Comments on: Why Catholic? http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:06:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Paulos http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/why-i-became-catholic/comment-page-1/#comment-129892 Paulos Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:11:12 +0000 http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/why-i-became-catholic/#comment-129892 Honestly. I felt abandoned and neglected by the Roman Church-personally and spiritually. In Orthodoxy we leave the world as we enter the nave and all worship together. Orthodoxy is based on the community and being part of the Body of Christ. Theologically speaking, mysteries are mysteries and no rational explanation is needed such as the Eucharist. In Orthodoxy, the bread and wine is the Body and Blood of Christ but it is still bread and wine-It is a mystery. I had initial sadness leaving the Roman Church but I get a lot out of Orthodoxy. I guess I am more of a mystical thinking type of person formally in a more scholastic church. It was impossible for me not to be a cafeteria Catholic (as the majority are) because things were always being added and changed in the theology and practice. I was confused when we were allowed to touch the host with our hands after years of not being allowed. Honestly. I felt abandoned and neglected by the Roman Church-personally and spiritually. In Orthodoxy we leave the world as we enter the nave and all worship together. Orthodoxy is based on the community and being part of the Body of Christ. Theologically speaking, mysteries are mysteries and no rational explanation is needed such as the Eucharist. In Orthodoxy, the bread and wine is the Body and Blood of Christ but it is still bread and wine-It is a mystery. I had initial sadness leaving the Roman Church but I get a lot out of Orthodoxy. I guess I am more of a mystical thinking type of person formally in a more scholastic church. It was impossible for me not to be a cafeteria Catholic (as the majority are) because things were always being added and changed in the theology and practice. I was confused when we were allowed to touch the host with our hands after years of not being allowed.

]]> By: Jason http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/why-i-became-catholic/comment-page-1/#comment-123956 Jason Tue, 16 Aug 2011 04:37:14 +0000 http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/why-i-became-catholic/#comment-123956 This whole process of examining the claims of the Church is beginning to discourage me. I mean, after reading C2C and some of these blog posts, I can't help but feel I'm in over my head. I'm not a highly logical, highly intelligent person, so if truth is accessible only by rigorous logical analysis, then I'm toast. (Not that you or any other Catholic apologist has made that claim, but still....sometimes it seems that these discussions lead to a high-level philosophical debate, which I'm ill-equipped to handle.) Then again, what's the alternative? I suppose that if I'm truly committed to being a protestant, I would have to research just as much into those divisive issues in order to have a principled reason for remaining a protestant. Otherwise, I'm just blindly submitting to a handful of 16th century scholars and their spiritual heirs, without ever considering whether or not their division was justified (pardon the pun) and based on an divinely-inspired (and therefore incontestable) interpretation of justification, ecclesiology, etc etc etc! I'm not sure what my point is in posting this, other than perhaps to hash some things out for myself. I appreciate your blog, Devin, and I look forward to reading more of your posts (and laughing at your videos). many blessings, Jason This whole process of examining the claims of the Church is beginning to discourage me. I mean, after reading C2C and some of these blog posts, I can’t help but feel I’m in over my head. I’m not a highly logical, highly intelligent person, so if truth is accessible only by rigorous logical analysis, then I’m toast. (Not that you or any other Catholic apologist has made that claim, but still….sometimes it seems that these discussions lead to a high-level philosophical debate, which I’m ill-equipped to handle.)
Then again, what’s the alternative? I suppose that if I’m truly committed to being a protestant, I would have to research just as much into those divisive issues in order to have a principled reason for remaining a protestant. Otherwise, I’m just blindly submitting to a handful of 16th century scholars and their spiritual heirs, without ever considering whether or not their division was justified (pardon the pun) and based on an divinely-inspired (and therefore incontestable) interpretation of justification, ecclesiology, etc etc etc!

I’m not sure what my point is in posting this, other than perhaps to hash some things out for myself. I appreciate your blog, Devin, and I look forward to reading more of your posts (and laughing at your videos).

many blessings,
Jason

]]> By: childOfGod http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/why-i-became-catholic/comment-page-1/#comment-106358 childOfGod Sat, 23 Apr 2011 08:50:03 +0000 http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/why-i-became-catholic/#comment-106358 Thank you very much Devin for the efforts in composing the video. Definitely will help many like me. Wishing a truly spirited Easter ... May our Risen Lord renew our hope ! Thank you very much Devin for the efforts in composing the video. Definitely will help many like me.
Wishing a truly spirited Easter … May our Risen Lord renew our hope !

]]> By: Devman http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/why-i-became-catholic/comment-page-1/#comment-105674 Devman Mon, 18 Apr 2011 13:10:07 +0000 http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/why-i-became-catholic/#comment-105674 childOfGod, here is the video: http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/2011/04/18/video-how-to-convert-your-atheist-friend-to-christianity/ childOfGod, here is the video: http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/2011/04/18/video-how-to-convert-your-atheist-friend-to-christianity/

]]> By: Devman http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/why-i-became-catholic/comment-page-1/#comment-105554 Devman Sat, 16 Apr 2011 18:47:47 +0000 http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/why-i-became-catholic/#comment-105554 childOfGod, thank you for your blessing. I am going to create a short video to answer your question about how to talk to an atheist friend. Please check back on the blog next week. I will post a link in the comments here once it is up. The short answer is that you cannot guide your friend out of atheism. That sounds disappointing I know, but it's not the whole story. Because you can do many things to help them see the beauty of the Christian Faith that will later bear fruit when God brings them to a point in their lives where they realize they need help. I'll talk about this in the video more. childOfGod, thank you for your blessing. I am going to create a short video to answer your question about how to talk to an atheist friend. Please check back on the blog next week. I will post a link in the comments here once it is up.

The short answer is that you cannot guide your friend out of atheism. That sounds disappointing I know, but it’s not the whole story. Because you can do many things to help them see the beauty of the Christian Faith that will later bear fruit when God brings them to a point in their lives where they realize they need help. I’ll talk about this in the video more.

]]> By: childOfGod http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/why-i-became-catholic/comment-page-1/#comment-105435 childOfGod Sat, 16 Apr 2011 07:50:36 +0000 http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/why-i-became-catholic/#comment-105435 Best wishes and may God bless you always. Need suggestion to guide a non-Christian friend come out of atheism. Thank you. Best wishes and may God bless you always.

Need suggestion to guide a non-Christian friend come out of atheism.

Thank you.

]]> By: A Cradle Catholic http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/why-i-became-catholic/comment-page-1/#comment-101501 A Cradle Catholic Wed, 23 Mar 2011 18:26:28 +0000 http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/why-i-became-catholic/#comment-101501 Devin, Thank you for your ideas. When the time is right I will broach the subject w/him. Devin,

Thank you for your ideas. When the time is right I will broach the subject w/him.

]]> By: Devman http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/why-i-became-catholic/comment-page-1/#comment-101088 Devman Mon, 21 Mar 2011 16:28:09 +0000 http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/why-i-became-catholic/#comment-101088 God bless your husband and you! I did lose some friendships over my conversion--people who would have remained close I think had I remained Protestant just didn't keep in touch with me, in spite of my efforts. It really felt like betrayal to many of them, especially becoming Catholic of all things, which to them was a hairs-breadth away from being damned. I would say, help him get connected with other men at his parish. Look for a That Man Is You group, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul society, or Fellowship of Catholic men. Support him in meeting some other guys in this way so that he has new friendships to help him out. God bless! Devin God bless your husband and you! I did lose some friendships over my conversion–people who would have remained close I think had I remained Protestant just didn’t keep in touch with me, in spite of my efforts. It really felt like betrayal to many of them, especially becoming Catholic of all things, which to them was a hairs-breadth away from being damned.

I would say, help him get connected with other men at his parish. Look for a That Man Is You group, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul society, or Fellowship of Catholic men. Support him in meeting some other guys in this way so that he has new friendships to help him out.

God bless!
Devin

]]> By: A Cradle Catholic http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/why-i-became-catholic/comment-page-1/#comment-101080 A Cradle Catholic Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:34:03 +0000 http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/why-i-became-catholic/#comment-101080 I always like reading or listening to conversion stories; they are very inspiring even for us, cradle Catholics. My husband, who is a Baptist will become a member of the Catholic Church this coming Easter Vigil. My husband's conversion story is occurring over a very long period of time. He has made an extreme turn closer to God last yr when he was a victim of non-stop mental abuse from employers. (A little nudging from the children helps too!) They knew he could not leave his position because of the economy. A yr before my husband was unemployed; so, this job was a blessing in a few ways. One way was that he discovered peace & community at the cathedral, located walking distance from his office. He continues to experience this peace & community at this cathedral. One item you didn't delve into was the reactions from the various people in your life at the time you were discerning, converting & afterwards. It seems Matt, your friend, was OK with it, though I'm sure he was sad about it. Can you further describe those reactions from family members, working associates, college friends, & those in your Baptist community? Of course, I am pleased with my husband's decision but worry about him encountering negative repercussions, especially from family members. This compounded with a horrible professional life certainly tests a person's commitment & mental health. Were there any words of comfort said to you, after you encountered such rejection from those who did not understand your decision? I like to get some ideas. As his wife, he will definitely need some comfort from me when he experiences these new trials. Please pray for my husband & for those who are experiencing similar dilemmas. Please pray to the Holy Spirit so that he will guide me to say the appropriate words of comfort to my husband. Thank you. I always like reading or listening to conversion stories; they are very inspiring even for us, cradle Catholics.

My husband, who is a Baptist will become a member of the Catholic Church this coming Easter Vigil. My husband’s conversion story is occurring over a very long period of time. He has made an extreme turn closer to God last yr when he was a victim of non-stop mental abuse from employers. (A little nudging from the children helps too!)

They knew he could not leave his position because of the economy. A yr before my husband was unemployed; so, this job was a blessing in a few ways. One way was that he discovered peace & community at the cathedral, located walking distance from his office. He continues to experience this peace & community at this cathedral.

One item you didn’t delve into was the reactions from the various people in your life at the time you were discerning, converting & afterwards. It seems Matt, your friend, was OK with it, though I’m sure he was sad about it.

Can you further describe those reactions from family members, working associates, college friends, & those in your Baptist community?

Of course, I am pleased with my husband’s decision but worry about him encountering negative repercussions, especially from family members. This compounded with a horrible professional life certainly tests a person’s commitment & mental health. Were there any words of comfort said to you, after you encountered such rejection from those who did not understand your decision? I like to get some ideas. As his wife, he will definitely need some comfort from me when he experiences these new trials.

Please pray for my husband & for those who are experiencing similar dilemmas. Please pray to the Holy Spirit so that he will guide me to say the appropriate words of comfort to my husband. Thank you.

]]> By: maryS http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/why-i-became-catholic/comment-page-1/#comment-88842 maryS Sat, 06 Nov 2010 11:15:10 +0000 http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/why-i-became-catholic/#comment-88842 I know how the Holy Spirit works on you,leading you to a right path the true salvation.I was touched when I read your story,I hope and pray that some of our brothers and sisters will be converted like you.I pray that you will be a guide to all who are lost,May Our Lord bless and guide you always,Please keep your trust to the Our Lord Jesus,"JESUS i TRUST IN YOU." I know how the Holy Spirit works on you,leading you to a right path the true salvation.I was touched when I read your story,I hope and pray that some of our brothers and sisters will be converted like you.I pray that you will be a guide to all who are lost,May Our Lord bless and guide you always,Please keep your trust to the Our Lord Jesus,”JESUS i TRUST IN YOU.”

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