I want to become a Catholic but I'm starting to get discouraged

[longing_catholic]

I thought Jesus was the one who said "Judge least you shall be judged"
and
Mary Magdalene (SP) said "let he who is without sin cast the first stone"

I came to you all seeking help on becoming a Catholic....not to help me realize how judgemental people can be.

[heavenseeker]

none of us were being judgemental. all of us were trying to do what you asked us to do. By getting married in the church the first time is a very catholic thing to do. I am sorry if you were offended by anything i had said.

[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

judging would be us saying that you are going to hell, which none of us have done.

[longing_catholic]

No I never asked for anyone's help or anyone's blessing of my marriage. I came here (and read my initial posting) to get help and encouragement to become a Catholic, not to hear people judging me and telling me that I am committing a sin. You are not the one who judges in the end nor is it your place to judge me now for committing a sin. As I clearly recall Jesus turned to the criminal on the cross and forgave him for ALL of his sins.

[quote name='heavenseeker' post='1000676' date='Jun 8 2006, 02:54 PM']
none of us were being judgemental. all of us were trying to do what you asked us to do. By getting married in the church the first time is a very catholic thing to do. I am sorry if you were offended by anything i had said.
[/quote]

[MichaelF]

[url="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764553917/qid=1149796636/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-2234260-6183135?s=books&v=glance&n=283155"]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076455391...glance&n=283155[/url]

Catholicism for Dummies. Never mind the title, it's a very good, very orthodox, introduction to the Church. Fr John has, for several years, been on EWTNs "Web of Faith" show, answering questions from viewers ("How many times/week can I go to Mass", etc).

Also, watch EWTN (usually, it's in the higher 300-series channels, if you have Digital Cable). Lots of good catechetical info on there.

[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

you obviously do not know what admonishing a sinner is.

as Catholics we are bound to tell a person if they are sinning so they can correct the sin.

NINE WAYS OF BEING ACCESSORY TO ANOTHER'S SIN

1. By counsel.
2. By command.
3. By consent.
4. By provocation.
5. By praise or flattery.
6. By concealment.
7. By partaking.
8. By silence.
9. By defense of the ill done

also if You keep silent it is an acessory to your sin, making us responsible in some way for it.

[longing_catholic]

Thank you for the helpful information!

It is so sad that everyone jumped in and insisted on telling me that I am committing a sin instead of welcoming me into your Catholic Community. It is truly a wonderful time when people do not have God in their life and they want to try to find him. Its upsetting to me that everyone focused on the sin that I will commit instead of helping me become a Catholic.

Thank you to those who were truly helpful! I really do appreciate that.

OH AND I THINK WE ALL FORGET....WE ALL COMMIT SINS....NO ONE IS PERFECT! YOU SHOULD NEVER JUDGE ANYONE FOR THE SINS THEY COMMIT BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT YOU HAVE SOMETHING HIDING IN YOUR CLOSET!


[quote name='MichaelF' post='1000681' date='Jun 8 2006, 03:01 PM']
[url="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764553917/qid=1149796636/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-2234260-6183135?s=books&v=glance&n=283155"]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076455391...glance&n=283155[/url]

Catholicism for Dummies. Never mind the title, it's a very good, very orthodox, introduction to the Church. Fr John has, for several years, been on EWTNs "Web of Faith" show, answering questions from viewers ("How many times/week can I go to Mass", etc).

Also, watch EWTN (usually, it's in the higher 300-series channels, if you have Digital Cable). Lots of good catechetical info on there.
[/quote]

[MichaelF]

Longing,
my question is, if your fiancee is Catholic and you -wish- to be Catholic....is there a reason why the Wedding must be non-Catholic?

Maybe there is an external factor?

My strong advice is to get married within the Church, even if you are not yet a Catechumen. Catholic/non-Catholic weddings are nothing new.

Consider it a part of your journey to the authentic Faith.

Best of luck.

[heavenseeker]

even though that is very imforative and good for her to know it is not what she came to us for.


I wish i had advise for you but i dont. I will pray for you and your future husband. The only thing i cans say othewise is try going to a priest and do some online research.

[curtins]

Longing we're not trying to be unwelcoming or trying to find fault in you- Let me put it to you this way- IF I posted and said I was gonna go and murder someone everyone would tell me not to and to stop etc etc. I'm not saying murder and marrying outside the church are the same but they're both mortal sins. We just dont want to see you or your husband to be falling into mortal sin.

[longing_catholic]

My fiance is a non-practicing Catholic. We have spoken to someone at our local Catholic church (who is fully aware of our situation and NEVER once passed judgement or even suggested to not get married outside of the Catholic Church). They suggested that we go into the pre cana program since we do plan to "re-marry" in the Catholic Church.



[quote name='MichaelF' post='1000689' date='Jun 8 2006, 03:06 PM']
Longing,
my question is, if your fiancee is Catholic and you -wish- to be Catholic....is there a reason why the Wedding must be non-Catholic?

Maybe there is an external factor?

My strong advice is to get married within the Church, even if you are not yet a Catechumen. Catholic/non-Catholic weddings are nothing new.

Consider it a part of your journey to the authentic Faith.

Best of luck.
[/quote]

[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

we told you that you were commiting a sin, and you were obstinite in your sins (which is a sin against the holy Ghost)

you have no right to be mad. We all welcomed you, and tried to help you out, and you responded in anger when we tried to save your soul from hell.

[Fides_et_Ratio]

Congrats on your desire to become Catholic, longing_catholic!

I will pray for you on your journey.

I echo MichaelF's suggestion above regarding marrying in a church--think of it as part of your journey to the Catholic faith. I do not think that the others were trying to be condemning--they were just concerned for you. It just doesn't seem to make much sense to say that one wants to be Catholic-- but only after they've been officially received into the Church. You don't have to wait to act like a Catholic until after you've been received into the Church at Easter Vigil. You can get married in a Catholic Church. Thus, you wouldn't have to get "remarried", you could simply have your marriage blessed after the Easter Vigil ceramonies.

But I think the best plan of action would be to find a good and holy priest to discuss all these issues and concerns with.

[MichaelF]

[quote name='longing_catholic' post='1000694' date='Jun 8 2006, 02:11 PM']
My fiance is a non-practicing Catholic. We have spoken to someone at our local Catholic church (who is fully aware of our situation and NEVER once passed judgement or even suggested to not get married outside of the Catholic Church). They suggested that we go into the pre cana program since we do plan to "re-marry" in the Catholic Church.
[/quote]

Longing,
I get that part. Specifically, it would be helpful to know why the initial Wedding -must- be nonCatholic. Even if he is a fallen-away Catholic, he is still permitted a Wedding within the Church, especially if his fiance is about to become a Catechumen.

Are one set of parents a factor in this?

None of this is anyone here's business, but I'm thinking you have been passed some bad info.

[thessalonian]

longing,

We really should not be talking about this to you as it is clear you do not understand and I do not mean that in a bad way. Your to be husband should be recieving this counsel.

Once again I do not wish to sound attacking toward you in any way. But admonish the sinner is a corporal work of mercy in the Catholic Church. If someone is headed for the ditch, as Catholics we have an obligation to speak.

If your to be husband is not a practicing Catholic he is likely in a state of grave sin already. I do recommend that he go to confession and get right with the Church now. He is in far greater peril than you if you were not to enter the Church before you died. At any rate I will add you to my prayer list and truly wish you well and that this all comes out okay.

Blessings