crazy converts/reverts club #23

anamchara · #1 Feb 1, '08, 10:21 pm

Welcome!!!

KarenElissa · #2 Feb 1, '08, 10:23 pm

Found it!

anamchara · #3 Feb 1, '08, 10:24 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarenElissa

Found it!

I answered your question! But it was the last post. I can post it here if you want.

KiraSana · #4 Feb 1, '08, 10:26 pm

Quote:
Originally Posted by anamchara
Interesting. I do remember getting comments along the lines of "well, I want to see you happy" or "If God is calling you this way then you should go" My pastor said "well, Janine it sounds like you are going on a powerful spiritual journey, I understand" I wanted to hug him. His understanding made it so hard to leave. He was really involved in the ecumenical community.

I think it's hard to witness to people who are so open anyway, it's not like they feel one is right and the other wrong and they wouldn't understand if you brought it up.

One of the things that's works well with the more liberal side is to just talk about how spiritually full filled you are now. I've said things along the lines of "I can feel God in so many different ways than before" "It touches all the senses, rosary/holy water touch, incense=smell" etc..Without realizing it the famous Fr. Greeley seriously knows how to speak to the liberal converts. I know the conservatives get very nervous with him but he really does have a handle on the deep rich beautiful spirituality that is Catholicism."

After reading your post from the previous thread, I should qualify my answer. I am glad you had this experience! And I like your approach - my post has come from my exchange with my family and friends, who seem to say "whatever you feel you need to do" to my face and then their true feelings come out later...

Jeanette L · #5 Feb 1, '08, 10:28 pm

Can't have a clubhouse without a CLUBHOUSE!

Come on in and make yourself comfortable!

anamchara · #6 Feb 1, '08, 10:29 pm

[quote=KiraSana;3270733]Quote:
Originally Posted by anamchara
Interesting. I do remember getting comments along the lines of "well, I want to see you happy" or "If God is calling you this way then you should go" My pastor said "well, Janine it sounds like you are going on a powerful spiritual journey, I understand" I wanted to hug him. His understanding made it so hard to leave. He was really involved in the ecumenical community.

I think it's hard to witness to people who are so open anyway, it's not like they feel one is right and the other wrong and they wouldn't understand if you brought it up.

One of the things that's works well with the more liberal side is to just talk about how spiritually full filled you are now. I've said things along the lines of "I can feel God in so many different ways than before" "It touches all the senses, rosary/holy water touch, incense=smell" etc..Without realizing it the famous Fr. Greeley seriously knows how to speak to the liberal converts. I know the conservatives get very nervous with him but he really does have a handle on the deep rich beautiful spirituality that is Catholicism."

Quote:

After reading your post from the previous thread, I should qualify my answer. I am glad you had this experience! And I like your approach - my post has come from my exchange with my family and friends, who seem to say "whatever you feel you need to do" to my face and then their true feelings come out later..

thanks for posting it over here Kira. Yes, it sounds like you have it much like Jeanette does.

KarenElissa · #7 Feb 1, '08, 10:32 pm

I'll have to look up Father Greeley. I've heard of him, he teaches at the University of AZ here and I think occasionally says Mass at my parish.

I am thankful that I haven't really gotten any of the anti-Catholic responses many coming from the evangelical side of things. Although I do think that those on the more liberal side are just as confused by this whole thing.

It is just a different reaction.

KiraSana · #8 Feb 1, '08, 10:33 pm

[quote=anamchara;3270743]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiraSana

Quote:
Originally Posted by anamchara
Interesting. I do remember getting comments along the lines of "well, I want to see you happy" or "If God is calling you this way then you should go" My pastor said "well, Janine it sounds like you are going on a powerful spiritual journey, I understand" I wanted to hug him. His understanding made it so hard to leave. He was really involved in the ecumenical community.

I think it's hard to witness to people who are so open anyway, it's not like they feel one is right and the other wrong and they wouldn't understand if you brought it up.

One of the things that's works well with the more liberal side is to just talk about how spiritually full filled you are now. I've said things along the lines of "I can feel God in so many different ways than before" "It touches all the senses, rosary/holy water touch, incense=smell" etc..Without realizing it the famous Fr. Greeley seriously knows how to speak to the liberal converts. I know the conservatives get very nervous with him but he really does have a handle on the deep rich beautiful spirituality that is Catholicism."

thanks for posting it over here Kira. Yes, it sounds like you have it much like Jeanette does.

It's been a challenge, but I figured it would be. I keep praying for them and doing all I can to live a good example. The bright side is that my sister and my sister-in-law have each approached me privately to ask questions and have asked for advice about issues they know the Church has a firm stance. So there is hope!

anamchara · #9 Feb 1, '08, 10:33 pm

And Jack, this is one of my favorite expressions

sums up my personality!

Jeanette L · #10 Feb 1, '08, 10:35 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by anamchara

And Jack, this is one of my favorite expressions

sums up my personality!

I knew you wouldn't forget our Jack.

Aye, the adventure of it all.

Jeanette L · #11 Feb 1, '08, 10:36 pm

[quote=KiraSana;3270750]

Quote:

Originally Posted by anamchara

It's been a challenge, but I figured it would be. I keep praying for them and doing all I can to live a good example. The bright side is that my sister and my sister-in-law have each approached me privately to ask questions and have asked for advice about issues they know the Church has a firm stance. So there is hope!

That's a wonderful turn of events! How exciting for you.

Jeanette L · #12 Feb 1, '08, 10:40 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarenElissa

I'll have to look up Father Greeley. I've heard of him, he teaches at the University of AZ here and I think occasionally says Mass at my parish.

I am thankful that I haven't really gotten any of the anti-Catholic responses many coming from the evangelical side of things. Although I do think that those on the more liberal side are just as confused by this whole thing.

It is just a different reaction.

If people are very "relative" in their thinking, they are not going to have strong reactions. Your truth may be different from their truth. There is a lot of that kind of thinking going on in Christian circles.

Catholicism says that there is ONE truth and it's found here in it's fullness.

That's why Fundamentalists get so riled up, because they very much believe in truth, but that they are in possession of it, not the Catholic Church. There is no such thing as different truths for different people. At least they are right about that part of it. But that's why it's so hard for them to swallow that they could be wrong about where it's found.

anamchara · #13 Feb 1, '08, 10:46 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarenElissa

I'll have to look up Father Greeley. I've heard of him, he teaches at the University of AZ here and I think occasionally says Mass at my parish.

I am thankful that I haven't really gotten any of the anti-Catholic responses many coming from the evangelical side of things. Although I do think that those on the more liberal side are just as confused by this whole thing.

It is just a different reaction.

Just don't tell anyone you are reading Fr. Greeley. At least on here

I don't know if the liberal side is confused. I think they are just very content where they are. They don't believe God is limited to one church. God is God, He is for everyone. Why would you feel this or that Church had the market on Him? We are to live our lives as Christ teaches in scripture and grow in our faith together. Catholics are cool, they have the stations of the cross I wish we did

I remember once I was talking to one of our pastors about the deep spirituality of Catholics and he openly told me that he would love it if we did the stations of the cross etc.. So we talked for a while about it. I'll never forget that. He was not surprised at all when I converted.

anamchara · #14 Feb 1, '08, 10:50 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeanette L

I knew you wouldn't forget our Jack.

Aye, the adventure of it all.

KarenElissa · #15 Feb 1, '08, 10:52 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by anamchara

Just don't tell anyone you are reading Fr. Greeley. At least on here

I don't know if the liberal side is confused. I think they are just very content where they are. They don't believe God is limited to one church. God is God, He is for everyone. Why would you feel this or that Church had the market on Him? We are to live our lives as Christ teaches in scripture and grow in our faith together. Catholics are cool, they have the stations of the cross I wish we did

I remember once I was talking to one of our pastors about the deep spirituality of Catholics and he openly told me that he would love it if we did the stations of the cross etc.. So we talked for a while about it. I'll never forget that. He was not surprised at all when I converted.

I know there are a number of Catholic things I experienced in UM groups. Things like Lectio Divina, labyrinths, and the Stations of the Cross. It is more of a pick and choose thing. Pick what works for you and throw out what doesn't.

I think the "fullness of truth" idea is where they get stuck. There really isn't that much focus on truth, so who cares about the fullness of it. Whatever works.