This is purely meant as a faith thread in honor of the beginning of Lent - not meant to be exclusionary or anything. And I know faith is an intensely personal topic, so if you share, I thank you in advance for putting it out there.
As some of you know, I am converting to Catholicism and will be confirmed on Holy Saturday. I'm really excited about the whole shebang and for the first time in my life, am really sitting down and thinking about what Lent means, what penance means, and what Jesus is calling me to do. FH is a cradle Catholic and went to 16 years of Catholic school and finds my faith journey 'cute,' which irritates me. I think he's barely aware that it's Lent...
anyone?
tracyg
Posted:
Member since
Re: It's Ash Wednesday - Can We Talk Faith?
what are you converting from?
Crisco718
Posted:
Member since
Re: It's Ash Wednesday - Can We Talk Faith?
I am not Catholic so I can not comment on Lent. I can say that me and FH have recently been on a spiritual journey and we now both attend Church on a regular basis. We are now working on ways to be involved in our Church and some of the youth programs that are being offered. We think that we are closer to identifying with the young adults than the older men and women in our Church. I applaud you and I wish you well.
Thrilled
Posted:
Member since
Re: It's Ash Wednesday - Can We Talk Faith?
Episcopalian- It's the Protestant denomination closest to Catholicism. Henry VIII created it as an offshoot of the Catholic Church so that he could divorce Anne Boleyn because she wasn't producing any male heirs....
janatlantica
Posted:
Member since
Re: It's Ash Wednesday - Can We Talk Faith?
Thrilled, I never knew that about Anne Boleyn, and I was confirmed as an Episcopal! You have truly educated me!
Thrilled
Posted:
Member since
Re: It's Ash Wednesday - Can We Talk Faith?
Jan -I am a font of useless knowledge.
Samanthas Mom
Posted:
Member since
Re: It's Ash Wednesday - Can We Talk Faith?
Rachel Good luck I applaud you too :-))) I am Jewish and became Christian so I understand what you say when you say what Jesus is calling you to do I joke w/ my friends that I am an 'honorary' catholic b/c while I did not convert I go to Mass at a RC church quite often
Thrilled
Posted:
Member since
Re: It's Ash Wednesday - Can We Talk Faith?
Tammy - if you ever have any desire to know about RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults - the Catholic Conversion Class) I'm your gal. Conversion is a very personal decision so if you ever want to chat or talk, FM me!
Samanthas Mom
Posted:
Member since
Re: It's Ash Wednesday - Can We Talk Faith?
Thanks! still all new to me I basically go w/ my friend b/c I know a lot of people there and sometimes just makes me feel more at 'peace' to go to church
karen32
Posted:
Member since
Re: It's Ash Wednesday - Can We Talk Faith?
Rachel - Congratulations on your journey!!
I find it extremely important to have faith - especially in the times that we live in. I am a strong believer, even though I do not attend church regularly. I wish I did!!! I think it's very important to have faith and to especially pass that on to the little ones - they need to understand that someone is watching out for them and that some things in life can not be easily explained.
Sassyz75
Posted:
Member since
Re: It's Ash Wednesday - Can We Talk Faith?
I was sort of raised Catholic- my Mother isn't religious, but my Maternal Grandmother is very Catholic- she goes to church every day! I never made it to confirmation, but have made communion. I am not religious in terms of an organized religion although I did go through a stint of renewed interest in Catholicism two years ago. My DH has no religion- he was never even baptized, but if he were something he'd be methodist.
We got married on-site with a Methodist Minister. It was very nice. I think DH and I are spiritual people, but we don't have a proper religion. I would like to belong to a religion, but I don't think it will be Catholic-
It's a great religion, but most of the people in my family that are the most Catholic are the most mean-spirited... It's sad that I have allowed them to ruin my impression of the religion, but it has. Everytime I want to go to church or renew my faith, something in me, won't allow it... I wonder what that is.
OctBride03
Posted:
Member since
Re: It's Ash Wednesday - Can We Talk Faith?
Congratulations Rachel!! I often thought of converting to Catholic too, I am Lutheran (very close), but decided not too... my parents were very upset when we decided to get married in a Catholic Church (FH is Catholic), so FH & I decided that our children can be raised Lutheran...
BUT I applaud you RACHEL!!! That's great!!!
MaryK
Posted:
Member since
Re: It's Ash Wednesday - Can We Talk Faith?
You are right - faith is an intensely personal topic! I am also a 'cradle Catholic' as you say (LOL!) but through the years my spirituality truly became my own. FH is Jewish, though he fully supports my faith and actually loves that I go to church on Sundays and sometimes during the week (I will go more during Lent - there's a beautiful church just down the street from where I work!). But I do find it difficult sometimes to not fully share with him something that is so important to me. He went through Pre Cana and enjoyed it and has said that he would like to somday 'get involved' in my parish activities with me, but it hasn't happened yet. I have faith, though, that he will when it's 'right' and meant for him to be!
Good luck on your journey, Rachel! I am very excited for you - you are an inspiration!
christine1221
Posted:
Member since
Re: It's Ash Wednesday - Can We Talk Faith?
Rach ... I'm so proud of you & your decision to follow your heart. I went to Catholic school & while I don't always go regularly, I consider myself practicing. These days I rely on my faith more that before I got engaged. Where are you being confirmed?
we'll talk more later I'm sure ...
Samanthas Mom
Posted:
Member since
Re: It's Ash Wednesday - Can We Talk Faith?
MARY--- I totally understand what your saying..... have the same thing w/ craig! he is Jewish but not religious and does not share in these important things w/ me or see that they are important, but I too leave it alone and just pray for him now
Sassy
Posted:
Member since
Re: It's Ash Wednesday - Can We Talk Faith?
Hey Rachel, I want to congratulate you on your Journey. I am not Catholic but did attend Catholic school and am pretty familiar with the religion. I believe no matter what your religion, a choice to bring yourself closer to God and to grow spiritually is wonderful. I applaud you, your faith, and your spiritual journey.
Liz
nylisa
Posted:
Member since
Re: It's Ash Wednesday - Can We Talk Faith?
Rachel: I am so happy for you. I am a full practicing Catholic. I not only went to CCD instructions (did not go to Catholic School until HS) but for the last 14 years I have been teaching religious instructions to children in my parish. This year (and for the last 4 years) I have been teaching the Confirmation class. I think that no matter what religion and what you believe in, there is always someone there to guide you along the way in every aspect of your life. I teach my children that Confirmation is your final introduction into the church and that your faith and spirit will guide you along the way. I also tell them that once you finish your schooling here (meaning in the church), it does not mean that you totally finished learning about your faith. So, I am telling you that once you are finished with your classes, remember that there is so much more to learn about our faith and to teach other people.
Thrilled
Posted:
Member since
Re: It's Ash Wednesday - Can We Talk Faith?
thanks for all the kudos - I wasn't really looking for congrats, just wanted to share and hear what you guys had to say about your own faith, if you wanted to share. I am so fully immersed in the RCIA stuff right now that I think about it a lot and just wonder if anyone else has the same thoughts.
Lisa- how does one get involved in teaching those kids of classes? That is very interesting to me...
Samanthas Mom
Posted:
Member since
Re: It's Ash Wednesday - Can We Talk Faith?
Rachel you created such a warm sharing atmosphere here today
Thrilled
Posted:
Member since
Re: It's Ash Wednesday - Can We Talk Faith?
Isn't that fun? I LOVE sharing. Like I said, FH isn't all that interested in the topic (as is his right, I have to keep reminding myself), so I enjoy being able to talk about it with you guys....thanks for listening and for sharing!
