Forum for People Converting to Catholicism

[Ramalama]

I haven't read the hundred previous posts, so if this is a repeat, please excuse me.

I'm new here and rarely know where to put questions, so I put them where I think they should be. I like the idea that sometimes they "ramble" in sort of a long discussion. Some old timers object to this, saying I should stick to the point, or search first for answers. (Sometimes I do search, but that can be overwhelming.)

OK, that's what I would like. Thanks for listening.

[IronHammer]

I think this is a great idea. There is a need, I believe, in the forums for new catholics to talk freely without fear of impugning on the sensibilities of the those who have seen the same questions over and over. This would be a place where the same questions are expected and tolerated with love and patience. Naturally, pointers to FAQ's, manuals, etc.. should still be given by members.

I vote for calling it "Newly Coverted" since Tiber Swim Team is already taken ;-)

[paradoxy]

I like this, but it might be even better to have a "Catholicism for Dummies" subforum where any question about the Catholic faith is permissible even for those who are not converting or considering conversion.

I sure would use that one. I'm EO and would like to stay where I am but am really curious about Catholicism and have a lot of questions. However, it seems that when I post them they seem to sound like concealed affronts or invitations to a debate.

This forum would be for questions from people who are assumed to not know the answers to them in advance, and are genuinely interested.

[Jennifer G.]

I know this is a bit old, but I'd like to see a Catholic Converts subform, too.

[twosweetgirls]

Me, me, me too! I'd totally love to see a Catholic Converts subforum, and would jump right in.

Pretty pleeze with tons of Brach's Malted Milk Balls on top??

[puzzleannie]

when us old-timers make a suggestion to read CA homepage articles and tracts, search the library, and search the forums for a topic, esp. FAQs, we are trying to be helpful, since it is quite likely a newbie's questions can be quickly and more helpfully answered this way. Also with old-timers, our mental processes have slowed down some, and we do have hard time following rambling posts that seem to be neither asking a question nor offering a topic for discussion, so we don't quite know where to go with it.

but I do think a newbie forum would be a good idea.

[Jennifer G.]

I was thinking that the subforum could be a place to share conversion stories, recommend books to read, and enjoy eachother's company. Maybe a Water Cooler subforum.

[twosweetgirls]

I totally understand, Annie. That's why a subforum would be great so we could "ramble on" like that, without leaving the safety of this community and being able to access the wisdom of Catholic sages like you.

And what's this about "old-timer"? Eh, age-schmage, it's just a number.

[twosweetgirls]

That's a great idea, Jennifer--call it something like Catholic Converts and Wannabe's.

[Jeanette L]

Originally Posted by twosweetgirls

That's a great idea, Jennifer--call it something like Catholic Converts and Wannabe's.

I'm am going to throw my hat in the ring on this also. I know that when I first came aboard, and even now, sometimes you get intimidated by people who aren't quite patient when you've asked the same question they've heard a million times before.

And, I've said this before, sometimes there are problems unique to converts that we need a safe place to just talk about them, gain strength and encouragment from each other.

So, our own subforum where all things are safe would be a huge help to us. And, as our numbers grow, our needs do also!

It's a good thing!

[dalesmom]

I agree Jeanette. We newbies don't know the correct term or bible passage or catechesis paragraph......whatever. The cradle catholics often jump on us with both feet and beat us to death with words that we are not yet familiar with. For example, EWTN showed Mass yesterday initiating 3 new Friars. Now I'm sure that's not how it should be said, but I have questions and (as many others feel too I'm sure) I feel too stupid to ask them because some long timer will tell me to search for the answer or berate me for not understanding!

PLEASE give us someplace to ask our questions and voice our fears as new Catholics. Maybe someone would like to be our mentor?

[PatienceAndLove]

It would be beneficial to us reverts as well

[Jeanette L]

Originally Posted by dalesmom

I agree Jeanette. We newbies don't know the correct term or bible passage or catechesis paragraph......whatever. The cradle catholics often jump on us with both feet and beat us to death with words that we are not yet familiar with. For example, EWTN showed Mass yesterday initiating 3 new Friars. Now I'm sure that's not how it should be said, but I have questions and (as many others feel too I'm sure) I feel too stupid to ask them because some long timer will tell me to search for the answer or berate me for not understanding!

PLEASE give us someplace to ask our questions and voice our fears as new Catholics. Maybe someone would like to be our mentor?

I sympathize! I still say the wrong things and imagine I probably will the rest of my life. When you're not raised Catholic and come into it as an adult, your brain is already used to a certain "faith" language and terminology and even routine. Converting to Catholicism is like becoming a citizen of a foreign country, you may look like everyone else at first, but it becomes very apparent in no time at all that you are very new there and lost. You have to re-map your brain to associate certain words with whole other things than what you are used to.

You even have to train your body to respond to just hearing certain words and rythmns in the Mass, knowing when to kneel and stand and speak and cross yourself and genuflect, all these things completely new and overwhelming, things a cradle Catholic does without thought and completely takes for granted. It can be overwhelming. And this is just one of many obstacles, and probably the least of them.

And having a mentor on CAF is a wonderful suggestion. I sure hope someone picks up on it and thinks about the possibility of it. It could be a great help and ministry to us newcomers!

In the meantime, we do have the Crazy Converts Club in the Clubhouse subforum. Come on over, we chat about just about everything, it gets messy and confusing but it works for now!

[dalesmom]

All I can say is AMEN!!! You summed it all up.

Thanks!

[EllaK]

Originally Posted by dalesmom

All I can say is AMEN!!! You summed it all up.

Thanks!

Would just like to add my and Thanks !