Catholicism?

[MomtoCandJ]

Dh and I are thinking of enrolling dd into the local catholic school. We have 2 church sponsored schools in our area, the other being Lutheran. I know a little bit more about the catholic so we are leaning more in that direction. I just need more information about Catholicism. Would reading the catechism give me a basic run down? I have been to mass a few times as a child but don't remember a whole lot and am interested in joining myself. My local library doesn't have anything so looking for free sources of information please :)

[Avila]

The Catechism is a good reference guide for the Church. It is free online at www.usccb.org, which is the U.S. Bishops' web site. It can be complicated for beginners though.

 

My favorite site is www.catholic.com, which is Catholic Answers. They have lots of free info and MP3s to listen to. If you have an opportunity to get books, Fr. Trigilio's Catholicism for Dummies is very good (hate the name, but love the book). Anything by Scott Hahn is very good, and he has free Bible studies at www.salvationhistory.com. I also like Frank Sheed Theology for Beginners.

 

On WTM, we have a Social Group called Crossing the Tiber (when the SGs come back). For now, we are doing it in thread form. It is set up for people to discuss the Church, especially for getting questuons answered. You are also welcome to PM me, if I can help.

[PrairieSong]

Yes, the catechism is a good place to start and is very accessible. One book that I often recommend is The Faith Explained by Fr. Leo Trese. It is an older book that has been reprinted and is also a available on Kindle. As Avila said, come join us in the Crossing the Tiber thread!

[C_l_e_0..Q_c]

I'm Catholic and I don't find the catechism accessible. I find it boring to tears... It's a nice reference book though.

I second Scott Hahn though. And contacting your local parish. Most likely you will be able to take the RCIA classes without any pressure to 'convert'.

[Ellie]

It would be good for you to contact your local parish and talk to the pastor there. :-) In the fall, many parishes start a process called "Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults" (RCIA), and if you are able to go to that, you should get all your questions answered, even if you decide not to go back to the Church.

 

Also, there's a very good forum called the Coming Home Network, which has many kind, knowledgeable members who are happy to answer your questions (although of course you can lurk and read a ton of stuff without ever posting).

[PrairieSong]

I'm Catholic and I don't find the catechism accessible. I find it boring to tears... It's a nice reference book though.

I second Scott Hahn though. And contacting your local parish. Most likely you will be able to take the RCIA classes without any pressure to 'convert'.

 

What I meant by accessible was that you don't need a doctorate in theology to understand it. It doesn't read like a novel, for sure. I use it as a reference as well.

[PrairieSong]

It would be good for you to contact your local parish and talk to the pastor there. :-) In the fall, many parishes start a process called "Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults" (RCIA), and if you are able to go to that, you should get all your questions answered, even if you decide not to go back to the Church.

 

Also, there's a very good forum called the Coming Home Network, which has many kind, knowledgeable members who are happy to answer your questions (although of course you can lurk and read a ton of stuff without ever posting).

 

These are good ideas, but I don't think the OP has ever been Catholic, from reading her post. She can jump in and correct me if I'm wrong. OP, do contact the priest at your local parish for more info about RCIA.

[MomtoCandJ]

What does it mean to be a Roman Catholic Church? Holy Family (the local parish and dd's possible future school)

[MomtoCandJ]

I'm not catholic. As if yet anyway. I gave attended mass a few times as a child and went to "religious release time" there for 4 years while in elementary school. But that's it.

[SevenDaisies]

What does it mean to be a Roman Catholic Church? Holy Family (the local parish and dd's possible future school)

 

I am sure some one else can explain this better, but it is basically a church that is presided over by the pope.

 

Check out the book "Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of Faith" by Fr. Robert Barron. There is a great video series that is based on the book (or the book could be based on the videos - not sure). Many parishes are offering a class using these materials. You can see snippets of the videos if you by the kindle version and view on an iPad.

[SevenDaisies]

 

 

What I meant by accessible was that you don't need a doctorate in theology to understand it. It doesn't read like a novel, for sure. I use it as a reference as well.

 

I agree. The catechism is very easy to read, but a bit dry. Much better used as a reference.

[Parrothead]

You know, all of these books suggested are wonderful. But for a very basic beginning you can't beat Catholicism for Dummies.

[PrairieSong]

 

 

I am sure some one else can explain this better, but it is basically a church that is presided over by the pope.

 

Check out the book "Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of Faith" by Fr. Robert Barron. There is a great video series that is based on the book (or the book could be based on the videos - not sure). Many parishes are offering a class using these materials. You can see snippets of the videos if you by the kindle version and view on an iPad.

 

 

Fr. Barron is wonderful! His web site has his homilies (sermons) archived. You can find him at wordonfire.org. He also has a YouTube channel called Word on Fire.

[Parrothead]

What does it mean to be a Roman Catholic Church? Holy Family (the local parish and dd's possible future school)

 

Roman Catholic means one belongs to a church that follows the Roman (Latin) rite. There are six rites within the church at large. I linked a page and gave you a more in depth answer to your CTT post.

 

If you have any other questions we will be more than happy to help. You don't have to be a convert to join the CTT thread or social group when they come back.