recovering dissident catholic

[Cathy_of_Alex]

For 12 years I was a CINO (Catholic In Name Only). Thanks to the outreach efforts of Catholic Media (EWTN, Nat. Cath. Reg, Rel. Radio) I have discovered the Truth of our Faith.

In fact, I WAS a member of the "infamous" St. Joan of Arc in Minneapolis. No more.

Today, I am a member of a faithful, Catholic parish in St. Paul MN. I regularly say the Rosary, and go to Confession. Furthermore, I do an hour of Adoration every week. 5 years ago, I never would have believed any of it was necessary. My prayer life is strong and I am finally at peace with myself.

Just a note to say: Hello and Your Efforts DO Make a Difference.

Thank You and May God Bless You!

[brotherhrolf]

Welcome Cathy. St. Joan has been a topic of numerous threads. I'm sure your presence would be most welcome on them.

[krysianka]

It is wonderful to be home, isn't it? I've found the time spent before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament to be most healing. So glad that you've returned to your Mother, and to all of us your brothers and sisters.

[JCPhoenix]

Hello Cathy, fellow former-lost-sheep!

Will you tell you story?

[JMJ_Pinoy]

Welcome to the forums!

[Jennifer123]

Originally Posted by Cathy_of_Alex

For 12 years I was a CINO (Catholic In Name Only). Thanks to the outreach efforts of Catholic Media (EWTN, Nat. Cath. Reg, Rel. Radio) I have discovered the Truth of our Faith.

In fact, I WAS a member of the "infamous" St. Joan of Arc in Minneapolis. No more.

Today, I am a member of a faithful, Catholic parish in St. Paul MN. I regularly say the Rosary, and go to Confession. Furthermore, I do an hour of Adoration every week. 5 years ago, I never would have believed any of it was necessary. My prayer life is strong and I am finally at peace with myself.

Just a note to say: Hello and Your Efforts DO Make a Difference.

Thank You and May God Bless You!

How wonderful!! Glad you are home!!

[Cathy_of_Alex]

I'm sure many of you have a similar tale.

Three generations of my family attended St. Joan of Arc. My parents were married there and I was baptized there. My parents left St. Joan's in the early 70's when Fr. Egan started making his changes. My family moved to Incarnation in Minneapolis.

I ended up back at St. Joan's in the early 90's. It was a rough time in my life. I was seeking something and at the time St. Joan's filled my need. People were friendly and the parish was welcoming.

I, like many others, was poorly catechized. I was born in the late 60s. I would not have known a proper rubric for the Mass if I saw it. I had people telling me stuff and I believed it because I did not know any better.

I'm not kidding when I say Catholic Media has had an huge impact on my life. It started me questioning what I had heretofore believed to be truth.

I don't want to go on too long but that's the gist of it.

[JCPhoenix]

Cathy,

Was there anything that drew you to Catholic media in particular? Did you want to learn or did you just happen upon something which contradicted what you otherwise had been told? Etc.?

The reason I ask is because while I was searching, I didn't know where to look. A friend gave me a copy of "Left Behind" and I felt very offended and on the defensive for some of the anti-Catholic content. Some of what she said also bothered me but I didn't know how to respond...and so that goaded me to do some research. I remembered an article about Mother Angelica and EWTN and so I went home, turned on the TV, and found "Web of Faith" and "Journey Home".

Did something similar happen to you or was it a Catholic friend who provided information to you?

[Cathy_of_Alex]

JCPhoenix:

Yes, I recall not knowing how to respond to things and not knowing why.

When I read or was told things that contradicted what I was being taught at SJA, I started to wonder which position was right. Then, I started reading actual Church documents and law instead of having people "tell" me what was in there. Frequently, what was said was not in the Church documents or even allowed.

For instance: I was told an individual's conscience is the primary thing they must follow and it says so in the Catechism. This position was used as a justification for sex outside of marriage (hey, your not killing anyone!) among other things. I went and looked and yes an individual must follow their conscience is in the Catechism but it also says that does not mean you can do the opposite of what the Church teaches.

Hmmm...guess "they" did not want to read that far. I wander why??!!! Did not fit their agenda perhaps?

[thann]

WELCOME HOME, CATHY!!!!!

'thann

[aimee]

Good to have you home