Traditional Catholic Moms Summer 2010 chat - Page 2

[happyblessedmama]

I miss silent prayer and having really good prayerful masses so much

I don't know if this will be helpful to you, but the way I approach this need in my life is to have the Magnificat magazine and we (or I, alone, during the day) take time to attempt to get the daily readings for either Mass or evening prayer read through.

It's more special when we do it as a family/with DH & I (if the kids are already in bed) but I have been known to grab it as soon as my youngest goes down for a nap while the others are engaged in something and give it a quick read. It doesn't take long and helps with putting SOMETHING spiritual in the day. Also might give me a topic of discussion with DH later on if I've done it during the day when he's not home!

[flower01]

Originally Posted by happyblessedmama

I don't know if this will be helpful to you, but the way I approach this need in my life is to have the Magnificat magazine and we (or I, alone, during the day) take time to attempt to get the daily readings for either Mass or evening prayer read through.

perfect. i can do this!

[xekomaya]

Originally Posted by Charbeau

Ladies, I need some help too. I am so tired, I have no idea how some of you have several children with more on the way. I have three now 5 and under and my DH is gone M-F for his job and I just feel absolutely nuts some days. I know that I do not want any more children. I just don't. I didn't feel this way after the births of my first two but I feel done, done, done now. And I know that isn't a good enough reason to avoid pregnancy, just not wanting to take on more children. I don't have a grave reason, I am just tired and ready to move on.

I'm late on this! I'm so sorry life is stressing you out. I only have one and a half and I know the feeling. This is really something you have to find a GOOD priest to talk to about this. Mother's stress really can be a grave reason to avoid for a short time. On the inside of total exhaustion, everything seems overwhelming and permanent. With a little break, you might feel totally differently - which may mean anything from a few days at Grandma's Daycare or children who are a few months older, a few months more independent.

And about not protesting about the choice your husband is considering - remember your feelings are probably just stress. You want your husband to convert and get to Heaven. You want your kids to grow up in a family that fully appreciates the value and gift of each life. Be strong. Remember he may be leaning towards choices due to your current stress level and it would be pretty awful to realize you made the wrong decision a couple years down the line.

Prayers for you!

[Jaspersmommy]

Hi Mama's!

I'm not a Catholic (not yet anyway) but I've been lurking and thought I'd introduce myself. My husband (who was raised Catholic but hasn't been active until recently) and I were married a year ago and we're having our marriage convalidated within the next few weeks to faciliate the baptism of my 6 year old son. We've been attending mass and I'm going to begin meeting with our Priest for some private RCIA classes/meetings. I think the whole family should be on the same path and it's an exciting step for our family.

I would welcome any information or support regarding the RCIA process. I'm looking forward to learning and starting the process. I'm concerned that I won't be able to devote enough time to the studies. I'm a mama with a full time demanding job and I'm also involved in graduate studies in accountancy. I know that I will need to apply myself I just hope I'm not taking on too much kwim

Thanks for reading

[CherryBomb]

Hi and welcome Jaspersmommy! I think most RCIA classes are designed with time restraints in mind. They realize that most people attending have jobs and families. If you get started and feel overwhelmed, just talk with the RCIA director and I'm sure they'll be able to help you out.

We could use prayers, we're in a really bad financial situation right now (dh's unemployment ended last month, he just got a job last week, so we've had NO income for a month), and so of course everything keeps break (car, dryer, etc). I'm extremely stressed out :/ And our priest is on vacation and no one else is authorized to give out money! uggh.

[BMG580]

Originally Posted by Jaspersmommy

Hi Mama's!

I'm not a Catholic (not yet anyway) but I've been lurking and thought I'd introduce myself. My husband (who was raised Catholic but hasn't been active until recently) and I were married a year ago and we're having our marriage convalidated within the next few weeks to faciliate the baptism of my 6 year old son. We've been attending mass and I'm going to begin meeting with our Priest for some private RCIA classes/meetings. I think the whole family should be on the same path and it's an exciting step for our family.

I would welcome any information or support regarding the RCIA process. I'm looking forward to learning and starting the process. I'm concerned that I won't be able to devote enough time to the studies. I'm a mama with a full time demanding job and I'm also involved in graduate studies in accountancy. I know that I will need to apply myself I just hope I'm not taking on too much kwim

Thanks for reading

Congratulations and welcome!

Well, for me RCIA was sort of the very teensy tip of the ice berg. I know RCIA programs are tailored parish to parish but what I learned in RCIA was maybe 1% of what I needed to know to confidently enter the Catholic Church and convert. I know you are busy, but this is the most important thing you will ever do in your life. Make the time commitment and you will be richly rewarded.

The theology of the Church is a gold mine just waiting to be explored, not only will RCIA be of great help to you, but you hopefully will be inspired to dig even deeper. The intricacy and beauty and sensibility of Catholic Christian theology is a treat waiting to be opened and savored.

I entered the Church in April of 2009 during the Easter Vigil. My children were baptized at the same time. My husband is currently coming around. It is the most significant thing that has ever happened to me - not that there aren't struggles - oh, there are. But my life has never been happier or better or richer.

Keep in touch with us, please!

[Jaspersmommy]

Thank you so much for your thoughts. I do want to put forth effort into the program because I imagine the rewards will be that much richer. I also don't want to enter into the Catholic faith without having a deep understanding. My son will be baptized soon and I don't feel confident that I'm knowledgable enough to guide him on his path. Looking forward to Sunday school starting up in the fall.

I'm hoping my experiences will bring my husband closer to his faith. I'm the one who is driving the boat on this one, so to speak. He believes its a good idea for our son however he's not really mentioned his own faith. It seems as though he's just "going through the motions" when we're at mass. I know a few others have been dealing with similar issues or perhaps I read that in the spring or winter thread. I've been busy reading

I wonder how my experience will differ from an official RCIA program. Essentially I will be meeting on a weekly basis with our Priest and he will be providing private instruction and guidance. Should I expect to receive a historical background in the church or will it extend much beyond that.

Does anyone have any experience with a one-on-one RCIA?

[BMG580]

Originally Posted by Jaspersmommy

I wonder how my experience will differ from an official RCIA program. Essentially I will be meeting on a weekly basis with our Priest and he will be providing private instruction and guidance. Should I expect to receive a historical background in the church or will it extend much beyond that.

Does anyone have any experience with a one-on-one RCIA?

I think it sounds like a great way to go through the conversion process. You can read or study a specific topic and then take your questions to the priest weekly. Frankly, I think that may have been a better way for me to do it but that is not how the program was set up at my parish.

Podcasts might be good for you and there are a few really excellent DVDs out there as well that have good info. Why Be Catholic? by Tim Staples http://www.catholic.com/new/why_be_catholic.aspis a good one as is Common Ground featuring Fr. John Riccardo http://www.ninevehscrossing.com/Comm...nd/CGOrder.php. Fr. Riccardo's RCIA podcast series is fantastic and free: http://frjohnriccardo.libsyn.com/category/RCIA. Fr. John Corapi also has a very good RCIA series, though it is pricey.

Here is a site full of free audio CD's: http://freecatholiccds.excerptsofinri.com/

My parish actually has table full of them along with LightHouse Ministries CDs for people to take. Our parish also has quite a good library that things can be borrowed from. I suggest checking to see what your parish offers.

I also recommend reading anything by Thomas Howard, all the C.S. Lewis books (starting with Mere Christianity), Scott Hahn writes easily digestible books as well. G.K. Chesterton is also fantastic and don't forget about Thomas Merton and his Seven Storey Mountain - such a classic that it can't be missed!

Some of the CDs may be good for you because they are easy to listen to while you are driving around. Podcasts can be downloaded onto an iPhone or iPod and played in the car as well, not sure if you have one of those though.

[frugalmama]

Mind if I pop in here for a quick question? I normally just lurk on this thread. I'm a convert and single mom.

We dress modestly, which normally equates to dresses {by her choice} for DD who is starting K this fall. We homeschool, and I normally buy her used school uniforms {polo or middy blouse and jumper} to wear on school days as I can get them CHEAP here {$1 a piece} and they last very well.

DD is starting a local homeschool PE class that is held at a YMCA gym, and I'm at a loss for what to have her wear to PE. It looks like from pics most of the kids wear t-shirts and tight fitting pants {think leggings} for PE for her age.

Would a dress get in the way too much? Would a skort be better? I have a few uniform skirts with shorts under that I got for her to wear already.

Trying to make sure we have this ironed out beforehand as it sometimes take me a while to find modest clothing that fits her as she is tall for her age.

[philia]

Just curious

How many of you wear a veil to mass ? Do traditional Catholics still wear a veil ?

[xekomaya]

Jaspersmommy - welcome!

frugalmama - What about something like a field hockey uniform? Shorts under a skirt - all knee length. Otherwise we always changed into sweats for PE as a kid. Unless you have really strong convictions, I wouldn't go nuts making sure she has a skirt on at all times. Just make sure her clothes are roomy enough and also provide coverage through all sorts of childish acrobatics so she can have fun without worry.

philia - yup. I absolutely veil. Most to all women will veil at a Latin Mass and there is mixed adherence at other times.

[Jaspersmommy]

Thanks for the references and encouragement. I've bookmarked the sites and will look into the books. I just purchased the Catholic Family Bible and I like the focus on family and parenting.

I feel very fortunate to have a priest that is willing to devote so much time to my spiritual development. What an amazing experience I have ahead of me. My first meeting is the last week in August and I'm looking forward to it.

I'm assuming this means I'll be baptised and confirmed next Easter? It seems like a lot of study. Don't get me wrong, I very much appreciate the fact that they educate you so you fully understand what you're getting into. With that being said, I was raised in the United church and while dedication was important, I also felt as though it was more welcoming to newcomers. I don't mean welcoming in the sense that the people in my parish don't make me feel welcome, I just mean it's a lot of work to convert imho. Good work though

Thanks for reading

[moonshoes]

I just wanted to say hello to everyone! I am very excited as Father has asked me to head up our new Respect Life Ministry! We are "kicking it off" on the day of the Assumption of Our Lady and I am hoping for a good turnout. I had a lovely meeting with a woman in the Respect LIfe office in our diocese (Worcester, MA - pronounced Woostah who gave me some materials and ideas.

As someone who in her former life marched in pro-choice rallies and worked in a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic, I feel so gratified to the Lord for allowing me to bring truth to people. I hope to really make this a success.

[Trigger]

Originally Posted by CherryBomb

We could use prayers, we're in a really bad financial situation right now (dh's unemployment ended last month, he just got a job last week, so we've had NO income for a month), and so of course everything keeps break (car, dryer, etc). I'm extremely stressed out :/ And our priest is on vacation and no one else is authorized to give out money! uggh.

I'm so sorry. Can you reach out to Catholic Charities for immediate help? A local food pantry?

[Dmitrizmom]

Joining in. For most of my adult life, I've been a hatch, match, dispatch Catholic. In the last year, I have re-found my faith, but am being challenged in many ways by Church doctrine. For the last 6 months, I've been feeling called to participate in the RCIA process as a way to complete the process of reconnecting with my faith. Looking forward to reading along with you all and finding clarity through community.

[BMG580]

Originally Posted by CherryBomb

We could use prayers, we're in a really bad financial situation right now (dh's unemployment ended last month, he just got a job last week, so we've had NO income for a month), and so of course everything keeps break (car, dryer, etc). I'm extremely stressed out :/ And our priest is on vacation and no one else is authorized to give out money! uggh.

I'm so sorry. Prayers for you and your family CB.

[PatienceAndLove]

Originally Posted by Jaspersmommy

Thank you so much for your thoughts. I do want to put forth effort into the program because I imagine the rewards will be that much richer. I also don't want to enter into the Catholic faith without having a deep understanding. My son will be baptized soon and I don't feel confident that I'm knowledgable enough to guide him on his path. Looking forward to Sunday school starting up in the fall.

I'm hoping my experiences will bring my husband closer to his faith. I'm the one who is driving the boat on this one, so to speak. He believes its a good idea for our son however he's not really mentioned his own faith. It seems as though he's just "going through the motions" when we're at mass. I know a few others have been dealing with similar issues or perhaps I read that in the spring or winter thread. I've been busy reading

I wonder how my experience will differ from an official RCIA program. Essentially I will be meeting on a weekly basis with our Priest and he will be providing private instruction and guidance. Should I expect to receive a historical background in the church or will it extend much beyond that.

Does anyone have any experience with a one-on-one RCIA?

I am putting in my vote for The Reason For Our Hope. Fr. Larry Richards was my pastor for a few years, and he is FANTASTIC! Even my agnostic XDH get something out of his homilies. You can subscribe for his sermons each week via ITunes.
You can also download his talks via the site. "Confession", "The Truth", and "The Mass Explained" are my favorites.
Also, check out The Bible Christian Society and their free downloads.

[JMJ]

Originally Posted by Dmitrizmom

Joining in. For most of my adult life, I've been a hatch, match, dispatch Catholic. In the last year, I have re-found my faith, but am being challenged in many ways by Church doctrine. For the last 6 months, I've been feeling called to participate in the RCIA process as a way to complete the process of reconnecting with my faith. Looking forward to reading along with you all and finding clarity through community.

Welcome!

There are a lot of Church doctrines that are challenging to understand and accept at times, but there is a real beauty in seeking and discovering why. Even if you begin RCIA, you are not locked in. You can decide any time between now and Easter if you really want to be Catholic (and really any time after that as well). I hope we can be a support to you. Feel free to bring up questions and concerns.

[PatienceAndLove]

I dunno about anyone else, but I really do love answering other people's questions about the Faith.
I love going and digging up the answers!

[mediumcrunch]

Originally Posted by Jaspersmommy

I wonder how my experience will differ from an official RCIA program. Essentially I will be meeting on a weekly basis with our Priest and he will be providing private instruction and guidance. Should I expect to receive a historical background in the church or will it extend much beyond that.

Does anyone have any experience with a one-on-one RCIA?

nak

go to: forums.catholic-convert.com

awesome board, answer lots of your questions, give support