[TheStickman]

Good question. Specifically, my wife and I decided we needed to develop/join a support system in preparation for the years after our children (late teens now) are gone. My wife was raised to a certain degree in the Catholic Church though she stopped attending in her early teens as it seems her family lost interest at that time I was raised in a Protestant Church that I left in my early 20's and while I resumed praying regularly not long after my wife and I met I was pretty much anti-church in general.

Okay...now I'll try and answer your question. When I 1st mentioned the idea of needing a support system after the nest empties she was certainly all for the idea. She shared her preference for looking into a Catholic church 1st and since I have no real desire, nor feel any calling to return to the demonination I was once affiliated with we attended a Mass last Sunday and we were both impressed on several levels.

I have to admit to being hesitant at 1st. I still am in some ways. My parents are NOT going to be happy campers and there could be some bad feelings come out of this and who in their right mind ever wants to offend their parents? However, it *feels* right to do this. I've found myself feeling almost a *hunger* to read and absorb as much as possible.

Anyway...did I ever answer your question? I think/hope I did:)

[lrslattery]

You may also want to read the early Church Fathers.

I might also suggest Dave Armstrong's "Biblical Evidence for Catholicism" at http://ic.net/~erasmus/RAZHOME.HTM

[Ephesians210]

Re: Good question. Specifically, my wife and I decided we needed to develop/join a support system in preparation for the years after our children (late teens now) are gone.

Not only is there no mention of God, Christ, Redemption, etc in your reasons, but there is no mention of seeking the Truth either.

Jesus said unless a man is born again of the Spirit of God, he could not even see the Kingdom of God. That would be a good place to start.