Question about these different rites, you say they are all in union with the pope, so do they have an open communion to other Catholics in union with the pope? According to what I am reading these eastern rites aligned themselves with the western (Rome) catholic church for different reasons. But the main point is that they aligned themselves. I know of a splinter (schismatic) group of Roman Catholics that came to be called 'Old Catholics' that broke off from Rome/pope after Vat I. I am also reading about schismatic groups of Eastern Orthodox that broke off from their respective patriarchs and are not aligned with a recognized one, so they create their own patriarch/hierarchy. So in the Catholic world the equivalent would be to set up a new pope. Are there catholic groups out there that have done that? It is nice to have the opportunity to experience a more 'eastern' liturgy in these Catholic churches yet still be in a 'safe' church, so to say. I am comforted that the Catholic church sees this as beneficial and not schismatic, or try to hide or condemn them.

We went to midnight mass at a rather large-ish parish and our youngest dd loved it. They had a choir singing the carols, she particularly enjoyed the alto that sang the solos (dd is an alto in choir, too) We were in awe as they brought in the Christ child and placed Him in the manger. Never saw that before. Dh said this will be our new tradition.

Last night our RC friends had invited us to their parish Mass and dinner afterward. As usual the kids and moms linger at the table and the dads sit in the livingroom talking - they are co-workers. But dh said instead of talking theology or about shipment problems at work, his friend confessed that he had been praying a novena for three years so that the Lord would reveal the truth to dh. The friend said that it was in the same week that he started the novena (3yrs later) that dh told him we were no longer protestant and looking into the ancient faith. On the way home my dh asked me, "What is a novena". Things that he didnt want to hear about before he is eager to learn about now. Dh was raised by an anti-Catholic family. Its understandable, they were refugees from a war torn country who had to leave everything and were never able to go back. They felt abandoned by God, so they abandoned Him. I guess the devil uses that to discourage people: war and chaos. Refugees are in such a fragile state when they come to the US, if anything that is what should hold them together - their faith in God.

About those saint names, is it something obligatory? How do you go about choosing? I've been reading about a few saints and it seems mind boggling - so many. When I was baptized over 1/2 a century ago... :coolgleamA: I was given a saint name. My parents said the priest insisted on every child having a saint name. Its not my given/legal name, but all my family know its my baptismal name (or saint name) Could I use that?

Tonight at mass I found the Virgen! She was at the other church, surrounded by the most beautiful flowers and lit candles. Dh couldnt make it tonight, he had to work. Everything was done very reverently and with decorum. I felt like I was home. Adult confirmation starts in January...I'll just start up from the beginning then.

When I was young, we were taught once a week, preference was on Sat nite so you would be prepared to receive the Eucharist on Sunday morning. I've been hearing on the Catholic radio that you have to at the very least go once a year. It must have changed.

Tolkein did not write the Harry Potter series, it was JK Rowling. I dont know what her religious background is.

Thanks for responding to that. I've been in this town for 7yrs and have always heard mention of this priest/monsignor very highly. I guess my bubble was burst. Some of the congregant's comments that evening were very racist referring to the Virgin and the person she appeared to and the people she intercedes for today. I thought they were uncalled for and they seemed allowed and encouraged by the priest who had to add his own biased two-cents. I see past the exterior and try to see people as God sees them, but being an 'olive' skinned person I feel hurt as a child of God to be singled out simply for that. I went that night to worship God in His house but I was made to feel unwelcomed and left very sad.

The weekday morning mass I attend is 45 min. The Wed night one was also 45 min.

Who attended mass tonight? Is it usually just an ordinary mass or advent mass? It was listed as the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I read up on the history of the apparitions of Mary. I know of one very personally, the Virgin of Charity (Virgen de la Caridad) because she is the patron saint of Cuba, where my Catholic mom is from. I have a cousin named Caridad. I attended the mass in the smallish parish that I started attending RCIA at. Dh went with me, there were less than 10 people there. The monsignor didnt know the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe (really?) he vaguely mentioned a few facts, skipped a few of the readings out of the missalette, he allowed a few people to comment about the Virgin. Then I got the strange feeling of being in the wrong place. You see, there is another Catholic church in this small town, Our Lady of Guadalupe church, the Spanish-Catholic church. When we drove by it after Mass it was PACKED! So we went to the wrong mass tonight. I felt the Virgin was disrespected in this White-Catholic church. I expected a recounting of Mary's visit to the peasant in Mexico and how its the most visited shrine in Christiandom, Pope John Paul II visited there 4 times. It's Mary. Not Mexican Mary. Are there segregated churches in your area?

I learned this years ago, being nice to someone difficult, not being a hypocrite, but trying to see them with fresh eyes, be cordial, even if they are rather brusque. Sometimes they soften, sometimes they just get harder. Anyway, you are doing your part in trying to love them as God loves us.

Went to RCIA last night...didnt expect such a large class, about 20 people, 6 of them teens. I feel very fortunate the class is being taught by a couple who are both cradle RC. This is the smallish parish closest to me. Dh was working tonight but he will join me next week.

So, its a 'c'atholic thing, both communion with Christ and with ALL of our brothers and sisters in Christ, past, present and future. I did sign up for RCIA classes, starting tonight. Need to reacquaint myself to my cradle faith, get all the junk floating in my head out (really not a lot) and see where the Lord wants me right now.

I have just come across in a book the EO view of communion, a different mindset. It is communion with all around you (local parish) and those who have passed. Having been wandering in the protestant world since I was 18, communion meant to me MY 'communion' with God. Going to the altar (or being passed the elements) and receiving them, I was receiving Christ...its was between me and my Savior. Kind of personal, so was confession with me, it was between me and God-even when long ago I had confessed to a priest (God's rep on earth). I have the Catholic Catechism I need to look into, but what is the RCC view on communion?

Caught the last of a radio show by Scott Hahn where he was listing several must read Catholic books, one was Chesterton's Orthodoxy. Does anyone know the list or that can point me to anything similar?

Cathé, communion, profession de foi, confirmation....profession de foi=profession of faith

I have seen a lack of discipleship (study) at all churches, few offer any type of basic Christian doctrine like I received when I attended a RCC, one of the many reasons I have wanted to go back.

Would you then recommend taking classes at a bigger RC than the local parish? We have a big one about 1/2 an hour away (over 4,000 families)?

Of C-and c-atholic interest, just heard an interview with author, John Scally, reviewing his book which spawned from an interview he did with Mother Teresa...http://www.catholicbook.net/products/As-I-Have-Loved-You%3A-A-Conversation-with-Mother-Teresa-by-John-Scally.html

Dont know if she has tips on her website but Bobbi Brown, the makeup artist, in her book http://www.amazon.com/Bobbi-Brown-Living-Beauty/dp/B0041T4PWA/ref=la_B000APKTCY_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1354644931&sr=1-5 has tips for over 40 year olds. Its on the bargain bin now, but well worth the full price.

Question. I was baptized RC and received my 1st communion at age 8 after catechesis but never confirmed (my family moved and stopped going to church when I was 9). This is going to age me, but when I tried to go back when I was 18, the RC had changed. I have been wandering in the protestant realm ever since. My protestant husband is no longer protestant, we are inquiring into the EO and he is allowing me to explore my roots. We are lucky to have RC, EO and an Eastern-rite Maronite Catholic church within reasonable distance to compare. In exploring my roots should I try RCIA or Adult Confirmation? The description of the AC is what 'fits' me but I wonder if I should go back to square one.

Went to DL then found out the class we started going to was cancelled. It was on their calendar, and in their bulletin :( we figured something was wrong when we got to the class and no one else showed up. The choir welcomed us to join them in practice :) 2nd time something like that has happened and I am beginning to think God is trying to tell me something. My head wants me to stay and learn about the EO, but my heart and soul has been yearning for RC since I was 9. So tomorrow I am attending Mass with my RC friend. Actually they have mass everyday. I just cant sit through another DL service its just not enough. I can be RC until dh decides what he wants to do, go forward with EO catechism or not. I think I need to get this out of my system (returning to RC).

Yes, yes, yes, thank you JenniferB.

I am a lifelong Christian, an Orthodox inquirer, but I have dealt with that question. I grew up in 'fear' of God in the wrong way. We are to fear and respect Him because He is the Almighty, creator of everything. I have learned through years of intense Bible study the attributes of God the Father, and He is merciful, patience and loving. You may want to check this resource - Bible Study Fellowship International. I spent over 6yrs straight attending their yearround, weekly Bible study. I see it this way, in the times of Noah things must have been so horrible for Noah and his family. I pray I never have to experience the same decay in all of society, although at my age I have seen a lot of it. Much like a petulant child at first hates his parents for chastising them for misbehaving...then growing up and seeing it was better to have grown up being disciplined. If God hadnt wiped out the earth, so to say, would you want to live in that kind of moral decay. We only have a taste of what that is like. The only just man in Noah's time was Noah and God spared him and his family. God gave us a fresh start, with a promise not to wipe us out again. At times I wish He'd zap a few miscreants now and then but I like that He is in control and not me. I have found a lot of people who criticize God dont really know the Bible and are like misbehaved children, they dont really know their Father, and it is a shame.

That ex-RC fellow that dh has been discipling joined us for the Paraclesis 2nite and dh was talking about DL on Sunday...and the fellow said he'd love to join us. Its been 10yrs since he has been in any church. So this is huge. Please pray for this fellow. And the service was beautiful.