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I'm joining the Catholic Church next month. Advice/Books/Etc.?

Posted on 05/28/2008 6:05:04 PM PDT by Ultra Sonic 007

Hello fellow Freepers. I believe this is my first post on the Religion forum.

Over the past week or so, I put some thought into something I've been pondering for a while; my spiritual welfare. As it was, I had been part of the 'Sola Scriptua' school of thought (Evangelical Christian). By the Bible and only the Bible. Sounded good enough.

Well...what about before the Bible was put into word? It stuck in my head when reading an article earlier on FR concerning a deconstruction of Sola Scriptura and its inherent weaknesses as a foundation for one's faith.

This, combined with a genuine lack of churchgoing (as a family, we've been uncertain about going to various churches, given that top-down problems with Episcopal/Methodist/etc. churches and their increasing liberalization are a genuine problem for one's spiritual welfare), compelled me to make a decision.

I don't know if my family will follow me, persay, but I'm going to go ahead and take the plunge.

Next month, I'm going to the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle near my home, and I'm joining the Roman Catholic Church.

As is, I have a few volumes of the Magnificat pamphlet and the Catechism of the Catholic Church to read.

Any other pointers from other Catholic Freepers?


TOPICS: Catholic; Evangelical Christian; History; Ministry/Outreach
KEYWORDS: catholic; convert; religion; tiberswimteam
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To: Ultra Sonic 007
Congratulations, and thanks be to God!

There are lots of good book recommendations here; I'll try not to just echo those. I have to echo one, however: St. Therese of Liseux, Story of a Soul. (The movie version of her life, called simply Therese, is very beautiful, also. Sad, also, in a certain way I can't exactly describe.)

Some books to read ... Spirit of Catholicism, by Karl Adam. Spirit and Forms of Protestantism, by Louis Bouyer. The book that my wife credits for her conversion more than any other after the Bible, Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic by David Currie. (She was not coming from a fundamentalist background, strangely enough.)

I have a lot of Scott Hahn's books, but I actually like his Bible studies on tape/CD better than any of them. I just finished Romanism in Romans, and it may be the best of the bunch. They're available from St. Joseph Communications, www.saintjoe.com. (Some of them are no longer sold, but you may be able to borrow them from other Catholics, parish libraries, etc.)

61 posted on 05/28/2008 8:13:39 PM PDT by Campion
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To: jp3

Take the plunge. Jesus is waiting for you in the tabernacle.


62 posted on 05/28/2008 8:15:33 PM PDT by fetal heart beats by 21st day (Defending human life is not a federalist issue. It is the business of all of humanity.)
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To: Ultra Sonic 007
Any other pointers from other Catholic Freepers?

The Baltimore Catechism - much easier to read (and memorize) the fundamental tenets of the Catholic faith than the one more recently published.

The Douay-Rheims Bible - the first official English translation of the Bible.

63 posted on 05/28/2008 8:16:27 PM PDT by ELS (Vivat Benedictus XVI!)
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To: Ultra Sonic 007

At some point you will come across writings of those who claim to be Catholic. Authors such as Sr. Joan Chittister , Garry Willis, and others who dissent from official teaching. It is important that all Catholics be well equipped to recognize these wolves. This list should help.

http://www.catholic-pages.com/dir/dissent.asp


64 posted on 05/28/2008 8:17:06 PM PDT by lastchance (Hug your babies.)
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To: Ann Archy; Ultra Sonic 007

Yeah... a REAL Catholic bible (Jerusalem, Douay-Rhiems), not that silly piece of modernism known as the New American Bible.

For a GREAT read, “The Soul of the Apostolate,” by Dom Jean-Baptiste Chautard. But don’t try to read through it like a novel or an instruction manual. It’s verrry rich, and also takes a little cultural translation.


65 posted on 05/28/2008 8:17:45 PM PDT by dangus
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To: Ultra Sonic 007
Oh, I forgot, if you haven't seen it, rent or buy the movie Man for All Seasons.
66 posted on 05/28/2008 8:20:00 PM PDT by Campion
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To: fetal heart beats by 21st day

I’m sure you’re not advising others to receive Holy Communion while still not Catholic.... it just appears that way, right?


67 posted on 05/28/2008 8:22:36 PM PDT by La Enchiladita
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To: La Enchiladita

No, of course not! I was responding to a poster who said he/she was considering joining the Church for years, but just hasn’t done it.

Thanks for checking up on me, though!


68 posted on 05/28/2008 8:24:21 PM PDT by fetal heart beats by 21st day (Defending human life is not a federalist issue. It is the business of all of humanity.)
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To: Ultra Sonic 007

Let your conscience be your only guide.


69 posted on 05/28/2008 8:28:35 PM PDT by divine_moment_of_facts ( If there were no Cowards.. there would be no Bullies.)
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To: Ultra Sonic 007

http://fhu.com/


70 posted on 05/28/2008 8:29:49 PM PDT by divine_moment_of_facts ( If there were no Cowards.. there would be no Bullies.)
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To: fetal heart beats by 21st day
I wasn't checking up on you, but this comment to Ultrasonic stood out:

Receive the sacraments and pray for the assistance of the Holy Spirit.

It looked very much like you meant Holy Communion. I apologize that I still do not understand what you meant.

71 posted on 05/28/2008 8:32:24 PM PDT by La Enchiladita
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To: divine_moment_of_facts

More of man’s wisdom. We’re being smothered by man’s wisdom.

God’s wisdom is exhilirating and brings joy and freedom.


72 posted on 05/28/2008 8:33:21 PM PDT by fetal heart beats by 21st day (Defending human life is not a federalist issue. It is the business of all of humanity.)
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To: La Enchiladita

Oh, I don’t mind. Words do matter, and I do not wish to be unclear.

He is joining the Catholic Church. He will probably be receiving 4 of the 7 sacraments- Baptism, Penance, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.

Are you confused about my word “assistance?”

My other comment was to a different poster who said he/she has been studying/preparing to enter the church for 2 years, but just hasn’t entered yet.


73 posted on 05/28/2008 8:38:40 PM PDT by fetal heart beats by 21st day (Defending human life is not a federalist issue. It is the business of all of humanity.)
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To: divine_moment_of_facts
Interesting. From end of the article on that website:

The mark of the Satanic minister, who misuses Christ's teaching, is his insistence that "no one is perfect other than Christ himself," and that we can sin all we want to because Christ forgives us.

That's of course, nothing remotely like Catholic teaching. It is remarkably like a quotation I've heard from a certain German ex-Augustinian monk, however.

74 posted on 05/28/2008 8:39:36 PM PDT by Campion
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To: Ultra Sonic 007

Yes, get yourself a new Bible with All the books in it.

Have you enrolled in a RCIA class yet? In not, please do. Many of your questions will be answered there.

BTW, Welcome home!


75 posted on 05/28/2008 8:41:29 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Ultra Sonic 007

A couple more books:

Rome Sweet Home

The Lamb’s Supper

both by Scott Hahn


76 posted on 05/28/2008 8:42:54 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Ultra Sonic 007

Keep on reading, for your whole life. The wonderful thing about Catholicism is that it is so intellectually deep and rich. No other Christian tradition can begin to approach it. Right here on the Internet is enough material to keep you busy for a lifetime without having to even purchase a single book. But since you asked - and are obviously in the mood to buy books - any of the ones recommended here are excellent. The important thing is to keep on reading, keep on growing in your faith. Do that, and it will never disappoint you because you will be tapping into the essence of the faith and not all this superficial stuff.....trends, opinions, what the media says about the Pope and/or the sex abuse crisis and so on. That stuff comes and goes. But the real faith, the faith Our Lord passed on to the Twelve - and which the Catholic Church so faithfully preserves - that will live forever.


77 posted on 05/28/2008 8:48:39 PM PDT by Rosie405
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To: Ultra Sonic 007
I recommend:

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Douay-Rheims Challoner Bible

78 posted on 05/28/2008 8:56:51 PM PDT by Petronski (Scripture & Tradition must be accepted & honored w/equal sentiments of devotion & reverence. CCC 82)
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To: Ultra Sonic 007

Try the ewtn website. The archives are a little hard to search, but deeply comprehensive.

http://ewtn.com/new_library/index.asp


79 posted on 05/28/2008 8:59:30 PM PDT by Petronski (Scripture & Tradition must be accepted & honored w/equal sentiments of devotion & reverence. CCC 82)
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To: Ultra Sonic 007

Pray the rosary and meditate on the mysteries.You will soar,trust me:)


80 posted on 05/28/2008 9:02:31 PM PDT by fatima (Pray.for Jim,founder of this forum.)
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