Can we have a positive thread about Catholicism?

[PadgettsDream]

There is currently a thread running where there is a lot of criticism of the Catholic Church which is in many cases fair enough and it needs to be discussed but that thread in my opinion often strays into outright anti-Catholic sentiment and even bigotry against Catholics and Catholicism in general.

So I wonder if anyone would like a space to talk about the positives of the Church? I myself was raised Catholic, went to a convent School and it was wonderful really. I did not have any bad experiences and the Church has always been a source of strength and comfort for me. It doesn't dominate my life, I'm not brainwashed by it but its been an important foundation for me and I am thankful for it. In my own family history the Church stepped in and helped when nobody else would.

Any other positive stories?

If he was baptized then he hadn't been previously, Catholics do not rebaptise if the first was valid. I think he was nonobservant Jewish previously.

Happy are you when others persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account, rejoice and be glad for your reward will be great in heaven

The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him

Happy Lent!

I must get to confession during Lent. Its finding a time that I can get to. There's a lunchtime one in the city, but it's booking the train to get to it.

Our sacristan made the ashes so liquid, that the vergers were handing out wet wipes. I'd gladly leave them on, but you can't with ours. They rub down your face. The bishop can't wear his mitre after having the ashes imposed as it trashes it. 😬

Whereas our were a bit in the dry side and disappeared within a couple of hours. We have a new priest (since December) and it was cheering to see some of the children from the primary school confirmation group at Mass this morning nodding along to his homily - great that he has become someone they want to listen to. He kept it simple but didn't talk down to them - there's an art to that.

I converted from Anglicanism in my late 40s at the height of the paedophilia scandal. I have never regretted that decision. Our parish has had two priests around my age, both easy to talk to. I found that all but one of my Anglican friends really struggled with it (and the one took a while to come round - an utterly crap vicar in his church helped!). It was as if ripples from the Reformation were still washing up the beach.

Happy Lent to all. This year is the first year I've had my ashes actually look like a cross for the full day, usually they're a sort of blurry smudge. Still had people all day coming over to tell me I had something on my face of course.

The article I read said he was brought up in both faiths and was baptised and bahmitzvahed.

@Iwasafool As far as I'm aware there is no trinitarian baptism in the Jewish faith- as there wouldn't be since they do not view Jesus Christ as the son so wouldn't baptise in the name of the father and the son and the Holy Spirit. This is why he would've been baptised as it hadn't been previously done. I say that as someone who converted myself.

Is your church having anyone join the Church this Easter Vigil?

As far as I know it's just one for baptism this year, we had an adult confirmation earlier in the year though.

Probably not in our village church - not sure about the big one in town. The upcoming excitement there is that it will be where the Chrism Mass is celebrated during Holy Week this year - not something I've ever attended, and I'm looking forward to it.

@DeanElderberry Chrism Mass day is my favourite day of the entire year. I'm
An Altar server in our cathedral. So I always serve it in the morning. Then run up to Liverpool for theirs as I know loads of people there. And theirs is in the evening. Both masses are completely different in character. Gutted this year, that I will have to miss ours as I have an induction day for university.

Isn't your chrism mass being celebrated in the cathedral? Thats the point of the mass. The bishop, priests and people all coming together in the cathedral.

This will be the Bishop, priests and people coming together in a big church on the other side of the Diocese. This Bishop is quite keen on getting out into the wider area.

I feel like this too. It's gets tedious when people on the net try to put us on the defensive by attacking the Catholic Faith. It's the only one that they can get away with literally hating on without being visited or rang by the police, wanting to talk to them about "hate speech".
Still, Our Lord told us to rejoice when we're hated for His sake, as they hated Him first and anyway, it just makes me even more convinced the Catholic Faith is the one true faith and I will never change my mind on this, no matter what anyone says to me! I'm happy to answer questions asked in a genuine desire to understand but I am done trying to defend and explain my Faith to anyone who is not open-minded and respectful!

There are three candidates for just confirmation and three for baptism, and one candidate for baptism and confirmation at this year's Easter Vigil. Seven people in total.

No idea how many we've got. One year we had over 50. The baptistery got a bit crowded!

It would be amazing to see that many join our Church.

I love going to the Vigil Mass and seeing new people be baptised or confirmed.

What Masses are you going to this week?

Chrism Mass on Wednesday, Mass of the Lord's Supper on Thursday, Mass on Saturday evening with lighting the light, blessing of the paschal candle, water etc, Dawn mass on Sunday in a dark churchyard with graves of friends and families, waiting to hear about that empty tomb. And to see the sun and hear the birdsong. Also devotions, communion, adoration of the Cross on Friday afternoon.

Really looking forward to it all. There are going to be children involved in Thursday's Mass (first communion candidates I think) and I have been asked to be the narrator for a gospel reading they will be doing, and I'm going to be one of a great multitude doing something, I know not what, at the Chrism Mass. An action-packed week awaits.

Then on Sunday, wine and chocolate.

Has anyone read Frost in May? It's a wonderful evocation of the beauty and mysticism of life in a convent school at the turn of the century. It was also televised in the 80s but there are no recordings of it.

My one regret is that I thought a C of E school would be fine for my daughter and so she did not attend a Catholic school. I feel she has missed SO much in terms of spirituality and an "inner life". I am lazy and am not a regular mass goer, but when I do attend, I feel simultaneously at peace yet energized. And on another level, knowledge of the mysteries of the faith gives insight into literature, poetry, art and music which I feel my daughter lacks (although she is sensitive etc).

My one complaint is lack of an alter rail. Our priest told off the congregation last week for walking away whilst consuming the host. I was always told to step to the side, but he felt one should consume the host in front of the priest. If the communion rail were still there, this would make the act so much more spiritual.

There's one church I attend that still uses the alter rail, which I love.

I wonder if he's had issues in the past with people not consuming the Host, so he makes sure it's eaten now.

There is a positive response to “Dignitas Infinita” on the feminism and women's rights board.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5045732-surrogacy-genderwoo-now-officially-condemned-in-catholic-doctrine