I am open to any feedback, questions, comments, etc.
Yesterday, I doubled down on honesty with my wife and told her I am done with non-denominationalism/protestant church. She took it well, as she is deconstructing because of all the hurt from nondenominational churches throughout the years.
I also told her I have a serious interest in the Catholic Church. She was not surprised. But challenged me a little by saying that she does not think switching denominations would be the answer. I validated her concerns while also saying the best Christians I have ever met were devout Catholics. She received that.
She also challenged my interest in becoming Catholic because we live in Wyoming, and there is still a pioneer spirit in the air out here. "What were pioneers doing? They didn't have a Catholic Church to go to. They had their Bibles and small churches/groups at best." I thought this was a decent point. Nothing to get me off the path to becoming Catholic, but an interesting way of putting it.
She is kind of in a place of "all I need is Jesus." And I want to respect and validate that. But also be honest. The last thing she said was, "I don't want our family to be divided. And I am not excited about us becoming catholic, and I love you." I took that as a really good sign of unity and trust (i.e., she will probably follow me into the church, albeit reluctantly).
Lastly, her corn-growing, free-evangelical family in Iowa would kill me if we became Catholic. I care and don't care about that, if that makes sense. I was never squeaky clean "Christian" enough for their daughter anyway.
I am not sure what to do next, but I will invite her to come with me to Mass.
Hi Keith, Estelle & Lucy
I have just prayed the Rosary from Saturday on re-pray. I prayed that your van would be fixed and that you get home safely.
Wow, that was such a powerful Rosary. It has left me reflecting about everything in my life. No bad thing I say, if it brings me closer to God and back to Confession and Mass. I aim to go to Confession this weekend if my health allows me too. Part of me being away from the Church is because of my ill health and on the days I feel okay, I don't go as I have got out of the habit of going. I'm not proud of this but I am saying that this is what I struggle with and I'm sure there must be other people in similar situations. I will pray that this will change for the better for each of us. 🙏🙏
I was once very active within the Catholic Church, The Legion of Mary, Prayer Groups the Youth Group and The Pro-life Group.
I of course pray the Rosary with you all and I am trying to incorporate other prayers into my day. Thank you to all the Rosary Crew ...
I mean this question seriously, however juvenile I may come across.
I am not catholic, but I am seriously considering it. One of my main motivations is that I think it's cool. Mainly through a pop culture lens: Father Stu, The Boondock Saints, The Godfather, that Simpsons clip of Catholic Heaven vs Protestant Heaven, etc.
I suspect this is a good motivation, a sort of sub-category of beauty (i.e., catholicism is gritty and spectacular).
But then again, I suspect my protestant side is coming out here. Being preoccupied with what is cool and culturally relevant, making it about me -- I want to be like Mark Wahlberg! I'll become Catholic! Yippy...
ANY thoughts will be appreciated.