Advice on seeing Priest please

[Mosschops30]

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What's the question here, Mosschops? That you'd like him to make it more basic? More practical? Fewer abstract books? Fewer books full stop? (Books, fergodsake, what parent has time to read those?)

Any of those are reasonable things to bring up, people approach their faith in different ways -- some love heavy duty theology, others like to keep it simple. They are all equally legitimate. Maybe the priest has 'read' you wrongly? I wouldn't be ashamed to say you're finding it hard to cope with the depth or the quantity of reading material. Also, if you have a background in other kinds of Christianity, you could reasonably be more interested in what makes Catholicism different rather than Christianity basics.

Lots of parishes run an RCIA group which will generally be led by laypeople and involve lots of group discussion. Maybe that might be more your thing? I remember your original thread about making an appointment to see the priest, so he must be reasonably approachable?

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I doubt he's testing you, mosschops. I would have thought most priests have enough on their plates without playing silly b*ggers. Does he just lecture you, or can you get a word in sideways?

A book I read at University and really liked was The Catholic Faith by Roderick Strange. He was the Catholic chaplain at the time and an inspired speaker -- the book is also v. good. It covers most aspects of the faith, but from a specifically Catholic perspective.

Maybe if you find a book you have found helpful you could take that in, say how much you liked it and see if you can kick off a discussion from there? Or could you start a session by saying you've been thinking about X and wondered Y to see if you can head him off in a different direction?

Don't be intimidated or overawed by him, if possible. You do get priests who go out of their way to be difficult, but not that many IME. Some may have irreconcilably different worldviews from you, but most recognise that their job is to serve the people and are just trying to do a tricky job as best they can, knowing they can't be all things to all people.

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Mosschops, i converted to catholicism when I was 19 and I can assure you there were no tricky books to read before you could get in! I am also a graduate but many different people convert and they don't have to pass an intellignec test! Tell him you are finding the theology hard going. It is surely up to him to find a way of getting over to you the information your doubtless need to have to convert. If he doesn't help you, find another priest I would say although I know that is easier said than done.

Arr, am cradle Cafflick and veteran of encounters with priests (even some of my rellies are priests).

I think it's reasonable to state politely but assertively that you have a background in Christianity but would like to explore the specifically Catholic aspects. If he won't play ball then you either have to sit it out, just letting it wash over you, or find another priest/parish. The latter will be easy if you live in London or another big city, but trickier if you are in a small town/village.

There's no shame in not getting on with particular priest's approach some of them are getting on a bit and talk to everybody as if we're all bog-hopping peasants. University chaplaincies usually have good approachable clergy if you have one reasonably close you could always make an appointment to discuss your difficulties and see if they can suggest anything.

it must be v. isolating to deal with it all without being plugged into a supportive parish community. But we're not all weird.

Off now to rescue children from school, but will check back later.

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BTW, I still have the booklets I was given to read when I was being received. One is called "We Live - An Introduction to the practice of Catholicism today", and the other is "We Believe - An Introduction to the belief of Catholics today". My priest also gave me "Your Faith - A popular presentation of Catholic Belief". Do they sound more your thng?

I would thoroughly recommend "Catholicism for Dummies" - you can get it on Amazon. I am a cradle Catholic and bought this recently to brush up on all the ins and outs of my faith so I am in a position to properly explain things to dd. It is written by a couple of priests and is very sound and not at all preachy .... it just explains the facts and why Catholics believe what they believe etc without putting any spin on it. It is very easy to dip in and out of and just read bits and pieces that particularly interest you.

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Mosschops, my books are rather old (I was received 21 years ago now) but if it is any help, the two entitled "we Live" and "We Believe" were published by the Catholic Enquiry Centre and the one called "Your Faith" was published by Redemptorist Publications. All of them are A4 size, about 60 pages long, but very easily read. I will have a look to see if either publisher has a website, but failing that, could you try going to your nearest Catholic cathedral where there are sure to be similar books for sale (or someone who knows where you can get them). I used to know of a Catholic bookshop in London but I have forgotten where that was now (or what it was called).

How about this link for starters?

And this is what I found when I googled Redemptorist Publications and searched for "Your Faith". My copy isn't like this, but the blurb sounds about right.

HTH

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Let us know how you get on.

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Oh they are dying for you believe me! You will be admitted to he club, if you want to be, I am sure of that.

I would agree with some others and say try and get onto a Journey in Faith group - they always seem to have a great laugh and not much lecturing as far as i can gather. Also, I am a cradle cafflick (and theology graduate and taught RE in Catholic schools for 8 years) and my knowledge of church history is pretty poor TBH - wasn't my speciality -the rest of us were never quizzed before we got let in so I really can't see why you have to!
Another book which is quite good (also by Redemptorists) is "How to survive being married to a Catholic" - it lays out very sensibly and humourously a lot of catholic belief and tradition.
I used to be a parishioner Westminster Cathedral

(PS - hello Lonelymum - we always seem to meet up on threads like this )

Hello Tommy, yes we do, don't we? But at least this one is a happy one!

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I used the chapter on Redemption to explain it to my A level students. Most of the Redemptorists stuff is pretty good actually.

think its better if you think of the priest as a man. hes not god and lightening won't strike if you dont know stuff.

catholics ( i am one) tend to be arsey. and priests tend to be fuddy duddy nutbuckets - although there are exceptions.

i think you need to come out ( so to speak ) and tell him your finding it difficult - explain that you have ultimate faith in god an Jesus but your finding the specifics to catholocism a bit hard.

i would ask him specifics about what makes a catholic - when will he know your ready - ask him if there is a written exam!!! you need to know.

there is not much different from c of e - couple of workds here and there more incence perhaps, more statues more history.

i think ultimatley you should ask yourself if you think you would feel comfy at this church if your priest is of the fuddy duddy nutbucket variety maybe there is a different church nearby - usually is you could ask to speak to that priest and suss out which is better for you and your family to continue their religeous journey.

also think its better getting two opinions anyway. as even catholics have different opinions on how things are.

may i ask why the switch

i ask only as i cant see much difference to be honest - except women priests and the gay stuff and the married stuff - is it this thats getting on your nerves. becuase ultimatley i believe that god wants us to say thank you - and your faith is far more important than your religeon. thats my humble opinon hence why i ask.

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