church and being a participant? i would have to go w/ the latter.

btw, if you really wanted to go to Eucharistic Adoration, alot of churches will just let you drop in, especially if they have an adoration chapel especially devoted to the Eucharist. even if u did have to sign up and go at a specific time, i doubt that any church checks the name on the list to see if they are actual members. i think most priests are just glad that people are showing up!

i guess what i'm saying is that if you really want to be a part of a church u could be. (not to question ur desire..........just letting you know that there are options ).

good luck and God Bless,

nick

[phatcatholic]

btw, i know i'm new, but i agree w/ Jake. today was the first time ever that i saw a protestant ask a question, and catholics give their answer, and then have the protestant just say, "ok." he may not have come right out and said that he agreed w/ our position on bowing and graven images, but he accepted it---and i think that is pretty cool. so, i plan on being majorly considerate, especially since, from what i have read, it seems that bro. adam is well recieved here and quite considerate towards us. plus, i know that--even after one has accepted catholic doctrine completely--it can still be hard to make that final step, seeing how it radically changes your life forever. i have a friend who is in that very predicament. personally, i plan on being fervently patient (i've never attached those two words before!) until the bitter end if that's what it takes to help guide him into the fold.

pax christi,

nick

[Paladin D]

If I was able to go, I would.

I live in the country, and you pretty much need a vehicle to get to the parishes. I haven't been to any of them, but one (which I heard had problems with the Priest).

Plus, I'm Homeschooled. And... I never go anywhere alone by myself outside the house. So... they would notice I'm gone lol.

[phatcatholic]

group,

i know this convo bet. me and PD (can i call you "P Diddy"? hehe) is straying off the topic, so i'll just say one more thing about it. we can holla at e/o individually if necessary.

anyway, i understand ur situation now. and yes, that does smell of elderberries. i'm not sure what i would do w/o the graces i recieve thru the sacraments. its hard enough to live a good life WITH them, let alone WITHOUT them! hopefully, u pray every day for ur family's conversion. btw, if you go to catholicexchange.com, you can click on a live feed of the Blessed Sacrament. i'm sitting here thinking about how wierd it would be to see you kneeling down in front of ur computer screen, hehe. shoot, i say do what you gotta do.

good luck brother,

nick

[sista2b]

PD,

I had some trouble w/ my parents when I had a reversion i guess you'd call it. I was 15 or so. Luckly i live like a block in a half from my parish. My parents are Catholic, but the typical cradle Cathlics. Ya know what i mean. 50's Cathlic School, misunderstood Vatican II, and saw their religious sister teachers go from loyal to ....well lets just say not so loyal. ne way not only was i spending too much time w/ the priests and youth group, but not too much later, i became convinced of my vocation.

They didn't take the idea of thier little girl leaving them for the rest of thier lives very well at first. (btw they have been more accepting of lately yayay!)

I know my situation, was a lot better than yours, but some advice i got constantly, and continue to at times, from priests is obediance can get you so many graces. It sux royally, but the graces pay off. Suffer w/ St. Catherine of Sienna, her parents were hugely against her. I know there's other saints but i've been doin algebra for too long and its time to go to bed. I just wanted to let you know people know how you feel, at least to some extent, and we're prayin for you.

[CatholicAndFanatical]

oh pally I didnt know that about you..Dude, one thing you can do is ask Jesus to give you His Body and Blood spiritually..I will offer some prayers up for your parents as well. Man, why any parent would want to keep their kids from Christ is beyond me, even if they didnt want to go, they could at least drop you off or something. Im so sorry Paladin for your situation.

But since you was Baptised Catholic, you are Catholic. I dont see from what you described anything to not make you a 'Legal' Catholic. Dont be scared about your confession not being valid. You were young, Christ was happy that you was even there given your circumstances. Trust in his mercy, do a good Act of Contrition and you'll be fine. As far as RCIA, CMom is right, it depends on the instructor at your RCIA program that would make it worth going. I think Bro. Adam had the same issue when he tried RCIA, he knew more than the instructor, which is pretty sad. I was fortunate to have knowledgable instructors plus my Priest would come in and teach too.

Would your parents allow someone from the parish to come get you and bring you home?? Just a thought.

God Bless you Pali, keep your chin up.

CatholicAndFanatical

[Paladin D]

Thank you all for your suggestions and advice. My mother doesn't want me to go, because she doesn't want to get involved in "Church politics". She doesn't want the congregation or the Priest to know about her and what she's doing, since this is a small town... and gossip is pretty rampid.

She would rather I go to a parish that is an hour away, all the way in Raleigh (city). But since we rarely drive there, it's highly unlikely.

[sista2b]

take advantage of everytime you go to the city, ask her to take you to Mass or at least to pray for a little bit. Maybe she'll even see what you have and want it too. Marcus Grodi did a talk in our little German lukewarm Catholic town tonight. My dad has gotten really into the show THe Journey Home, so my mom came w/ the both of us, i don't know if it had any affect at all on her but i pray that it does. To see someone else talk about how much they wanted to participate in the Eucharist when they couldn't, and you have always gone to Communion every Sun. w/out a though...I'm hoping this sets in if not 2nite eventually. And maybe what your mom needs is just your example. My moms a little, no really hard headed, and refuses to change, but she even has said she looks at some aspects of the faith diff. And my dad really has begun on a journey of his own. Its so amesome to see this happen to your parents. You may not ever see any effects of your faith on her, but maybe someday... until then pray unceasingly esp. when she drives ya crazy (i have yet to get to that point) :ph34r:

[ironmonk]

Dude, Ironmonk...  I love ya man, you are correct in everything that you say.  But you MUST "round the edges" a bit.  You've really been rippin' into people lately.  Some rightly so, I imagine.  But for crying out loud, this is Bro we're talking about.  He's one of the MOST Catholic non-Catholics there are (and not to mention pretty darn Catholic even form some of the Catholics I know).

I didn't find his question offensive.  And when he said "un-biblical" it was fully understood that he didn't mean it in the sense that you took it.

For the sake of Truth, keep posting the same content that you are.  But for the sake of charity, please change the tone.

Bro was actually being VERY complimentary toward the Catechism.  It does contain quite a few things that can't be found in the Bible.  They support the Bible, but they aren't actually IN the Bible (Like much of the Marian doctrine, and explicative things).  But, most protestants won't even crack it open without thinking they will be damned.  His point is WELL taken.  Yet, you rip into him like a winter storm in Colorado.  I wouldn't be surprised if you totally turned him OFF to the Catechism.

Bro is one of the most understanding and patient people on this phorum.

Iron, seriously, please consider the way you present your material.

God bless.

Read my post again... I DID NOT RIP INTO HIM.

I say this with concern

Note the bolded in the post.

The point was the things that he says that he believes in the past on this board and the old board are only in line with the Catholic Church.

I do not understand why he is not Catholic when the Catholic Church teachings are closest to what he believes.

In his reply, he could explain why he is not Catholic.

-ironmonk

[phatcatholic]

PD,

i found some info you should check out:

Home-Schooling and Education

its from David Armstrong's Bibllical Evidence apologetics website. on this page, he has tons of links to info on home schooling for catholics. hopefully, you will be able to find a website/article or two that could help to further nurture your experience as a catholic in a homeschool environment.

good luck and God Bless,

nick

Edited November 21, 2003 by phatcatholic

[Paladin D]

PD,

i found some info you should check out:

Home-Schooling and Education

its from David Armstrong's Bibllical Evidence apologetics website. on this page, he has tons of links to info on home schooling for catholics. hopefully, you will be able to find a website/article or two that could help to further nurture your experience as a catholic in a homeschool environment.

good luck and God Bless,

nick

How did you know I was Homeschooled? I guess you put 2 and 2 together no doubt.